the LS3 engine will build tremendous power right out of the box and is lighter than any LQ based engine making you instantly .1 seconds quicker just because of the weight savings. You also get a warranty with the new crate engine that you won't have with a boneyard engine. You can buy a weaker engine, build it up and make as much power as the crate LS3 but its still going to be heavier and if it breaks you'll have to pay to do it all over again.