[MDPotter]

I'm an LS fan for sure. It starts up every time, runs great, and is efficient. My 68 had a 307 (not the best SBC) when I bought it and it ran great, but it was pretty gutless and not good on fuel mileage and didn't like the cold. Now that I have a 6.0, it's a night and day difference and I would not go back.

We just bought a 69 and the previous owner had the 350 bored and stroked to 383, Edelbrock heads, roller rockers, Weiand intake, Holley carb, HEI ignition, and polished serp drive system. It's a fresh build and he spent about $10k on it. $10k will get you a low-mileage LS engine, rebuilt 4L80E, and all of the parts that go into an LS swap - radiator, fans, fuel tank, fuel pump, gauges, and a bunch of upgrades to the powertrain. You can spend all that money and have an engine with a good amount of HP and will start every time and get better mileage.

Like chev-obsession said, some guys are able to find wrecked donor vehicles and end up breaking even. Don't get your hopes up in being able to do this, but plan on buying an engine on eBay, doing a tuneup (replace plugs, wires, water pump, power steering pump, idler pulley, tensioner pulley, belt, etc.) and get a rebuilt 4L80E from LSX4U, and piece together the rest of the components.