I am probably going to be building an lq9 engine. If i go with a 408 storker and just keep the stock ls1 heads (i hear they fit) for now with a torquer v3 cam, how will it run? I realize heads will be choking it but what exactly does that mean, will it run fine and all?

I will likely go all out in the future, but i just blew an engine and need to get running again. Once i get enough cash, I can go all out on the heads.

 

You can keep them, but you will choke your 408 as restrictive as the stock heads are. If it were me, I would save up and get some L92's since you're strokin (no homo)

 

the heads arent that restrictive, dont let people misguide you, on a 408 they will be choking it simply because they arent designed to feed 408 cubes. they will work, but you wont see near the power you would if they were ported or if you had a good set of AFR's or something to that nature. LS1 heads in stock form are some of the best flowing stock heads made.

 

you'll probably be looking at 460-470 rwhp and around that range in rwtq.

 

i have stock heads and i put down 500 rwhp when i had my 6spd and thru the TH400 i still pulled 469 rwhp with a 5000 stall .....yes you will leave some on the table but that is the point of a budget make the most out of what you have available

watch my video in my sig ..... 241's knocking on the 9's

 

I agree man head might give you 50 more hp but 500 aint nothing to sneeze at either. A slightly larger cam will make up for a little flow by keeping the valves open longer. Pick the cam that will match the heads you plan to get when times get better.

 

Heads make all the difference in the world...

 

I was in the same boat as you a few months ago. Got a deal on a built 408 shortblock and just put my stock 243s on it. Granted the 243s are a little better than the 241s, but the car runs great. Definetly a lot of fun to drive with the torque it makes. Yes, it doesn't make max power, but it sure isn't a slouch either. I look at it as it's not hard to do a head swap over the winter, so if I want more power in the future, I have a solid platform to build on.

 

I did mine with CNC 243. Should have about 500rwhp. You will have less HP.