I feel like the real reason guys want to put an ls into their old cars or anything for the matter is because they dont know how to work on older style engines with carbs and timing light degreeing the cam etc the "tuning" part of an old engine. These younger guys literally have no ida to truly work on them so they kust tell their buddies "yeah i can put an ls in and have someone tune it" its easier for someone who wants to try and act like he knows whats hes doing to have someone do all the work for them and then calling it their own.
It's trendy too, when all the hype is LS and LS fest n so on people wanna be in the cool kids group, I've almost gotten sucked in but didn't, people act like the 5.3 is magical they make insane HP and can not be killed... That's just not true, they have a strong bottom end from the factory and most OEM LS heads flow better than most OEM SBC heads that's about it. If they were so indestructible why do people have 4 sitting out back waiting to replace the junkyard one they installed, because they blow up just like the rest. The LS had a 14 year run the SBC had 47! That means something.
Ls still has bottom end and rods u have to go aftermarket on SBC. Heads flow better then he makes it sound. Both are great engines but if u wanna make reliable long term power LS will beat sbc no matter how u bet against it.
@@mikehodgson9149i have a 500 hp 11.5:1 355 sbc in my 68 firebird street car thats been running a mix of 93 octane and vp q16 since it was first built in 2005 and it still kicks ass not many haven't been taken to town by an LS yet unless it was under boost or a had a bottle
😂😂 I’m probably younger than you are bud and I can tune a conventional motor. Ls is just the new sbc. I’ll always love the old sbc but technology wins every time
I think there is truth to your statement. Most people don’t have a clue what’s going on, period. And I am not a fan of those people bandwagoning and acting like know it alls/better etc But EFI for a street car is just better. Better power in all driving conditions combined. Better fuel efficiency. Better drivability. MAYBE there are some applications where a carb shows more power than Efi, but it’s not quite that simple to have a real comparison. VS efi that can run closed and open loop to adjust for whatever random situation you’re in… Add in the natural racing tune ability of EFI… so that timing changes dynamically during a run, or can allow for different AFR’s in different conditions, or even just safety (knocking, overheating etc). It’s just more reliable. The thing that really sets it apart is how good the valvetrain is. Not just head flow, which honestly is only ok. Once you get into aftermarket heads, head flow isn’t hard to find on any good v8 platform. But, the LS has incredible valvetrain stability, with simple and minimal mods. Which means aftermarket heads also can have killer valvetrain stability for really cheap. Not many engines can spin to 8-9k make over 2000hp with stock rockers, just a valve spring/retainer kit, decent pushrods, and a bushing kit. Easily spin 7-8k on factory heads with just rocker bushings, pushrods, cam, springs/retainers. Throw in a cheap $300-400 rocker arm shaft kit and you can spin it up as high as you want-bar maybe a little lifter tweaking. Aftermarket heads same deal or less. And you can get factory valves that are stronger + lighter than aftermarket versions, that will fit in aftermarket heads, new in the box from GM, significantly cheaper than from the aftermarket. The gen V stuff is even more impressive. And as time goes on, the gen v sbc will be the king. Sleeves are stronger in the alu blocks, direct injection allows more power on pump gas. Heads flow killer, valvetrain needs even less mods. It’s crazy to me seeing Chevy fans act like Chevy didn’t design newer and better. The sbc, pg, th400… all are old designs. They’re great still today, but Chevy took what they knew/learned from those and made them all better.
Grew up on small blocks, and currently have a carb swapped LS3. I have no feelings either way. I love both. However, the AFR Enforcer heads are no where close to a stock LS3 head flow wise. Your enforcers flow about 250cfm@600 lift on intake side. The LS3 flows 300cfm bone stock. Ill also say this with confidence, ive had s built 406 sbc and this LS3. Conparing the 2, the LS3 may be down on torque just a tiny bit on the low end, but buddy let me tell you, pound for pound its faster woth the LS3 than the sbc. And has been more reliable. Plus, with the carb on it i tune it myself so best of both worlds. Thats a solid snall block your building. Good luck with the build
I have a 84 4runner. Obviously it didn’t come with either. But, I chose a LS to start off with. Butttt, then I changed it to a vortec 350. The reason why I switched, is because of the simplicity of a sbc. The minimal electronics to get it running. When I’m out in the desert, I don’t want a computer or an ignition box keeping me from running. A 35$ HEI distributor is all I need.
LS’s can make great power yes. But LS movement is getting old lol. Any motor can make big power with deep pockets. But the LS guys must forget that guy’s dragging in the 60’s and 70’s we’re running 9’s low 10’s back then. I kept my 350 in my c-10. Love it lol. Love this video too 👍
Loving every second of rebuilding my gen 1 350sbc. Found out my 75c10 has 76 Camaro engine and it’s always fun explaining why my truck sounds like a 70s Camaro lol.
Orrr you can find a 400 sbc and do the same shit and have WAY more torque.Bye bye LS.I love putting these LS guys in the places with my 406.Simple torque and adjust my rear view mirror.Oooo Oooo I just made over 500 lbs of torque on all motor.Simpke science.Great video thanks man.Love it.
I got a 78 Z28 with a 355 ci, Brodix Heads & high rise intake, Lunati cam 640 lift, 264/270 duration @ .050, full roller, solid lift, 950 Holley HP, Bilitt crank, Bilitt rods, Manley. 030 over flat tops, Moroso oil pump. Naturally Asperated. IT SCREEMS!!!!!! No LS for me😅😅😅
Here's my two cents - SBC is awesome - great engines. One of the best ever made. IF I were going to do a SBC it would be a well built 383 with good flowing cylinder heads and a not so lopey cam, headers, big single exhaust, on and on - and I would probably run someone's FI system and a good electronic ignition. But you can purchase a good used and running 6.2 from an Escalade or Tahoe for about $3K - that makes 425 or so HP out of the gate - and use a factory or aftermarket ECM - headers, large single exhaust....and you will have a very nice and drivable package that is very reliable. I don't see computer controlled drivetrains going away any time soon. The reliability, ease of use, the lack of regular maintenance or "tuning", and fuel mileage are all desirable features in my opinion compared to an old school SBC. These two engines have their place - but if I had the choice I would choose a FI LS every time. My opinions only.
I had a 383 long block assembled for my ‘76 corvette roller cam, roller rockers, Pete Jackson gear drive, 10.1:1 crank wiper, windage tray, baffled oil pan, , Air gap intake, Sniper EFI, Full Hyperspark ignition system, and a few more goodies. I am looking forward to some LS confrontations.
I like em all, grew up on Gen 1-2 SBC and now messing a little with the LS Gen 3-4 engines. But I have to say junk yard LS swap is cheaper. We just swapped a 3rd Gen Camaro. We got a 5.3 for $600 with harness, ECM, accessories and all. We reworked the harness so the stock 5.3 ECM could get 12 volt power from the battery and a switched ignition source (old HEI wire). $50 ICT SBC to LS swap motor mount brackets. We did cam and springs for $600 and mail order tune for $300. We used the stock intake (which flows really good), fuel rails, injectors, and even the stock truck exhaust manifolds, etc... Runs low 12s in the 1/4. Car already had a TH350 in it so that made things easier. Good thing about it, if it ever blows up, go get another $300-500 5.3 and just swap it out. Them LS motors already have heads on them that flow like a SBC aftermarket head, I do not think you are aware of how well those stock LS heads flow. So basically we did this swap, with a cam, for less than the price of your heads.
You can see here the stock 799 head almost matches AFR head in flow and this is a stock casting head, and even the lowest flowing stock LS head does not fall that short. AFR 195 Enforcer head flow .200 = 133/104 .300 = 188/138 .400 = 226/158 .500 = 250/186 .600 = 251/197 706 LS Head Flow (one of the lower flowing LS heads) .200 = 126/89 .300 = 180/126 .400 = 213/158 .500 = 220/180 .600 = 231/193 799 LS Head Flow (one of the better flowing LS heads) .200 = 142/98 .300 = 193/133 .400 = 230/160 .500 = 243/175 .600 = 248/185
Ive been on the same page as u and preaching to people that go on and on and on about the ls and it is a great engine but the small block is the best bang for the $buck$ hands down.
I have bought two 5.3 LS engines in "good condition". Most of everything on them is tired and old. Damn near everything has to be replaced. You are left with a block and heads. Everything else is junk if you want any level of dependability. It adds up $$$$ fast. Unless you're chasing 450+ HP or a race engine, the SBC is the way to go. Also if you buy a Gen 4, you automatically have to buy a $500 DOD delete kit.
