Which motor should I go with? - The 1947 - Present Chevrolet & GMC Truck Message Board Network

Smokejohnson · 08-10-2013, 01:54 PM

Should I go with a 525hp LS 3 or a big block with roughly same hp?

iowaboynca · 08-10-2013, 02:11 PM

I wish I had this dilemma...
without knowing more, I would say the LS on the basis of less weight. but that's my $.02

PurdueSD · 08-10-2013, 02:48 PM

LS no brainer...

Big blocks sound so good though!

Smokejohnson · 08-10-2013, 02:57 PM

Was going with the LS untill I drove my buds 70 Chev it's got a 468 with a procharger. Man that thing sounded good.

_Ogre · 08-10-2013, 06:55 PM

you want to drive it or race it?
either suggestion screams 4 mpg

Highsider · 08-10-2013, 07:50 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by _Ogre

you want to drive it or race it?
either suggestion screams 4 mpg

A bit OT:
What do folks get with a little, mostly stock 350, HEI, Edelbrock manifold w/4bbl ?
I am happy when I get 10mpg on premium.

_Ogre · 08-11-2013, 12:11 PM

define stock? i have a stock gm ramjet 350 that gets 20 mpg

why do you run premium? premium fuel will typically get worse mileage than regular.
premium fuel is mainly for higher compression motors that have a destructive knock when run on regular
high compression motors typically are also high horse power, thus people equate more hp with premium fuel
premium fuel will actually decrease your hp

Smokejohnson · 08-11-2013, 01:08 PM

Truck mite see the track the odd weekend but mostly be street/show. I need to pull the trigger soon on the motor and trans so I can mock it up. Any thoughts on a auto trans?

65Ch3v3LL3 · 08-11-2013, 08:12 PM

Run the LS3. You will get big block hp and tq but great fuel mileage too assuming you go with EFI. As for a trans I would either run a 4L80E or a 6L90E. The 6-speed auto is really a nice transmission. If you want to go manual just throw a T-56 or TR-6060 in there. For fuel just grab one of the new aftermarket under bed tanks and throw the new Aeromotive in tank fuel pump in it. It's a universal kit and will support up to 700hp for EFI. Its an easy install and you don't have to worry about baffling the tank or having fuel starvation problems.

1project2many · 08-11-2013, 08:57 PM

Hmmm....

You wouldn't choose a 1970's projection TV over a modern HD flat screen would you? Go with the LS engine!

87Lowrider · 08-11-2013, 09:04 PM

This is what I'm putting in my '57 Stepper. LS3 Connect and Cruise Kit.

http://www.chevroletperformance.com/...systems/#ls3_k

sqrlnts · 08-11-2013, 09:58 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by 87Lowrider

This is what I'm putting in my '57 Stepper. LS3 Connect and Cruise Kit.

http://www.chevroletperformance.com/...systems/#ls3_k

Those Connect n cruise packages look super clean, BUT $12K, is STEEP!! I would also recommend the LS motor, if you are up to the task of playing with wires.

Speedbumpauto · 08-12-2013, 09:35 AM

Nothin wrong with a big block!

_Ogre · 08-12-2013, 11:56 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by 87Lowrider

This is what I'm putting in my '57 Stepper. LS3 Connect and Cruise Kit.

my ramjet 350 is the early version of those.
best thing i could have done for my truk.

plug and play for sure
other than oil changes, i've done nothing to it

Jmiller022 · 08-12-2013, 12:02 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by 87Lowrider

This is what I'm putting in my '57 Stepper. LS3 Connect and Cruise Kit.

http://www.chevroletperformance.com/...systems/#ls3_k

Id suggest getting the crate engine alone and then buying a 4L80e it will last alot longer than the 4l65e. just my .02!

either way itll be sweet

Purcell69 · 08-12-2013, 04:12 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Highsider

A bit OT:
What do folks get with a little, mostly stock 350, HEI, Edelbrock manifold w/4bbl ?
I am happy when I get 10mpg on premium.

Years ago, I built a 454 to tow my wife's horse trailer with her 1978 C10. As I recall, the heads were open chamber 019 casting oval ports. The cam was an Isky 268 duration and I had a Holley 750 cfm vacuum secondary on top of a Performer RPM. With the heaviest secondary diaphragm spring, that truck would get 12 MPG all day long, loaded or empty with a TH-400 and a 3.07 geared rear end, no premium required.

-Joe
Posted via Mobile Device

sqrlnts · 08-12-2013, 04:21 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Highsider

A bit OT:
What do folks get with a little, mostly stock 350, HEI, Edelbrock manifold w/4bbl ?
I am happy when I get 10mpg on premium.

Just switched to that exact setup from a 2bbl. Initial results show 14.5 mpg with regular fuel, up from the previous 8.5mpg 2 barrel hog!

Smokejohnson · 08-17-2013, 02:08 PM

I made up my mind LS it is. Thanks for your help guys I will update my build when I get time to sit for more than 2 min's.

**mr48chev** · 08-17-2013, 05:38 PM

Great choice if the budget will support it.
I'd think seriously about setting the whole drivetrain up so that in the end it was effectively geared out where the rear tires meet the ground pretty well the same as a performance car that engine would come in. Meaning match your tire outside diameter and rear gears to emulate the gearing in a Z Camaro or Corvette that might have that engine/trans combo. That way you will have a pretty quick truck that will also handle serious road trips and pull decent fuel mileage.

08-10-2013, 01:54 PM	#1
Smokejohnson Registered User Join Date: Nov 2007 Location: Manitoba Canada Posts: 111	Which motor should I go with? Should I go with a 525hp LS 3 or a big block with roughly same hp?

