people have a hard time reaching 200whp on vtec motors because they half ass it. they often overlook the important stff like exhaust and intake set ups as well as fuel pump and injectors. Also funds are a problem but 200whp on a vtec motor is easy imo.
Well I guess I shouldnt say they have a really difficult time, but the B18C1 is a much better motor, putting out more power right off the bat. They come with a better head, and a better bottom end capable of spinning at 8500 RPMs.
The LS starts out with a serious disadvantage. Poorer flow, low compression, internals that cannot spin at the rate of GSRs, and no secondary cam profile. They need the works to get them up on power, and even then, you are seriously killing the wallet. And with a very aggressive cam profile from the 404's, the car will not like to idle very much.
If he wants to have the potential of seeing those number, I think a P8R head would be very useful, as it is the best flowing non-vtec head around.