LS_86Cut442

I have an 86 cutlass 442 and I just recently sold the old 350 that was in it and did an ls swap. The engine and trans are being built right now and it will only be another week or twould before it's finished. I'm just looking for a rough estimate of the power I'm looking to make. I know that I'm not going to be able to provide all the information necessary to get an exact number. I'm just looking for an estimation.


All aluminum re-sleeved 408

11:0:1 compression

All forged internals not sure on brand

Dart pro 1 fully cnc 67.5cc chamber

Efi system is holley 102mm tb 102 intake both ported

Cam 238/242 113 lsa

Ls7 lifters

Th350 trans 3600 stall

Original 8.5 inch 10 bolt rear end. no suspension upgrades. That is coming next year.

Kooks longtube 1-7/8 headers through 3 inch tru dual h pipe.

Dynomax mufflers.

All bolts and studs arp.

This is all I can remember for now. I have spent 14k on this setup and I can't wait any longer to hear some feedback. Once I pick up engine and have the build sheet I will repost the rest of everything you guys need.

slow trap

iTrader: (22)

cam is alittle small for 408 cubes but fwhp should be around 575 or so just rough guessing. i will say around 425-450 rwhp or so through that slushbox.

LS_86Cut442

I appreciate the feedback, thanks a lot.

HCI2000SS

iTrader: (2)

I agree with slow trap on this

LS_86Cut442

So the garbage rear end is going to hinder me? My goal was to hit 10.99 or as close to that as possible. Intake and throttle body are also ported.

HCI2000SS

iTrader: (2)

The 10 bolt may or may not last for a while...it's a crap shoot. I'm near 600 rwhp with drag radials on the stock bolt and I'm fine so far. It has a lot to do with how you drive your car

z28SSilvest

My 10 bolt recently broke under 480hp. I also went to the drag strip a lot (never used a drag radial) and would frequently have spirited driving.

Some people get lucky like HCI2000SS and some actually break under stock power.. however I have to say it is a good feeling having something strong under there. If you want a cheap route, look up TNT fabrication and check out the 8.8 conversion the guy does using axle tubes from the 10 bolt.

1989GTA

The 8.5" ten bolt can be built up to handle about as much horsepower as the 12 bolt especially through an automatic transmission. I am running one behind my LS3 based 427 motor and 6L80 transmission. As to the camshaft it could be just fine. We need more info on it and the intended use of the car.

LS_86Cut442

I plan on getting a new rear end with disc brakes and all that good stuff. I just want to abuse what's in there now and once it breaks I'll replace it. It won't see much of the track. It's my daily driver. It will only see the track once or twice a year.

z28SSilvest

Waiting to get a new rear before beating on it will save you money on towing costs.. ask me how I know.

LS_86Cut442

Haha that's what my insurance is for.

LS_86Cut442

The cam is 238/242 with 113 LSA

1989GTA

That is almost the same camshaft that is in my LS3 based 427 motor. 238/244 with 114 +3.

SRB02SS

This is what my 408 with custom cam and gmpp cnc ls3 heads just made and this is on a dyno that tends to read 15-20 horsepower lower than most dynojets

LS_86Cut442

So I should look to get something along those lines then power wise?

LS_86Cut442

So the cam for the 408 is a pretty decent sized cam then?

SRB02SS

You should make around 500. Dynos vary a lot. Should be strong though. My cam was a little larger.

Jimbo1367

So how did you find this out? A friend tell you or did you read it somewhere? Seriously though.

LS_86Cut442

That's awesome. That's what I was looking to hear. I just want the engine to be done already. Have you taken your car to the track yet?

LS_86Cut442

My beater that I drive broke down on me. I pay for the tow up front and I get a check from my insurance company within 2 weeks