Big block vs LSx
Dont underestimate the low end torque on these motors. Advertised 6.0 LQ9 hp is 350, torque 380. There was an article that showed tune only put both these numbers over 400. Carcraft dynoed the lower compression, iron head 6.0 LQ4 with intake and exhaust only at 400ft/lbs at 2200rpm. Not quite up to a 454, but respectable at lower weight and twice the gas milage.

 

Then you have to factor in how power was calculated as well. A car in 1969 that produced 450hp only produces about 280hp by todays standards.

 

The reason I was in favor of the 454, is it sounds like it may need just a little work to make it run the way it should and that would probably be cheaper, and faster than an LS swap. If Land Shark is looking for an upgrade in fuel mileage and can send money on the LS parts to achieve the higher HP numbers and doesn't mind the down time that the car will be down, and also has the skills and funds to do it right, then Yes this would be the better direction to go.


Riggs.

 

Here is the story I was hunting for on the 5.3 liter LS motor Hot Rod did. Sorry about the earlier story. Not exactly the one I was looking for.

How does 1200 HP sound out of it?

 

This is what everyone forgets. The best factory big blocks back in the day were running 13's MAYBE 12's. Now I can drive 40 miles to the track, run 11's on street tires, and cruise home in 6th gear spinning 1,900 RPM's at 80 mph in 6th gear getting 20mpg (and that's calculated with a lot of in town driving) in a '72 Corvette!

 

Just read the article. Amazing!!

 

Finished my swap over the summer.
78 vette had a small block with some work done and a 4 speed, was quick but nothing like the stock LS1.
found a lightly damaged 99 trans am LS1 with the T-56 stripped the whole car down kept everything I could think of I would need for the swap and parted the entire car out. Made money on the part out got the engine trans and everything else, sold the small block and 4 speed made more money......
Took me 3 months from start of Trans am strip down to a driving beast of a vette. All work done by me, and I had never pulled an engine, or touched a wiring harness before I started.

Now sitting on 350hp stock if not a little more that is increadibly reliable, 6 gears, at least 20mpg average, 16-1800 rpm freeway cruising at 80mph....
The best thing I ever did for this vette.

(The main things to attend to or make sure to have)
F-body oil pan, or modify the existing,
LS intake manifold,
F-body alt setup and water pump
motor mount adaptor plates,
transmission mount if running 6 speed tranny,
driveshaft if running different tranny,
fuel system, regulator, sumped or baffled fuel tank,
if running heater and A/C modifications are needed, or block off the heater bungs, and pull the AC compressor.
straight fitting for water pump

I also purchased at the same time everything to add a giant single turbo and still at the end of it all didnt spend but maybe a couple hundred dollars.

The best engine setup any hot rod or classic car could get in my opinion.

 

The bottom line, if you take your time researching and be smart about how you go about your build and purchases, it can be done very cheap. Some hard work, but hard work that is surely worth it.