Welcome to the forum! I will weigh in with these guys on the LS Motors. I have a 2000 LS1 in my Studebaker. Mine has been in the car for 4 years and about 14k miles without a problem. It has run 13.68 at the track on my wide whitewall radials. I just took a 2000 mile trip to the International Studebaker Meet. While there, a bunch of us went to the drag strip and I made 9 passes on a 90 degree night with a best of 14.16. Then drove all around Glendale and Scottsdale AZ in 109 degree heat with the AC on and beat feet 800 miles back to home in 12 hours at 75+ mph. When all was said and done I figured out I got 26 mpg for the trip including the drag strip and in town times. If you start with one of the 6.0 truck motors that run on regular gas, you can always add a turbo or a blower later. Lots of guys are doing that. The motors seem to be pretty bulletproof for street use, if you are gonna squeeze one I am told you should change the rod bolts. These motors really do give you the best of both worlds and the EFI and computer controls are not that challenging. Pretty much set it and forget it, and if you don't know how there are plenty of folks around that can help with that.

Pat