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383 or LS6??

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Old Sep 13, 2007 | 02:37 PM
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Default 383 or LS6??

im stuck in a pickle... i cant make up my mind whether to mock up a:

hot 383- 195 or 210 afr heads, all forged internals, big cam maybe a procharger down the road..ect...
or
Carbed LS6
http://store.summitracing.com/partde...4&autoview=sku

obveously both are gonna be expensive, LS6 a bit more, im almost positive that the LS6 is going to be more realiable... the car is kinda sorda my dd but not really, i like to drive it alot!..

my question is what else would i need with the LS6 besides a distributor, possibly a diff oil pan, and a comp?? i already have a tko 600, will the flywheel hook up to the engine?? ive looked around and really havent seen any people running this set up since most of the time the hook up t56's and or an automatic tranny..

anyways im just wondering around.. today is a year ago that i high sided on my motorcycle and got into a huge mess with that .. finally got everything payed off and im ready to start burning money on the vette again..

the ducati is fun and all but i miss shirley...

Last edited by Shirley1978; Sep 13, 2007 at 02:39 PM.
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Old Sep 13, 2007 | 02:48 PM
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I also got into a mess with my Ducati (Monster 750) in early 2005, bought the vette that december.
Motorcycles are fun, not much can compare to the open feeling, but very dangerous in busy areas.

I see your in california, what are the smog rules in your area? have to consider that when purchasing an engine...especially if you plan on driving the car alot.
Personally, i'd got with a 383 for the vette, less hassle since their is no cpu and more muscle feel, but the ls6 will be more economical and DD friendly. First thing first, what does Aaaaarnold say you can use without coming after you Terminator style???
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Old Sep 13, 2007 | 03:08 PM
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This is your best choice:

http://www.gmhightechperformance.com...ads/index.html

Oh wait.....carb. 383 is definitely cheaper, but man those LS engines are built SO much better then the earlier gen. blocks from the flow design down to all the O-rings instead of cork gaskets.

Last edited by SuprJames; Sep 13, 2007 at 03:10 PM.
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Old Sep 13, 2007 | 04:26 PM
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Originally Posted by 68 NJConv 454
I also got into a mess with my Ducati (Monster 750) in early 2005, bought the vette that december.
Motorcycles are fun, not much can compare to the open feeling, but very dangerous in busy areas.

I see your in california, what are the smog rules in your area? have to consider that when purchasing an engine...especially if you plan on driving the car alot.
Personally, i'd got with a 383 for the vette, less hassle since their is no cpu and more muscle feel, but the ls6 will be more economical and DD friendly. First thing first, what does Aaaaarnold say you can use without coming after you Terminator style???
im not too concerned about it to tell you the truth, i think there are a few guys running LS engines in cali with no problems.. they just have to pass smog for the year of the car, in my case, 1978...

but that aside.. i think im leaning more twards the LS side.. but the oldschool 383 is also pulling me back.. WTF!?!? this is stressfull.. and i havent even begun to wrench. ...

anyways.. i think the LS engine would be better in my case, its probobly gonna cost me a pretty penny too.. but hey maybe this way my cousin and his whippled cobra wont be a quarter mile infront of me all the time ..
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Old Sep 13, 2007 | 04:39 PM
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Originally Posted by SuprJames
This is your best choice:

http://www.gmhightechperformance.com...ads/index.html

Oh wait.....carb. 383 is definitely cheaper, but man those LS engines are built SO much better then the earlier gen. blocks from the flow design down to all the O-rings instead of cork gaskets.
damn.. this thing can make crazy power... ya know... i was also thinkin about getting that camaro or better yet the new firebird if it comes out ( i already know everyone and their mom is gonna have a camaro)... maybe i should just go old school with this and save some cash to hop up the next project... ... i love it how i make a game plan and stick with it...
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Old Sep 13, 2007 | 04:45 PM
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i love old gen SB 383/406ci, afr 210 heads are the business, forged internals and a big mighty fuel spitter carb is what you need...
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Old Sep 13, 2007 | 04:57 PM
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would 210 afr's be overkill??
i dont think so.. but people tell me otherwise, what would be the disadvantage in running 210 heads??
i wanna run a high rev 383 if im going that route.. so maybe a scat rotating assebly, flat top pistons.. angle plugs to fit the super comp headers i already have... damn.. im gonna be busy this winter... hopefully..
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Old Sep 14, 2007 | 10:08 AM
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I'm hoping to pop out a few kids I can sell when the new Challenger comes out. just kidding

The LS engine would be easier to tune if you are computer savy or have a local shop help you out. May also be easier for the smog testing. You do have limits with an LS computer before you have to upgrade. But if your gas prices are as much as ours the LS is much more economical then any stroker especially if its your "DD".

Its a vette so of course I vote for an LS4, LS7 or stroker. I don't want any honda, camaro, firebird ever seeing you in its rear view mirror. An LS motor can do it but a stroker is much easier to add on and upgrade without worrying about the CPU. But it will cost you in parts, labor and gas.

Tuff choice but in Cali I would have to go with a nice stout LS motor. Save up and get the most hp you can with a full package but make sure its smog legal or its pointless.
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Old Sep 14, 2007 | 11:35 AM
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My vote would be for the LS6 but I'd keep the fuel injection. The most cost effective way to do an LS swap is to buy a 2002 Z28 or TransAm with the LS1 (325 HP). This will provide you with about 90% of the components you need (ecu, transmission, wiring harness, Cats, etc). At this point, if you still want the LS6, swap them and sell off what you don't use. This is exactly what I'm doing. See the earlier threads and STICKY on the LS conversions.
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Old Sep 14, 2007 | 12:19 PM
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Originally Posted by palamesa
My vote would be for the LS6 but I'd keep the fuel injection. The most cost effective way to do an LS swap is to buy a 2002 Z28 or TransAm with the LS1 (325 HP). This will provide you with about 90% of the components you need (ecu, transmission, wiring harness, Cats, etc). At this point, if you still want the LS6, swap them and sell off what you don't use. This is exactly what I'm doing. See the earlier threads and STICKY on the LS conversions.