In a vehicle that never had a small bock, stock for stock, the LS will make more power for only marginally more money. Assuming you get your parts from a junkyard, you’re 600 for engine and trans on either one. Both options require the same components to run. This guys added cost of the intake and carb for an ls and the coil controller is irrelevant, because there is no real reason to run a carb on a modern fuel injected engine. Either option you have to either buy mounts or fabricate your own. The additional cost from the LS comes from buying a computer that has had security deleted, or buying a device to do it yourself (which costs $80). Is the sbc simpler to swap? Yes. Is it a better choice? No. I have no hate for the sbc, but I do get tired of people who preach how much greater the sbc is over the LS. Those people talk about how these people only do it because they don’t know how to work in carbureted engines, when they only do sbc swaps because they don’t know how to work on these modern computerized engines. Neither option is better than the other. It all depends on application
I was contemplating going LS because the internet was making seem so cheap easy to. After doing some research on everything I’ll need to make it reliable and have the power I want I’ll be just about double the price as a crate sbc stroker. I went that route 496hp 510tq
A lot of people who push an LS swap forget to mention the cost of mounting, exhaust, ignition and induction.... They are a great platform, but they aren't always the most cost effective for a swap
Love the video and agree with you but depends on what junkyard engine your getting, an 05-06 5.3 H.O. L33 has 330hp stock aluminum block and comes with 799 heads which are the same as ls6 243 heads you can watch a CZcams video on how to port them, install a no springs required BTR camshaft build your own engine mount plates for like 20 bucks and butcher a wire harness together and have a 450hp + ls swap for less than 1500 bucks
FACTS......everyone kept telling me to put a LS instead of a 350 in my 96 2wd Jimmy........well geniuses, it had a 4.3 so the layout is very similar but with 2 more cyl on the end. AND this way I don't have to notch the frame or other bs. Heck as far as don't let your friends talk you into shit goes.....everybody was telling me to go 383 instead of 350, well yes it is better but I don't want to mess with clearancing the block and small base circle cams etc etc.
305 is better if your running the 4.3 running gear. Makes less torque down low so you don't break everything. Granted a 350 is better. But I'd run some shitter traction tires so you'll burn them off the break everything else. Just watch your rpms and don't let it grab traction/ shock load until you have supporting mods for the rear to help minimize your load so you don't completely just shredd the rear end every time. Or drop you in a 2500-3500 rear end and let it eat. Just my 2€.
Going through an L31 for my 71 chevelle right now. Intake, LS 6 springs, comp retainers, offset keepers, summit cam, a little bit of porting and keeping my old quadrajet. Should have it going by end of week... way cheaper then LS which would take a month or more...
Yup, agree 100%, I've been road course tracking a 93 Camaro for decades, as the newer stuff was getting faster, and I was having trouble running with them, couldn't quite keep up with the big dogs anymore, the boys kept saying you gotta put an LS in it, so I built a long, long stroke gen 2 LT1, 13.5/1 compression, Crower crank and rods, AFR heads with a little extra work on them, my own special grind cam Comp did for me, produced 640 lb/ft of torque on the engine dyno with a carb, in the car I still use the stock LT4 fuel injection intake, all on 93 Sunoco, I am now whippin the piss out of every one of them, one of the fastest cars on the track, this thing is an absolute track monster, built the engine in my street car to the same specs.
Awesome video. I wish I saw it before my ls swap. I was going to redo the original motor but it was only a 305. I probably should’ve taken the money got a 350 punched out to a 383 n had been better off but wats done is done. I will do that on my next project tho.
❤I've been saying this for ever. This was the best break down ever. I'd get paid subscription from you. My buddy just bought a Nova with a Blueprint 383 and Sniper and it's fast fast. Few of the guys have built 6.0 ls with allegedly 600+ hp and they are all saying something is l isn't right. The 383 feel way faster.
Well you tipped the scale, ive been going back n forth what to do, i have a tierd 1976 block 350 in my 92 c1500 hotrod truck that froze n popped a block plug...is it cracked? But it is on a tierd tapered .030 bore but i have a good 88 4 bolt main roller with a tierd stock bore in my cellar from my old truck. I found some .030 sealed power .125 dome hyper pistons for $211 (the dome is because have heavily worked over 76cc heads, those pistons have a 9.35:1 with 76cc so would still keep me above 9:1 with the valve de-shrouding) anyway redline said $260 for bore and finish hone, crank and rods seem fine prob take crank to work and polish it on the lathe with dynabrade pipe polisher and toss arp bolts in the rods with the usual diy mods or reuse my old rods that already have arp bolts so for around a grand i should beable to have a better than stock fresh bore 355 or find a 5.3/6.0 and swap it in... I would have to do buy schoenfield obs LS swap headers that are $400ish and upgrade my fuel system and deal with the ecu headaches or do the whole carb swap deal, i can say the Qjet on a 5.3 thing isnt nuts it sounds awsome! They are my favorite carb only carb i like better is the holley 4165 The 4165 650cfm mech secondary double pumper Qjet replacement is the goat street 350 carb imo. I had The 4175 vac secondary version also it sucked donkey dicks. I had aodified 800 qjet for years but it really did not like the duration and overlap of my cam and the original torker just aggravated it, it made great power but ran horribly rich all the time and about 8 mpg i tossed a cheapo used 600 edlebrock on and it ran beautifully great drivability still had lumpy idle but didnt burn my eyes and mpg went to around 14ish but a noticable loss in top end sack, but twice the fuel economy said lets roll with this for awhile. But short story long im just keepin it old school. I also have a nice 95 mustang gt (last year of the great 5.0) i want to make less slow so fresh 5.0 shortblock and AFR 185 enforcers howards cam and any good intake i can find thats not $1000 so i can get Maybe 350-375 hp hopefully...so every dollar i save is another dollar i can spend on that engine build and being a regular ol blue collar working jerkoff every last dollar is needed.
Throw some 9:1 pistons in it and add boost. I did and made 1000whp reliably all year went 5.80s like a bracket car in a full weight belair and put MANY turbo ls 6.0s and 5.3s in there place
Im an old timer. Small blocks were all I ever had. Price and convenience of a sbc is so hard to beat. I wouldn't know where to begin to stick an LS in a project car. Never had one to take apart. Knkw nothi g abiut necessary harnesses and control units. All costly I'm assuming.
@rogerdonoho4924 LS swap components can get costly.... As far as mechanically, they're simple enough and very strong. But, a sbc will always be the most cost effective up to 400 hp I believe
Just my 2 cents ls engines are way to hyped up. Yes tge did fix some problems that the first gen had and are stronger but they have there own problems. Never seen carbon built up in a first gen intake but every ls you take apart the intake is full of carbon and oil.
Both great motors. You've got to love the LS series top end. I'm currently putting a GM crate SP383 EFI into a 72 Blazer just because we don't want to deal with all of the conversion parts.
Love it! I paid more than I should have for a 327 never ran it just took it to my local shop and I’m going to put it in a 78 nova that originally had a 6cyl. I’ll be less than 7k buying car and building motor I’ll obviously have more as go but that will be driving on the road price
Been building small blocks and big blocks my whole life. Drag cars and everything in between. Let me say this, tuning a carb is so easy compared to tuning LS swap. Anyone can tune and work on an old engine but good luck learning HP tuners and dialing that in. If your old and not computer literate stick to the old stuff. power is just a product of how much $$$ you spend. Thanks for the video!
I wouldn't even consider myself a beginner mechanic more of like a parts changer. Lubetech so I would much rather stick with the old school motor in my 84 k20 then to try to do an LS swap and run into a million problems. I have no idea how to fix old school motors doesn't have computers which I hate. If I was 10 times better mechanic I would consider an LS swap but it seems really complicated
LS vs SBC the reason u would use either is to gain modern design SBC steel main caps , 4.125 bore ,, raised cam after market block SBC chevy heads 400 cuin 220cc or 227cc AFR heads or 18deg heads with stock type exhaust mounting LS--- whatever -----LS who
There's a reason you can find so many "half" finished LS swaps in your choice of platform on marketplace....people think they're dummy easy and that they can do it too....only some can.
I like Ford and Chevy. And I don't go with a platform just because I'm that guy. I put the engine based on what's going to be best for the vehicle and what I want to do with it. I've got a 91 GMC Sonoma. Going to put a 5.7 Vortec LT1. Got it out of a 96 suburban. Good engine. Just a little bit down on compression on cylinder #1. Got it for $200. Going to do all the usual stuff. 30 over. Forged pistons and rods. Lunati bootlegger cam. Some nice heads. Air gap intake. Street strip carb. Simple. Cheap. Going to pound off like a muffukker. Plus. Cammed out small blocks sound cooler than an LS. But if I have a Corvette. LS is the obvious choice. If it's a Japanese mini truck and want to do a v8 swap. Obvious choice is a small block Ford. Because it's narrow. Distributor is in the front. Blah blah blah Ford stuff. Everyone would be better off if they forgot about all the brand loyalty BS. And just put whatever engine is the most logical choice for what they want to do. Weigh your options logically instead letting the brand/platform loyal bs make their decisions for them.
