So how many people are thinking of doing a Motown/LS hybrid??? As soon as I get back from Iraq this winter, I am going to do it. I am looking to build it, not buy it from, Bill Mitchell at The engine shop. I want everyone's thoughts and opinions please dont hold back.....

I assume you're talking about the SBC block that accepts LSx heads

Why bother? The only thing you can save from a SBC is your rotating assembly, saving you pennies on the dollar

Then you can use LS1 heads which stock are cheap but any aftermarket are quite pricey, and why would you buy a aftermarket block to use stock stuff

Then if I remember right you need a LSx cam which is FAR from cheap

The whole thing starts making no sense

IMO, that block just seems like the solution to a problem nobody had.

I think you'd be better off to do a complete LSx swap. It will probably cost you the same in the end, and with probably less hassle. Like, for one, how are you going to bolt on your accessories? I highly doubt the LS heads have the bolt holes in the same place as the Gen 1 heads do. How will you bolt on an intake? I'd bet the deck heights are different between the Gen 1 and LS, which means intakes can't easily interchange. Distributor?

The awesome heads are only half the beauty of the LSx design. The other half is the bombproof bottom end that the Gen 1 just doesn't have. You'd be giving that up by using the Motown block.

IMO, you'd be much better off rebuilding a 6.0L truck engine than using the Motown block. You'd be ahead in every way I can think of.

This is good, I was going in that direction, having sold my 434, to do a winter project but I deployed to Iraq, I was going to do a LSX with a dominator carb. but now this thing is out and it is cheaper than the LSX, but more than the Motown engines? I dont care about durabilty I will rebuild it every winter, I always do to every engine I ever have had, just to have somthing to do in the winter. But dollar for dollar the Motown/LS hybrid is a bad MoFo in the HP and TQ departments, and all standard small block acc. drives bolt up, and a standard LS intake is used with a special valley plate. Big Block power from a small block, and it is just cool, but who knows about the durabilty of this New Kid on the block? Thank you for all you comments keep them coming...

Not just your opinion,

Again,

The LS hybrid takes a special intake and special cam. All you can use is the 350 rotating assembly. Who has one of those sitting around?

A 6.0 block, take your pick of LS-type heads (aftermarket aren't any more expensive, and sometimes less expensive, than Gen I aftermarket heads - HP/$, it could be argued the aftermarket LS heads are cheaper), standard f-body intake/accessories/pan, you're going to make more power than you would with the hybrid and a 350 rotating assembly for less money.

So you say, "I'll stroke it while I'm at it." Well, a 6.0 stroker kit to 402 ci, a "real" LS shortblock is still going to cost you less than this hybrid stroked shortblock.

The inability to mount accessories is one huge hole in the hybrid set-up.

how so??? If you look at the plates that come with the block you can see the accessorie holes... and yes it is kinda expansive, but I am maybe just trying to justify it to myself ?? keep them coming I need more info, can anyone supply me with some web sites for good info, being in IRAQ I dont get much free time, the wife gets most of it, any and all help is very welcomed, thank you all for your time.

i agree with the solution to a problem no one had argument. Swaps are getting cheaper by the year as more cars are wrecked so its really not a price thing anymore. There are many different options for accessory mounting so that's not a problem either.

IMO if you are going to go with a carb again, stick with a gen 1 sbc. I haven't read a lot of positive information about the MSD carb kit for the LS series and just seems way too complicated to me. Just go with a large displacement SBC with a high end top end setup. Get away from the 23* heads and you will start seeing HUGE gains from what I'm told.

The coolant hoses get in the way.

ok put some 90 degree fitting on it and call it a day, or night...I just want to see one in a vehicle driving around. I think I am justifying somthing I want but dont need...someone stop me..

My question is why do you want it? What benefits do you think you will get from running this versus a built SBC with a great top end on it?

+1 on a solution to a problem no one had.

Maybe it's for old people that are too scared of this new fangled fuel injection for an ls1 swap but still want to be cool and say they have ls1 stuff.

Seriously this block is a useless turd that costs more to completely build then my entire ls1 swap.

Fab up some custom accessory mounts. LS brackets bolt to the head, the plate itself precludes that.
Let Bill Mitchell do it and show it to you.

I agree.

STOP!

Let Bill Mitchell do it and show it to you.
I agree.


That would be the smart thing to do, hope he, or someone has it figured out by thr time my deployment is up, on papaer it just looks like this is the next "big thing" for ALL MOTORSPORTS...I will have to look in to if I can even run that engine in EZ Street??? Might just do the SBRA 1/8 mile..

So I have been looking @ diff web sites, and well, I think I might just go through with it, I have had a Motown engine, and three different Motown heads, before, and love the quality, I think it is the best of both worlds. But I might be wrong, I am in Iraq and only have the internet to get info, I really need to talk to a pro engine builder, and see what he has to say, I just like building "diffferent" engines, the last one I did was a small block that ran on E-85,with help from RACEonE85 being it is cheaper the 93 and has 105 octane, and I live in Northern Virginia and it is readily avalible. I just like being different, and a challange. Say what you will, I remember the days when pepole said the same thing about the LS1 in a thirdgen. Anyone remember the LT5 prototype thirdgen with ROH's?

It's your car and your money, do what you like. In the end that's what matters.
Not sure why you're on here wanting us to talk you out of something you seem insistent on doing though.
When you've spent $5000 that I didn't and are still slower then me well

I see what you mean, LS1's have dropped in price a lot, I was looking on Evilbay and might go with a LS1... I know what I have to do now, thank you all