How Much Does it Cost to Build a N/A Gen III or Gen IV Engine?
With cheaper build costs and more aftermarket support, is the LS3 or the LS1 the superior platform?
There is probably not a single generation LS that people build more often that the Gen III or Gen IV small block platform. This is for many reasons, but simply due to being the oldest of the LS-based generation, it has without a doubt the most aftermarket support. Cost is also a factor that comes into play, the sheer number of LS1/LS2 engines available on the market compared to something like the LS7 is huge. Thus, people commonly stick with LS1s, even though they may not be the most powerful, because they are just so easy to find. The plethora of LS1’s found available in the C5 base Corvette makes it a choice motor for those looking to do an “affordable” LS-based build.
As with any car build, cost is definitely an important factor if not the most important. As nice as it would to be to simply bursting out the seems with cash for any part or upgrade, this usually just isn’t the case. Thus, we come to ask the ultimate question for any V8 build. How much will it really cost to build a naturally aspirated Gen III or Gen IV LS1, LS3, or LS2 ? Well, that’s not really a straight forward question that has a singular answer. So, what we did was go over a thread that was posted in the LS1 Tech forums to see what people spent on average for their builds. We will not be getting into forced inductions projects because that is a whole other topic in itself!
One of the first users states that he spent a total of $8,375 for a 415ci short block (an LS3-based block), PRC heads, and other assorted goodies. That is the motor alone and does not include the rest of the powertrain. Another user stated he had a 99 TA project with an LSA 416ci that costed $12,000 just for the long block, intake, and exhaust. Complete with forged internals and professional assembly, he was looking at around $14,500. The ERL LSA 415 block was $5,150 just in itself.
Another individual went all out on a used LS2 that cost him only $600, but he spent $14k on the heads alone. All said and done, his build was looking at around $24,715 for just the motor, my goodness. That doesn’t include a clutch or transmission to power his now 8,000 RPM redline LS. An Australian user stated that we have it “good” in the states, his LSX block was $4,300, $3,900 for the crank and rods, plus another $12,000 for heads, intake and rockers. The total build cost of his engine was $32,900. Wow.
So, if anybody ever told you building an LS on a budget was a good idea, they were probably lying. While it is definitely possible to make good power with cheaper components, it would still be wise to at least budget around $10,000 for your build.
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