juSStin4171

iTrader: (2)

Have the idea of starting a slow build on a 400+ iron block for the 01 SS. While looking at prices for cranks, rods, pistons, fasteners, etc... I got to thinking I could probably build the stock LS1 to respectable power for a whole lot less $$$. There's several published $8K+ builds of 408's that make about 550-ish (motor) and I know for a fact there are several 435-450 rwhp LS1's out there. Those numbers aren't all THAT far off from each other when you factor in drivetrain loss. Especially for just a weekend warrior that rarely gets driven.

I'm thinking a set of AI 243's a well matched cam and a 102 intake would get about 440 (ish) to the tires on the LS1. I could do this for about $4k with what I already have.

Any of you that have "been there done that" with either set up care to chime in as far as "If I could do it again, I'd..."

Austin95

iTrader: (22)

Go for the 400ci stroker! I have a heads/cam/intake LS1 in my car (number in sig) and its awesome, but if you're like most of us here, it'll be great for awhile then you'll end up wanting more, its an addiction! Might as well do it once and do it right. Just my 2 cents. It might not seem like a lot more power for the 400ci, but you have to remember youre going to have a much broader and lower torque band than with the 346 due to the extra cubes, which always makes for more fun on the street. Best of luck OP!

juSStin4171

iTrader: (2)

You make a good point. After a while, a fast car starts to feel slow... but $4 - $7k is a lot of damn money!

JohnS Z28

iTrader: (1)

~4k can get you into the turbocharged game too.

For the money spent, i would go turbo, i did consider a 408 at one time too, buttttt eh

MikeWS6

Best way to make power would be to go with a procharger or turbo setup. But in the end the amount of mods cost more than the car is worth. I am at the point where I dont want to put anything else in this car. Now I am just saving for a Vette.

HCI2000SS

iTrader: (2)

Have you considered just building the LS1 and hitting it with a 100 shot? Far cheaper than the stroker and quite a bit faster

BrntWS6

iTrader: (7)

I would go for the big power. I personally never thought my H/C/I car was all that fast from the get go. It's alright and kind of a fun street car but I look at it as a waste of time and money at this point. I should have just gone FI.

juSStin4171

iTrader: (2)

It's a tough choice to make! Go big and build a bullet proof iron beast that can handle future mods/boost or build a hot ls1 for a fun car and not go crazy with money and problems. Damn the choices!

ULTIMATEORANGESS

iTrader: (4)

my thinking is that if you dont max it now due to funds itll be easier later on due to having more cubes and stronger bottom end.

juSStin4171

iTrader: (2)

True. However I wouldn't really be able to enjoy it completely with the stock rear, However if it broke I would have a valid reason to put in a 9"!

juSStin4171

iTrader: (2)

If you were going to put together a short block 400+ inch motor what would you do? I'm trying to confirm what prices I have estimated.
408? 416? 418?
Iron? Aluminum?
I've read the COMPstar cranks and rods are good.
Summit has an iron block "ready to go" for about $800
Would you source a junkyard Lq?
What pistons?

I've never built a motor from scratch and will have a lot of questions for everyone if I go this route. Thanks for putting up with my brainstorming.

ULTIMATEORANGESS

iTrader: (4)

i prefer aluminum blocks.

Orange Juice

iTrader: (3)

If you are starting from scratch the only real difference is going to be the price of the block and crank. Each one is going to require upgrading fuel, rear end, transmission.

totalchaos

iTrader: (5)

I went from planning a h/c swap , to thinking about a turbo set-up , now i'm buying parts to build a 402 for my car. I'm using an ls2 block for my build.

juSStin4171

iTrader: (2)

I had the thought of a "sleeper" lsx build today. A.I. 241's with a matched cam and a ported ls6 intake with a stroker ls1. I'd claim "cam" only all damn day long with no signs of foul play. Not that I ever race any damn way but that's not the point!

I still can't get rid of the thought of a 418 or 427. It's just too damn cool to say you have a 427!

juSStin4171

iTrader: (2)

Bringing this back up since I got a set of 243's. How well do these perform on a 408? I would get AI to do their work with them.

MuhThugga

They'll work well.

Don't always look at the peak numbers. Most people will always say, "I can make that horsepower in my LS1. Strokers are a waste."
Yes, it is true that you can achieve the same peak horsepower number in your LS1 that someone else has achieved in their 383/402/408. Hell, I only gained 30 peak horsepower over my LS2 set-up using the same intake and heads.

HOWEVER, I also gained 70 lb-ft of peak torque, and consistently gained everywhere else throughout the RPM band.