LS block is a longer stroke...i.e. more torque. Like I said...build it right. If you do it right you shouldn't have any problem with reliability, but you have to do it right. Like I said, sleeves, pistons, etc etc. Building an LS/VTEC right isn't cheap. Aside from getting the block and crank I'm gonna end up spendin about 1800 bucks to build mine. And I already have a B16 to use for the rest of the parts. The biggest thing to watch out for with an LS/VTEC is over revving it. I'm still not sure how high I'm gonna rev mine.