Dynamometer Results & Comparisons Dyno Records | Dyno Discussion | Dyno Wars

408 or 402???

Thread Tools
 
Search this Thread
 
Old Jun 14, 2007 | 09:40 PM
  #1  
transaman98's Avatar
Thread Starter
TECH Enthusiast
iTrader: (16)
 
Joined: May 2005
Posts: 698
Likes: 0
From: Gardner, KS
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
Reply
Old Jun 14, 2007 | 10:04 PM
  #2  
beardWS6's Avatar
TECH Addict
iTrader: (1)
 
Joined: Aug 2002
Posts: 2,879
Likes: 0
From: Lake Jackson,TX
Default

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!
Reply
Old Jun 14, 2007 | 10:23 PM
  #3  
transaman98's Avatar
Thread Starter
TECH Enthusiast
iTrader: (16)
 
Joined: May 2005
Posts: 698
Likes: 0
From: Gardner, KS
Default

how much would that run me?
Reply
Old Jun 15, 2007 | 04:26 AM
  #4  
staringback05's Avatar
TECH Senior Member
iTrader: (8)
 
Joined: Apr 2006
Posts: 6,695
Likes: 2
Default

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..
Reply
Old Jun 15, 2007 | 01:02 PM
  #5  
transaman98's Avatar
Thread Starter
TECH Enthusiast
iTrader: (16)
 
Joined: May 2005
Posts: 698
Likes: 0
From: Gardner, KS
Default

anyone have any other suggestions?
Reply
Old Jun 15, 2007 | 01:37 PM
  #6  
1ORANGEWS6's Avatar
TECH Enthusiast
 
Joined: Dec 2002
Posts: 736
Likes: 0
From: Chattanooga,TN
Default

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.
Reply
Old Jun 15, 2007 | 07:39 PM
  #7  
transaman98's Avatar
Thread Starter
TECH Enthusiast
iTrader: (16)
 
Joined: May 2005
Posts: 698
Likes: 0
From: Gardner, KS
Default

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?
Reply
Old Jun 16, 2007 | 12:57 AM
  #8  
beardWS6's Avatar
TECH Addict
iTrader: (1)
 
Joined: Aug 2002
Posts: 2,879
Likes: 0
From: Lake Jackson,TX
Default

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!
Reply
LS1 Tech Stories

The Best V8 Stories One Small Block at Time

story-0

Amazing '71 Camaro Restomod Is Modern Muscle Car Under the Skin

 Verdad Gallardo
story-1

6 Common C5 Corvette Failures and What's Involved In Repairing Them

 Pouria Savadkouei
story-2

Retro Modern Bandit Pontiac Trans AM Comes With Burt Reynolds' Autograph

 Verdad Gallardo
story-3

Top 10 Greatest Cadillac V Series Performance Models Ever, Ranked

 Pouria Savadkouei
story-4

Top 10 Most Powerful Chevy Trucks Ever Made!

 
story-5

Hennessey's New Supercharged Silverado ZR2 Has 700 HP

 Verdad Gallardo
story-6

Coachbuilt N2A Anteros Is an LS2-Powered C6 Corvette In Italian Clothes

 Verdad Gallardo
story-7

Awesome K5 Blazer Restomod Comes With C7 Corvette Power

 Verdad Gallardo
story-8

10 Camaros You Should Never Buy

 
story-9

10 LS Engine Myths That Refuse to Die

 Verdad Gallardo
Old Jun 16, 2007 | 10:17 AM
  #9  
john563's Avatar
TECH Fanatic
iTrader: (17)
 
Joined: Sep 2006
Posts: 1,638
Likes: 0
From: dayton ohio
Default

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
Reply
Old Jun 16, 2007 | 10:39 AM
  #10  
JakeFusion's Avatar
Super Hulk Smash
20 Year Member
Liked
Loved
Community Favorite
iTrader: (7)
 
Joined: Aug 2004
Posts: 11,258
Likes: 146
From: Pace, FL
Default

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.
Reply
Old Jun 16, 2007 | 12:02 PM
  #11  
1997bird's Avatar
TECH Fanatic
iTrader: (2)
 
Joined: Nov 2006
Posts: 1,360
Likes: 0
From: Aztec, NM
Default

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
Reply
Old Jun 16, 2007 | 08:23 PM
  #12  
JL ws-6's Avatar
Race your car!
20 Year Member
Photogenic
Photoriffic
Shutterbug
iTrader: (50)
 
