Bang for Buck: Displacement vs. Heads?
Thread Starter
TECH Apprentice
Joined: Jul 2010
Posts: 363
Likes: 1
From: Huntsville, AL
Bang for Buck: Displacement vs. Heads? Who has experience adding some displacement vs putting that money towards really good aftermarket heads?
For Example:
Assuming you already have the LS1.
Stroking and LS1 to 383 ci and getting some ported trick flow heads.
vs.
Stroking a 6.0 to 408 and using some unported LS3 Heads
I'm guessing the 408 would still likely make more power in this this scenario but would also be the pricier route.
For Example:
Assuming you already have the LS1.
Stroking and LS1 to 383 ci and getting some ported trick flow heads.
vs.
Stroking a 6.0 to 408 and using some unported LS3 Heads
I'm guessing the 408 would still likely make more power in this this scenario but would also be the pricier route.
Last edited by 98ws6blk; Dec 18, 2020 at 08:56 AM.
Trending Topics
LS1 Tech Stories
The Best V8 Stories One Small Block at Time
Gas Monkey Built a 6-Wheel Ferrari Testarossa With a Corvette LT4 Engine
Verdad Gallardo
7 Most Reliable High-Performance Engines GM Has Ever Built
Verdad Gallardo
Amazing '71 Camaro Restomod Is Modern Muscle Car Under the Skin
Verdad Gallardo
6 Common C5 Corvette Failures and What's Involved In Repairing Them
Pouria Savadkouei
Retro Modern Bandit Pontiac Trans AM Comes With Burt Reynolds' Autograph
Verdad Gallardo
Top 10 Greatest Cadillac V Series Performance Models Ever, Ranked
Pouria Savadkouei
Top 10 Most Powerful Chevy Trucks Ever Made!
Hennessey's New Supercharged Silverado ZR2 Has 700 HP
Verdad Gallardo
Coachbuilt N2A Anteros Is an LS2-Powered C6 Corvette In Italian Clothes
Verdad Gallardo
TECH Fanatic
Joined: Oct 2005
Posts: 1,131
Likes: 76
From: olympia, wash
Who has experience adding some displacement vs putting that money towards really good aftermarket heads?
For Example:
Assuming you already have the LS1.
Stroking and LS1 to 383 ci and getting some ported trick flow heads.
vs.
Stroking a 6.0 to 408 and using some unported LS3 Heads
I'm guessing the 408 would still likely make more power in this this scenario but would also be the pricier route.
For Example:
Assuming you already have the LS1.
Stroking and LS1 to 383 ci and getting some ported trick flow heads.
vs.
Stroking a 6.0 to 408 and using some unported LS3 Heads
I'm guessing the 408 would still likely make more power in this this scenario but would also be the pricier route.
Stroker kit costs the same for either engine ~ $2,200 or so. Build labor and most other parts about the same say $2,500 to $3,500 for labor and machine work plus cam, lifters etc. However the aftermarket heads & intake will drive up the cost of the smaller cathedral LS1 383 more vs the LS3 headed 408.
.
If you’re having to sacrifice one for the other due to budget restraints, I really think you should take custom heads completely out of the equation. Sure, maybe you’ll get an extra 10hp up top, and sure, maybe you can keep it in 6th gear when you’re driving 35mph through town - but is it really worth $3k that you don’t actually have? Especially when you’re gonna have to sacrifice cubes to afford it? Because those extra cubes will have no problem also giving you those things.
The LS is not a SBC. The LS actually has a lot of very competent head choices right from the factory. In fact, they’re ALL competent compared to the terrible choices the SBC was offered. Forget the TrickFlows, get the cubes.
The LS is not a SBC. The LS actually has a lot of very competent head choices right from the factory. In fact, they’re ALL competent compared to the terrible choices the SBC was offered. Forget the TrickFlows, get the cubes.
TECH Senior Member
Joined: Jun 2016
Posts: 22,303
Likes: 3,619
From: Central Cal.
If you go to a 6.0 block, get some heads off any Gen IV 6.0/6.2. They are identical to LS3 heads, the best stock heads GM has ever put out by far
The Gen IV rectangular port truck manifold is equal to the LS3 unit in performance, and the LS3 unit is regarded as an excellent intake.
After all this all you need is a good cam.
TECH Addict
Joined: Aug 2005
Posts: 2,305
Likes: 126
From: Monroe,NY
Another way to look at it is do the 408 now, and if you want more later, do more later when you have more money to throw at it.
The horsepower ceiling is always higher with more cubes.
Besides the 408 LS3 combo is probably cheaper anyway.
If you already have an LS1 sell it to put toward the 408, people pay silly prices for LS1's, or used to at least.
The horsepower ceiling is always higher with more cubes.
Besides the 408 LS3 combo is probably cheaper anyway.
If you already have an LS1 sell it to put toward the 408, people pay silly prices for LS1's, or used to at least.
