1st gen vs LS platform

It was worth it to me. After the 6.0 ROD 68 vette, I dropped a 5.3 in a 72 442 that's now my DD.
 
My first love was the '67 427 Vette. 44 years later I am still in love with the 427.

I took a look at Summit's web site. They have a brand spanking new LS-7 427 for the mere price of $14,299.95. That price buys you 505 HP out of the box. Of course you have to come up with the wiring harness and computer.

I also found a fresh out of the crate ZZ427 for $9787.95 With an out put of 430 HP.
So for $4,512.00 more you get an extra 75 HP by going with the LS-7.

My all time favorite, the ZL1 427 for $32,060.95...

All of this is worth less than a pile of donkey poop.

What it all boils down to is personal preference.
There are some that must have the latest and greatest
and others that are quite content with the platform they have.

Drive what you like. Have fun doing it.
 
turtlevette said:
6 year old engine from a wreck. Iron block 5.3 with 305hp. Sure they gurantee they'll replace it but how about all the work to yank it out and try your luck on a second one. Junkyard motors are a risk. Computers and harnesses sitting out in the weather scare me too. I don't know if the boards in the computer are conformal coated or sealed in silicone. I suspect not. Computer, edge connectors or Molex connectors on the fritz can be a bitch to troubleshoot as the problem will be intermittent.

Budget another 2500 to rebuild it. Then you're up to 5 grand for a 5.3L iron block.

I'm certainly not an LS hater. I love the 5.3 in my Surburban. And the bigger ones definitely rock in the newer vettes. I just don't think its worth it for a C3 retrofit.
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This really kind of touches on what I was getting at. I don't think the "shit-to-worth" ratio is in favor of the LS motor unless you're really looking to build a 500+hp NA motor, or 700+hp charged motor.
In an older car originally designed around the Gen1, rebuilding either motor is just about a wash, then factor in the changes necessary to put it in between the framerails, and the Gen1 is the hands down winner. When you start talking about buying junkyard engines though, that's when things get kind of tricky. You can buy a fully dressed late model "roller" motor for around $100 that will easily get you in that 300-400hp range. Cheapest I've seen on an LS motor is about $400 and then there's the hassle of harnesses and accessories.
I love the new architecture, it is undoubtedly a massive step forward, and it belongs in cars that are a massive step forward. Not saying it doesn't have a place in a resto rod, just that you have to weigh the benefits to expense/headaches involved in such a swap. For me personally, the wow factor alone just doesn't do it.
 
LS motors really seem to be taking advantage of the technology that's out there and proven. I've read threads about swapping LS motors into C3's and like has been said, just about everything you need is being made out there you can go shopping and find all the parts you want. Most of the guess work has been taken out of it now. You can cam an LS motor, add headers to it and get a good bump in hp it seems, so if you consider your starting with about 300hp, your probably up to 350 or so pretty easily, depending on what article you read. From what I've seen, you usually get the wiring harness and the computer with the engine making it that much easier. 350hp or so reliable, smooth running and about 30mpg makes a pretty good case, depending of course on what you want.

As for me, I have a BB in my 81 and I love it. Love the look, sound, the feel, idle and the way it puts you in the seat when you wanna go. It's also fun when people see it with the hood up. That being said, I'm considering an LS swap from the BB to take advantage of what the LS offers.
 
damoroso said:
LS motors really seem to be taking advantage of the technology that's out there and proven. I've read threads about swapping LS motors into C3's and like has been said, just about everything you need is being made out there you can go shopping and find all the parts you want. Most of the guess work has been taken out of it now. You can cam an LS motor, add headers to it and get a good bump in hp it seems, so if you consider your starting with about 300hp, your probably up to 350 or so pretty easily, depending on what article you read. From what I've seen, you usually get the wiring harness and the computer with the engine making it that much easier. 350hp or so reliable, smooth running and about 30mpg makes a pretty good case, depending of course on what you want.

As for me, I have a BB in my 81 and I love it. Love the look, sound, the feel, idle and the way it puts you in the seat when you wanna go. It's also fun when people see it with the hood up. That being said, I'm considering an LS swap from the BB to take advantage of what the LS offers.
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Yeh, fuel economy.....

:pprrtt::beer:
 
30mpg is a bit optimistic, but I'm averaging 26 mpg with my mild tune LQ9.
Btw, before you do any upgrades, try out the stock motor. The flat 380+ ft/lb torque curve on my stock motor will pretty much overdrive the 68s OEM 7" wheels/tires.

damoroso said:
LS motors really seem to be taking advantage of the technology that's out there and proven. I've read threads about swapping LS motors into C3's and like has been said, just about everything you need is being made out there you can go shopping and find all the parts you want. Most of the guess work has been taken out of it now. You can cam an LS motor, add headers to it and get a good bump in hp it seems, so if you consider your starting with about 300hp, your probably up to 350 or so pretty easily, depending on what article you read. From what I've seen, you usually get the wiring harness and the computer with the engine making it that much easier. 350hp or so reliable, smooth running and about 30mpg makes a pretty good case, depending of course on what you want.

As for me, I have a BB in my 81 and I love it. Love the look, sound, the feel, idle and the way it puts you in the seat when you wanna go. It's also fun when people see it with the hood up. That being said, I'm considering an LS swap from the BB to take advantage of what the LS offers.
Click to expand...
 
Garys 68 said:
30mpg is a bit optimistic, but I'm averaging 26 mpg with my mild tune LQ9.
Btw, before you do any upgrades, try out the stock motor. The flat 380+ ft/lb torque curve on my stock motor will pretty much overdrive the 68s OEM 7" wheels/tires.
Click to expand...

Tough I didn't build the engine in this car for the economy, even 26 is a far cry above the current 16, which I consider pretty darn good for this bb. If I do the swap, it's a bit down the road and although stock is probably strong enough, if I'm coming off the big block....well, I gotta do something!!! :D
 
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My 1pc rms roller block 383 build was $3000 without the heads. If I'm lucky I'm at 400HP.
A LS1 from the junker that you can actually drive or at least start at the junkyard (to make sure the engine is ok) is a lot less and you can get all accessories like AC and PS, alt and so on....
At the time I built the engine I already had a LS1 and I wanted something different, I wish I had build a 383 LS1 instead ... well there's always a "next time"
I vote for the LSx :thumbs:
 
Your absolutely right Ozzy! I think you have to admit, the LS platform is everything the Gen 1 is and far more. It's taken advantage of things learned over the years, and stayed true to the overhead valve push rod V8. It makes great power, there are tons of options so it can be tailored to specific applications, and it's reliable. With so many out there, and so many swaps done, the cost is getting better too.
 
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