Am I the only one who is tired of LS swaps?

[Garrett1982]

Yeah, SBCs and Chebbys in general are literally the easiest and cheapest engines to hotrod. Really the only advantages I see in my situation for swapping in another Buick instead is:
1. Lighter weight. The average SBB is about 150lbs lighter than the average SBC (not LS) from the get go. The block and heads themselves are stronger due to having a higher nickle content in the block. Even the pre-smog and unleaded gas Buick 350s don't even really need hardened exhaust seats (still a good idea though) due to all the nickle in there. They are almost square bore engines, which makes a nice, flat, predictable torque and power curve. due to the long stroke (3.85 across all 12 years of the Buick 350), they are very torqey for small blocks. And the small bore (3.8, like the Buick 231 V6) adds to that torque. A 1970 Stage 1 Buick 350 was rated at 315hp and 410 for torque. Really the only downsides are again that small bore/stroke limits power and the dumb oiling system, but there are mods to make it livable. Yes it can be bored out/longer rods used, but the Chevy is infinitely easier to do so plus it already has a .2 inch bigger bore from the get-go. I could go on and on but I think ya'll get the point. lol

Oh, and #2, all the front accessory parts from a 3.8 bolt in place. 😀

Reall

That 315 is gross correct? What would that equal in SAE net?

 

[MrSony]

i mean you could always put a lexus engine in

That's cool

 

[MrSony]

That 315 is gross correct? What would that equal in SAE net?

Always used a 20% rule of thumb. Seems to work well. So, that would leave 80% of the gross power and 80% of 315 is like 250-260hp NET at the flywheel with all accessories hooked up and a full exhaust. Not bad. But then again with a cam and intake/carb combo that 315 is easily attainable. And lest we forget a 1970 GS350 Skylark runs mid 15s 😛

 

[Garrett1982]

Some leave well enough alone, some look for an engine to stick in their g-body, and some are looking for a car to stick their LS in.

 

[MrSony]

Yep. Different strokes. I'm just burnt out on 'em.

 

[Garrett1982]

Most of the LS boys that I hear talk have spent a ton of money to get them to run with some snot. Unless you ;stroke them and add a good set of heads and expensive cam and the other upgrades. Most are not any more faster then a simple vortec SBC with a cam carb and a HEI. Easy to make big power with a simple 350 vortec 880 casting, just order a standard bore stroker kit and a comp EX-282 hyd. roller cam and as Hot Rod did to made well over 450+HP and 480+TQ. If you can't do it for under $2500 complete from the oil pan to the vortec valve covers give me a call and I will get you all the part numbers to do it your self.

I probably only spent a little more than that and I will have just over 600 crank.

 

[olds307 and 403]

Honestly, they are just like the SBC, way over done. The SBC was so so factory for quality till the 80's, so I was never impressed. They are both weak down low in stock trim, I am a fan of low end torque and being different. I put an Olds 350 in my 94 chebby 4x4 because in a heavy truck, I want torque. Like I have said before, it out accelerated idle-4000 rpm, LS powered trucks with same drive train, transmission back. The new gen Hemi puts out more power, should be another consideration.

 

[jlcustomz]

I take offense when people look at my LS swap & talk about everybody doing it now. I actually agree it's pretty played out now, BUT I did mine back in 2002 BEFORE everybody's brother could buy swap kit parts & bolt one in.
Cut & reboxed my frame crossmember, modified trans crossmember, modified factory LS harness, made my motor mounts, etc.
To help distinguish from the sea of me too LS conversions, I'm making my own cross ram dual plenum intake. Shown unfinished sitting loose on top of factory intake.


Also making my own tri-y headers, & valve covers.
I can't stand being like everyone else either

 

[87BlazeLS]

Any engine swaps require the donor motor have at least some aftermarket or oem support.
Many one off motors found that did not have a real "hotrod" type following are long gone to the
crusher. There was a guy in the hood that had an old Pinto Race car. It was ugly as hell.
Big huge wheels and fat tires. 2300 cc Ford 4 popper. Ofenhauser intake, big *ss cam,
And that thing would rev to the moon. Fastest old POS I ever saw.

As many on here will claim and it's not a bad way of thinking either "No replacement for displacement"
So when you can go big on cubes it's better than a hot hopped up smaller motor.
The bigger engine will give you more bang for every buck you put in it.
Buick and Olds as well as Ponitac had 455 cuin And they work well for big block builds.
Plenty of parts available and not so common as the chevy's...

 

[ssn696]

6.2L Detroit Diesel, Banks turbo kit and a T-56!