iflubyu

contemplating a new engine, budget is 10k ish top to bottom.

With some of the new deals on 427 and L92 shortblocks, seems good, but of the two which would net more power (assuming the unknowns are even across the board)

Katech or SDPC 427 block with L92/L76 top end?

LS1/6 stroker shortblock + ETP Canted valve heads?

ever the pondery.... The money is gonna be here in a week or two, time to stop dreamin! Of course I'd like to do both, but my last name isn't knox, and my first name isn't fort.

TNTramair

iTrader: (15)

build the bottom end to the point where it will never need any further attention and hold up under everything you throw at it. just my opinion.

SLED28

iTrader: (7)

I can get you a LS2 427 short with a L92 head setup for $10,550. Check out my website!

Stang's Bane

iTrader: (22)

Depends in what your power goal is. Are you doing the work yourself or are you paying to have it done? Other than that I agree with "build the bottom for durability, and build the horsepower on top"

WKMCD

iTrader: (2)

Buy Phil's motor.

MeentSS02

iTrader: (11)

Spend the money on the bottom...later down the road, when you can, work on the top end. There are a lot of gains to be had by increasing the displacement, even if the heads aren't up to the task.

iflubyu

I'd love to, just wouldn't trust anyone else to install and tune it, and he doesn't have the time.

iflubyu

you must mean canadian dollars

katech ls2 427 = 7k
livernois ported l92s = 2k

SLED28

iTrader: (7)

Nope it is in USD. Don't forget you need all the little things which are about $2000... I use these parts on every build I do.

Morel lifters
MLS head gaskets
ARP bolts or studs
LS7 lifter trays
Double roller chain
Ported oil pump
Front cover
Top cover
Knock sensor harness
Cam sensor harness

mdhmi

iTrader: (1)

Price out total packages. Spending a fortune on a top end for a bottom end you can't afford, or vice versa is just dumb. The technology changes rapidly, so what's great now will be average to obsolete in a year or two.

Price out total packages and see where you can get the biggest bang for the buck.

Maybe an LS2 402 with L92's or something along those lines.

Good luck.

fccs

iTrader: (26)

bottom ftw

iflubyu

NS, I already know what the solid roller valve train is going to cost me, so the rest is divided on shortblock and heads, query was whether to sink the majority in the top or bottom, not whether you agreed that I should do either.

Not so. New parts and pieces come out, but guys were making just as much power with LS1/LS6 set ups back in 99 and 00. Other than the dry sump system on the LS7, the LS series remains fundamentally the same. The L92 stuff is new, but other than being cheaper, has not yet produced anything significantly better than the LS series, as far as making power.

Very few if any tuners/retailers advertise out a price on a total package. You can get estimates,but there are many variables and its hard to compare apples to apples. This tuner likes these heads, that tuner likes this crank. Also, I try to refrain from bugging these guys on pie-in-the-sky, they are busy making bank. Though I will say Andy, Chris&Doug, Dennis&Carmen, Matt, Tony, the whole bunch are always willing to listen, amazes me sometimes!
For those of you who do this, you should hear what these guys say about you after they hang up the phone. Carmen is particularly funny!:rofl:

That would be a good budget buck:bang ratio, but would probably produce the usual 500ish on a mediocre cam, 550ish on an agressive cam. YAWN!

The idea of the post was, if you went 70/30 one way or the other, might you not produce something extraordinary? If so which end is the best to emphasize on?

I will say your post tends to lean towards the average, the poll is split right down the middle. Of course if I wanted to be average, I would have just bought a mustang...

Thanks for the input though!

silverbeast

iTrader: (16)

70/30 split on a 10k budget is not going to be extraordinary. sorry but you are expecting a little to much. Who the hell wants to put a 7000.00 top end on a bottom end that only cost 3k. Not me . It wont last and you will be disapointed. Maybe a 60/40 split with most of it spent on the bottom would be the best bet. Thats how i would do it if i was spending the money. Good luck

SLED28

iTrader: (7)

Yes the L92 402 combo's are cheaper, I sell them for $7750 give or take on a couple options we offer depending on NA or Power adder setup.

SLED28

iTrader: (7)

When my customers are trying to save a few bucks, I tell them to spend it in the bottom. Most have heads allready. So reuse the heads on a stout shortblock with Morel lifters and a new cam and all the goodies, so that way it is easy to upgrade your HP with the change of a cylinder head. And without having to pull the motor again. I always make sure my motors have room for growth later on down the road. For example Alot of customers like to run NA for a year, then swap out some head gaskets and add a blower kit for huge gains.

Ferocity02

iTrader: (60)

For $10k you can do the bottom and the top... I'd go with a stout 402 LS2.

LightFighter

iTrader: (1)

Eagle rotating assembly 2100
you can find a LS2 block somewhere already .030 over and grab that for $500-1000 someone always starts a project and wife makes them sell it all

or you could go with an IRON block for even less

Heads and intake for L92/L67 1500 with upgraded springs

Cam package with Cadilac racing lifters $600

say another 1000 for misc parts

plus install

with a 10K budge you should have money to burn!!

SLED28

iTrader: (7)

I agree a fully-loaded 402 with ETP/AFR/TF 225's and a .612 lift cam = 520+rwhp. Its $8999. If you go with a 415 LS2, it'll be 535+rwhp and $9750, still within the $10k Budget.

98Z28MASS

iTrader: (6)

Depends on how many cubes your looking to run and what kind of power you want to make. For 10K you can build a pretty badass engine. Id say go with say a 402 ls2 or 408 stroker with the best internals available, then go with some patriot stage III heads and a nice big cam, 90/90 setup, and be done with it. Then as meent said you can upgrade the heads/intake/etc later on when you have more funds if your craving more hp.

Ferocity02

iTrader: (60)

If you're interested, I have a 4.125" bore sleeved LS1 block for sale. You can make a very nice 427 out of it for under $10k and make 600+hp.