Not sure if this is the right section to post this in, honestly my first post here. I have a 64 nova that I'm rebuilding. My goals for it were 400 hp, efi, and a 6 speed. After looking at everything it seems the cheapest way to get there is to buy a used ls and trans set up off ebay. My question is if it is cheaper to buy a ls1 and trans for ~$5,000 and put 799 heads, a cam, intake, and tuner on it (and would that get me where I'm trying to go?), or to just buy a ls2 and trans for $7-8k? Or a 5.3 and cheap turbo? I have been searching through builds for a few days here and keep switching back and forth. Is this a case of "it's all about the same and comes down to personal preference"? Any advice/ opinions/ things I haven't thought about is greatly appreciated.

 

LQ4 and a cam

The LS1 and LS2 command premium prices and the money can be spent making a lot more power with a less sexy truck engine.

 

For that amount of money you could put together an engine to your liking id think.

 

those only came with auto trans right? do I need to switch crankshafts to use a t-56? I was reading one post and he was saying something like that.
And would just a cam get me to 400 or do I need to do heads too? Do the 799 heads fit on LQ4s? they are pretty cheap heads.
Sorry if some of these questions are posted to death, I didn't think of a LQ4 before so I'm searching through a lot of stuff on this site right now

 

The crank might have to be changed if you got a very early one I think up to 2000 or 2001 the crank was slightly different, after that it is no problem though.

799s would fit perfectly, actually the 317s they come with are the same ports just have a large low compression chamber.

 

Welcome to LS1tech Jnew42! SEARCH will be your best friend around here.

While the iron blocks are less costly in the junkyards, it's like having two additional car batteries in weight on your front end compared to an aluminum block.

If you're going to all the effort of this swap, go with the lighter motor.

The conversions & hybrids section would be a better place for your swap questions:

https://ls1tech.com/forums/conversions-hybrids-28/

 

I don't know what engine the OP's car came with but seems to me an iron block SBC is rather common in those cars so the available suspension components would easily suit an iron smallblock.

I understand considering weight on an f-body that came with an aluminum block, but if replacing an iron gen 1 as is pretty darn likely in an old Nova, stock or not most of them have or have had an iron block SBC. So the suspension is likely right for an iron SBC.

It is worth understanding the weight difference but it is also worth putting it in perspective.

 

I agree. But given the opportunity, chopping 100+ pounds off the nose any car would be a good thing-even if the car originally came with an iron block & head engine.

 

I would prefer the LS2 option. More displacement, more compression, stronger block and internals (than the LS1), its aluminum, and it already has the 243/799 heads and a decent LS2 manifold.

If the weight isn't that big of a deal, then the LQ9, I think, should be considered over the LQ4. The 8cc dish pistons in the LQ4 make it difficult to regain that lost compression and having the flat tops in the LQ9 will leave you with more cylinder head options without worrying about 70's era dump truck compression ratios.

Either the 6.0L LQ9 or LS2 should get you 400whp easily with a cam swap and some bolt ons.

 

The ls2 built should be worth around 500 hp rw not 400.
Do you mean the ls 6 manifold.

 

No, LS2's came with...LS2 intake manifolds. If I can make over 400whp with an LS1 manifold, there's no reason an LS2 wouldn't.

Maybe with ported heads, cam, and all the bells and whistles will a LS2 hit 500whp, but that's not what we were talking about. The goal is just 400hp (assuming at the tires), which a cam only setup would nail easily in a 6.0L without the extra expense of porting the heads.

 

So I've been reading a ton of stuff on this site, and maybe I should change the title of the post since now it's more like LQ4 or L33. It seems like either one with a cam and LS intake will get me the horsepower I need for half the cost. I'm gonna have to play mix-and-match a bit more since none of them came with a t-56, but that's ok. I like the aluminum block L33 because I want to be able to corner well.
Does the L33 come with 243 heads? I read it in one post but I'm having a hard time confirming it.

 

the later yr l33 came with 243 heads .martin at tick has great cams for 5.3 engines.I like the turbo idea.check out a guy on U-tub ,he had a 5.3 with a turbo .he made great power for cheap.

 

Get the LS-2, if you shop around you could find one for a good deal.

 

I would go with the ls2 for cubes and weight purposes...it will handle better if that's what you are after...that's what I'm looking for to replace my ls1, some say lq4 will make same power but you will need more power to overcome the weight difference.

 

Just created an account to post pretty much the same thing! Got a 63 Chevy II with a goal of 400whp through a T-56/LS set up.

 

Hey NovaJon, welcome to LS1tech!

Are you installing a LS based engine?