LS compared to BBC

[scottofksu]

It is hard for me to imagine opening a hotrod’s hood at a car show and seeing a bunch of plastic and wiring and not being a little disappointed. That said, LS motors can be disguised to better resemble a classic motor - like this LM7. To me, this looks great!

[weq92f]

Originally Posted by scottofksu

It is hard for me to imagine opening a hotrod’s hood at a car show and seeing a bunch of plastic and wiring and not being a little disappointed. That said, LS motors can be disguised to better resemble a classic motor - like this LM7. To me, this looks great!

This treatment has come into its own of late and for good reason. I like it too but there are several things that give it away pretty quickly.

My preference is still old iron.

-klb

[Speedracer39]

I agree it hard to beet a old school big block

[my56chevytruck]

Originally Posted by Speedracer39

I agree it hard to beet a old school big block

brother, you got that right. Any day all day long.

[prodjay10]

I really think it comes to the maintenance with the carbed vehicles. If you aren't on top of making sure the filters are clean, gas tank clean, and carburetor tuned/cleaned every few months, the engine seem to wear out faster.

FI systems don't seem to need that kind of maintenance.

[burnin oil]

LS motors have their place. I had a factory 6l 5spd 4x4 with 4 10s. It definarly had more power than a tbi 350 but didn't get as good a milage. LSs make good power but it comes on at a higher RPM from my experience. If you need low RPM grunt then go old school. If you are building a toy and don't need the torque below 2600RPM go LS. This motor choice is dictated by application, not the benefits of modern fuel injection. Good luck on the decision.

[cadillac_al]

I have never cleaned my gas tank or carb in 40 years. I have never adjusted the perfectly working divorced choke since I bought it. The filter might get changed every 5 years. When I opened the gas tank a couple years ago for inspection it was clean as a whistle in there, nice and shiny silver. Carbed vehicles don't really need much maintenance. That said, we all know the LS is more efficient with the fuel anyway.

[b454rat]

Not that I'm old, but older than many here I think. I've had a lot of carb'd vehicles, and other than stupid stuff, never had any major issues. I drove a 78 Malibu with a winded 400 back n forth to Canada for about a year or so, put at least 60k on the motor in a bout 6-7 months. Broke rocker arms cause the cam lift was at the limit of the valve springs. Drove an 84 3/4 ton Chevy 6" lift 35s, 408 small block, back n forth to DC. Had a plug wire melt on the headers, while fixing that I slipped n broke upper hose off radiator. Drove that for 6-7 months, don't know how many miles. Only quit driving it cause built a 406 for another truck, and then bought a 97 ECLB Vortec 454, then swapped a 454 into the 84. The whole time never had any issues. Never had the "check engine" light come on cause the humidity raised, or the gas cap was only installed with 2 clicks instead of 3. IMO it's pretty sad when you have to plug something in to find out whats wrong with it. Meanwhile it's running fine. Big blocks rule haha.

[weq92f]

.
LOL My check engine "light" goes off inside my head when I hear or feel something wrong or the gauges are telling a story or maybe something doesn't smell right.

-klb