I have built both, in fact my newest build is a 5 3 in a S10 with a small cam(ss2). Honestly, I prefer the SBC. No hate on the LS, but it is overhyped with much of the info being regurgitated from what they heard, from LS fan bois. No, your cathederal port 5.3 is not going to build 550HP with just a cam. In fact, most will struggle to make 450 HP(there are exceptions). Sure, add a couple of cheap Wuhan war whistles, and you can build a monster, but the same can be said for the SBC. For a cruiser or driver the LS is pretty awsome, makes decent horsepower and will return good mileage, also start at a flick of the key, but if i want NA performance, i will build a SBC over an LS any day of the week.
Just want to add. 600+ capable off the shelf heads are available for under $3000 for a 23° SBC. Look to spend more then $5000 for 600+ hp capable rectangular port LS heads and chances are you will be waiting a while. A built shortblock to support either will both be equally expensive. Bit become original and build a traditional old school engine, the LS is pretty much played out. Again, no hate o the LS, it's a great platform.
I agree, I always get frustrated with "LS or bust" guys, even had one try to tell me a 6.0 was better than a big block to build to high power.... An LS is great, particularly for a boosted application, but as far as N/A hp dollar for dollar, it doesn't out class the sbc enough to justify the added cost of a swap. Small blocks keep things cheap, simple and fun. Honestly if I were to build a modern n/a motor, I'd do a Gen 3 Hemi with stock Apache heads that flow just as well as ported T.S.P gen V LT4 heads on intake and more on exhaust....
@7000U9ZHIFT Max effort vs max effort both engines would be in the ballpark of each other given both would have the best heads you could get along with all the high end components to go along with it. There's no inherent advantage to either platform if you throw the parts catalog at them. Besides, if you're going max effort, a Ford, a mopar or anything else you can squeeze a lot of displacement out of can make huge numbers and be almost indistinguishable for one another....
Afr enforcer heads flow 251cfm @.600 lift stock ls3 823 castings flow 296cfm @.600 stock yeah the intake cc runner is bigger but at the end of the day the head is still recommended for a 4” bore point being I can find right now on eBay or Facebook marketplace ls3 heads for $500-650 a set! Because everyone is selling those to buy more expensive Frankenstein heads or Mast heads when the stock heads are amazing as is. You speak of cam swaps and springs. BTR makes a truck Norris NSR (no springs required) that makes 430 hp on a stock headed stock intake 5.3 truck motor. Yeah ignition boxes are expensive but not if you look around I picked up a msd 6014 for $250 and can use the stock harness to plug and play. Hell most people use the stock ecm anyway that you pull with the motor. You say $200 manifold for sbc, I bought a single plane mid rise for my ls for $140 and it would wipe the floor with any sbc $200 intake and would be on par with air gaps because ALL Ls intakes are air gaps since you must block off the valley cover. $300 for engine mounts and trans mounts? You can get ls motor mounts for $50 and if you use a th350 or th400 you can use a 6.0 ls flexplate to mount the motor to the torque converter drive and go. I’m not saying this to bust your balls it’s just I’m building a 355 and have sunk so much money into it to make what a 5.3 or 6.0 would make effortlessly. Those afr heads won’t flow anything without their $400+ intakes like the 4812 or single plane variants. That cam you put in that sbc it better be a flat tappet because if you’re talking roller and trying to make any power then you’re going to be at $600 or more out on lifters, the cam, and now new springs unless you have a newer factory roller block which then still you probably want to get new parts if you care about your motor at all. All ls motors have roller cams and pretty nice lifters and if those lifters aren’t good enough ls7 lifters are cheap and plentiful $270 on Amazon and eBay.
@@brettbaker8130 wow, that's ridiculous. American Civil War trending is probably why too partly, when the millions caravan refugees coming in from the souther border bring that massive future crime wave and AI keeps electing democrats even tho everyone hates Biden... one thing is for sure, you'll wish you had a sbc for whats to come
THANKS FOR THE VID. I RESPECT YOUR BREAKDOWN. GOOD ANALYSIS. WHICH WOULD YOU RECOMMEND FOR A JEEP CJ ENGINE SWAP? (no insults please. Its all I can afford with all the baby boomers hoarding the muscle cars). I HAVE AN ‘85 CJ7 AND WOULD LOVE TO PUT A V8 IN IT. LS SEEMS COOL BUT ITS HARD TO LOCATE ALL THE COMPUTERS IN THR SMALL JEEP. I FOUND A 350 OUT OF AN ‘86 C60. ITS COMPLETE WITH SM465 TRANNY. $750. LOW MILEAGE ENGINE. YOUR OPINION? ANYONE.
Nothing wrong with any jeeps imo, I've built several myself. If you just want to get it running and have fun with it, I'd recommend the 350/sm465 combo. There's plenty of mount kits out there for old CJ's. You'll probably have to get driveshafts made no matter which way you go unless you have the jeep trans to bolt to the engine
As long as the block is sound, you can build a decent 383. One thing to keep in mind is that the power limit on a 2-bolt main is 500 ish hp, the caps tend to walk in stock form at that point. I've seen plenty of 2 bolt 383's at 400-450 hp do just fine
@@t.n.tgarageandperformance Since its from a C60(?) heavy duty flat bed truck I’m hoping its a 4-bolt main. Thanks again! I think I’m gonna try this 80’s sbc. I can’t even find an LS because all the mechanics are buying them and hoarding them (like toilet paper) from the junkyards.
Will this 400 horse engine survive in a BMW E36 drift car for more than 10 events If you're not trying to compete just fun days? Trying to decide between small block Chevy swapping or just turboing my iron block M50 in line 6
I've got a stock bottom end with the exception of ARP bolts in the rods. I would run an ignition box that gives me a rev limiter if I used it for drifting, but I would trust it. It's really 6 of one, half dozen the other, the M50 is still plenty capable and you wouldn't have to swap everything.
Yeah when you make the math on your side ya can make it sound great. 600$ 6.0, 150$ for a inline pump and a rubber line, 30$ mounts and chop down your own stock harness. Throw a sloppy stage 2 and pac 1218 springs you will make just as mush power with a stock block stock heads stock intake stock injectors. Oh and I’ll daily drive it through the winter sub zero temps with no issues
I'm all about a budget swap, but guys that can do that kind of swap are more the exception than the rule. That's why sticking with the sbc is better for most people
The issue you run into on alot of the engines is no one does the cam bearings they put a new cam in and redo everything else. It'll hold together for a bit but what ends up happening is it spins the bearing out on the cam. Cam breaks in the block and trashed the whole engine except a few misc things. Had a buddy build 3 of them 1000 HP turbo 5.3s blew threw a lot of money. Took him 3 engines to learn that you can't cut corners if you want it to last.
So you're saying that the square body that i spent 30 grand on with a SBC 350 with aluminum heads and Edelbrock intake and long headers that is sluggish off the line would make more sense to keep than LS swapping it? 😢
I went behind my wife's back and bought a junkyard L33 for $900 because I was disappointed when I discovered how sluggish this thing is and now I have to build it up. My wife isn't gonna be happy with me. Kind of wishing that I didn't buy that LS and should have spent money to beef up this 350
Depends on why the 350 is sluggish, could be rear gear is too high, poor tuning or internals that don't let the top end perform to its potential. Building either is going to cost $$, but you're money ahead with the 350 to build off of
I agree, it's more 375+, 400-ish with good tuning and a better intake like an RPM air gap. 450 would be achievable with much more cam (which is roughly the same price as any other roller.) I don't doubt your engine made 550, my buddies old Camaro built in the mid 2000's made 496 who with a fast 90/90, old lingenfelter heads and a t-rex cam
All valid points until you leave the carb world and go fi. Script flip GM didn’t offer a good FI option from the factory. TB is very difficult to tune, vortec fi is garbage, aftermarket fi is going to be in the thousands.
Yeah I love both but you went the most expensive route on the LS. You just get one out of a wreck harness tranny everything cam springs especially if you go for a 6.0 and you now have fuel injection more power and a strong bottom end. Most haters are just afraid of wiring to be honest.
I 100% agree with people not liking them because of wiring involved to run a fuel injected LS, I've seen many swap projects abandoned and sold, most likely because of that very reason. Is a sbc better than. An LS? Not in a million years... But for what most people are looking for performance wise, a small block is very capable for reasonable money and simplicity, given the vehicle had a small block available at any point.
Im glad to hear someone else feels the same as me. Im sick of hearing LS this and LS that LOL. By all means they're great engines but so is a SBC. I just enjoy the simplicity of the SBC and it'll make plenty of horsepower for the street. Im sure this video made the LS fanboys go make sweet love to their LS's and wisper sweet nothings into its intake LMAO. If you cant make power out of an old school SBC you dont know what you're doing.
