SBCvsLS1??
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Joined: Dec 2001
Posts: 4,117
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From: Ft. Lauderdale, FL, USA
Originally Posted by TN94Z
Which way would be cheaper to go? With the LS1 and tuning software, EFI, etc...is it cheaper to just go SBC or will it all be about the same either way?
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i've been debating this lately also.i found a sweet deal on an 86 vette rolling chassis that is strip only with all the goodies but a motor.i thought about getting it and putting in an ls1 since i still have an ls1 block and a set of ported heads and put on an edelbrock intake or a direct port ls6 intake .that would freak these local old school racers out to see a motor like an ls1 in a race car.
More power to be had for less money with the sbc. You have to spend tons of money to make a max effot or even a high power LSx engine. Its easy with the sbc. I've been researching just this question lately.
I agree. I've built both and it's hard to beat the SBC in terms of power to price. The LS1 might do better on MPG but who cares about that anyway. The SBC has such a better sound over the machinegun in a trashcan LS1. Top of the line AFR SBC heads are only $1400 and they now come with LS1 valvetrain componets taking alot of weight off allowing them to rev to LS1 limits.
Give me a H/C SBC AFR heads, Vic Jr and roller setup and it will run all over all but the most extreme LS1 H/C setups and be a few thousand cheaper to boot.
Originally Posted by BLINGOLE
How much lighter is a long block ls1 to a long block sbc?
LS1 shortblock is around 90lbs lighter than a standard iron block.
I have both of them, i got 406, 12.5:1, dart heads and intake, 600 lift cam, 750 carb. My 6.0 is stock botton end patirot heads, ls6 intake and cam and a tune. From what i have heard The 406 is about 450 to the wheel thats throw a manual. I would say that motor gets about 7 mpg. the 6.0 is 400 to the wheel, but that gets about 16 mpg. throw a 4l60e. for about the same price.
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Originally Posted by BLINGOLE
How much lighter is a long block ls1 to a long block sbc?
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I have built a few sbc`s 350s 400s. I looks like you can have a cam only ls1 that runs 11s you cant do that with a sbc unless you go after market heads, that right there will just about buy a 6.0 with the carb intake and ignition. If your using all after market parts then a sbn might be cheaper.
not sure how much power you are looking for but if you ever want to go fi then a sbc would be your best bet because once you get up to about 800whp on a fi ls1 you start pushing water because they only have 4 bolts per cylinder 
I've been debating this also, I have a SBC400 good for about 600FWHP and I have a LS1 (stock 01) that I'm considering building (selling the SBC) but not sure which would be cheaper? Looks like the LS1's can go 500-600FWHP with a good set of heads/cam(hr) intake set-up maybe 383, it's not that easy on a SBC to get 500-600 without solid roller real good heads etc.. Not sure what to do, I guess I gotta price it out!
Lt1 Sbc Ls1 Just making sure I am on the same page here. Are you guys talking about putting a SBC in an LS1 body or just motor for motor. The reason I ask is I was wonderring what would be the best way to have a 9 second 99 vette. I was thinking of building an LT1 engine or orderring one. We have a LOT of 406 SBCs here that would push the vette into the 9s and I can build one of them very cheap. Comparring to the LT1 build. My question: Are there top end pieces to allow me to put this in the Vette. I want to still drive this thing 3 days a week and to the track. 9 seconds will be with a 250 shot BTW.
Originally Posted by ssdungeon
I was thinking of building an LT1 engine or orderring one. We have a LOT of 406 SBCs here that would push the vette into the 9s and I can build one of them very cheap. Comparring to the LT1 build.
Thanks for the reply and I didnt mean to hijack the thread if I am. I read this thread and it made me rethink this project. I still need to know if it is possible without a million dollar custom build budget to put an SBC in a LS1 vehicle.
Originally Posted by ssdungeon
Just making sure I am on the same page here. Are you guys talking about putting a SBC in an LS1 body or just motor for motor. The reason I ask is I was wonderring what would be the best way to have a 9 second 99 vette. I was thinking of building an LT1 engine or orderring one. We have a LOT of 406 SBCs here that would push the vette into the 9s and I can build one of them very cheap. Comparring to the LT1 build. My question: Are there top end pieces to allow me to put this in the Vette. I want to still drive this thing 3 days a week and to the track. 9 seconds will be with a 250 shot BTW.
I was referring to a LS1 versus a SBC in a F-body, yes.
Teching In
Joined: Jul 2004
Posts: 34
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From: TN
I like both of them. I know Chevy Hi Performance recently made 523hp with a 383 sbc. It had AFR Eliminator 195's, Victor Jr, 850 carb, and the cam was a 23X/24X comp cams off the shelf grind. Here's the link.
http://www.chevyhiperformance.com/te..._top_end_swap/
Also, 406ci SBC vs vic jr/carb'ed 402ci LS2. Pretty much make the same power. Both use off the shelf parts again. 580hp each...
http://www.chevyhiperformance.com/te...ne_dyno_tests/
http://www.chevyhiperformance.com/te..._top_end_swap/
Also, 406ci SBC vs vic jr/carb'ed 402ci LS2. Pretty much make the same power. Both use off the shelf parts again. 580hp each...
http://www.chevyhiperformance.com/te...ne_dyno_tests/
Bottom line.sbc is old,heavy,and under stress is unreliable.I have been racing for 12 years and sb or bb can make great power if you want to spend all your time rebuilding,tuning, setting valvetrain,finding the blocks with good nickel content,bla bla bla.These lsx motors are wicked and G.M did all the research on how to make wicked power.lets see,my stock unported 243 heads on a stock 346 bottem end made over 430 rwhp.The stock unported lq9 heads flow over 330 cfm@.600.Don't get me wrong the old g.m stuff is cool but if you want to have an easy reliable USABLE and efficient engine that can make sick power without going broke try an lsx.J
Originally Posted by JAY ROD
I have been racing for 12 years... and sb or bb can make great power if you want to spend all your time rebuilding,tuning, setting valvetrain,finding the blocks with good nickel content,bla bla bla... if you want to have an easy reliable USABLE and efficient engine that can make sick power without going broke try an lsx.J
In the end, all of your LSx merits are invalid points due to the fact that the SBC has been taken further in every realm than the LSx EVER will.
