CK5
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So, to a couple of answers/thoughts

Yes aluminum heads, and why:
One is weight, though thats diminished issue on a SBC.
Heat control, which also eludes to detonation control. AL heads allow more compression, driving the efficiency of the engine substantially higher (also evens a bit of the playing field for what may be the biggest benefit of the LS engines)

Tilden has th packaged LS engine, wiring included with ECM, and can be shipped programmed to your application. You pay a sliding scale for lower (verified) miles. I find this more enticing than a worn out form setter engine

You hit a key point. Compression. Big advantage on the LS. Just not sure how much detonation control the aftermarket efi setups have, if they have any at all.

Tilden is a good option to get a turnkey package for an ls. Was it treefarmer that just did his? Somebody on here just did one over in Utah. Pretty slick setup for sure. It's a good option for the money.
 
If you are seriously considering an LS, I could help you buy one from the company I got mine from here local in SLC. They sold me what they call their "conversion package" which basically means you get everything. They even cut the exhaust back a few feet so that I got the O2 sensors. Also, as to your concern about how the engine was treated before you get it, I could verify what it comes out of before they pull the engine.
Yeah shoot me a PM with some info please. I definitely am doing a thorough cost analysis before pulling the trigger
 
I just yesterday ordered Tilden Motorsports 8.1 package. Getting a 2005 8.1 with 110k miles on it (110k is nothing for the 8.1, as long as maintained properly). They are supplying everything. Cut down harness with stand alone fuse block, and even supplying everything for the DBW application, including the pedal. So all I'll have to do is mount the pedal wherever I want and plug in one sensor and that's it. It will be ran on their engine stand hooked up to a scanner to make sure all sensors are in proper working order so that the motor is guaranteed to run when it shows up at my house.
 
After shipping directly to my house via freight, its right at $4k. Now, I've already got everything else setup for an 8.1 in my truck (ORD crossmember, DIY4x poly motor mounts, NV4500 already setup, fuel system already done, exhaust already done, cooling done...everything). So yeah, there is more to the costs to get it in there that I have had done for almost a year and a half...so a bit easier to swallow the $ pill for this motor

8.1's can be found cheaper if you look around. I found my original one on craigslist for $1700, and it already had the workhorse brackets on it to run A/C...but being a craigslist motor, you always have the possibility of dealing with what I had to go through of having the motor not want to run
 
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I think the best bang for the buck upgrade to a factory small block in these trucks is a comp xe262 (or similar) cam, eddlebrock performer intake, and factory vortec heads. 340ish HP and 400+ ft lbs nice and low. All for around $600-700 if you shop around. And you can swap everything I the truck
 
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I think the best bang for the buck upgrade to a factory small block in these trucks is a comp xe262 (or similar) cam, eddlebrock performer intake, and factory vortec heads. 340ish HP and 400+ ft lbs nice and low. All for around $600-700 if you shop around. And you can swap everything I the truck
The bottom end has 150k on it, so it will be a full engine. Definitely not using a flat tappet and iron heads. If that was the case, I already am gaining more torque against those two mods with the cam and heads I’m using, I’d just rebuild the current plant.
Which is an option. But I could gain more upgrading to roller cam and aluminum heads
 
The bottom end has 150k on it, so it will be a full engine. Definitely not using a flat tappet and iron heads. If that was the case, I already am gaining more torque against those two mods with the cam and heads I’m using, I’d just rebuild the current plant.
Which is an option. But I could gain more upgrading to roller cam and aluminum heads

10-4 I was more talking to the people that keep talking about how cheap you can do such and such.
 
Here’s a good argument.. turbo ls 4.8 makes more torque than all yalls crap at altitude and will produce more based on load vs rpm like an SC so there is yer low end torque..
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10-4 I was more talking to the people that keep talking about how cheap you can do such and such.
Cool.

On that aspect, When I looked into the vottoheads before, there were some small power gains, almost all just on the top end. I can get them for about $50-100 a head here, plus $300-500 for a proper rebuild. I would also need some other stuff to use those that I’d have to invest in (intake, valve covers).
Aluminum heads assembled starting at $1k a set is not much more, and I can use my intake, which is the ZZ4 crate intake. Have no desire to go to another intake due to how well it works on my application

If I found a complete Vortec engine, I’d probably still can everything above the block and run with it, still doing a complete rebuild.
 
Cool.

On that aspect, When I looked into the vottoheads before, there were some small power gains, almost all just on the top end. I can get them for about $50-100 a head here, plus $300-500 for a proper rebuild. I would also need some other stuff to use those that I’d have to invest in (intake, valve covers).
Aluminum heads assembled starting at $1k a set is not much more, and I can use my intake, which is the ZZ4 crate intake. Have no desire to go to another intake due to how well it works on my application

If I found a complete Vortec engine, I’d probably still can everything above the block and run with it, still doing a complete rebuild.

With a aftermarket cam you should see 40+ horsepower over stock TPI heads. With the stock tiny cam not much difference. The vortecs are hands down the best factory GM head ever made. And they run right there with the lower end aftermarket stuff.

You already have some nice parts so it's not worth it. For someone with a hone stock motor that wants a huge jump in power for a small budget that's the way to go. It's what I'm doing While I build a monster 6.0
 
Not that bent is considering one, but I would be concerned about EGTs with a turbo while climbing Vail pass, if the engine RPMs were too low. But, doesn't matter since he isn't heading that way..
 
Did you put the recipe up Mark?

I'm just wondering.

Also isn't it amazing what you can do with an old school small block.
 
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