ENGINE LS2 VS BIG-BLOCK 454ci
Thread Starter
Instructor
Joined: Aug 2009
Posts: 126
Likes: 0
From: marcinelle hainaut
ENGINE LS2 VS BIG-BLOCK 454ci
Hello everyone,
I hesitate with bought an engine LS2 or a big block 454!!!!
I wish to have a power of 500hp!!!!
which is the MOST RELIABLE engine????
which is the MOST SOLID engine????
which is the engine easiest to maintain is even??????
thank you with you all!!!!!!!!!!!
David
I hesitate with bought an engine LS2 or a big block 454!!!!
I wish to have a power of 500hp!!!!
which is the MOST RELIABLE engine????
which is the MOST SOLID engine????
which is the engine easiest to maintain is even??????
thank you with you all!!!!!!!!!!!
David
Racer
Joined: Feb 2007
Posts: 389
Likes: 7
From: Cliffwood Beach NJ
LS2 would be the better all round engine. Makes good power and is reliable. I suppose it's even easy to maintain. The Big block would give you more power potential though. Personally I am not a big fan of stuffing LS engines in C3s, they just dont look right.
Drifting
Joined: Apr 2007
Posts: 1,892
Likes: 3
From: Springfield Illinois
If your wish is to have 500HP, the big block is the way to go. The Performer RPM air gap will put a ZZ454 at a little over 500HP/500FTLB. I don't care what anyone says, but 500HP on an LS2 is pushing it. That is alot of stress on their anemic rotating assembly that consist of a nodular iron crank, POWDERED METAL rods and hypereutectic pistons. Of course, if you don't hammer the LS2 it might last a while. However, to me, reliability and more solid engine mean the same thing. A ZZ454 comes with a complete forged rotating assembly. If you are seriously going to be pushing 500HP, the Big Block would be the most reliable. I also believe that the BB is the easiest and cheapest to maintain. For that reason, I built my own 454 rather than going the LS route.
Drifting
Joined: Sep 2007
Posts: 1,572
Likes: 51
From: Wichita Kansas
Read through the "Sticky" or other threads for what is involved to install and LS engine. The LS is a great high tech engine that will produce hp and I think they look great under the hood. The BBC is a bolt in with many stock parts available for a factory looking install or you have many choise in aftermarket parts for the BBC install.
I have never owned or driven an LS powered car. However, I have owned BB powered cars and they are AWSOME in power. I have been collecting parts to install a BB in my 80. After reading all the threads and taking cost into consideration (4 kids to support with 1 in collage) I think the BB will be my biggest bang for the buck.
I have never owned or driven an LS powered car. However, I have owned BB powered cars and they are AWSOME in power. I have been collecting parts to install a BB in my 80. After reading all the threads and taking cost into consideration (4 kids to support with 1 in collage) I think the BB will be my biggest bang for the buck.
Melting Slicks
Joined: Jan 2003
Posts: 2,877
Likes: 13
From: Doha
St. Jude Donor '08
Everything you said is really subjective. It all depends what you do to the engine and how much HP you are looking for, a stock LS2 to a stock ZZ454 I would diffenetely go for the ZZ454! , its as much reliable and as much easy to maintain, PLUS when you pop up the hood, nothing will beat the look of these large valve covers of a BB in a corvette engine bay!
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Race Director
Joined: Jan 2007
Posts: 14,935
Likes: 3,343
From: NYC NY
The LS series engines are great. They make great power and offer great driveability. If you get an all aluminum version you can't beat the power to weight ratio. On the other hand they are not bolt in, the electronics are complicated, and the conversion is pricey. While the Big Block is a "bolt in" and is much easier to maintain for the average guy. By todays standards it may be crude but it sure is fun. Another "for the average guy" vote for the ZZ454.
Burning Brakes
Joined: Nov 2002
Posts: 1,245
Likes: 21
From: Abingdon MD
The LS series engines are great. They make great power and offer great driveability. If you get an all aluminum version you can't beat the power to weight ratio. On the other hand they are not bolt in, the electronics are complicated, and the conversion is pricey. While the Big Block is a "bolt in" and is much easier to maintain for the average guy. By todays standards it may be crude but it sure is fun. Another "for the average guy" vote for the ZZ454.
ZZ454 is a much easier install. Also, you will also have the challenge of getting your 500 hp C3 to launch properly, due to the extra power and torque. Save some budget $$ for some chassis and rear beefing up.Rickman
Team Owner
Joined: Jul 1999
Posts: 65,492
Likes: 230
From: Orange Park Florida
IMO, IF you are going to spend a chunk of money, get the LS engine, with the FI on board, not any carb conversion....
reasoning is that IF you seriously put any miles on the thing, and want to enjoy it without fear of gasoline costs killing your bank acct.....you will enjob 22+ mpg as opposed to 12 at best .....
now you CAN put FI on a BB, but that's pushing another 3 grand on top of the engine conversion....making the total nothing less than 7 grand.....over twice what you can do a LS conversion for....
I stuck DPFI on my L48 engine years ago and maybe should have kept it, as it was getting 24 mpg with the Muncie and 336 rear on the freeways turning some 4000 rpm all the time....
but I upped the ante with a engine swap to a roller engine, gained another 150 hp or so....and cost me 2-4 mpg even with the overdrive.....can't win....
reasoning is that IF you seriously put any miles on the thing, and want to enjoy it without fear of gasoline costs killing your bank acct.....you will enjob 22+ mpg as opposed to 12 at best .....
now you CAN put FI on a BB, but that's pushing another 3 grand on top of the engine conversion....making the total nothing less than 7 grand.....over twice what you can do a LS conversion for....
I stuck DPFI on my L48 engine years ago and maybe should have kept it, as it was getting 24 mpg with the Muncie and 336 rear on the freeways turning some 4000 rpm all the time....
but I upped the ante with a engine swap to a roller engine, gained another 150 hp or so....and cost me 2-4 mpg even with the overdrive.....can't win....
Melting Slicks
Joined: Nov 2002
Posts: 2,231
Likes: 7
From: Fort Pierce Florida
LS6 on a safe tune at the wheels. Your potential for power is even better with the LS2.
Video:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=5n0kVNdr8bE
Lighter, 20 mpg highway.......I'm just sayin
Racer
Joined: Dec 2008
Posts: 319
Likes: 0
From: Topeka Kansas
St. Jude Donor '09-'10-'11-'12-'13-'14,’18
LS6 on a safe tune at the wheels. Your potential for power is even better with the LS2.
Video:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=5n0kVNdr8bE
Lighter, 20 mpg highway.......I'm just sayin
Mike
