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Best Heads for a 408 ci

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Old 09-08-2011, 02:56 PM
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The exhaust is definitely capable of supporting more hp so that is not your problem even though like in my case bigger would probably squeeze out a few more ponies.... I would be willing to bet a GOOD tune is most of your issue and will give you a nice bump.

I also thought about whether you had enough injector. IIRC LS3's are 42lbs. so if you are running a set of those you are ok. Still may want to check the pump to make sure you are ok there.... I just went ahead with a Wahlbro to be on the safe side but I honestly do not know what a healthy stock pump will support...

If you can post the dyno sheet that may be of help....


EDIT:Clarification.... LS3 injectors are 42lbs. @ our 58psi
Old 09-08-2011, 06:20 PM
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Consider having your existing heads ported by WCCH. Match this up with a ported LS3 or FAST intake and your power numbers should go up nicely.
Old 09-08-2011, 06:36 PM
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Originally Posted by SOMbitch
The exhaust is definitely capable of supporting more hp so that is not your problem even though like in my case bigger would probably squeeze out a few more ponies.... I would be willing to bet a GOOD tune is most of your issue and will give you a nice bump.

I also thought about whether you had enough injector. IIRC LS3's are 42lbs. so if you are running a set of those you are ok. Still may want to check the pump to make sure you are ok there.... I just went ahead with a Wahlbro to be on the safe side but I honestly do not know what a healthy stock pump will support...

If you can post the dyno sheet that may be of help....


EDIT:Clarification.... LS3 injectors are 42lbs. @ our 58psi

I will work on the tune within the next few weeks. I do have LS3 42lb injectors in there. The tuner didn't even change the injector data for the LS3 top end. He left them stock 36lb in the tune when I got it back. I'm sure there are lots of hiccups like that in the tune i'm running.
Old 09-08-2011, 06:36 PM
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Originally Posted by COPO9560
Consider having your existing heads ported by WCCH. Match this up with a ported LS3 or FAST intake and your power numbers should go up nicely.

You think like 30hp tops right?
Old 09-08-2011, 09:30 PM
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Sounds like theres more in the tune but @ 265 cc of runner volume, the 300
plus cfm those heads flow has less than ideal port-speed for the weight of a
truck. If small runner AFRs or TrickFlows aren't in the budget then maybe
some AI 317s w/FAST would help create a flatter torque band.
Old 09-08-2011, 10:31 PM
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Originally Posted by A.R. Shale Targa
Sounds like theres more in the tune but @ 265 cc of runner volume, the 300
plus cfm those heads flow has less than ideal port-speed for the weight of a
truck. If small runner AFRs or TrickFlows aren't in the budget then maybe
some AI 317s w/FAST would help create a flatter torque band.
Yea I see what your saying. AFRs will probably be going in the truck, but not for a while. The truck runs great, but I know the top end combo isn't right. I just put that on cause it was $1000 for some nice stock heads/intake. Cant beat that price..haha
Old 09-08-2011, 10:44 PM
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Originally Posted by oakley6575
Yea I see what your saying. AFRs will probably be going in the truck, but not for a while. The truck runs great, but I know the top end combo isn't right. I just put that on cause it was $1000 for some nice stock heads/intake. Cant beat that price..haha
I agree you can't beat the flow/dollar value AND you have a nice combo for
a vehicle thats a thousand pounds lighter with gears. If you're also thinking
of changing out the cam perhaps an EPS 226/230
Old 09-08-2011, 10:48 PM
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Originally Posted by A.R. Shale Targa
I agree you can't beat the flow/dollar value AND you have a nice combo for
a vehicle thats a thousand pounds lighter with gears. If you're also thinking
of changing out the cam perhaps an EPS 226/230
Smaller cam?? I know it will help with low end torque numbers, but why wouldn't i go with a bigger cam with all the cubes I got?
Old 09-09-2011, 05:00 PM
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TFS or AFR 215... That would be a torque monster.
Old 09-11-2011, 09:27 AM
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Originally Posted by WS6RED2002TA
TFS or AFR 215... That would be a torque monster.
The more I think about it, I agree. With that size of motor, AFR 215's would rip the tires off the thing if the rest was selected correctly.
Old 09-11-2011, 09:46 AM
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With 400+ cubes, 215cc heads seems a bit small? AFR 230s would be more ideal for the cubic inches IMO. But I would get the L92 heads worked over and a custom cam spec'd, when thinking more budget friendly.
Old 09-11-2011, 10:05 AM
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Old 09-11-2011, 01:04 PM
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If I'm going to buy heads, why wouldn't I just go with the 230's instead of the 215s?
Old 09-11-2011, 02:11 PM
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Putting 215's on a 400+ CID engine is a good way to create a turd with no top end. AFR 230 or TFS 235's will have just as much low end and a hell of a lot more upper RPM power.

Having a small intake runner doesn't magically make gobs of torque come out your engines ***.

Last edited by JS01; 09-11-2011 at 02:17 PM.
Old 09-12-2011, 09:52 AM
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Keep in mind this is a truck...not a 3000 pound car.

I know what builds torque...especially at altitude. But take it straight to the horse's mouth. Call AFR. Give them the vehicle, weight, gearing, intake hardware, exhaust, cam specs, rockers, etc. See what they recommend. They would know best.
Old 09-12-2011, 01:42 PM
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Something is wrong with your combo; a cammed 408ci with LS3 H/I should be at 450rwhp/450rwtq or more, even on a mild auto setup..unless that dyno is wayyyy stingy. Track numbers?

I would keep the LS3 heads and get em ported along with a FAST 102..

Last edited by Johnnystock; 09-12-2011 at 01:55 PM.
Old 09-12-2011, 02:10 PM
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Originally Posted by Johnnystock
Something is wrong with your combo; a cammed 408ci with LS3 H/I should be at 450rwhp/450rwtq or more, even on a mild auto setup..unless that dyno is wayyyy stingy. Track numbers?

I would keep the LS3 heads and get em ported along with a FAST 102..
I haven't been to the track yet. I need tires and to work on my tune. I hope within the next few months.
Old 09-12-2011, 03:55 PM
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Just nail down a good tune and i think you will be happy. And those heads can make good torque and put down a nice flat torque curve. There is some validity to the runner size thing but it is sooooo overplayed here.....
Old 09-13-2011, 11:51 PM
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Originally Posted by oakley6575
Smaller cam?? I know it will help with low end torque numbers, but why wouldn't i go with a bigger cam with all the cubes I got?
What does this vehicle weigh w/you in it ????
Old 09-14-2011, 01:04 AM
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You need to use the best flowing heads that you can afford............period.

408 cubic inches will eat up just about any head available. Then your plastic intake will be the restriction. Which is good.....then you can upgrade the intake later when you have more cash, but get the best flowing heads possible that $$$ allows.

Don't just get what everyone else has that has a 408ci...........

.


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