Nothing like nuking the "LS motors are cheap" argument in one comment... One would think the $1100 heads, $400 cam and $200 intake I bought for the sbc would buy me an LS...
Another biased video for engine fanboys. Build whatever you want for your ride and build it for you. Who cares if the dude next to you likes it or not. Nothing sounds like a high reved SBC or BBC, but you can't argue realistically about the pros of a LS buid (not junkyard, a build)
I have a daily driver 2010 camaro Lsa conversion LS3 makes 900whp daily with air and heat. Show me a sbc that will do at least the same! Or help me understand . Because I know no-one with a sbc with those power levels reliably.
With all due respect, you missed the point of the video. Sure, if you take a car that already has a LS platform engine, nobody in their right mind would swap it for a sbc. The point is, N/A for N/A in an older vehicle, (that was made with a sbc) it makes more sense to build a small block to 400-500 hp than justify the added cost of an LS swap. Of course, when boost comes into play is exactly where Gen III, IV and V motors shine. As far as a 900whp sbc, it can be done reliably with a doweled 4 bolt and a quality rotating assembly. But no one would build that when the LS is there for those kind of power levels
@@t.n.tgarageandperformance either way cost is in direct proportion to expectation. It would be interesting to see a 23 degree head 350 hang with a gen 3 lq9 with a set of 243/799 heads and decent stage 3 cam. Carb or f.i. Dollar for dollar. I prefer the LS platform but wouldn’t bash sbc .
You’re making those numbers because of the supercharger and other components. Put a supercharger on a built sbc or big block, those engines may make even more power safely.
Why do ppl throw around dyno numbers like they mean everything. Dynos numbers can lie or be manipulated. If you really make 900whp. (Im not saying you not) you will run 9.60s or close to it in a 1/4 mile in that car. Personally took a afr headed 383 in a g body regal full interior. Made close to 600 on motor. Hit it with a 300 shot. Went 9.91 that was only about 900 at the crank. And yeah it was street driven. No its not going to be more efficient than a ls. But apples to apples cubic inche to cubic inche it can make the power. Dont forget you are comparing a 23 degree headed motor to a 15 degree. Imagine if you did a 18 or even a 15 degree headed sbc. Numbers would be crazy. (Since we playing a numbers game) Ps been apart of a team 4.51 in a 92 mustang with a procharged f1x afr 245 406 sbc 30 psi of boost. Lol made 1600 on a hub dyno with 26 psi of boost. Its a 4xx sbc 23 degree headed chevy 2 local in michigan. Car gotta be running 4.20s 4.30s. Point is sbc can make power and do anything a ls can except get mpgs (gas mileage) lol
Does he realize that those enforcer heads are cast in china.take a 6.0 out of a late 06 and up truck and swap out cam and make over 400 hp.i still build both sb and ls .those stock cathedral port used on 5.3s are not as good as the rectangular port found late 6.0 and 6.2 .and also add the most all ls heads are 15° valve angle, do some research into that
I am well aware of the capabilities of the 6.0, but it's more of a question of budget. I did do a video breaking down all the costs of LS vs. SBC. Yes, the later heads like the L92 and LS3 flow excellent, and the bottom ends are hands down more stout. I'm not anti-LS by any means, but I've seen more than a few swaps collect dust because of its more than just plopping one in and driving. Just showing that the venerable small block can still be capable. On a side note, you can put a cam in a stock eagle headed 5.7 Hemi, lock out the VVT and breathe on 500hp... unfortunately, they're not quite as cheap as a 6.0
@@t.n.tgarageandperformance don't forget the L92 with a cam & spring vvt delete swap juices it up comfortably in the 500 hp.Richard Holdener out at west tech did it.pretty impressive for stock factory
Your math ain’t mathing but if you want a SBC then use a SBC. Trust me no one cares. As for 821 vs your AFR you need to check your math homework again.
Based on what? I've gone over all costs in another video, sbc is always cheaper in a swap scenario up to a certain power level. Above say, 450-500 hp, is where the LS is more cost effective. Internal LS and SBC parts are effectively the same cost, intakes and mid range heads are cheaper for the small block as well
@@t.n.tgarageandperformance Your correct. My bad. I should had added that when I was building a motor for my s10 I found LS engine s way cheaper than I did sbc. At least in my area. If it came with a sbc I would had probably stuck with that like you say in the video.
Wow....tell me you dont know shit about LS without telling me you dont know shit about LS....oh look, ya made 9 min video to tell everyone ya dont know shit...Ive literally done both...many times, the ls is far and away cheaper per hp all day long. WHan ya get to about 1200 hp it even out across all motors by then. Up to 600 fwhp, LS> everything else. I love gen1/2 small blocks too, but it aint shit to gen3/4s
I've mentioned many times that the LS is better in high horsepower builds. Fact is, the aftermarket has gotten much better for the sbc, and makes it a better option IF the vehicle is already small block equipped. Everybody talks about how a junkyard 5.3 makes 1000 hp easy with a turbo, and it does... once. An LS swap isn't free, but people act like swapping a 5.3 with a cam into anything is a Godzilla beater, it just isn't.
Right on brother! i built my TPI Vett 355 all the goodies goes hard, i reckon the sbc is the best engine ever made, you can cook em and they are still good to rebuild i don't think an ls would survive.
I think the ls is a poor engine made cheap and blow up always an old school SBC is the best engine ever made on the planet and still remains at no1 they are reliable dependable and parts are way cheaper and you can get all the hp ya want with that dependability and reliability . never will the SBC old school lose the no1 spot as it has 80 years of all the above . Small block Chevy forever .
Never seen your videos but stumbled across this one. 🤔🤔🤔🤔🤔🤔🤔🤔🤔🤔🤔🤔🤔🤔🤔🤔🤔 I have to say I love it and am going to put that on a shirt #ANTILSCOALITION I LITERALLY am going back Gen 1 SBC in my LS swapped 4th gen Camaro because I’m tired of being associated with the LS PARROTS 🦜 “Skwauk! LS SWAP THE WORLD! Skwuak” U got a new follower 👍🏽👍🏽👍🏽👍🏽
He spoke the truth when he said don't let your buddies talk you into s***
I feel like the real reason guys want to put an ls into their old cars or anything for the matter is because they dont know how to work on older style engines with carbs and timing light degreeing the cam etc the "tuning" part of an old engine. These younger guys literally have no ida to truly work on them so they kust tell their buddies "yeah i can put an ls in and have someone tune it" its easier for someone who wants to try and act like he knows whats hes doing to have someone do all the work for them and then calling it their own.
It's trendy too, when all the hype is LS and LS fest n so on people wanna be in the cool kids group, I've almost gotten sucked in but didn't, people act like the 5.3 is magical they make insane HP and can not be killed... That's just not true, they have a strong bottom end from the factory and most OEM LS heads flow better than most OEM SBC heads that's about it. If they were so indestructible why do people have 4 sitting out back waiting to replace the junkyard one they installed, because they blow up just like the rest. The LS had a 14 year run the SBC had 47! That means something.
Ls still has bottom end and rods u have to go aftermarket on SBC. Heads flow better then he makes it sound. Both are great engines but if u wanna make reliable long term power LS will beat sbc no matter how u bet against it.
@@mikehodgson9149i have a 500 hp 11.5:1 355 sbc in my 68 firebird street car thats been running a mix of 93 octane and vp q16 since it was first built in 2005 and it still kicks ass not many haven't been taken to town by an LS yet unless it was under boost or a had a bottle
😂😂 I’m probably younger than you are bud and I can tune a conventional motor. Ls is just the new sbc. I’ll always love the old sbc but technology wins every time
I think there is truth to your statement. Most people don’t have a clue what’s going on, period. And I am not a fan of those people bandwagoning and acting like know it alls/better etc
But EFI for a street car is just better. Better power in all driving conditions combined. Better fuel efficiency. Better drivability. MAYBE there are some applications where a carb shows more power than Efi, but it’s not quite that simple to have a real comparison. VS efi that can run closed and open loop to adjust for whatever random situation you’re in…
Add in the natural racing tune ability of EFI… so that timing changes dynamically during a run, or can allow for different AFR’s in different conditions, or even just safety (knocking, overheating etc). It’s just more reliable.
The thing that really sets it apart is how good the valvetrain is. Not just head flow, which honestly is only ok. Once you get into aftermarket heads, head flow isn’t hard to find on any good v8 platform. But, the LS has incredible valvetrain stability, with simple and minimal mods. Which means aftermarket heads also can have killer valvetrain stability for really cheap.
Not many engines can spin to 8-9k make over 2000hp with stock rockers, just a valve spring/retainer kit, decent pushrods, and a bushing kit. Easily spin 7-8k on factory heads with just rocker bushings, pushrods, cam, springs/retainers. Throw in a cheap $300-400 rocker arm shaft kit and you can spin it up as high as you want-bar maybe a little lifter tweaking. Aftermarket heads same deal or less.
