Generation III Internal Engine 1997-2006 LS1 | LS6
Sponsored by:
Sponsored by:

408 vs 370 question

Thread Tools
 
Search this Thread
 
Old Jul 12, 2011 | 03:06 PM
  #1  
b0b's Avatar
b0b
Thread Starter
TECH Apprentice
20 Year Member
iTrader: (1)
 
Joined: Apr 2005
Posts: 361
Likes: 0
From: Huntington, WV
Default 408 vs 370 question

Its my understanding that if you take a lq based block and make a 402/8 that the piston skirt comes out of the sleeve at the bottom of the stroke, thus severely affecting the longevity of the engine. Is this true? If so how much can it affect the lifespan? Keeping the stock stroke and doing a 370 would eliminate this, correct? I do not want to spend the money if it wont last. Were talking abt a summer/good weather/weekend/occasional track use car btw..Thanks
Reply
Old Jul 12, 2011 | 03:25 PM
  #2  
PREDATOR-Z's Avatar
TECH Senior Member
 
Joined: Mar 2004
Posts: 14,620
Likes: 17
From: BFE
Default

One can remedy this issue by getting correct length pistons. In general 4.0 stroke or less is pretty reliable. There is however no substitute for displacement
Reply
Old Jul 12, 2011 | 03:29 PM
  #3  
b0b's Avatar
b0b
Thread Starter
TECH Apprentice
20 Year Member
iTrader: (1)
 
Joined: Apr 2005
Posts: 361
Likes: 0
From: Huntington, WV
Default

Would you happen to know the length of piston that is correct?? Is that an issue that a vendor can help you make the right choice with when ordering (I hope!)?
Reply
Old Jul 12, 2011 | 03:33 PM
  #4  
PREDATOR-Z's Avatar
TECH Senior Member
 
Joined: Mar 2004
Posts: 14,620
Likes: 17
From: BFE
Default

Yes, I've used Ross pistons
Reply
Old Jul 14, 2011 | 05:22 PM
  #5  
Texas_WS6's Avatar
TECH Fanatic
iTrader: (9)
 
Joined: Aug 2003
Posts: 1,775
Likes: 2
From: Odessa, Texas
Default

If your vendor can not get you the correct pistons with the correct rod length, you need to find another vendor!

I too use Ross pistons. Nothing short of the best!
Reply
Old Jul 14, 2011 | 06:00 PM
  #6  
trans_am7935's Avatar
TECH Fanatic
15 Year Member
iTrader: (15)
 
Joined: Mar 2009
Posts: 1,453
Likes: 3
From: Glen Burnie, MD
Default

the LS7 in stock form uses a 4" stroke. so if GM would do it, then i dont see a reason why you shouldn't do it!
Reply
Old Jul 14, 2011 | 10:29 PM
  #7  
SOMbitch's Avatar
TECH Senior Member
iTrader: (8)
 
Joined: Sep 2007
Posts: 6,881
Likes: 3
Default

Wiseco also makes some excellent pistons for this application and has the largest selection of shelf pistons I have seen.
Reply
Old Jul 15, 2011 | 08:46 AM
  #8  
redtan's Avatar
TECH Junkie
iTrader: (5)
 
Joined: May 2008
Posts: 3,764
Likes: 17
From: Belmont, MA
Default

the LS7 in stock form uses a 4" stroke. so if GM would do it, then i dont see a reason why you shouldn't do it!
Well is the cylinder sleeve the same length in the LS7 vs the other engines? Cuz that may be why a 4" stroke works fine.

It's not that 4" or more is magically not reliable, it's the fact that it might be too much of a stroke on the stock sleeves of LS2s 3s 6s 1s etc.
Reply
LS1 Tech Stories

The Best V8 Stories One Small Block at Time

story-0

6 Gifts Neither Your Dad Nor Grad Will Shove Into the 'Trinket Drawer'

 Brett Foote
story-1

Topdon ONE vs. Artidiag 800 BT2: Which is the Diagnostic Tablet For You?

 Pouria Savadkouei
story-2

Gas Monkey Built a 6-Wheel Ferrari Testarossa With a Corvette LT4 Engine

 Verdad Gallardo
story-3

7 Most Reliable High-Performance Engines GM Has Ever Built

 Verdad Gallardo
story-4

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

 Verdad Gallardo
story-5

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

 Pouria Savadkouei
story-6

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

 Verdad Gallardo
story-7

Top 10 Greatest Cadillac V Series Performance Models Ever, Ranked

 Pouria Savadkouei
story-8

Top 10 Most Powerful Chevy Trucks Ever Made!

 
story-9

Hennessey's New Supercharged Silverado ZR2 Has 700 HP

 Verdad Gallardo
Old Jul 15, 2011 | 09:31 AM
  #9  
Texas_WS6's Avatar
TECH Fanatic
iTrader: (9)
 
Joined: Aug 2003
Posts: 1,775
Likes: 2
From: Odessa, Texas
Default

You have the same issue with the LSX block. What everyone is telling you is with the corret rod length and piston design, there is no issue. If your builder is cared of the 4 inch stroke in the LS platform, leave him. He does not know the LS platform. There are thousand apond thousands of 4 inch LS engines running around making killer hp. I am one of them. They are reliable, very reliable if put tegether right. the 4 inch stroke is probably the most popular stroke when upgrading.
Reply
Old Jul 15, 2011 | 11:41 AM
  #10  
Bill00Formula's Avatar
TECH Fanatic
iTrader: (4)
 
Joined: Nov 2001
Posts: 1,066
Likes: 11
From: West Palm Beach, Fl
Default

LS7s do have a longer sleeve. It is an issue but if it's properly setup (pistons designed for this) it seems to be ok. The gm LSX block has the same issue. I always wondered why they didn't make a slightly longer sleeve in the LSX.
Reply
Old Jul 15, 2011 | 06:46 PM
  #11  
mike c.'s Avatar
10 Second Club
iTrader: (1)
 
Joined: Mar 2002
Posts: 4,031
Likes: 2
From: mi
Default

I have diamond pistons with a 402ci. THE MORE CI'S THE BETTER.
Reply




All times are GMT -5. The time now is 05:21 PM.

story-0
6 Gifts Neither Your Dad Nor Grad Will Shove Into the 'Trinket Drawer'

Don't get dad new socks or a grill brush this year.

By Brett Foote | 2026-06-04 18:13:20


VIEW MORE
story-1
Topdon ONE vs. Artidiag 800 BT2: Which is the Diagnostic Tablet For You?

Slideshow: We take a close look at the ONE and Artidiag 800BT2 diagnostic tools from Topdon and the reasons to buy one over the other.

By Pouria Savadkouei | 2026-05-28 11:05:11


VIEW MORE
story-2
Gas Monkey Built a 6-Wheel Ferrari Testarossa With a Corvette LT4 Engine

Slideshow: The controversial Ferrari F6 swaps its original flat-12 for a Corvette Z06-derived LT4 V8 and sends power to four rear wheels through a custom-built drivetrain.

By Verdad Gallardo | 2026-05-26 18:23:54


VIEW MORE
story-3
7 Most Reliable High-Performance Engines GM Has Ever Built

Slideshow:These GM engines didn't just make huge power, they survived abuse, boost, track days, and six-digit mileage with a reputation for refusing to quit.

By Verdad Gallardo | 2026-05-21 16:45:27


VIEW MORE
story-4
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-5
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-6
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-7
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-8
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-9
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