epfatboy

iTrader: (3)

I'm really trying to follow 2 of Denmah's principals....
1) Shitty little 4.8 engines go fast too.
2) Don't open it or you'll let the magic out.

So I'll ask this. I plan to follow your typical JY Turbo build by adding Fuel Pump, 80# Injectors, Springs, Meth, and IC.

The plan is to throw it into a 3800# '85 C-10 SWB and back it with a 4L80E w/3000 stall to a 3.42 rear.

I really want to add:
Cam, Tunnion, Ring Gap but that is in violation of principal #2

I question if the little 4.8 can:
It's a heavy truck but it is really just a Street toy but with NED just 20 min away I can't help wanting it to run into the 10's at least a few times for bragging rights.

I'm pretty sure a 6.0 would get it done, probably even a 5.3.... Will a 4.8 do it with that kind of weight? Even if it does I'm sure it is getting it done on the big end. Will I be disappointed with my bottom end performance on the street? Do I need to violate principal number 2 or should I just hold out for a 5.3 or 6.0.

Why the 4.8 you ask, besides the obvious super cheap it is also super complete Engine/tranny dropout with low miles.

G Atsma

I think #2 means don't pull the heads off. Cams & trunnion kits are good. Ring gaps? Worry about them when building a new engine.

jmd

iTrader: (4)

At the low end, cores are cheap. Use them up instead of turd polishing.

​​​​​​When ready to grow up, do exactly that. Put effort into the 6L when ready.

G Atsma

^^^^^^this, besides all what I said.

epfatboy

iTrader: (3)

So add cam and trunnion...

Will bottom end be decent with the 4.8? Got a decent cam recommendation? I'm a SBC guy so the lift and duration numbers I'm seeing for the LS engines look real aggressive.

The cam I was looking at with a 6.0 was:
https://www.summitracing.com/parts/tfs-30602001
Thinking that might be too big for the weight and displacement of my combo.

G Atsma

The bottom end is the same as all other LS engines(VERY strong). The ONLY difference in the bottom end is a shorter stroke crank than the rest of the LS engines.

CattleAc

iTrader: (7)

Check out Denmah's youtube stuff...I think this is his "go to cam" for a lot of his builds. You'll have to do the research though. I can't remember which one it is...

CattleAc

iTrader: (7)

EDIT: This is the Denmah "stage II" turbo cam he uses from Jegs...

http://www.jegs.com/i/JEGS-Performan...00582/10002/-1

epfatboy

iTrader: (3)

Thanks looks like denmah's is actually bigger (by a little) than the TFS cam and sold at the same price.

Not convinced I should throw a cam in it yet and without a cam swap the trunnion upgrade isn't needed. If anything the cam looks like it hurts bottom end a bit.

I agree with the "cheap core" comment above. All the work is in the plumbing with a few accessories which are reusable across the 4.8/5.7/6.0 line so I guess I should start cheap. If I don't like it I can blow it up and do it again.

epfatboy

iTrader: (3)

Forgot to comment about ring gap. I'm converting from nitrous. No ring gap equals quick death.

Have done lots of reading here that says at my boost level ring gap isn't needed.but it can't hurt. To me if I pull the pan ring gap is just a few extra hours of work. If I don't need to pull the pan (I'll know once I pull the valve covers) then I'll just leave them alone.

Old habits die hard and I know I'm a dope. If it does not run my number I will turn it up until it does one way or another.

85LSXTRUCK

iTrader: (2)

I love my 6.0 in my C10, I wouldn't want it any other way but stronger. Only way I would use a 4.8 is turbo or with a nice cam and good heads with a bump in compression. A turbo in a 4.8 if done right would be so nice.

epfatboy

iTrader: (3)

I am all done trying to be an NA guy. Building them into what I want is too expensive. Nitrous is cheapest by a long shot but it is planned use. I already did the SC route and that was fun but I always thought of a turbo being the most efficient and probably the best bang for the buck it you have some fab skills.

I'm probably gonna do the 4.8 over the 6.0 that I have been eye balling. Just have to keep reminding myself I can get another one relatively cheap compared to what I had to do in the past to make my BBC and SBC' stay together.

I'm sure once I get it here the cam/trunnion will keep entering into my build discussion. I just don't know what I'm going to get out of the $400 spend.... I suppose these can be reused in another core if I want to go with more cubes.

wht/73

Your going to put a turbo on it. The 4.8 will be fine and like you mentioned earlier, there will be more 4.8's to be found just incase you get a lil to greedy with boost!
And you will!!
They blow up just like ANY other engine not built for it!

BudRacing

iTrader: (3)

If this is going to be a learning process, would you rather learn the hard way on a cheap 4.8 or a more expensive 6.0?

For the cam situation, you can always add that later once you realize your limitations in a proven setup.

Tuskyz28

Going to a 6.0 naturally aspirated will give you all kind of cylinder head options and later if you wanted more power naturally aspirated you could always stroke the motor and go 408ci 😁

A well built 408ci with the right heads, cam and intake will easily put you over 600 horse with no boost issues to worry about.

epfatboy

iTrader: (3)

NA just isn't that fun to me I'd rather go turbo. Ultimately it is to learn and at some point I will take everything I learned and build something for the strip.

So 4.8 it is! But I'm throwing a cam in it too after watching about 4 hours of YouTube vids on the topic.

The guy I'm buying the 4.8 from is at the track all the time with JR dragsters for his 2 kids. He runs a Yard near me and I can hear it run before I buy it. Complete drop out engine and 80e with 93k on them.

I think it is DBC so I'll need to research that and I'm not sure but he rails may not have returns but I think he'll let me swap those out.

Also it's a 2005 so I'm pretty sure I get better rods.

What are ya building WHT? First the 80e....

BudRacing

iTrader: (3)

a 4.8 with an 80e attached?

DBC is one less thing to worry about. 05 was probably the best year for a 4.8 if it does have the next gen rods. Sounds like a strong buy to me.

ls1nova71

iTrader: (4)

A DBC engine from 2005 would be out of a van, and they put 4.8/4l80 cobmo's in them, don't ask me why, but they are really common.

BudRacing

iTrader: (3)

Good to know. I didn't think the combo existed, but it's great that it does. Thanks

JoeNova

When going turbo, displacement doesn't dictate peak power. Torque maybe, but not peak power.

With the right setup and powerband between shifts, you won't notice a different at the track between a 4.8 and 6.0.