Go with a LS1 out of a Fbod and the accessories will be in the right place and LS6 heads are CHEAP! YOu'll have to change the cam anyway for the carb, so, other then a very slight block design difference, you'll have a LS6.

My next LS project will be a LS2 with that L92 package I posted in that link. That much streetable HP out of a NA engine is just
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Old Sep 14, 2007 | 03:10 PM
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i dont know how much you plan on spending, but how much down time are you willing to have? i would go with a 434 from ohiocrank. assembled shortblock for 3900.00....... top off with your choice of roller cam and heads could make alot of street friendly power, and not be a pita to get in and running or hassle with smog. if you do go carbed LSx texas speed has 418 short block for 4755.00.... add cnc L92 heads for 1499.00 they flow over 350 cfm!! either way is a winning proposition.
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Old Sep 14, 2007 | 06:01 PM
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the reason i wanted the carbed LS6 is for ease of installation.. that way i dont have to get new fuel pump ect ect.. carbed would be ALOT easier to do.. and i figure if i ever do want to change over it wont be difficult to do so..

as for the LS1 out of an f body... i think it sound promising but to find a junker with a decent engine takes up too much time... i dont have any real days off as it is!.. but i guess i can always look on ebay or something...

i REALLY want to get something done with in the next year with this car.. its been sitting for a while now, i only drive it once every 2 or 3 weeks not ....
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Old Sep 14, 2007 | 06:08 PM
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on another note...

i already have a tko-600 from keisler.. so i dont need a tranny.

also have a dewitts radiator with dual spal fans...

the only thing i really need is the motor, ecu, and distributor, and all the other little crap that might come up..
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Old Sep 15, 2007 | 03:54 AM
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Originally Posted by Shirley1978
as for the LS1 out of an f body... i think it sound promising but to find a junker with a decent engine takes up too much time... i dont have any real days off as it is!.. but i guess i can always look on ebay or something...
..
I found mine out of a Vette right here on the forum. F-Bod is easier because of the pan and the accessories though. The carbed LS's make as much power as the FI, but I don't think you'll save much $$ or time.
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Old Sep 16, 2007 | 02:55 AM
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I vote for the LS6 route - but if you live in a part of CA where you need to smog it (probably do), I think you might have an uphill battle with a carb on it. They need to smog you to the configuration of the updated engine, and would have nothing to go by for a carbed LSX. I got my 79 LS1 & T56 conversion smogged in southern CA just several weeks ago - passed on first attempt, but did have phone conversations with the ref before going in (had it sniffed at local smog shop to ensure would pass emissions and discussed a few perceived issues with the engine change vehicle code).

I agree with a couple prior posts - get an engine, accessories, exhaust manifolds, cats, engine wiring harness and PCM from a 2002 f body - swap heads and cam if you want LS6, keep the FI. You need a computer of some sort anyway to fire the 8 coils (don't need a distributor) from the LSX sensors.
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Old Sep 16, 2007 | 05:00 AM
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I pulled on a C5 Z06 with my 383, and I just have the AFR 195s...
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Old Sep 16, 2007 | 12:58 PM
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Originally Posted by Shirley1978
would 210 afr's be overkill??
i dont think so.. but people tell me otherwise, what would be the disadvantage in running 210 heads??
i wanna run a high rev 383 if im going that route.. so maybe a scat rotating assebly, flat top pistons.. angle plugs to fit the super comp headers i already have... damn.. im gonna be busy this winter... hopefully..
How much horsepower do you plan for the 383 ?......195 AFR's will serve well close to 550 HP with the right combo and give more torque with the smaller cc ports.
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Old Sep 16, 2007 | 02:25 PM
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On a side note......I have a 71 C3 454 planted in my 69, with overheating problems when I bought it 15 months ago. I don't have an overheating problem now. Install whatever radiator you like the best and strap on a Lincoln Mark VIII 2 speed fan from mid to late 90's. I trimmed mine down about 3/4" from stock so it wouldn't hit the sway bar. I loaded it in the car from underneath (sway bar mounts unbolted)That fan pulls about 5000 cfm's on high. The downside to that is you need to upgrade the electrical system to handle 50 amps when the high speed kicks in. I did mine with 2 constant duty solenoids, like the Ford dual battery set up. one is for start up, one is tied to A/C turn on and a temp sensor in the head (185*), whichever happens first. It blew leaves out the backside of the car on jackstands using a battery having 11.9 volts!
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Old Sep 16, 2007 | 03:42 PM
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ok so finding an engine isnt as hard as i thought it would be... ebay has lots of em.. LS1's mainly going for under 5 grand often with a t56 attached.. i wont need it since i already have a good tranny..

so as far as that goes.. looks like ill be coughing out $5,000 for the engine and comp.. then do all the other stuff like the fuel pump and what not ( id ask what is necessary but its probobly already covered in the ls1 sticky..).. someone should make a sheet with bullets showing what you need..
ex:

-Engine (LS watever)
-engine mounts
-this size flywheel
-this for the fuel pressure issue
ect
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Old Sep 16, 2007 | 03:44 PM
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Originally Posted by C3 Stroker
How much horsepower do you plan for the 383 ?......195 AFR's will serve well close to 550 HP with the right combo and give more torque with the smaller cc ports.

if id go that route id be leaning twards around that much power.. but you never know, maybe ill want a supecharger down the road, or upgrade the block to a 427..

what kind of impact would it have to run the 210 heads??
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