And you can get factory valves that are stronger + lighter than aftermarket versions, that will fit in aftermarket heads, new in the box from GM, significantly cheaper than from the aftermarket.
The gen V stuff is even more impressive. And as time goes on, the gen v sbc will be the king. Sleeves are stronger in the alu blocks, direct injection allows more power on pump gas. Heads flow killer, valvetrain needs even less mods.
It’s crazy to me seeing Chevy fans act like Chevy didn’t design newer and better. The sbc, pg, th400… all are old designs. They’re great still today, but Chevy took what they knew/learned from those and made them all better.
Grew up on small blocks, and currently have a carb swapped LS3. I have no feelings either way. I love both. However, the AFR Enforcer heads are no where close to a stock LS3 head flow wise. Your enforcers flow about 250cfm@600 lift on intake side. The LS3 flows 300cfm bone stock. Ill also say this with confidence, ive had s built 406 sbc and this LS3. Conparing the 2, the LS3 may be down on torque just a tiny bit on the low end, but buddy let me tell you, pound for pound its faster woth the LS3 than the sbc. And has been more reliable. Plus, with the carb on it i tune it myself so best of both worlds. Thats a solid snall block your building. Good luck with the build
I like them both, I have a 4.8 in a jeep and pops has a 65 Malibu ss 327,I do all the engine work, love them both
You can never beat the classic look of a 350
And sound
Or a 400 small block
And LS doesn't make the torque that a SBC can make
@@demarques1911 Do you know why that is?
No lies told
I have a 84 4runner. Obviously it didn’t come with either. But, I chose a LS to start off with. Butttt, then I changed it to a vortec 350. The reason why I switched, is because of the simplicity of a sbc. The minimal electronics to get it running. When I’m out in the desert, I don’t want a computer or an ignition box keeping me from running. A 35$ HEI distributor is all I need.
LS’s can make great power yes. But LS movement is getting old lol. Any motor can make big power with deep pockets. But the LS guys must forget that guy’s dragging in the 60’s and 70’s we’re running 9’s low 10’s back then. I kept my 350 in my c-10. Love it lol. Love this video too 👍
lol.....
Hell yea. I kept a simple 350 SBC and i supped up that mofo on my c10. Cheaper and a lot easier to work than any LS engine
Ya'll outta here and see the N.A. 355 c.i. I built for my 78 Z28 😂😂 IT SCREEMS😂😂😂. Haven't had any LS with turbos touch it yet!!!
Loving every second of rebuilding my gen 1 350sbc. Found out my 75c10 has 76 Camaro engine and it’s always fun explaining why my truck sounds like a 70s Camaro lol.
76 camaro engine was most likely a 305 or a very underpowered (around 165hp) 350 2bm. 😂
Probably the same engine offered in the c10.
Orrr you can find a 400 sbc and do the same shit and have WAY more torque.Bye bye LS.I love putting these LS guys in the places with my 406.Simple torque and adjust my rear view mirror.Oooo Oooo I just made over 500 lbs of torque on all motor.Simpke science.Great video thanks man.Love it.
Absolutely 💯
I'm planning an sbc 400 build for my Blazer.
@@benjamindileo1672 big difference in torque and you will love it.
Finding the 400 is the issue though....
@@charlesedwards6550 Your right.Depends on were we live.
Appreciate this video. I’m working on a 71 c10 and learning as I go. 350 seems like the way to go
75 here and 350 sbc FTW, nothing beats the sound
I got a 78 Z28 with a 355 ci, Brodix Heads & high rise intake, Lunati cam 640 lift, 264/270 duration @ .050, full roller, solid lift, 950 Holley HP, Bilitt crank, Bilitt rods, Manley. 030 over flat tops, Moroso oil pump. Naturally Asperated. IT SCREEMS!!!!!! No LS for me😅😅😅
Here's my two cents - SBC is awesome - great engines. One of the best ever made.
IF I were going to do a SBC it would be a well built 383 with good flowing cylinder heads and a not so lopey cam, headers, big single exhaust, on and on - and I would probably run someone's FI system and a good electronic ignition.
But you can purchase a good used and running 6.2 from an Escalade or Tahoe for about $3K - that makes 425 or so HP out of the gate - and use a factory or aftermarket ECM - headers, large single exhaust....and you will have a very nice and drivable package that is very reliable.
I don't see computer controlled drivetrains going away any time soon. The reliability, ease of use, the lack of regular maintenance or "tuning", and fuel mileage are all desirable features in my opinion compared to an old school SBC.
These two engines have their place - but if I had the choice I would choose a FI LS every time.
My opinions only.
I had a 383 long block assembled for my ‘76 corvette roller cam, roller rockers, Pete Jackson gear drive, 10.1:1 crank wiper, windage tray, baffled oil pan, , Air gap intake, Sniper EFI, Full Hyperspark ignition system, and a few more goodies. I am looking forward to some LS confrontations.
I like em all, grew up on Gen 1-2 SBC and now messing a little with the LS Gen 3-4 engines. But I have to say junk yard LS swap is cheaper. We just swapped a 3rd Gen Camaro. We got a 5.3 for $600 with harness, ECM, accessories and all. We reworked the harness so the stock 5.3 ECM could get 12 volt power from the battery and a switched ignition source (old HEI wire). $50 ICT SBC to LS swap motor mount brackets. We did cam and springs for $600 and mail order tune for $300. We used the stock intake (which flows really good), fuel rails, injectors, and even the stock truck exhaust manifolds, etc... Runs low 12s in the 1/4. Car already had a TH350 in it so that made things easier. Good thing about it, if it ever blows up, go get another $300-500 5.3 and just swap it out. Them LS motors already have heads on them that flow like a SBC aftermarket head, I do not think you are aware of how well those stock LS heads flow. So basically we did this swap, with a cam, for less than the price of your heads.
You can see here the stock 799 head almost matches AFR head in flow and this is a stock casting head, and even the lowest flowing stock LS head does not fall that short.
AFR 195 Enforcer head flow
.200 = 133/104
.300 = 188/138
.400 = 226/158
.500 = 250/186
.600 = 251/197
706 LS Head Flow (one of the lower flowing LS heads)
.200 = 126/89
.300 = 180/126
.400 = 213/158
.500 = 220/180
.600 = 231/193
799 LS Head Flow (one of the better flowing LS heads)
.200 = 142/98
.300 = 193/133
.400 = 230/160
.500 = 243/175
.600 = 248/185
Ive been on the same page as u and preaching to people that go on and on and on about the ls and it is a great engine but the small block is the best bang for the $buck$ hands down.
I have bought two 5.3 LS engines in "good condition". Most of everything on them is tired and old. Damn near everything has to be replaced. You are left with a block and heads. Everything else is junk if you want any level of dependability. It adds up $$$$ fast. Unless you're chasing 450+ HP or a race engine, the SBC is the way to go. Also if you buy a Gen 4, you automatically have to buy a $500 DOD delete kit.
In a vehicle that never had a small bock, stock for stock, the LS will make more power for only marginally more money. Assuming you get your parts from a junkyard, you’re 600 for engine and trans on either one. Both options require the same components to run. This guys added cost of the intake and carb for an ls and the coil controller is irrelevant, because there is no real reason to run a carb on a modern fuel injected engine. Either option you have to either buy mounts or fabricate your own. The additional cost from the LS comes from buying a computer that has had security deleted, or buying a device to do it yourself (which costs $80). Is the sbc simpler to swap? Yes. Is it a better choice? No. I have no hate for the sbc, but I do get tired of people who preach how much greater the sbc is over the LS. Those people talk about how these people only do it because they don’t know how to work in carbureted engines, when they only do sbc swaps because they don’t know how to work on these modern computerized engines. Neither option is better than the other. It all depends on application
I was contemplating going LS because the internet was making seem so cheap easy to. After doing some research on everything I’ll need to make it reliable and have the power I want I’ll be just about double the price as a crate sbc stroker.
I went that route 496hp 510tq
A lot of people who push an LS swap forget to mention the cost of mounting, exhaust, ignition and induction.... They are a great platform, but they aren't always the most cost effective for a swap
Bored and stroked the lt1 in my '70 camaro. LS swaps look even worse in my mirrors.
Love the video and agree with you but depends on what junkyard engine your getting, an 05-06 5.3 H.O. L33 has 330hp stock aluminum block and comes with 799 heads which are the same as ls6 243 heads you can watch a CZcams video on how to port them, install a no springs required BTR camshaft build your own engine mount plates for like 20 bucks and butcher a wire harness together and have a 450hp + ls swap for less than 1500 bucks
FACTS......everyone kept telling me to put a LS instead of a 350 in my 96 2wd Jimmy........well geniuses, it had a 4.3 so the layout is very similar but with 2 more cyl on the end. AND this way I don't have to notch the frame or other bs. Heck as far as don't let your friends talk you into shit goes.....everybody was telling me to go 383 instead of 350, well yes it is better but I don't want to mess with clearancing the block and small base circle cams etc etc.
