LS or 505 Big Block Stroker

[ccapehartusarmyINF.(ret)]

What i was getting at is if this is going to be a toy with the intent of showing off, weekend warrior, play thing your bound to break something at some point regardless. Either engine built with a balance thought of the power output you want and some concerns of reliability can be achieved. Go with big block parts rated well above your output goal is and you will get your reliability. There is nothing wrong with a good carb setup either, a good quality carb matched up with your build and normal maintenance and there wont be an issue. Im saying you seem stuck on having a big block and already have an idea how you want to do it i say go for it. Its your truck you should build it for your approval not everyone elses.

first off a ls motor from a junk yard will be less reliable then a new properly built big block 400 cid or 502 cid or whatever

 

[Rob Scariano]

What i was getting at is if this is going to be a toy with the intent of showing off, weekend warrior, play thing your bound to break something at some point regardless. Either engine built with a balance thought of the power output you want and some concerns of reliability can be achieved. Go with big block parts rated well above your output goal is and you will get your reliability. There is nothing wrong with a good carb setup either, a good quality carb matched up with your build and normal maintenance and there wont be an issue. Im saying you seem stuck on having a big block and already have an idea how you want to do it i say go for it. Its your truck you should build it for your approval not everyone elses.

It seems like everything breaks once you lift it. I've had to upgrade quite a bit. I am biased toward the big block because of the power and sound but not 100 convinced. It is essentially a toy but I'd like it to perform like a daily driver on steroids. As such, regardless of the engine, I would want it to handle pump gas and perform well. What I am really searching for, is massive torque and pulling power.

 

[ccapehartusarmyINF.(ret)]

No burnouts. Just need more power. It's a sluggish dog. I feel like I'm driving a Prius (power wise) when I'm accelerating.

the major downside to a large displacement engine over an ls is the mileage its going to suck gas faster then you can pour it out the window
doees it still have 3.42 gears in it and what are your overall wheel diameter? cuz those wheels look bit to big for 3.42 gears
id at least change them to 3.73 or 4.10

 

[ccapehartusarmyINF.(ret)]

massive torque and pulling power that equals = diesel if youd consider it you could get a cummins 6bt depending on how much yer willing to spend you can get a alotta hp and torque outta them
another issue with putting such a oversized motor into a halfton frame is other componants of the suspension and drivetrain arent capable of handling all the extra torque and hp
cuz ive looked into bigger motor alternatives to my 01 suburban and the biggest hangup i found is the half ton frame if i had a 2500 suburban the sky is the limit

 

[Rob Scariano]

the major downside to a large displacement engine over an ls is the mileage its going to suck gas faster then you can pour it out the window
doees it still have 3.42 gears in it and what are your overall wheel diameter? cuz those wheels look bit to big for 3.42 gears
id at least change them to 3.73 or 4.10

The transmission would last 3 days with 3.42s.

I have 4.88 front/back

 

[drakon543]

first off a ls motor from a junk yard will be less reliable then a new properly built big block 400 cid or 502 cid or whatever

Wasn't suggesting the shoddiest ls he could find in a junk yard with just some parts thrown at it would be reliable. If i was going with a junk yard motor first thing that would happen is the whole thing would get dropped off at a good shop for a complete tear down and inspection. Even at that point id only be reusing basically the block. I dont trust much straight from a salvage parts yard.

 

[Rob Scariano]

massive torque and pulling power that equals = diesel if youd consider it you could get a cummins 6bt depending on how much yer willing to spend you can get a alotta hp and torque outta them
another issue with putting such a oversized motor into a halfton frame is other componants of the suspension and drivetrain arent capable of handling all the extra torque and hp
cuz ive looked into bigger motor alternatives to my 01 suburban and the biggest hangup i found is the half ton frame if i had a 2500 suburban the sky is the limit

The drivetrain would be fine. I picked up a 14 bolt 6 Lug rear end.

With a BB, I would go with "probably" a turbo 400 or TH350 3 speed. The overdrive trannies can be built tough but they are pricey when you build them to handle 600Hp.

Having said that, the suspension wouldn't be effected too much. the suspension lift can handle an extra 200 Lbs. A BB is heavier no doubt but it isn't like I'm adding 500+ LBs to it. I also intend to go with double shocks upfront. That will counter the extra weight from a drive ability standpoint.

 

[Rob Scariano]

The drivetrain would be fine. I picked up a 14 bolt 6 Lug rear end.

With a BB, I would go with "probably" a turbo 400 or TH350 3 speed. The overdrive trannies can be built tough but they are pricey when you build them to handle 600Hp.

Having said that, the suspension wouldn't be effected too much. the suspension lift can handle an extra 200 Lbs. A BB is heavier no doubt but it isn't like I'm adding 500+ LBs to it. I also intend to go with double shocks upfront. That will counter the extra weight from a drive ability standpoint.

Haven't heard of anyone with frame issues. Your post is the first I've heard of it. Besides, it it a 2 door, so it's a little more rigid than the 4 door and I can always add a cross member to stiffen it up.

 

[Rob Scariano]

Wasn't suggesting the shoddiest ls he could find in a junk yard with just some parts thrown at it would be reliable. If i was going with a junk yard motor first thing that would happen is the whole thing would get dropped off at a good shop for a complete tear down and inspection. Even at that point id only be reusing basically the block. I dont trust much straight from a salvage parts yard.

A low mileage LS at best is 3-4 grand. Hence the term low mileage. Add the cost of a tear down and your through the roof. A built 454, running 517 HP is 5300. Add a 3 speed tranny, and other accessories and call it 7000. Figure another 2-3K for labor accessories and I buy 400HP to the wheels. It's a lot of money but it would be a beast.

 

[Rob Scariano]

the major downside to a large displacement engine over an ls is the mileage its going to suck gas faster then you can pour it out the window
doees it still have 3.42 gears in it and what are your overall wheel diameter? cuz those wheels look bit to big for 3.42 gears
id at least change them to 3.73 or 4.10

Forgot to mention

20X10 rims.
37x13.50x20 Tires