GREAT overview, Scott.
I am confused by one aspect of what you said though. You seem to believe that an LS1 requires a PCM to run. Not so. At least, not on the street (racing catgeory rules may require the cmputer - I don't know).
With the Edelbrock approach, you do NOT use either the PCM or the harness. You also don't use the injectors of course. You use a carb and intake, and then an MSD-sourced blackbox that connects plug-and-play (literally plugs into)to the factory coil packs, crankshaft sensor, and camshaft sensor. If you want more power, Edelbrock also has a version of the kit where they incldue a cam "matched" to the intake and carb, and that adds lots more easy, and cheap, power. (LS engines respond to cams VERY well, as that replciated port design is just dynamite for breathing).
Your racing friends must be trying to stay within some rules that are inflating the costs. The STREET costs of a CARB-fed LS engine are very modest - better hp per dollar than even the smallblock!
I agree about the ready source of LS engines on eBay and elsewhere. In fact, $2500 is about the MAXIMUM that they are advertised for, unless they are the "Camaro" or "Corvette" LS1, LS6, or LS2 versions being marketed to the young guys who don't realize you don't need those specific versions to "go fast", as ANY of the LS engines will accept almost all the speed parts. Will Handzel's book on the LS engines, which is EXCELLENT, explains all this.
Yesterday, I watched as a buyer got an LM7 (Silverado 5.3 liter) for $310 from an eBay supplier whose satisfaction rating for the past severla years is 100% (not even 99.9%), but that engine had 70K miles on it, so not my cup of tea unless dirt cheap.
I'm trying to avoid a blower, for the sake of simplicity. One of the reasons for favoring an AD truck is thta it is so LIGHT that you don't NEED more power than you can get in a plain Jane SBC or LS engine.
The Ecotech is just "wrong" for an old pickup, in my personal opinion. That's a high rpm screamer before it makes sufficient power, and I READ that manual on bulding that 1000 hp version, and it is a truly heroic effort you go through for a VERY specialized and limited engine.
I'm going to read that info you linked to on the Vortec 4200. That one does intrigue me, if I could get it simple enough, like Edelbrock has made the LS with its kit. But, I also need to see some dimensions on that 4200. I'm not sure it's short enough to fit easily without extensive mods. And, it's set up for the 4L60E or manual only - not for the 700R4, and I don't want a computer controlled tranny like the 4L60E.
Jim G
Last edited by JimGnitecki; 02/06/2008 12:24 AM.