It's 5 minutes worth of grinding, and you don't need a small base circle cam
@@hankclingingsmith8707 I will do it on my next build then......I wanted to keep it simple on my first engine.
305 is better if your running the 4.3 running gear. Makes less torque down low so you don't break everything. Granted a 350 is better. But I'd run some shitter traction tires so you'll burn them off the break everything else. Just watch your rpms and don't let it grab traction/ shock load until you have supporting mods for the rear to help minimize your load so you don't completely just shredd the rear end every time. Or drop you in a 2500-3500 rear end and let it eat. Just my 2€.
Going through an L31 for my 71 chevelle right now. Intake, LS 6 springs, comp retainers, offset keepers, summit cam, a little bit of porting and keeping my old quadrajet. Should have it going by end of week... way cheaper then LS which would take a month or more...
Yup, agree 100%, I've been road course tracking a 93 Camaro for decades, as the newer stuff was getting faster, and I was having trouble running with them, couldn't quite keep up with the big dogs anymore, the boys kept saying you gotta put an LS in it, so I built a long, long stroke gen 2 LT1, 13.5/1 compression, Crower crank and rods, AFR heads with a little extra work on them, my own special grind cam Comp did for me, produced 640 lb/ft of torque on the engine dyno with a carb, in the car I still use the stock LT4 fuel injection intake, all on 93 Sunoco, I am now whippin the piss out of every one of them, one of the fastest cars on the track, this thing is an absolute track monster, built the engine in my street car to the same specs.
🫡
Awesome video. I wish I saw it before my ls swap. I was going to redo the original motor but it was only a 305. I probably should’ve taken the money got a 350 punched out to a 383 n had been better off but wats done is done. I will do that on my next project tho.
❤I've been saying this for ever. This was the best break down ever. I'd get paid subscription from you. My buddy just bought a Nova with a Blueprint 383 and Sniper and it's fast fast. Few of the guys have built 6.0 ls with allegedly 600+ hp and they are all saying something is l isn't right. The 383 feel way faster.
Well you tipped the scale, ive been going back n forth what to do, i have a tierd 1976 block 350 in my 92 c1500 hotrod truck that froze n popped a block plug...is it cracked? But it is on a tierd tapered .030 bore but i have a good 88 4 bolt main roller with a tierd stock bore in my cellar from my old truck. I found some .030 sealed power .125 dome hyper pistons for $211 (the dome is because have heavily worked over 76cc heads, those pistons have a 9.35:1 with 76cc so would still keep me above 9:1 with the valve de-shrouding) anyway redline said $260 for bore and finish hone, crank and rods seem fine prob take crank to work and polish it on the lathe with dynabrade pipe polisher and toss arp bolts in the rods with the usual diy mods or reuse my old rods that already have arp bolts so for around a grand i should beable to have a better than stock fresh bore 355 or find a 5.3/6.0 and swap it in... I would have to do buy schoenfield obs LS swap headers that are $400ish and upgrade my fuel system and deal with the ecu headaches or do the whole carb swap deal, i can say the Qjet on a 5.3 thing isnt nuts it sounds awsome! They are my favorite carb only carb i like better is the holley 4165 The 4165 650cfm mech secondary double pumper Qjet replacement is the goat street 350 carb imo. I had The 4175 vac secondary version also it sucked donkey dicks. I had aodified 800 qjet for years but it really did not like the duration and overlap of my cam and the original torker just aggravated it, it made great power but ran horribly rich all the time and about 8 mpg i tossed a cheapo used 600 edlebrock on and it ran beautifully great drivability still had lumpy idle but didnt burn my eyes and mpg went to around 14ish but a noticable loss in top end sack, but twice the fuel economy said lets roll with this for awhile. But short story long im just keepin it old school. I also have a nice 95 mustang gt (last year of the great 5.0) i want to make less slow so fresh 5.0 shortblock and AFR 185 enforcers howards cam and any good intake i can find thats not $1000 so i can get Maybe 350-375 hp hopefully...so every dollar i save is another dollar i can spend on that engine build and being a regular ol blue collar working jerkoff every last dollar is needed.
Definitely good info. I have a built sbc400 in my Foxbody but just went out and bought a 5.3 I wanna turbo 😬
Throw some 9:1 pistons in it and add boost. I did and made 1000whp reliably all year went 5.80s like a bracket car in a full weight belair and put MANY turbo ls 6.0s and 5.3s in there place
I love both engines. Ive really liked how easy it is to make 400 wheel with a car
Loved this video man! You're funny as hell and informative
me going with SBC because i work in tech and i specifically want a non sensor'd, no computer, no nothing car that is all linkages.
Im an old timer. Small blocks were all I ever had. Price and convenience of a sbc is so hard to beat. I wouldn't know where to begin to stick an LS in a project car. Never had one to take apart. Knkw nothi g abiut necessary harnesses and control units. All costly I'm assuming.
@rogerdonoho4924 LS swap components can get costly.... As far as mechanically, they're simple enough and very strong. But, a sbc will always be the most cost effective up to 400 hp I believe
Just my 2 cents ls engines are way to hyped up. Yes tge did fix some problems that the first gen had and are stronger but they have there own problems. Never seen carbon built up in a first gen intake but every ls you take apart the intake is full of carbon and oil.
You just got a new sub bud. May the sbc reign forever.
As God intended
I like both platforms but economical the 5.3 is superior in price per HP. Blocks and rotating assembly are weaker in the SBC.
Both great motors. You've got to love the LS series top end. I'm currently putting a GM crate SP383 EFI into a 72 Blazer just because we don't want to deal with all of the conversion parts.
Love it! I paid more than I should have for a 327 never ran it just took it to my local shop and I’m going to put it in a 78 nova that originally had a 6cyl. I’ll be less than 7k buying car and building motor I’ll obviously have more as go but that will be driving on the road price
I'm Old School, not a big fan of the LS motors or swapping to the LS. Enjoyed the Vid. John
I feel you.. I'm putting a 327 in an 08 Colorado just because I had a rebuilt engine and it came with a 4L60e
Been building small blocks and big blocks my whole life. Drag cars and everything in between. Let me say this, tuning a carb is so easy compared to tuning LS swap. Anyone can tune and work on an old engine but good luck learning HP tuners and dialing that in. If your old and not computer literate stick to the old stuff. power is just a product of how much $$$ you spend. Thanks for the video!
I wouldn't even consider myself a beginner mechanic more of like a parts changer. Lubetech so I would much rather stick with the old school motor in my 84 k20 then to try to do an LS swap and run into a million problems. I have no idea how to fix old school motors doesn't have computers which I hate. If I was 10 times better mechanic I would consider an LS swap but it seems really complicated
LS vs SBC the reason u would use either is to gain modern design
SBC steel main caps , 4.125 bore ,, raised cam after market block
SBC chevy heads 400 cuin 220cc or 227cc AFR heads or 18deg heads with stock type exhaust mounting
LS--- whatever -----LS who
I’m on the fence on what to put in my 80s c10 but what the LS has is fuel efficiency.
Yes and no, if you keep it fuel injected, sure. But if you carb it, there's no discernible change.
I can tune a carb to be just as good or better.
A well tuned carb and having a overdrive trans will get just as good mileage or better
@@joshuagarvey9362I hear that on the internet but I'm skeptical a carb is just as Good
There's a reason you can find so many "half" finished LS swaps in your choice of platform on marketplace....people think they're dummy easy and that they can do it too....only some can.
You just got another subscriber my friend. I go back and forth with the guys at work, money for money the 350 can beat an LS any day of the week.
Thanks for the sub!
I have both enjoy both, ps that LS now from the junkyard is $900
I guess inflation really hit everywhere lol
I like Ford and Chevy. And I don't go with a platform just because I'm that guy. I put the engine based on what's going to be best for the vehicle and what I want to do with it. I've got a 91 GMC Sonoma. Going to put a 5.7 Vortec LT1. Got it out of a 96 suburban. Good engine. Just a little bit down on compression on cylinder #1. Got it for $200. Going to do all the usual stuff. 30 over. Forged pistons and rods. Lunati bootlegger cam. Some nice heads. Air gap intake. Street strip carb. Simple. Cheap. Going to pound off like a muffukker. Plus. Cammed out small blocks sound cooler than an LS. But if I have a Corvette. LS is the obvious choice. If it's a Japanese mini truck and want to do a v8 swap. Obvious choice is a small block Ford. Because it's narrow. Distributor is in the front. Blah blah blah Ford stuff. Everyone would be better off if they forgot about all the brand loyalty BS. And just put whatever engine is the most logical choice for what they want to do. Weigh your options logically instead letting the brand/platform loyal bs make their decisions for them.