Joined: Mar 2004
Posts: 15,421
Likes: 18
Default

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
Reply
Old Jun 18, 2007 | 08:27 PM
  #13  
camarokid94's Avatar
TECH Fanatic
iTrader: (2)
 
Joined: Dec 2004
Posts: 1,154
Likes: 1
Default

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
Reply
Old Jun 18, 2007 | 08:42 PM
  #14  
JL ws-6's Avatar
Race your car!
20 Year Member
Photogenic
Photoriffic
Shutterbug
iTrader: (50)
 
Joined: Mar 2004
Posts: 15,421
Likes: 18
Default

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)
Reply
Old Jun 18, 2007 | 10:05 PM
  #15  
RocketCutlass's Avatar
TECH Regular
 
Joined: Dec 2004
Posts: 408
Likes: 0
From: Hoover, AL
Default

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.
Reply
Old Jun 18, 2007 | 10:32 PM
  #16  
kngkahious's Avatar
TECH Regular
iTrader: (1)
 
Joined: Sep 2006
Posts: 497
Likes: 0
Default

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.
Reply
Old Jun 19, 2007 | 01:30 AM
  #17  
smok'nZ's Avatar
MASS seller approved
15 Year Member
Photogenic
Photoriffic
Shutterbug
iTrader: (160)
 
Joined: Apr 2006
Posts: 1,960
Likes: 3
From: OKLAHOMA
Default

408 no replacement for displacement
Reply
Old Jun 20, 2007 | 12:02 PM
  #18  
1997bird's Avatar
TECH Fanatic
iTrader: (2)
 
Joined: Nov 2006
Posts: 1,360
Likes: 0
From: Aztec, NM
Default

Originally Posted by smok'nZ
408 no replacement for displacement
Execpt for a turbo kit!
Reply




All times are GMT -5. The time now is 04:37 AM.

story-0
Amazing '71 Camaro Restomod Is Modern Muscle Car Under the Skin

Slideshow: This heavily modified 1971 Camaro mixes classic muscle car styling with a fifth-generation Camaro interior and modern LS3 power.

By Verdad Gallardo | 2026-05-12 18:06:42


VIEW MORE
story-1
6 Common C5 Corvette Failures and What's Involved In Repairing Them

Slideshow: From wobbling harmonic balancers to failed EBCMs, these are the issues that define long-term C5 ownership and what repairs typically involve.

By Pouria Savadkouei | 2026-05-07 18:44:57


VIEW MORE
story-2
Retro Modern Bandit Pontiac Trans AM Comes With Burt Reynolds' Autograph

Slideshow: A modern Camaro transformed into a retro icon, this limited-run "Bandit" build blends nostalgia with brute force in a way few revivals manage.

By Verdad Gallardo | 2026-04-21 13:57:02


VIEW MORE
story-3
Top 10 Greatest Cadillac V Series Performance Models Ever, Ranked

Slideshow: Cadillac didn't just crash the high-performance luxury vehicle party, it showed up loud, supercharged, and occasionally a little unhinged...

By Pouria Savadkouei | 2026-04-16 10:05:15


VIEW MORE
story-4
Top 10 Most Powerful Chevy Trucks Ever Made!

Slideshow: Top ten most powerful Chevy trucks ever made

By | 2026-03-25 09:22:26


VIEW MORE
story-5
Hennessey's New Supercharged Silverado ZR2 Has 700 HP

Slideshow: Hennessey has turned the Silverado ZR2 into a 700-hp off-road monster with supercharged V8 power and a limited production run.

By Verdad Gallardo | 2026-03-24 18:57:52


VIEW MORE
story-6
Coachbuilt N2A Anteros Is an LS2-Powered C6 Corvette In Italian Clothes

Slideshow: A one-off sports car that looks like a vintage Italian exotic-but hides a C6 Corvette underneath-just sold for the price of a new mid-engine Corvette.

By Verdad Gallardo | 2026-03-23 18:53:41


VIEW MORE
story-7
Awesome K5 Blazer Restomod Comes With C7 Corvette Power

Slideshow: A heavily reworked 1972 K5 Blazer swaps its off-road roots for a low-slung street-focused build with modern V8 power.

By Verdad Gallardo | 2026-03-09 18:08:45


VIEW MORE
story-8
10 Camaros You Should Never Buy

Slideshow: There are thousands of used Camaros on the market but we think you should avoid these 10

By | 2026-02-17 17:09:30


VIEW MORE
story-9
10 LS Engine Myths That Refuse to Die

Slideshows: Which one of these myths do you believe?

By Verdad Gallardo | 2026-01-28 18:10:11


VIEW MORE