408 question
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Staging Lane
Joined: Apr 2008
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408 question Hey guys was just wondering. I have read a few threads where people mention going with a 408 (stroked 6.0). Is this engine a LS series/ gen 3-4 engine? I hear some say it is an iron block, so is it a gen 1 sb then? Wouldn't aluminum be better than iron?
the iron blocks they talk about are from the trucks. Aluminum is lighter and more expensive. If lighter is better for you then it is better. If your planning on making some big power the extra 80 pounds of the iron is better. Its all relative.
In the end the iron will end up weighing 80 pounds more, be cheaper, and block will hold more power. They are all gen 3 gen 4, with the aluminum 6.0 block being gen 4 (ls2) and requires a little extra work to put in a f-body over the gen 3 iron 6.0 (knock sensor location, and other sensors in different spots). GM got a little excited when they came out with the ls2 calling it Gen 4. There is very little difference between the two gens, more like an update then anything.
In the end the iron will end up weighing 80 pounds more, be cheaper, and block will hold more power. They are all gen 3 gen 4, with the aluminum 6.0 block being gen 4 (ls2) and requires a little extra work to put in a f-body over the gen 3 iron 6.0 (knock sensor location, and other sensors in different spots). GM got a little excited when they came out with the ls2 calling it Gen 4. There is very little difference between the two gens, more like an update then anything.
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Staging Lane
Joined: Apr 2008
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Ok so I read up on the lq4. Supposedly it is a bored version of the 5.3L engine. So wouldn't that mean that the block is smaller than the ls1 block, or is it only smaller because it doesn't come bored as big? So couldn't you technically stroke a sb 350 block bigger than you could the 5.3L block?
So is the 6.0L the same design as the ls1? For example, does it possess the gas mileage and power advantages that the ls1 has over a gen 1 sbc?
Basically I'm asking these questions because I have a 355 in my TA right now and it makes around 450 hp at the crank. But it gets terrible gas mileage. So I'm thinking about moving up to a fourth gen and a ls1 because I keep reading that the ls1 can make more power than that and have gas mileage in the 20s hwy. But i hear that the 6.0L can be stroked bigger an therefore make more power.
So is the 6.0L the same design as the ls1? For example, does it possess the gas mileage and power advantages that the ls1 has over a gen 1 sbc?
Basically I'm asking these questions because I have a 355 in my TA right now and it makes around 450 hp at the crank. But it gets terrible gas mileage. So I'm thinking about moving up to a fourth gen and a ls1 because I keep reading that the ls1 can make more power than that and have gas mileage in the 20s hwy. But i hear that the 6.0L can be stroked bigger an therefore make more power.
TECH Apprentice
Joined: Jun 2009
Posts: 370
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From: Garland, TX
The lq9 iron block will give you more to work with.
It will make more power than the ls1 stock.
If you need to freshen up the block,there is material to do it.
If you are thinking about fi or n2o in the future,it can easily handle it.
It is cheap for a short block.
When I do mine I will put a tubular k member in and relocate the battery to get rid of the 80lbs from the iron block.
It will make more power than the ls1 stock.
If you need to freshen up the block,there is material to do it.
If you are thinking about fi or n2o in the future,it can easily handle it.
It is cheap for a short block.
When I do mine I will put a tubular k member in and relocate the battery to get rid of the 80lbs from the iron block.
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Staging Lane
Joined: Apr 2008
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Ok well here is my goal/plan. I want to, within the next year, sell my firebird and move into a 98-02 camaro or firebird m6. I want to hit 10s NA. I don't mind a little weight reduction but I want to keep the interior mostly stock(keep backseat and stuff like that). Would taking the ls1 out and going with a ls2/6.0 iron block/ bigger cubic inch engine be more than I need, or can I hit 10s na with the ls1? Obviously the bigger engine would
be easier to do this with but also more expensive since I would already have the ls1, so I'd rather keep the ls1 if possible.
be easier to do this with but also more expensive since I would already have the ls1, so I'd rather keep the ls1 if possible.
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Staging Lane
Joined: Apr 2008
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That would definitely be a good option for me as I do all the work myself. Is his car full weight? Or how much reduction does he have done?
I also wouldn't mind a supercharger, but I wanted to get as close to 10s as I can without one as they are pricey for a college budget.
Is it a wise decision to sell my 3rd gen in favor of a 4th to start a build? I like the looks of both body styles, but I'm thinking that there is more drivetrain loss with the older technology. It would be cheaper I think to just drop a lsx or BBC into my bird but I really want a m6 and so i'd have to get one of those too.
I also wouldn't mind a supercharger, but I wanted to get as close to 10s as I can without one as they are pricey for a college budget.
Is it a wise decision to sell my 3rd gen in favor of a 4th to start a build? I like the looks of both body styles, but I'm thinking that there is more drivetrain loss with the older technology. It would be cheaper I think to just drop a lsx or BBC into my bird but I really want a m6 and so i'd have to get one of those too.
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You can easily swap a LQ4 into the car you have now and put a T56 behind it..a friend of mine is currently putting one into a '84 Camaro..it's going to be a 408 LQ4 with a 4L80E behind it. He is using an aftermarket Tubular K-member to mount it in. I'm re-building the 402 I had into a 408 and putting it back into my '95 Z.
The 6.0l Ironblock is identical to a LS1..it's just Iron and it has a bigger Bore. Dimension wise all these LS engines are the same size, it's just the displacement that is different.
The 6.0l Ironblock is identical to a LS1..it's just Iron and it has a bigger Bore. Dimension wise all these LS engines are the same size, it's just the displacement that is different.
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Staging Lane
Joined: Apr 2008
Posts: 92
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Oh ok I see. So the blocks are all the same except for bore size. And the ls1 block can't be bored and stroked into a 408 because of the way it's designed and can't be bored much if any right?
So with the right parts, the lq4 will have the same mpg characteristics as the ls1, but capable of potentially more power due to a larger bore/ ability to bore even larger, correct?
How about the cars though. Wouldn't a stock 4th gen withstand more hp/tq than a stock 3rd? I'm wonderin when my 22 year old chassis is gonna say no more power!
So with the right parts, the lq4 will have the same mpg characteristics as the ls1, but capable of potentially more power due to a larger bore/ ability to bore even larger, correct?
How about the cars though. Wouldn't a stock 4th gen withstand more hp/tq than a stock 3rd? I'm wonderin when my 22 year old chassis is gonna say no more power!
Thread Starter
Staging Lane
Joined: Apr 2008
Posts: 92
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