You just can't beat the simplicity of the sbc ...and ease to work on with minimal tools ...especially if you get broke down on the side of road ...
I have built both, in fact my newest build is a 5 3 in a S10 with a small cam(ss2). Honestly, I prefer the SBC. No hate on the LS, but it is overhyped with much of the info being regurgitated from what they heard, from LS fan bois. No, your cathederal port 5.3 is not going to build 550HP with just a cam. In fact, most will struggle to make 450 HP(there are exceptions). Sure, add a couple of cheap Wuhan war whistles, and you can build a monster, but the same can be said for the SBC. For a cruiser or driver the LS is pretty awsome, makes decent horsepower and will return good mileage, also start at a flick of the key, but if i want NA performance, i will build a SBC over an LS any day of the week.
Just want to add. 600+ capable off the shelf heads are available for under $3000 for a 23° SBC. Look to spend more then $5000 for 600+ hp capable rectangular port LS heads and chances are you will be waiting a while. A built shortblock to support either will both be equally expensive. Bit become original and build a traditional old school engine, the LS is pretty much played out. Again, no hate o the LS, it's a great platform.
I agree, I always get frustrated with "LS or bust" guys, even had one try to tell me a 6.0 was better than a big block to build to high power.... An LS is great, particularly for a boosted application, but as far as N/A hp dollar for dollar, it doesn't out class the sbc enough to justify the added cost of a swap. Small blocks keep things cheap, simple and fun. Honestly if I were to build a modern n/a motor, I'd do a Gen 3 Hemi with stock Apache heads that flow just as well as ported T.S.P gen V LT4 heads on intake and more on exhaust....
@@t.n.tgarageandperformance well if that's the case why don't they make more power than an LS max effort vs max effort
@7000U9ZHIFT Max effort vs max effort both engines would be in the ballpark of each other given both would have the best heads you could get along with all the high end components to go along with it. There's no inherent advantage to either platform if you throw the parts catalog at them. Besides, if you're going max effort, a Ford, a mopar or anything else you can squeeze a lot of displacement out of can make huge numbers and be almost indistinguishable for one another....
Afr enforcer heads flow 251cfm @.600 lift stock ls3 823 castings flow 296cfm @.600 stock yeah the intake cc runner is bigger but at the end of the day the head is still recommended for a 4” bore point being I can find right now on eBay or Facebook marketplace ls3 heads for $500-650 a set! Because everyone is selling those to buy more expensive Frankenstein heads or Mast heads when the stock heads are amazing as is. You speak of cam swaps and springs. BTR makes a truck Norris NSR (no springs required) that makes 430 hp on a stock headed stock intake 5.3 truck motor. Yeah ignition boxes are expensive but not if you look around I picked up a msd 6014 for $250 and can use the stock harness to plug and play. Hell most people use the stock ecm anyway that you pull with the motor. You say $200 manifold for sbc, I bought a single plane mid rise for my ls for $140 and it would wipe the floor with any sbc $200 intake and would be on par with air gaps because ALL Ls intakes are air gaps since you must block off the valley cover. $300 for engine mounts and trans mounts? You can get ls motor mounts for $50 and if you use a th350 or th400 you can use a 6.0 ls flexplate to mount the motor to the torque converter drive and go. I’m not saying this to bust your balls it’s just I’m building a 355 and have sunk so much money into it to make what a 5.3 or 6.0 would make effortlessly. Those afr heads won’t flow anything without their $400+ intakes like the 4812 or single plane variants. That cam you put in that sbc it better be a flat tappet because if you’re talking roller and trying to make any power then you’re going to be at $600 or more out on lifters, the cam, and now new springs unless you have a newer factory roller block which then still you probably want to get new parts if you care about your motor at all. All ls motors have roller cams and pretty nice lifters and if those lifters aren’t good enough ls7 lifters are cheap and plentiful $270 on Amazon and eBay.
Oddly finding a sbc has been a pain in the ass in my area
Same here, many are starting to catch up and realize it's worth
@@oscarbear7498 sbc cost more then ls engines in my area
@@brettbaker8130 wow, that's ridiculous. American Civil War trending is probably why too partly, when the millions caravan refugees coming in from the souther border bring that massive future crime wave and AI keeps electing democrats even tho everyone hates Biden... one thing is for sure, you'll wish you had a sbc for whats to come
THANKS FOR THE VID. I RESPECT YOUR BREAKDOWN. GOOD ANALYSIS.
WHICH WOULD YOU RECOMMEND FOR A JEEP CJ ENGINE SWAP? (no insults please. Its all I can afford with all the baby boomers hoarding the muscle cars).
I HAVE AN ‘85 CJ7 AND WOULD LOVE TO PUT A V8 IN IT. LS SEEMS COOL BUT ITS HARD TO LOCATE ALL THE COMPUTERS IN THR SMALL JEEP. I FOUND A 350 OUT OF AN ‘86 C60. ITS COMPLETE WITH SM465 TRANNY. $750. LOW MILEAGE ENGINE.
YOUR OPINION? ANYONE.
Nothing wrong with any jeeps imo, I've built several myself. If you just want to get it running and have fun with it, I'd recommend the 350/sm465 combo. There's plenty of mount kits out there for old CJ's. You'll probably have to get driveshafts made no matter which way you go unless you have the jeep trans to bolt to the engine
@@t.n.tgarageandperformance THANKS! IS THAT ENGINE A GOOD CANDIDATE FOR A FUTURE 383 BUILD? OR IS IT BETTER TO BUY A 383 NEW ON A CRATE??
As long as the block is sound, you can build a decent 383. One thing to keep in mind is that the power limit on a 2-bolt main is 500 ish hp, the caps tend to walk in stock form at that point. I've seen plenty of 2 bolt 383's at 400-450 hp do just fine
@@t.n.tgarageandperformance Since its from a C60(?) heavy duty flat bed truck I’m hoping its a 4-bolt main.
Thanks again! I think I’m gonna try this 80’s sbc. I can’t even find an LS because all the mechanics are buying them and hoarding them (like toilet paper) from the junkyards.
@philippine_phin There's a good chance it could be a 4-bolt, a lot of gm trucks over 8600 gvw were equipped with them.
Owned every engine made..I just like it too look good..I found good in a lot of engines..
And then you have to worry about a trans. 4l80 works from the factory, th350 aint cutting it. Plus all the swap cost for that
Will this 400 horse engine survive in a BMW E36 drift car for more than 10 events If you're not trying to compete just fun days? Trying to decide between small block Chevy swapping or just turboing my iron block M50 in line 6
I've got a stock bottom end with the exception of ARP bolts in the rods. I would run an ignition box that gives me a rev limiter if I used it for drifting, but I would trust it.
It's really 6 of one, half dozen the other, the M50 is still plenty capable and you wouldn't have to swap everything.
Yeah when you make the math on your side ya can make it sound great. 600$ 6.0, 150$ for a inline pump and a rubber line, 30$ mounts and chop down your own stock harness. Throw a sloppy stage 2 and pac 1218 springs you will make just as mush power with a stock block stock heads stock intake stock injectors. Oh and I’ll daily drive it through the winter sub zero temps with no issues
I'm all about a budget swap, but guys that can do that kind of swap are more the exception than the rule. That's why sticking with the sbc is better for most people
How about lt being a 6 bolt main and even used out the junk yard holding together up to 1500 hp
The issue you run into on alot of the engines is no one does the cam bearings they put a new cam in and redo everything else. It'll hold together for a bit but what ends up happening is it spins the bearing out on the cam. Cam breaks in the block and trashed the whole engine except a few misc things. Had a buddy build 3 of them 1000 HP turbo 5.3s blew threw a lot of money. Took him 3 engines to learn that you can't cut corners if you want it to last.
Sounded like a small block chevy at the beginning of the video
So you're saying that the square body that i spent 30 grand on with a SBC 350 with aluminum heads and Edelbrock intake and long headers that is sluggish off the line would make more sense to keep than LS swapping it? 😢
I went behind my wife's back and bought a junkyard L33 for $900 because I was disappointed when I discovered how sluggish this thing is and now I have to build it up. My wife isn't gonna be happy with me. Kind of wishing that I didn't buy that LS and should have spent money to beef up this 350
Depends on why the 350 is sluggish, could be rear gear is too high, poor tuning or internals that don't let the top end perform to its potential. Building either is going to cost $$, but you're money ahead with the 350 to build off of
@justingonzalez702 Sounds like you didn't know what you were doing building the 350 so I doubt the LS will turn out any better.
You're likely not gonna make 450hp with THAT 350 you described.
Btw....i just made 548whp with a 5.7 LS.
