Slow96Bird

Hello, I'm 16 and having a hard decision on what which route to take. I have a 1976 355 block, with an Eagle Crank, probe industries rods and keith black pistons. Hoping to get about 10.5 CR at 0 deck. If I go with the sbc route, i was planning on buying some 185cc 2.02/1.60s heads and maybe a hydraulic roller cam. Being that I need to drive the car 20 miles to the track and back and aswell as race 1/4 mile passes. The car is a 1996 Pontiac Firebird with 8 point cage, 1 piece aluminum driveshaft, 4.10 gears with welded spyder gears, polyurethane control arm bushings. I have about $3000 to work with here. If you think the LS route is a better way to go, please tell me. I'm stuck in between. If you have any help or suggestions please tell me!

madmike9396

iTrader: (29)

LS style all the way. every aspect of the LSX is better than a SBC. Find you a junk yard 5.3 throw cam and heads on it and roll !

Slow96Bird

Do you have to have a tune done to get rid of the security? That's the biggest problem I've heard about.

94 White T/A

You can bypass it http://vats.likeabigdog.com/

ZONES89RS

iTrader: (25)

Carbed 5.3 liter to start Witt all day. Just hope you have a cowl and don't mind losing windshield wipers. Lol

Slow96Bird

How much do you think an ls swap would cost?

LS79CAMARO

iTrader: (7)

It depends on what you want to do. If you can do things like modify your own wiring harness instead of having it done it will save some coin. Things like stock manifolds vs headers will save some loot too.

ls1 1990 VN

If you are cash strapped & already have a 355 block that has good gear in it, go with that & get it sorted.
Going with the LS1 etc will end up costing you more on set up, you will end up getting a tune for power, exhaust, wiring etc.
You are 16yo just go with the sbc & enjoy with less hassles

riplt1

If you're like me and want to get the absolute most power with the money you have then I'd go the sbc route. I'd Swap out your crank with a forged stroker crank making it a 383ci and then you'd still have roughly $2500 to build a badass top end and valvetrain. If you do it right you could get pretty close to 600 hp and then spray on top of that if you want more.

Now if gas mileage and reliability is a more important factor then I would go with the LS. They are definitely more efficient motors and usually never have a hard time starting. Its just that the performance parts for them are a bit more expensive than the sbc.

cambirdracing

iTrader: (4)

Plan on a wrecker service going with you. Welded spider gears are a BAD idea.

ZONES89RS

iTrader: (25)

I have done LS swaps for 1500$. That is without a cam. With a cam the price goes up by whatever you want. The LS is the budget kind, especially carbed. You dont need much to get them going with a carb. The ignition is just over 300$, the intake is 270$ and then manifolds can be used. Now if you dont have access to any junkyards, your screwed. I get 5.3s for 4-500$ all day complete intake to oil pan.

93 LT1 Vette

Yeah I caught that too. Great for a derby car, BAD for a street car. Unless it's a strip car only. Then I see a 9inch in the future soon anyway.

Carter01

iTrader: (11)

LS and NEVER look back.

ZONES89RS

iTrader: (25)

^Exactly.

topend

I have never seen a junkyard 5.3L go for $500 . Can you provide your parts source???

I have seen SBC in the high 5's in the 1/4 mile . I understand this a LS site , saying SBC are not capable is just plain ignorance.

94 White T/A

Big Joe 99

Hi guys. I'm hoping that someone on here can help me out. I got a remanufactured 2000 350 5.7L long block and used it to replace my dead 305 5.0L. I transferred all the accessories over but the old oil pan didn't have bolts in the two corner holes nearest to the flywheel.

According to everything I've seen on the internet, There are supposed to be two 5/8 18 hex cap bolts in those holes. I picked some up from the hardware store and they fit the other corner holes, but they bottom out without grabbing anything in the block on the flywheel side.

Did Chevy do something weird with their bolts in 2000? The passenger side hole goes deep into the block - dropped a long screwdriver in there no problem.

Any ideas on what size bolts I need?

PowerAdder

You pull it junkyard 5.3: 200
Decent Camshaft/Springs: 650
Odds and ends: 150
Thousand Bucks, 400hp, great millage. If you can fabricate mounts and have access to a U pull it yard an LS build can be this cheap.

PowerAdder

Friend just bought a L33, fyi All aluminum High output 5.3, For 550 delevered to his door.

2001 Chevrolet GMC Suburban 5 3L Engine 275K | eBay[/ame]"]http://www.ebay.com/itm/2001-Chevrolet-GMC-Suburban-5-3L-Engine-OEM-275k-/360682414700?pt=Motors_Car_Truck_Parts_Accessories&hash=item53fa58e26c&vxp=mtr

PowerAdder

I know thats high millage but you can get a lower millage one locally for 500 easy. And if u pull it yourself around here its 200 bucks.