Classic Muscle or Modern Power?

[DBK81]

I'm not sure where my stance is on the above question, currently in my '72 I have a ZZ4 350 fueled by a Edelbrock 1411 Performer series 750, backed by a TH400, it's great combo and allot of fun for Sunday cruising and around the City. But there is something to be said about the modern fuel injected LS power plants and 5 speed transmissions.

So where do you stand? Classic Carb'd muscle, or Modern LS Power? Or are you somewhere different all together?

[James the III]

For me, I like to K.I.S.S.
but there is something to be said for mixing ole school big inch engine with modern efi..
I can find better things to spend 3k on than a efi set up tho.. and those 500-999 buck tbi's are not going to cut it on a healthy engine..

[Sweeet67]

I just finished installing a new fitech on my 67 gmc. It's got a brand new 383 with a fairly healthy cam and10.5 to 1 compression. Only about 75 miles on it so far, but I'm thinking I should have done this a long time ago. Running like a champ, and it really woke up the throttle response.
I'm just gonna go thru tires a lot faster now!

[hamjet]

It's cool having either carb or efi basic sbc, or bbc if that's what you want, but if you've seen one you've seen a thousand. I have to go outside the norm. I'm not looking for high HP, drag racing, neck snapping race car, (or an over weight truck), if I were I'd get a very small, light vehicle. but I love these trucks, so, I guess I fall under 'something all together different, gas guzzling, ancient classic???

[weq92f]

Previous owner put in an MSD Atomic EFI/TBI system with regulated, return fuel system. He spent nearly 3 grand total in parts alone.

Was it worth it? For him, likely not, but for me ( he ate the cost ), you bet. This motor starts first time every time.

1970 BBC 4-bolt, 1969 cast #063 heads and 2016 EFI.

-klb

[In The Ten Ring]

My truck has the original 250 and I am perfectly happy with that. If that ever goes out and cannot be fixed (rod goes through block?) then I wan an original 292.

If I ever get another antique vehicle I want it to have the original engine also.

[67ChevyRedneck]

If money were no object, hook me up with a supercharged 6.2L backed with a 6 spd manual anyday.

But money is an object, one I'm not good at holding onto for very long, so old school gen 1 350's with a carb is what I roll.

[Malo83]

Here in Cali with my 83 the only legal upgrade is the E-Rod LS3 6.2, so for me LS Power is in my future.

[RustyBucket]

Both my old trucks are carbureted (Holley). BB Blazer has a 750 vac & SB GMC has a 600 vac secondary. Both engines are mild, start & run good, don't use oil or load plugs. Both idle a little rich and sting your eyes. Both trucks have OD transmissions and cruise comfortably at interstate speed. Fuel mileage is passable. Both are kinda fun to drive. I appreciate the technology of the modern power but not worth the work & expense for me to repower. I'm OLD and probably won't live long enough to wear my old engines out.

P.S. weq92f.. I have a set of fresh #063 casting heads. Big valves and some nicely done bowl blending. Think it would be worth the trouble to swap out the #236 peanut ports on the Blazer? 2 bolt 454+.40 flat top pistons.

[GRX]

Old school for me. Right down to the 1-bbl and point ignition

[JustToxic]

I like the original style stuff or old school muscle over the LS. For my project, I'm putting a 383 Stroker that will be ran off of E85. Carb at first and then I'll switch it over to EFI down the road. With the amount of aftermarket fuel delivery systems out there it is a lot easier to keep the older stuff running without having to put an LS in. Don't get me wrong the LS is a heck of a engine.

[robs71]

If I ever get another antique vehicle I want it to have the original engine also.[/QUOTE]

I feel the same way,my kids 68 short bed has a great running 250 in it,he can't wait to put an LS motor in it but it is his preference.My panel has a 250 in it and I love it..Car in my avatar has a 64 block in it and is carbureted.In high school I grew up around early iron and I have always enjoyed carbureted cars and trucks..i like um when they have pretty much what they were born with not a hybrid.i vote Classic Muscle.....

[darrellyates]

Everyone has an opinion. My grandpa said opinions are like rear ends... everybody has one. So, guess I'll show mine off a little...