I agree, it's more 375+, 400-ish with good tuning and a better intake like an RPM air gap. 450 would be achievable with much more cam (which is roughly the same price as any other roller.) I don't doubt your engine made 550, my buddies old Camaro built in the mid 2000's made 496 who with a fast 90/90, old lingenfelter heads and a t-rex cam
@@t.n.tgarageandperformance funny he used old lingenfelter heads. I used old gmpp cnc 243s. I think lingenfelter did those heads for gmpp.
@@HioSSilver1999 I know they had their hand in a lot of the early LS go-fast development
Oh and the power of nitro in anything
just spewing spit lol im days away from my 383 stroker being finished cant wait
All valid points until you leave the carb world and go fi. Script flip GM didn’t offer a good FI option from the factory. TB is very difficult to tune, vortec fi is garbage, aftermarket fi is going to be in the thousands.
Yeah I love both but you went the most expensive route on the LS. You just get one out of a wreck harness tranny everything cam springs especially if you go for a 6.0 and you now have fuel injection more power and a strong bottom end. Most haters are just afraid of wiring to be honest.
I 100% agree with people not liking them because of wiring involved to run a fuel injected LS, I've seen many swap projects abandoned and sold, most likely because of that very reason. Is a sbc better than. An LS? Not in a million years... But for what most people are looking for performance wise, a small block is very capable for reasonable money and simplicity, given the vehicle had a small block available at any point.
i agree @@t.n.tgarageandperformance
if I were to have a carb again I would probably build an sbc over an ls to be honest
Im glad to hear someone else feels the same as me. Im sick of hearing LS this and LS that LOL. By all means they're great engines but so is a SBC. I just enjoy the simplicity of the SBC and it'll make plenty of horsepower for the street. Im sure this video made the LS fanboys go make sweet love to their LS's and wisper sweet nothings into its intake LMAO. If you cant make power out of an old school SBC you dont know what you're doing.
Quadrajet on everything!
Lol
😂😂😂 school em
I’m guessing you can’t afford a LS lol and trying to convince yourself 😂
Nothing like nuking the "LS motors are cheap" argument in one comment... One would think the $1100 heads, $400 cam and $200 intake I bought for the sbc would buy me an LS...
No more 300 5.3
You can keep your flip phone. 😂
I know, I've turned into the "get off my lawn" guy when it comes to engines, both are great
Love this 😂 keep it up!
Another biased video for engine fanboys. Build whatever you want for your ride and build it for you. Who cares if the dude next to you likes it or not. Nothing sounds like a high reved SBC or BBC, but you can't argue realistically about the pros of a LS buid (not junkyard, a build)
I have a daily driver 2010 camaro Lsa conversion LS3 makes 900whp daily with air and heat. Show me a sbc that will do at least the same! Or help me understand . Because I know no-one with a sbc with those power levels reliably.
With all due respect, you missed the point of the video. Sure, if you take a car that already has a LS platform engine, nobody in their right mind would swap it for a sbc. The point is, N/A for N/A in an older vehicle, (that was made with a sbc) it makes more sense to build a small block to 400-500 hp than justify the added cost of an LS swap. Of course, when boost comes into play is exactly where Gen III, IV and V motors shine.
As far as a 900whp sbc, it can be done reliably with a doweled 4 bolt and a quality rotating assembly. But no one would build that when the LS is there for those kind of power levels
@@t.n.tgarageandperformance either way cost is in direct proportion to expectation.
It would be interesting to see a 23 degree head 350 hang with a gen 3 lq9 with a set of 243/799 heads and decent stage 3 cam. Carb or f.i. Dollar for dollar.
I prefer the LS platform but wouldn’t bash sbc .
Smokey yunick built a 229ci sbc twin turbo for indy that made 1000hp and that was waaay back in the day
You’re making those numbers because of the supercharger and other components. Put a supercharger on a built sbc or big block, those engines may make even more power safely.
Why do ppl throw around dyno numbers like they mean everything. Dynos numbers can lie or be manipulated. If you really make 900whp. (Im not saying you not) you will run 9.60s or close to it in a 1/4 mile in that car. Personally took a afr headed 383 in a g body regal full interior. Made close to 600 on motor. Hit it with a 300 shot. Went 9.91 that was only about 900 at the crank. And yeah it was street driven. No its not going to be more efficient than a ls. But apples to apples cubic inche to cubic inche it can make the power. Dont forget you are comparing a 23 degree headed motor to a 15 degree. Imagine if you did a 18 or even a 15 degree headed sbc. Numbers would be crazy. (Since we playing a numbers game) Ps been apart of a team 4.51 in a 92 mustang with a procharged f1x afr 245 406 sbc 30 psi of boost. Lol made 1600 on a hub dyno with 26 psi of boost. Its a 4xx sbc 23 degree headed chevy 2 local in michigan. Car gotta be running 4.20s 4.30s. Point is sbc can make power and do anything a ls can except get mpgs (gas mileage) lol
Dont get me wrong i still love a sbc but when doing a boosted build in the 1000hp range the ls block is stronger
I absolutely agree when it comes to high horsepower
Ford
Does he realize that those enforcer heads are cast in china.take a 6.0 out of a late 06 and up truck and swap out cam and make over 400 hp.i still build both sb and ls .those stock cathedral port used on 5.3s are not as good as the rectangular port found late 6.0 and 6.2 .and also add the most all ls heads are 15° valve angle, do some research into that
I am well aware of the capabilities of the 6.0, but it's more of a question of budget. I did do a video breaking down all the costs of LS vs. SBC. Yes, the later heads like the L92 and LS3 flow excellent, and the bottom ends are hands down more stout. I'm not anti-LS by any means, but I've seen more than a few swaps collect dust because of its more than just plopping one in and driving. Just showing that the venerable small block can still be capable.
On a side note, you can put a cam in a stock eagle headed 5.7 Hemi, lock out the VVT and breathe on 500hp... unfortunately, they're not quite as cheap as a 6.0
@@t.n.tgarageandperformance don't forget the L92 with a cam & spring vvt delete swap juices it up comfortably in the 500 hp.Richard Holdener out at west tech did it.pretty impressive for stock factory
I need to catch up on Holdener's videos, love watching his junkyard engine tests
LS SWAP
Your math ain’t mathing but if you want a SBC then use a SBC. Trust me no one cares.
As for 821 vs your AFR you need to check your math homework again.
Dollar for dollar you can build an LS for cheaper.
Based on what? I've gone over all costs in another video, sbc is always cheaper in a swap scenario up to a certain power level. Above say, 450-500 hp, is where the LS is more cost effective. Internal LS and SBC parts are effectively the same cost, intakes and mid range heads are cheaper for the small block as well
@@t.n.tgarageandperformance Your correct. My bad. I should had added that when I was building a motor for my s10 I found LS engine s way cheaper than I did sbc. At least in my area. If it came with a sbc I would had probably stuck with that like you say in the video.
Wow....tell me you dont know shit about LS without telling me you dont know shit about LS....oh look, ya made 9 min video to tell everyone ya dont know shit...Ive literally done both...many times, the ls is far and away cheaper per hp all day long. WHan ya get to about 1200 hp it even out across all motors by then. Up to 600 fwhp, LS> everything else. I love gen1/2 small blocks too, but it aint shit to gen3/4s
I've mentioned many times that the LS is better in high horsepower builds. Fact is, the aftermarket has gotten much better for the sbc, and makes it a better option IF the vehicle is already small block equipped. Everybody talks about how a junkyard 5.3 makes 1000 hp easy with a turbo, and it does... once. An LS swap isn't free, but people act like swapping a 5.3 with a cam into anything is a Godzilla beater, it just isn't.
So much wrong here
😂😂😂 please stop talking
That's the funny thing about free will. You could, instead, stop watching.... *mind blown
I here copious amount of cope
Right on brother! i built my TPI Vett 355 all the goodies goes hard, i reckon the sbc is the best engine ever made, you can cook em and they are still good to rebuild i don't think an ls would survive.
I think the ls is a poor engine made cheap and blow up always an old school SBC is the best engine ever made on the planet and still remains at no1 they are reliable dependable and parts are way cheaper and you can get all the hp ya want with that dependability and reliability . never will the SBC old school lose the no1 spot as it has 80 years of all the above . Small block Chevy forever .
Never seen your videos but stumbled across this one.
🤔🤔🤔🤔🤔🤔🤔🤔🤔🤔🤔🤔🤔🤔🤔🤔🤔
I have to say I love it and am going to put that on a shirt #ANTILSCOALITION
I LITERALLY am going back Gen 1 SBC in my LS swapped 4th gen Camaro because I’m tired of being associated with the LS PARROTS 🦜 “Skwauk! LS SWAP THE WORLD! Skwuak”
U got a new follower 👍🏽👍🏽👍🏽👍🏽