08-10-2013, 02:11 PM	#2
iowaboynca Registered User Join Date: Aug 2012 Location: West Side of the valley, CA Posts: 878	Re: Which motor should I go with? I wish I had this dilemma... without knowing more, I would say the LS on the basis of less weight. but that's my $.02

08-10-2013, 02:48 PM	#3
PurdueSD Registered User Join Date: Jan 2011 Location: the middle Posts: 296	Re: Which motor should I go with? LS no brainer... Big blocks sound so good though! __________________ My Lost and Forgotten build thread: http://67-72chevytrucks.com/vboard/s...d.php?t=442712

08-10-2013, 02:57 PM	#4
Smokejohnson Registered User Join Date: Nov 2007 Location: Manitoba Canada Posts: 111	Re: Which motor should I go with? Was going with the LS untill I drove my buds 70 Chev it's got a 468 with a procharger. Man that thing sounded good.

08-10-2013, 06:55 PM	#5
_Ogre Registered User Join Date: Jan 2012 Location: Motown Posts: 7,680	Re: Which motor should I go with? you want to drive it or race it? either suggestion screams 4 mpg __________________ cool, an ogre smiley Ogre's 58 Truk build how to put your truck year and build thread into your signature shop air compressor timer

08-11-2013, 12:11 PM	#7
_Ogre Registered User Join Date: Jan 2012 Location: Motown Posts: 7,680	Re: Which motor should I go with? define stock? i have a stock gm ramjet 350 that gets 20 mpg why do you run premium? premium fuel will typically get worse mileage than regular. premium fuel is mainly for higher compression motors that have a destructive knock when run on regular high compression motors typically are also high horse power, thus people equate more hp with premium fuel premium fuel will actually decrease your hp __________________ cool, an ogre smiley Ogre's 58 Truk build how to put your truck year and build thread into your signature shop air compressor timer

08-11-2013, 01:08 PM	#8
Smokejohnson Registered User Join Date: Nov 2007 Location: Manitoba Canada Posts: 111	Re: Which motor should I go with? Truck mite see the track the odd weekend but mostly be street/show. I need to pull the trigger soon on the motor and trans so I can mock it up. Any thoughts on a auto trans?

08-11-2013, 08:12 PM	#9
65Ch3v3LL3 Registered User Join Date: Apr 2013 Location: Americus, GA Posts: 28	Re: Which motor should I go with? Run the LS3. You will get big block hp and tq but great fuel mileage too assuming you go with EFI. As for a trans I would either run a 4L80E or a 6L90E. The 6-speed auto is really a nice transmission. If you want to go manual just throw a T-56 or TR-6060 in there. For fuel just grab one of the new aftermarket under bed tanks and throw the new Aeromotive in tank fuel pump in it. It's a universal kit and will support up to 700hp for EFI. Its an easy install and you don't have to worry about baffling the tank or having fuel starvation problems. __________________ 1952 3800 GMC 2008 Harley VRSCDX 2011 Road King Classic 2012 Sierra Denali 2500HD 1966 Datsun Roadster 1600 1965 Chevelle SS

08-11-2013, 08:57 PM	#10
1project2many Registered User Join Date: Mar 2012 Location: Lakes Region NH Posts: 3,200	Re: Which motor should I go with? Hmmm.... You wouldn't choose a 1970's projection TV over a modern HD flat screen would you? Go with the LS engine!

08-11-2013, 09:04 PM	#11
87Lowrider Navy Radioman Veteran Join Date: Jul 2007 Location: Western Kentucky Posts: 1,356	Re: Which motor should I go with? This is what I'm putting in my '57 Stepper. LS3 Connect and Cruise Kit. http://www.chevroletperformance.com/...systems/#ls3_k __________________ 1987 Chevrolet R10 Silverado BBC Build thread - SOLD 1986 GMC Sierra Classic - SOLD 1957 Chevy Step Side Daily Driver; 2005 Chevrolet Silverado 4x4 Z71 Stepside - SOLD 2005 Chevrolet Tahoe Z71

08-12-2013, 09:35 AM	#13
Speedbumpauto Registered User Join Date: Aug 2011 Location: Tucson, AZ Posts: 917	Re: Which motor should I go with? Nothin wrong with a big block! Attached Images

08-17-2013, 02:08 PM	#18
Smokejohnson Registered User Join Date: Nov 2007 Location: Manitoba Canada Posts: 111	Re: Which motor should I go with? I made up my mind LS it is. Thanks for your help guys I will update my build when I get time to sit for more than 2 min's.

08-17-2013, 05:38 PM	#19
mr48chev Registered User Join Date: Jul 2007 Location: Toppenish, WA Posts: 15,713	Re: Which motor should I go with? Great choice if the budget will support it. I'd think seriously about setting the whole drivetrain up so that in the end it was effectively geared out where the rear tires meet the ground pretty well the same as a performance car that engine would come in. Meaning match your tire outside diameter and rear gears to emulate the gearing in a Z Camaro or Corvette that might have that engine/trans combo. That way you will have a pretty quick truck that will also handle serious road trips and pull decent fuel mileage. __________________ Founding member of the too many projects, too little time and money club. My ongoing truck projects: 48 Chev 3100 that will run a 292 Six. 71 GMC 2500 that is getting a Cad 500 transplant. 77 C 30 dualie, 454, 4 speed with a 10 foot flatbed and hoist. It does the heavy work and hauls the projects around.



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