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BIG BLOCKvs LSvs DURAMAX

blazinzuk said:
Like the other engine question its a loaded question.

In an all around good to go do everything ultra reliable off road rig. It's either LS or duramax.

For me its an LS. If I were building a do everything rig I would be making it as light as possible. Even a mild cammed LS with decent heads will be more power than you need.

The diesel gets the nod in my mind for serious long term expo though.
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Sorry about the question being " loaded" . Will tone it down next time! Those LS engines seem to be the hot ticket now. I was hoping that someone would say that indeed , you can build a big block to hang with a diesel, but apparently it isn't realistic.
 
tRustyK5 said:
I sorta get the gist of what kind of discussion you're trying to start. I think the problem is the parameters you initially set are so huge that we could all spend weeks chasing our tails, and solve nothing. With the parameters as they are the only answer is "Yes" to all three.

So, my suggestion is this: More narrowly define end use, budget, and which aspects are the biggest priority. Cost to swap/install? Fuel economy? Cheapest/easiest horsepower? Best towing? weight? Coolest looking?

The simple answer, ain't never simple, and the answer is different for most everyone.
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80' 427 said:
When did this page become facebook?
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80' 427 said:
When did this page become facebook?
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not sure I follow?
 
OK , that's fine! Always like to get a number of peoples opinions and weigh in on them , I figured everyone would have a different answer.
 
For me big block. LS and duramax really 110% on electronics. Anything fails, and your dead in the water. Or out in the middle of no where. I'm not sold on the LS cool aid, and again too much electronics for Duramax. But if money wasn't an issue it would be the diesel. But you can have an 1100 horse daily driven vehicle. My bro in law has a Ford GT that is twin turbo'd and supercharged. This is his car, not him driving. When he went for a test drive, the owner had it turned up, did a 3rd gear 130 mph burnout. When the car starts, sounds like any other V-8, smooth idle, just lil louder cause of some stupid expensive muffler.

 
blazinzuk said:
Super speculative question that has no real answer.

Ask an engine question to me it will almost always be an LS based motor.

Ask the same question to folkenheath its almost always gonna be a big block

Ask the same question to Martin wellllll hubcaps
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:haha: :thumb: :bow:

I suggest (as others have done) that the questions be narrowed down to one specific inquiry. Too many questions floating through this thread to have any coherency. I drive a 130HP 6.2 and am quite satisfied with it. But I wouldn't recommend it for a drag racer, that's for sure. Different engines fill different needs. An LS can certainly be "better" than a Duramax, and vice versa. We don't have enough info to give relevant answers at this point.
 
4xfrankie said:
This is good aplace as any to ask opinions-what is better for a four wheel drive application-Big Block / LS/or Duramax diesel?Can a big block with huge displacement beat a duramax diesel ?Can an lsx with the latest advancements in oiling ,port design ect.,be built to beat both ? . All of these engines are awesome, and the diesel will take the win on low end torque,fuel consumption ,ect.If you guys could, back up your opinions with why you think one will outdo the other.OFcourse the more money you put into an engine will play a big part, so if at all possible( ?) lets try and keep it fair(?)Have any of you heard of a mega inch big block producing more torque than a mega modified twin turbo diesel?
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woohoo glad i helped start this thread in a way
 
Also when you actually get in to building the internals of a dmax the dollars start adding up big time. Like $15-$30k depending on how far you go. That will get you a daily drivable 1200-1500+hp though
 
One word.. Nelson racing engines, nice idle and insane power and torque, makes a dmax look bad when you throw boost at a 632 bbc with proper heads and fi to handle it all..
 
The answer to all of this is a 12v cummins. No electronics. Diesel efficiency and power. Lightweight is a joke becusse torque.

And it'll get 43 mpg at 110mph on 44s uphill with a head wind hauling a load.
In reverse.
 
Putting a duramax into a squarebody is some serious work. Firewall,trans tunnel, and front crossmember all cause problems, and it still will give you problems shutting the hood. Look up Powerblock 'Nightrain'
 
4xfrankie said:
This is good aplace as any to ask opinions-what is better for a four wheel drive application-Big Block / LS/or Duramax diesel?Can a big block with huge displacement beat a duramax diesel ?Can an lsx with the latest advancements in oiling ,port design ect.,be built to beat both ? . All of these engines are awesome, and the diesel will take the win on low end torque,fuel consumption ,ect.If you guys could, back up your opinions with why you think one will outdo the other.OFcourse the more money you put into an engine will play a big part, so if at all possible( ?) lets try and keep it fair(?)Have any of you heard of a mega inch big block producing more torque than a mega modified twin turbo diesel?
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Question:What is better for a four wheel drive application-bigblock/LS or Duramax?ANSWER:The diesel engine wins where low speed torque and not a lot of wheel speed /RPM's are needed.Rock crawling is an example.Of course towing is another example of diesels coming out on top.You don't see too many big rigs out there running gas motors.The LS and Big block are better where torque + horsepower are needed to gain more wheel speed at higher RPM,-mud, sand,hillclimbing,ect.You don't see too many of those extreme hillclimbers over in Iceland running diesels.Although it seems these days that diesels are being wound up higher than ever before.
 
Except the diesel has some huge disadvantages. Turbo lag and weight. When your crawling gearing is way more important than torque.
 
4xfrankie said:
This is good aplace as any to ask opinions-what is better for a four wheel drive application-Big Block / LS/or Duramax diesel?Can a big block with huge displacement beat a duramax diesel ?Can an lsx with the latest advancements in oiling ,port design ect.,be built to beat both ? . All of these engines are awesome, and the diesel will take the win on low end torque,fuel consumption ,ect.If you guys could, back up your opinions with why you think one will outdo the other.OFcourse the more money you put into an engine will play a big part, so if at all possible( ?) lets try and keep it fair(?)Have any of you heard of a mega inch big block producing more torque than a mega modified twin turbo diesel?
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QUESTION: Can a big block be built with huge displacement to beat a diesel?ANSWER : Yes, I think it can. With the recent development of the blocks and rotating assemblies to build such huge displacements ,you can't tell me that with the addition of twin turbos and the like ,that it can't be done.But, the cost of building such an engine /and the fuel requiements to reach this power level makes it a no go for the average mortal.The fuel consumption of a diesel gives it the win .I am planning on one day building a 402ci big block to see if I can build a torque motor that can rival that of the 403ci Duramax with good fuel mileage to boot. It will probably loose .
 
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