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408 or 402???

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Old Jun 14, 2007 | 09:40 PM
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Default 408 or 402???

Totally dissapointed in my combo that I am running now. I just have the desire for more power than a stock shortblock can offer. Looking at 408 or 402. Any suggestions as to why I should pick one over the other. The car is only a weekender and takes the occasional 2.5 hr trip home. But other than that it is very rare that the car goes any further than that. I want a fairly agressive cam. Cam suggestions are welcome. I have an auto w/ 3.23 12bolt, vig 3200 stall, hooker longtubes, ory, Fast90/90, and ported 241 heads, Walbro 255L, SVO 30# injectors, Comp 1.8 rockers, and 224/230 .581/.592 114LSA, and a 150 NX Wet Shot. I think thats about everything that would really matter. I am just really thinkin that my setup is way too weak for what kind of #'s/ Timeslips I want. And rather than going with a radical cam in a 346 I was thinking more cubes with a somewhat agressive cam to save some driveability. I'm really interested to hear some intellegent answers.

P.S. any help from any sponsors would be greatly appreciated. Price quotes would be even greater help. I would like to know what I would be looking at to finance the swap.

Thanks, Justin
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Old Jun 14, 2007 | 10:04 PM
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Iron 408, 11.1comp 250 255 640 640 112lobe, full set-up and bolt on`s. Car makes awsome power and I spray a 200 shot on top. Car hauls *** and I love it. For the tune I went SD and love it. Drivability issues are perfect. Car makes 750-775rwhp with 200 shot! this is a built A4 with nitrous converter and 12-bolt with 3.73 gears. this is full A/C and interior. Car in sig.

Erik from HKE and Greg Good for the heads!
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Old Jun 14, 2007 | 10:23 PM
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how much would that run me?
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Old Jun 15, 2007 | 04:26 AM
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why not a nice 383 setup? cheaper, and your not giving up much power....why would he need an iron block? for a 150 shot or even a 200 a forged bottom end is more then enough, without the extra almost 100 pounds for the iron block......id say go with a 383, 238/242 cam, and some nice ported heads..
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Old Jun 15, 2007 | 01:02 PM
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anyone have any other suggestions?
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Old Jun 15, 2007 | 01:37 PM
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Originally Posted by beardWS6
Car makes 750-775rwhp with 200 shot! this is a built A4 with nitrous converter and 12-bolt with 3.73 gears.
Damn! What converter and who built your tranny?

Sorry for the highjacking!

I'm also in the market for a stroker as well and I would like to know the same things as you.
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Old Jun 15, 2007 | 07:39 PM
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well how about it sponsors & ls1 gurus... you have two guys looking to change their setup and not too many people jumping in to give their $.02. The more information that I can find out the better. Anyone on here currently running the 402 or 408 have any suggestions and willing to share some pricing predictions?
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Old Jun 16, 2007 | 12:57 AM
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Originally Posted by 1ORANGEWS6
Damn! What converter and who built your tranny?

Sorry for the highjacking!

I'm also in the market for a stroker as well and I would like to know the same things as you.

Got a Century built Stage 3. Also a custom converter for spray (3200). Built with all my mods in mind! I don`t spray threw shifts!
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Old Jun 16, 2007 | 10:17 AM
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Originally Posted by transaman98
well how about it sponsors & ls1 gurus... you have two guys looking to change their setup and not too many people jumping in to give their $.02. The more information that I can find out the better. Anyone on here currently running the 402 or 408 have any suggestions and willing to share some pricing predictions?
Your wrong!!!LOL!! actually you have 3 guys.I want to do something bigger and been reading this thread
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Old Jun 16, 2007 | 10:39 AM
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A 408 will be cheapest as it doesn't need the conversion parts to work and the block is cheaper, but I'd go for a 418... the price delta between a 402 and 418 is only a little more than a 402 to a 408. So, if you have a few hundred extra dollars, the additional bore size would help unshroud valves and make more power.

If you have a little more money, an LS7 based 427 or 440 would be the ticket if weight savings is a goal. If you don't mind an iron block, a 454 LSx-based block would be cheaper than the LS7-based engines and would give you a really big engine with a huge power potential.

To give you an idea of the price differences, I configured some shortblocks with Diamond Pistons/Callies Crank/Compstar Rods and ARP hardware (and LS2 conversion components where applicable):

402 - $4900
408 - $4305
418 - $5295
427 - $6605
440 - $6639
454 - $6335

As for heads, the L92/L76 combo would be a really good budget option or the LS7 heads and intake (on the 427+ cid) would be cheaper than aftermarket stuff and make huge power.
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Old Jun 16, 2007 | 12:02 PM
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I would look at this thread first before spending a ton of money. https://ls1tech.com/forums/generation-iii-internal-engine/732392-recipe-500-rwhp-heads-cam.html

Here is a 347 option for you as well.
http://www.motorsporttech.com/c5_engine02.asp
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Old Jun 16, 2007 | 08:23 PM
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I'm running a 402, I went with that over a 408 because the alum motor was about 100 lbs lighter then the iron block, the iron motor would have had to make ALOT more power to make up for 100 lbs of nose weight.

A 383 is a perfectly viable option for you though, you could reuse your heads, just a cam swap and still make soem good power, save you the cost of a new block as well, so it might be something to consider
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Old Jun 18, 2007 | 08:27 PM
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i did an iron 402 and love it tons of power. its a proven setup with a proven cam.
there will be no power diffrence only wieght and cost. so chose on that. if its not a track car just go iron.

or maybe try a search there are tons of 402 408 threads to look at and help you decide. good luck you will love the added TQ no matter what you choose
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Old Jun 18, 2007 | 08:42 PM
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I know you might hear about the iron motor making more power then the alum, which might be true... but I think the 475 rwhp thru an unlocked th400 and 5000 converter my alum setup makes is pretty good (easily be 550 at the tires thru a stick)
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Old Jun 18, 2007 | 10:05 PM
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I'm gettin a LS2 402 built by Vengeance for me. My stock block cracked on me thats why i went for it, i also went for the aluminum motor cause my car is lowered and was afraid that i might have issues with the extra weight of the iron block. I should be gettin it back in a few weeks, if you havent done anything by then i will let you know how it is.
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Old Jun 18, 2007 | 10:32 PM
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there is'nt going to be a big horse power difference between a 402 a 408 or a 418. the hp/tq curve will just change peak power will stay very close.all your power comes from your top end.your head,cam and induction system.if u combine the proper stroke crank with the proper cam u can control your power curve and drivability.
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Old Jun 19, 2007 | 01:30 AM
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408 no replacement for displacement
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Old Jun 20, 2007 | 12:02 PM
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Originally Posted by smok'nZ
408 no replacement for displacement
Execpt for a turbo kit!
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