If youwant a 350 to at least match the power or surpass the power of a stock LS1, it would be cheaper to just build a carbed 350 right? Also, i hear people raving about how great their LS1's get on gas mileage. Technically, if you have a 350 that is equal to power, with good parts, you could get close to the same mileage right? That is assuming everything on both cars are the same, using a T56 tranny, and stock rear end gears.

 

To surpass an LS1 with a carb, you will never get near the fuel economy of the LS1. Simple as that. Yes you can do it much cheaper than an LS1 swap, but if you are looking for power at a cheap price, you're going to have to compromise on something, most likely economy.

 

I disagree with a properly tuned engine, good cylinder heads and a T56, you can achieve the performance and efficiency of an LS1. When your cruising at part or low throttle your car needs the same amount of power to move the vehicle, now matter what engine it has. If it takes 50hp to go 60mph your engine only uses 50hp worth of gas.

To make a really gas efficient car you need lot of lowend torque so you can run a huge over drive and cruise at 1000rpm, without lugging the engine.