Iron VS. Aluminum block pros & cons 402/408
It's amazing what happens when parts start becoming readily available. You have to remember, the greatest engine platform ever has only been out for a little over 12 years.
They have had since 1955 to make small block chevy parts!!!!! And they still don't compare in quality to these new engines, not even close.
They have had since 1955 to make small block chevy parts!!!!! And they still don't compare in quality to these new engines, not even close.
You have to remember, a lot of shops have never touched an LS engine. They are so caught up with old style engines, they don't have a clue.
I work at another shop when I am not here, and he hasn't ever seen the inside of one!!!! He has had a 6.0L on the shelf for a year and a half and and hasn't taken the time to look at it.
im just saying we should learn more respect from the sbc, if we would not have learned from the mistakes from it, we would never have the ls seriers engine that we have today. I know the ls is a great platform, but the oiling pump and system still needs improvement.
The heads are better than ever used to be thats for sure. If cubic inches are just cubic inches the heads are the difference. You can buy heads that flow 355 for less than $2000 for a LS engine but try getting heads that flow like that for a sbc and whats the cost?
FormerVendor
Joined: Dec 2005
Posts: 250
Likes: 1
I'm not sure about which records in particular, but it seams with the drag radial cars low 7's @ 200 mph that the LS engines are more in competition with the old big blocks or huge displacement aftermarket blocks than the old small blocks. I know locally most of the class are turbo big blocks or Huge NA mountain motors. Not to start an arguement as I know there are some stout small blocks around, just an observation.
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I think your just being argumentative now. The point is the heads and intake are so much better now than they ever used to be straight from the factory . SBC is cheaper to build but that's where the advantage ends. 
my vote is to do whatever best fits the budget. The fact is, the extra 65-70lbs from the Iron block isn't going to make a massive difference in the grand scheme of things. Too much weight in the front? Move the battery to the back, get an aftermarket K-member etc... that's what i did! Personally, if my budget dictated that I either get a LY6 iron block motor with L92 heads or a LS1 aluminum block motor with LS1 heads (both roughly the same price) .... It's pretty easy to tell which one I'd get.
that's $1,000 extra you pay for aluminum - is it worth it in the grand scheme of things? I didn't really think so, given my budget.
that's $1,000 extra you pay for aluminum - is it worth it in the grand scheme of things? I didn't really think so, given my budget.
The head technology for the SBC is way ahead of the LSx stuff. The LSx is king on the street though. Basically applications under 1500 rwhp. After that, there is just way more stuff for the SBC and it's easier to keep the heads on. Granted, you have to use all aftermarket everything, including the bareblock.
Back on topic. If price is no object, aluminum for sure. There is just no cheaper way to knock 80+ lbs off the nose. Not even close.
Back on topic. If price is no object, aluminum for sure. There is just no cheaper way to knock 80+ lbs off the nose. Not even close.
Thread Starter
TECH Resident
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From: bentonville, arkansas
i have plenty of respect for the orignal SBC, but i will say that (imo) the LS series is the greatest motor platform ever made.
i don't see many orignal SBC's running 8's in the 1/4 and then driving home, and idling in traffic on the way to work everyday. that's what i love about the LS motors.
I think the LS is far better than a sbc when we are talking factory parts especially. There are guys in the FI section pushing close to 1000hp with factory truck heads, not to mention a forged 370 with a factory crank can hold amazing hp.
Even N/A a stroker motor of pretty much any cubes can be matched with ported factory heads and make great power. When you can look at some ported LS6 heads with stock rockers and say you're only missing about 15hp from some TFS heads, I would say LS factory parts are great.
Even N/A a stroker motor of pretty much any cubes can be matched with ported factory heads and make great power. When you can look at some ported LS6 heads with stock rockers and say you're only missing about 15hp from some TFS heads, I would say LS factory parts are great.
I'd say an lighter hood and an aftermarket cross member would be close. In the context of this ly6 project that we did, it ended up being more cost effective since we had to buy a crossmember anyway, and the hood allowed us to buy a cheaper intake.
