What makes an LS better than a small block?
Or rather, is an LS better than a small block?
I was talking to my buddy who is a senior at my university, and I was telling him about how I wanted to get a cheap, regular, iron crate 350 and drop it in my car after graduation. He said to hell with that, and that an LS is 100% the way to go, no questions asked. He got a 5.3 (with everything included) from a Blazer or something with 160,000 miles for $600, put it in his 69 Firebird, and says its a champ compared to the boat anchor that he had in it before (a 400 or something). Better power and gas mileage. For comparison, a basic 350 crate from summit with most of the essential parts included is close to $1,600, though a cheaper one can be found used, obviously.
If you were to compare an iron block LS with an iron block small block (or an all aluminum LS vs an all aluminum small block) that have very close bore and stroke dimensions, what makes an LS "better"? Assuming both engines run and have equal amounts of money put into performance modifications. Do both engines have potential to make identical HP/TQ and gas mileage?
Perhaps someone who has run both in real life would know best? All answers welcome! Thanks!
Or rather, is an LS better than a small block?
I was talking to my buddy who is a senior at my university, and I was telling him about how I wanted to get a cheap, regular, iron crate 350 and drop it in my car after graduation. He said to hell with that, and that an LS is 100% the way to go, no questions asked. He got a 5.3 (with everything included) from a Blazer or something with 160,000 miles for $600, put it in his 69 Firebird, and says its a champ compared to the boat anchor that he had in it before (a 400 or something). Better power and gas mileage. For comparison, a basic 350 crate from summit with most of the essential parts included is close to $1,600, though a cheaper one can be found used, obviously.
If you were to compare an iron block LS with an iron block small block (or an all aluminum LS vs an all aluminum small block) that have very close bore and stroke dimensions, what makes an LS "better"? Assuming both engines run and have equal amounts of money put into performance modifications. Do both engines have potential to make identical HP/TQ and gas mileage?
Perhaps someone who has run both in real life would know best? All answers welcome! Thanks!
