i did search and did not find what i wanted to know. I know the LS2 is a 6.0 and designed for displacement on demand and for better head flow and oil flow. My questions is: Is the LS1 as strong as the LS2? Can the LS1 take the intake, heads from the LS2 and just bolt them up and get the same power? Or b/c the LS2 has flat top pistons and a high C/R that is the cause of it's power? If it is possible i want LS2 style heads w/ the 90mm TB. Can this be done on the cheaper LS1 setup? Does this have to be done with all aftermarket parts or can I also use GM performance parts LS7 upgrades? lots of questions, thanks. and I don't want to hear LT1 is cheaper or anything else if we could keep it on topic please.

You should check ls1tech.com.

Lots and lots of knowledge there concerning those engines. I know the intake is a bolt on. LS6 intake is still superior (stock for stock) VS the LS2. Heads should bolt right up too since they are basically the same. Compression ratio and chamber size are different tho. Its about all I know on LS2.

+1 on checking LS1Tech.com - lots of good info there.

One thing that wasn't mentioned is that the LS2 also has a bigger bore than the LS1, so some of the heads for the LS2 won't fit the LS1 (they'll bolt up, but the valve may hit the top of the cylinder, etc.).

A couple weeks ago, I posted a link to a page that shows parts compatibility for the different LS-series engines, that'd be a good place to start. Your question may be more "open-ended" than you know right now...

One thing that I'm not impressed with the ls2 is the DBW. Drive by Wire. The ls2 throttle body is computer controlled no accelerator cable. And the ls2 manifold has a unique throttle body opening that only mates with the ls2 unit. There are plenty of aftermarket heads out there that will give you just as good or better performance than the ls2 heads.

You can swap the DBW throttle body for a more "normal" cable-driven unit, & if your PCM is set up for DBW, that can be changed as well. (I've had to learn a little bit after getting the L76 intake which has a 90mm TB - and you guessed it, it's DBW...)