[HWYSTR455]

I'm just saying that due to Pontiac blocks being 'older', doesn't mean that they are less usable, specifically from age. I'm not quite sure what the 'standard' iron LS blocks will take power-wise, but will say they are not all created equal. I think the 5.3s are around the 800hp mark just like Pontiacs, but again, not sure.

Cast pistons are in I think all of them, and are somewhat limited to like 6000 RPM. Let me look that up, but pretty sure that's the case...

Yes:

http://blog.jepistons.com/everything...-engine-family

Only the blown LS's have forged cranks & rods. Parts do not interchange between all series, and some have unique parts that are not cheap, especially if you want performance stuff.

Anyway, I'm not trying to be anti-LS, all I'm saying is it isn't as easy as everyone thinks. If you pull a truck engine out of the yards, you're getting a truck engine. It's fine for some apps, but it's not like all LS's are 'performance' engines. You can push them, but that will limit their' life span. Shoot, there's guys here that are pushing factory blocks just as much or more, past 1000hp, and they're 'getting away with it', but everything is finite.

I know people that are blowing LS's up. I know people that have late model performance cars, and they hit a wall around 650 or so, and if you go beyond that, you blow them up. Or you have to upgrade parts, and then it gets expensive. I know guys that are doing swaps and are blowing them up. They think like many here that you can just go to the yards and grab an LS and make big power. It's not like that. That's all I'm trying to say. And if you want a true performance build, you have to pay for it.

I know a lot of people that are having issues with lifter tick too. Look at the vette forums, so they are having the same issues we are. Just do a search for 'corvette lifter tick' and you will see. It's not just a here-there thing either.

If you want 350-450hp, a cruiser, fine, that would work for a budget swap, but you will eventually get tired of it. Look at all the people here who have 400-450, they all want more.

.