If my truck was original, I would keep the small block and carb. Mine isn't. I like to drive them, usually just when I feel like it. The LS and port fuel injection is the way I'm building mine. The computer and port fuel injection, is the best thing that every happened to the internal combustion engine. They last longer, stay in tune, make good power, and require very little upkeep. So for me, LS is the way to go...

[mattfranklin]

I'm trying to follow 1970 LT-1 (Corvette or Z-28) specs for my 350 rebuild. If not exact NOS parts, then at least equivalent replacements parts.

[i82much]

Once you get a carb and distributor dialed in, you aren't giving all that much up compared to EFI. It's things like having a working vacuum advance, functional heat crossover, thermal air cleaner, etc., that make a carbureted car a nice daily driver.

My 1972 K10 has a 1966 396 with 702 closed chamber heads on it and a carburetor. My 2016 2500HD has a fuel injected 6.0 LS engine. Both engines are in the right trucks, as far as I am concerned, and I wouldn't want it any other way.

[Eddie H.]

Since I'm an old classic, and I drove these trucks when they were new. At the time, that was the state of the art automotive technology. My 69 has been running just fine with a carburated small block engine for 48 years, so I see no reason to change it now.

[garyd1961]

If I wanted a modern truck I would have bought one. I went to a lot of trouble finding an old truck to fix up and anything but an old school motor with a carb wouldn't be right under my hood. It doesn't have to be factory just old school.

[46stude]

Modern stuff is for them that can't work on 'em. LOL

I love the Q-Jet & 350 in my Cheyenne. If I get the "urge" to drive modern, I can get in my '01 Silverado. Night & day difference between the two, just as the creator meant it to be.....

[TXBoudy]

Both! For me it comes down to drivability. The LS is much more drivable with higher HP than old school. Mine's to be a regular driver and I have a SB400, wish I had an LS.

[davepl]

Originally Posted by 46stude

Modern stuff is for them that can't work on 'em. LOL

I love the Q-Jet & 350 in my Cheyenne. If I get the "urge" to drive modern, I can get in my '01 Silverado. Night & day difference between the two, just as the creator meant it to be.....

I can work on old AND new. Everyone should. If you (not you personally, a hypothetical you) don't know what the hanger in a Q-Jet is for, how can you sleep at night? And if you don't know how to change your fan set point with a laptop, same thing...

I don't claim to be an "expert" on either, but know enough to be dangerous and keep my car out of the hands of the actual experts in most cases.

[weq92f]

Originally Posted by RustyBucket

P.S. weq92f.. I have a set of fresh #063 casting heads. Big valves and some nicely done bowl blending. Think it would be worth the trouble to swap out the #236 peanut ports on the Blazer? 2 bolt 454+.40 flat top pistons.

Those are some nice heads. Probably couldn't hurt to put them in there!

-klb

[1972RedNeck]

6BT Cummins. Simple and 400 HP and 800 - 1000 ft lbs. of torque doesn't take too much to get and 20+ MPG all adds up to make it a no-brainer.

Don't knock it 'till you try it...

[ElKotze]

I love classic iron because they are like a trip back in time. I hold on to my skinny steering wheel, glance at analog gauges, pump the throttle to set my choke and off I go. And I gladly take on the challenge that with a little maintenance they are just as reliable as a modern vehicle. As a matter of fact I am actually planning to go the entire Route 66 in my old, carbureted truck.
I agree, the LS is probably the best engine GM ever build. But I like old trucks because I want to get away from all that digital crap.

[dmjlambert]

I like the plain ole 350 it came with paired with Quadrajet like it came with, both rebuilt to work with modern gas. Minor upgrades such as HEI and electric choke.

[Steeveedee]

Originally Posted by 1972RedNeck

6BT Cummins. Simple and 400 HP and 800 - 1000 ft lbs. of torque doesn't take too much to get and 20+ MPG all adds up to make it a no-brainer.

Don't knock it 'till you try it...

I love those numbers! I worked on farm tractors back in the mid-'70s, and can't stand the smell of diesel, as fuel or exhaust, though, sadly. I'd do it in a heartbeat, if I could stand the smell. YMMV.