candlelit

iTrader: (21)

Looks like I might have about $5000 after I refinance my loan and sell my GTP. And that brings me to many more thoughts of what I can do.
My 98 T/A has a lower 400 horse heads/cam/intake package... mild comp cam, ported heads, ls6 intake. And I want to upgrade to a ton more horsepower, yet still drive it daily. The stock bottom has 108k miles on it. Right now I need to get new lifters, but I think I'll wait it out til I figure out what I want to do with my car...

Here's what I'm thinking about...

1) Pistons, crank, and rods... make it a stroker.
2) Pistons, crank, rods, roller cam, and heads... make it a powerful NA motor.
3) Pistons, rods, procharger or turbo.
4) Buy piece for piece (from bare block to cam) to build up a really nice motor... maybe even buy a new shortblock and build it... while I still have mine in my car & driving it around, instead of driving the ol' pickup for awhile.
5) Buy a $3500 jet ski and have some cool water FUN! seasonly though, and about once a month
6) Put about $3000 down toward my refinancing to get lower payments.

I want the best bang for the buck. Meaning, I would rather make 500rwhp with $4500 than 530rwhp with $5000.

Keywords: I would rather have the HUUUUGE cam sound like those Dick Harrell Camaro's than a whistle blower... where the car is warmed up, but the cam scares every person around...
like... "waummp....................... waummp.................... waummp....."

But higher compression means less of a daily driver, right? So is my best bet a forged block & boost? Help me out guys! Thanks very much

candlelit

iTrader: (21)

I have decided I NEED to spend money into the Trans Am since it'll be my only driver. I'm going to put 1500 or 2000 back + savings over the next year for a jet ski. This should put me at 5500 or 6000 to work with once my grand prix is sold.

About $1000 of that is going to miscellaneous parts. So what should I do with the rest? Could I build an awesome LQ4 motor that'll get 500rwhp?

Jantzer98SS

iTrader: (54)

For that budget you might be able to get a 408 from Texas Speed $3700. You're gonna have to re-use the ported heads you have, ls6 intake, and throttle body which shouldn't leave too much power on the table.

You'll need alot more motor parts including new cam and springs so figure about $1500 there.

candlelit

iTrader: (21)

If I go with a new motor instead of building the bottom end on mine, should I get a 408 Iron block or go with a 383 aluminum? I know the iron block is heavier, but the extra cubes make up the difference in speed/power I believe. Then I have the bragging rights to say I have passed the 400 cube mark! With similar setups on a 408 or a 383 they should be apprx. as fast as one another, but the 408 has more bragging rights correct? So it would be a LQ4 or LQ9... if I bought a used one, threw some pistons, rods, bolts, and cam in that I found through classifieds, would I MAYBE have enough to put a small turbo on it? Or should I go with a lot of compression and just stick to the BIG cam idea?

Looks like I would spend $2100 on a new crank, pistons, and connecting rods through a sponsor. I could buy that setup assembled as a shortblock for about $2700, which is probably the best deal. If I went through classifieds, I could probably get those parts for $1600 or so. What's the better deal?

Jantzer98SS

iTrader: (54)

Buy a shortblock is a better deal cause the machine work is done.

The 408 will make more power, it has a bigger bore.

And no way do you have enough money for a turbo, and why would you want one for a daily driver anyway. Talk about unreliable. Keep it NA and simple.

candlelit

iTrader: (21)

that's the kind of input I'm looking for. thanks man! reliability is a big key for me, if forced induction isn't that reliable as going all NA, then all NA it is!

what kind of differences besides power will I see between a similar setup iron block 408 stroker and an aluminum 383 stroker?? common sense, the bigger engine & heavier car will get worse mpg. but will it be so much worse that a daily driver would WANT a 383 than a 408? which would you build?

candlelit

iTrader: (21)

any thoughts on turning my 346 into a 383 stroker? new crankshaft, pistons, rods, better cam, and re-use the ported 241s? what cam would go good with these heads on a stroker?

Bryan @ Speed Inc.

iTrader: (19)

you could do a 382 and re-use your block and ported 241's... i'd take a look at Speedincs stroker grind cams.

their 238/244 114lsa cam makes a good amount of power with being very streetable.

they do have other grinds though.

they can also set you up with a great rotating assembly.
www.Speedinc.com

candlelit

iTrader: (21)

cool man. thanks for the info. I'll definitely check it out.

anyone else wanna throw out an opinion?