408 Build Thread (New numbers)
Well crap... figured it would hit the oil deflection tray long before the pan... Just one more thing to think about before I do my build... Ill step back into the shadows.. mouth shut and eyes wide open. If you get a chance would you mind posting a pic where it is hitting?
I was just about to do that.
Got her all clearanced up and reassembled. My machinist said the crank can move up to .060" at high rpms so i clearanced it about .090" Should be plenty of room now.
For all those interested i rotated the crank till it hit, pulled the pan off. Then began to grind where the mark was. After that i took thick heavy grease and put it in where i ground. Then i re-bolted the oil pan, and rotated it around again. Looked at the marks it made in the grease and measure the about depth of it. And i repeated till i was satisfied.
Yes I saw that about two seconds after I sent that last post... Thats what I get for following to many at the same time... sorry bout that.. I have looked at tons of 408 builds here and elsewhere. Have not seen anybody else talking about this issue other than lowering the windage tray a bit like you did.... The more I read up the more I realize that I have no clue about this LS new breed of motor... All I have worked with is the old school 350-400 and 455 Pontiac and carbs... With my lifters screaming to be replaced and heads begging to be decked and ported to match a new cam I have a feeling I'm about to get skooled! Thanks for the pic btw.... Never know I might have to use that trick!
TECH Addict
Joined: Sep 2009
Posts: 2,481
Likes: 5
From: PA/MD
You basically did the exact same process I tell people to do when shining the oil pump for a wider timing chain...grease works great for telling you where things are hitting!
I like to use wheel bearing grease because it stays where you put it lol
I like to use wheel bearing grease because it stays where you put it lol
All I have worked with is the old school 350-400 and 455 Pontiac and carbs... With my lifters screaming to be replaced and heads begging to be decked and ported to match a new cam I have a feeling I'm about to get skooled! Thanks for the pic btw.... Never know I might have to use that trick!
Got her fired up late last night. Ran great, open headers so it was a tad bit loud, but with the 3" sweet thunders and the 2.75" core, its not gonna be much quieter. Gonna get the exhaust up today, bleed the brakes, get a new battery, and put the hood on. Then i should be able to get it down the road.
Also i have an innovative racing LC-1 AFR gauge that im going to hook up today as well.
Also i have an innovative racing LC-1 AFR gauge that im going to hook up today as well.
The results are in 
(somehow the max run file isnt right)
The car made 440whp, and about 420wtq on a mustang dyno. The tuner said it is a very solid build, and the main thing holding it back is the intake. He said if i change the intake and put a new rear in it with 3.90 gears its a 10 second car.
Im fairly happy with the result. Now im gonna save my money to get a new rear and rear suspension, so i can get the power i have to the ground. Then ill worry about adding more power.
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Hate to say this, but a FAST intake isn't gaining much over the stock LS3. It's a different ballgame compared to the cathedral port stuff.
There are guys with over 500rwhp with stock LS3 intakes/heads on 376cid motors with less cam. Definitely a stingy dyno or something else not quite right. Hell, even with a cam pretty much like mine, most LS3s get 480.
440/420 is heads/cam LS1 territory.
There are guys with over 500rwhp with stock LS3 intakes/heads on 376cid motors with less cam. Definitely a stingy dyno or something else not quite right. Hell, even with a cam pretty much like mine, most LS3s get 480.
440/420 is heads/cam LS1 territory.
Wow, didn't notice till now it was a 6 speed.
Idk dyno numbers are turd. Best way is to just race a proven car like C6Z or take it to the track.
Shortunings 403ci camaro made like 4xxwhp on his dyno and traped 13xmph on motor. I think it made 50xwhp on a dynojet though.
Edit: Just looked back and not surprised your running LS3 heads and getting those results.
Idk dyno numbers are turd. Best way is to just race a proven car like C6Z or take it to the track.
Shortunings 403ci camaro made like 4xxwhp on his dyno and traped 13xmph on motor. I think it made 50xwhp on a dynojet though.
Edit: Just looked back and not surprised your running LS3 heads and getting those results.
Last edited by adamantium; Jun 16, 2013 at 09:28 AM.
11 Second Club
Joined: Feb 2002
Posts: 955
Likes: 4
From: Silver Spring, Md.
It may be a little low, even for a mustang dyno, but still very solid numbers. I'm sure you still have some more missing power there somewhere. Hit the track, that'll answer all the questions. Good luck, be safe, and have fun with your new combo.
I dont think something was wrong with the dyno, although the max run file numbers are messed up so maybe something was. I have about 300 miles on the motor. I had the LS3 heads worked a little bit, he took out all the bumps to help make the air flow better.
I want to take it to the track, but i cant launch hard, not with that 7.5" rear in there.
He said it was nearly a 10 second car, which sounds right with the build, just the power numbers dont match that.
I want to take it to the track, but i cant launch hard, not with that 7.5" rear in there.
He said it was nearly a 10 second car, which sounds right with the build, just the power numbers dont match that.
11 Second Club
Joined: Feb 2002
Posts: 955
Likes: 4
From: Silver Spring, Md.
To the original poster...what goals have you set for this build? My setup is similar to yours...I had a goal of 500 rwhp for mine. I fell short by about 30 rwhp on a mustang dyno, I was very disappointed. My original setup made 426 rwhp, but ran an 11.2 in perfect conditions. My new setup picked up around 45 rwhp, but also gained around 150 pounds in the process. I guess I should be seeing around a .3 gain and about 3 mph if all things stay the same. Not a whole lot considering the amount of money spent, but a gain nonetheless.
I was hoping for a 10 second car in the summer, and a bit faster in perfect air. Time will tell just how quick my car will be...I'm a track junkie so all questions will be answered when my project is done.
I was hoping for a 10 second car in the summer, and a bit faster in perfect air. Time will tell just how quick my car will be...I'm a track junkie so all questions will be answered when my project is done.
Last edited by big dave; Jun 16, 2013 at 02:58 PM.
To the original poster...what goals have you set for this build? My setup is similar to yours...I had a goal of 500 rwhp for mine. I fell short by about 30 rwhp on a mustang dyno, I was very disappointed. My original setup made 426 rwhp, but ran an 11.2 in perfect conditions. My new setup picked up around 45 rwhp, but also gained around 150 pounds in the process. I guess I should be seeing around a .3 gain and about 3 mph if all things stay the same. Not a whole lot considering the amount of money spent, but a gain nonetheless.
I was hoping for a 10 second car in the summer, and a bit faster in perfect air. Time will tell just how quick my car will be...I'm a track junkie so all questions will be answered when my project is done.
I was hoping for a 10 second car in the summer, and a bit faster in perfect air. Time will tell just how quick my car will be...I'm a track junkie so all questions will be answered when my project is done.