Opinions....

Ls1/4l60e/t-56 ( takes alot of fab, wiring etc... ) Little less money...

Advantages-
Fuel Econamy
Newer tech.
Easier to pass emiss.

Disadvantages
Takes alot of changes
Would not be able to put the swap headers on for a while, Expensive
Every Add- on Is very expensive

Total Money- I estimated about 5000 in the end to do it right


Or The Scroggin dickey( spelling?) 360 hp Crate motor, With some SLP Runners and stock TB for a little while ( and my tiny t-5 behind it for a while ...)

Advantages-
Brand new motor
already has a known hp and torque rating
bolts right in
All needed wiring is already there
Could easily buy a chip from pcm forless for 350 89 setup, and have it as close a tune as possible ( maybe free a few more horses because the crate motor was on a stock chip?)

Disadvantages-
Crate motor is 3700$
No trans, so id have to go very easy on my drivetrain for a while
Fuel econamy? How bad would it be..? ( my tpi gets like 14 ish city right now)

Thats all i can think of relatively quickly, I suppose a third option is a lt1 because i could get one cheap and put money into it, BUT then theres the wiring etc


Opinions needed!

*thanks guys*

 

I know how it fills I had a hard time choseing my motor LS1/LT1 It's all in what YOU want to do with it. And how much money you are willing to spend.I went LT1 because after I ballparked most of the stuff you know off the top of your head you are going to need it gets costly. I know this want help much but just giving my .2

 

Yeah, im having a very hard time deciding, because its all in the variables IMO a ls1 would be very tough to put in, but later on it would be worth it..

yet 360 hp and 416 ft/tq in my car, as a daily driver would definatly keep me happy, that and the fact it would drop in as easy as the old one comes out

there both in the end gonna be about 4500 or so, but, with 4500 the ls1 is in complete ( would have a ghetto exhaust for a few weeks or months) and the SDPC crate would be totally complete, besides getting a new tranny but.. im sure if i go easy on it a t-5 can last lol

 

Well If you do deside to go LS1 just look on e-bay (not sure that's where you will be getting it). But just look at the price of a complet LOW mile setup.$3000-4000 plus shipping. I found one for $2600 but it had around 100,000 on it. I really did not want to start throwing mods on a 100,000 mile motor.The L98 cam make some good hp just put a hsr on it.

 

An LS1 swap would be a pretty good choise if you can get the money saved up fairly quickly, and have something else to drive. I would highly recomend staying away from the 4l60e. Just swap in a T56 w/ LS7 clutch and new Fbody hydrawlics. That way you wont ever have to worry about the tranny crapping out on ya. Just a stock LS1 in there is going to be about as quick as the SDPC motor, and have MUCH more potential without having to rip it back out for new internals. Plus like you said you get the great fuel economy.

Bad thing is yea the upgrades are very costly.

FYI 6 of my buddies all have LS1 Fbodies. They now have 90-110k miles on them, and they run just as strong as they did at 60k. Just doing a good CAI, headers, and then working out the traction/rear end you will have a mid 12 sec car easily. Through a good sized cam at it ($1100+ after tune) and your mid 11s.

 

yeah my whole brain is going 50/50 on it.. lol

the 4l60e's with 90 ish k seem the cheapest.. i may have to suffer in a auto for a while /shrug

any more opinions would help!