Well i figured id start my very own build thread after many questions and research ive finally decided to pull the trigger.

Background: I have a 2002 camaro with a t-56 manual trans. I bought the car for cheap with a blown 6l engine. I took the entire engine apart and found many good parts that i have now sold. The block was no good so i bought a new LQ4 long block took it apart and sold all the stock parts.

The 408: I have elected to go with an LS3 top end to help feed the 408 cubic inches for pretty cheap. I picked a set of l92 heads up with upgraded springs for cheap and an LS3 intake for cheap as well. I already had a 92mm 4 bolt throttle body so that was not an issue. Ive decided to have my shop work my heads over while he bores the block out. From texas speed i purchased:
-408 rotating assembly with eagle forged crank, eagle rods with 2000apr rods, and wiesco -3cc flat tops
-melling high pressure pump
-LS3 rockers with comp upgrade
-lunati street link bar lifters
-comp cams double roller timing chain
-TSP 1 7/8" headers
-3" TD exhaust
i will need to order pushrods soon, but i want to check the length to make sure i get the right length.
I had Pat G spec me a cam that will get me close to 500whp and i will have EPS grind the cam. 236/242 .629/.629

I should receive the parts this week, and when ill do ill take pictures of the installation.

* That combination made 440whp and 420wtq and ran 12.63 at 117.5 (on a 100 degree day)

** After having to rebuild the engine due to lack of oil issue i decided to bump compression to 11.5:1 and i added a FAST 102mm intake that has had port work to the runners, along with an SSRA intake. Made 460whp/440wtq, and snapped a driveshaft off the line.

 

sweet, ill keep an eye out on the build..

 

Just got a bunch of my parts, but im still waiting on the rockers and pistons so i cant get my block bored yet

 

Almost like a kid at Christmas isn't it

I personally would have gone bigger on the can, but trust me, Pat knows what he is doing.

I'm in for the build!

 

Better than a kid on christmas

Thats the size i was thinking and had Pat spec it for me since i am no where near an expert and he is. He said i should make 500whp once i change my exhaust out.

 

Just curious if you don't mind me asking, do you know what your compression ratio will end up at and what cc the heads are?

 

no man ask away, thats half the reason for making a build thread

The heads are stock 68cc, they will have a clean up mill but it wont change the combustion chamber that much. With the 68cc chambers, weisco -3cc flat tops, .04 compressed gasket, and 0 deck clearance. i should run near 11.4:1 cr i might use .05 gaskets to drop compression and advance the timing.
this is the site i used to get a good idea of my CR:
http://www.csgnetwork.com/compcalc.html

 

I'd stick with the .040" gasket to keep your quench tighter.

 

I just tore my 408 down and found that my crank was hitting the bottom of the pistons. and had sent the shavings through the oil system. and damaged the bottom of the cylinders and the side skirts of the pistons. I have a eagle crank with diamond pistons. I would double check this to make sure you have the right pistons.

 

huh, ive never heard of that, but ill be sure to check and make sure it is right.

 

Minor update:
my Harland Sharp rockers are officially on the way.
Still waiting on the pistons
And there is a 3 week lag time before my cam gets done

 

I'm going with a 408 as well but I'm going with a -20 dish wiseco piston, k1 rods w/ARP 2000 rods bolts and a k1 crankshaft. I intend to run a GT91 turbo but have no clue of what cam and heads to use. I have some 243 heads and an ls2 intake but am not sure if they would be good for the 408. Any suggestions? I'm gonna run a 4l80 and a PTC 3500 converter. I also have an l92 vic Jr EFI intake and a carb intake.

This will be going into a 92 Mustang coupe with a 12 point cage that's been mini tubbed...

I should be a nice project....

Manny

 

Looks like a cool build. What's Pat G's user name??

 

Im not sure what you should run... I never really looked into the turbo builds, cause i am staying NA. Since you already have an l92 intake, your best bet might be to find some cheap l92 heads and have some work done to them. Like i said i dont know much about turbo stuff.

It's just Pat G.

 

Update:

Pistons are in!!!!



My block, crank, pistons, and heads are now at the machine shop being cleaned, bored, balanced, and the heads are having some work done to them.

 

Those pistons almost look too good to be buried down in the center of motor and hidden away from sight

 

what machine shop are you using in nj

 

If you dont mind saying, how much did all the machine work cost you? Because i am trying to plan out a 408 build myself and cost comparing between buying a junkyard lq motor or just go ahead and get a short block from TSP or Livernois. Machine shop costs could be the deciding factor and like you i will probably run l92 heads and stay NA. Interested to see your numbers.

 

haha i know

Atlantic Crankshaft
I didnt get the bill yet, but hes gonna give me a good deal since im a good friend. For working the heads, with valve job, boring, baking, and installing cam bearings, and balancing the crank. Probably cost around $800, when ill get the bill ill let you know for certain.
I feel the 408 l92 setup is very solid and can make good power NA

 

I think it is too and I am just wanting a reliable NA setup that makes decent power but could withstand a turbo/nitrous down the road.