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

700hp With A 408 Possible?

Thread Tools
 
Search this Thread
 
Old Sep 13, 2013 | 08:55 PM
  #1  
Sinister_Z28's Avatar
Thread Starter
TECH Regular
 
Joined: Dec 2012
Posts: 414
Likes: 0
From: San Diego
Default 700hp With A 408 Possible?

Ok so i am wanting to know what the limits of a 408 are NA on pump gas. Also what top end could do it. I was thinking something along the lines of small bore LS7 heads and a spec'd cam with matching intake but i just dont lnow. Im trying to get 600rwhp NA. Now i saw one of Tony Mamo's 383 put down 525rwhp NA. Now my thoughts are if one can squeeze 500 hp NA out of a 383 couldnt one get 600 out of a 408? Whats Techs opinion on this?
Reply
Old Sep 13, 2013 | 09:13 PM
  #2  
redtan's Avatar
TECH Junkie
iTrader: (5)
 
Joined: May 2008
Posts: 3,764
Likes: 17
From: Belmont, MA
Default

What's your definition of pump gas? Does that include E85?

If you go with like a 13.0 CR and the best heads available and a cam in the 26x/27x with a sheet metal intake spinning close to 8k you might get there.
Reply
Old Sep 13, 2013 | 11:25 PM
  #3  
Sinister_Z28's Avatar
Thread Starter
TECH Regular
 
Joined: Dec 2012
Posts: 414
Likes: 0
From: San Diego
Default

I havent really thought about e85. I was think more along the lines of 91 octane. I know the highest u can go with that is 12.0:1. If my math is correct i would need 690hp at the crank to get 600rwhp with a 15% parasitic drive train loss.
Reply
Old Sep 13, 2013 | 11:39 PM
  #4  
HCI2000SS's Avatar
TECH Senior Member
iTrader: (2)
 
Joined: Aug 2012
Posts: 11,137
Likes: 20
From: Howell & Fenton MI
Default

On a happy dyno I think it's very possible
Reply
Old Sep 13, 2013 | 11:43 PM
  #5  
KCS's Avatar
KCS
Moderator
20 Year Member
Liked
Loved
Community Favorite
iTrader: (20)
 
Joined: Mar 2005
Posts: 8,859
Likes: 323
From: Conroe, TX
Default

You could, but you would need expensive parts and expensive people. That power per cubic inch is pushing the limits of pump gas.
Reply
Old Sep 13, 2013 | 11:50 PM
  #6  
Sinister_Z28's Avatar
Thread Starter
TECH Regular
 
Joined: Dec 2012
Posts: 414
Likes: 0
From: San Diego
Default

I know i need a new very pricey top end. But is a forged bottom end too heavy?
Reply
Old Sep 13, 2013 | 11:58 PM
  #7  
KCS's Avatar
KCS
Moderator
20 Year Member
Liked
Loved
Community Favorite
iTrader: (20)
 
Joined: Mar 2005
Posts: 8,859
Likes: 323
From: Conroe, TX
Default

Originally Posted by Sinister_Z28
I know i need a new very pricey top end. But is a forged bottom end too heavy?
Um what? Why would you think that? What do you think goes into 1000hp NA race engines?
Reply
Old Sep 14, 2013 | 12:14 AM
  #8  
Sinister_Z28's Avatar
Thread Starter
TECH Regular
 
Joined: Dec 2012
Posts: 414
Likes: 0
From: San Diego
Default

Because ive read some threads on here that say u sometimes need expensive light weight rotating assemblies. Am i missing something?
Reply
LS1 Tech Stories

The Best V8 Stories One Small Block at Time

story-0

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

 Verdad Gallardo
story-1

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

 Pouria Savadkouei
story-2

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

 Verdad Gallardo
story-3

Top 10 Greatest Cadillac V Series Performance Models Ever, Ranked

 Pouria Savadkouei
story-4

Top 10 Most Powerful Chevy Trucks Ever Made!

 
story-5

Hennessey's New Supercharged Silverado ZR2 Has 700 HP

 Verdad Gallardo
story-6

Coachbuilt N2A Anteros Is an LS2-Powered C6 Corvette In Italian Clothes

 Verdad Gallardo
story-7

Awesome K5 Blazer Restomod Comes With C7 Corvette Power

 Verdad Gallardo
story-8

10 Camaros You Should Never Buy

 
story-9

10 LS Engine Myths That Refuse to Die

 Verdad Gallardo
Old Sep 14, 2013 | 01:39 AM
  #9  
PREDATOR-Z's Avatar
TECH Senior Member
 
Joined: Mar 2004
Posts: 14,620
Likes: 17
From: BFE
Default

Originally Posted by Sinister_Z28
Because ive read some threads on here that say u sometimes need expensive light weight rotating assemblies. Am i missing something?
I have a feeling that you'll be missing lots of $$$. Forget NA at that power level, too expensive, look at FI instead.
Reply
Old Sep 14, 2013 | 02:06 AM
  #10  
cfiester's Avatar
Staging Lane
iTrader: (1)
 
Joined: Apr 2007
Posts: 58
Likes: 0
From: Wyoming
Default

i got 724HP 602 ft. lb torque out of 425 cu. in. LS2 block. Eagle rotator. LS3 heads ported by bowers out of Ft. Collins. Holley tall efi intake, 92mm intake. I think we used 45# injectors. 91 Octane at 3800 ft. elevation. Gibbs oil. lots of dyno time. Lots of ZOTARS $$$$$$ The holley tall efi intake is a tight SOB in a fourth gen.
Reply
Old Sep 14, 2013 | 02:10 AM
  #11  
KCS's Avatar
KCS
Moderator
20 Year Member
Liked
Loved
Community Favorite
iTrader: (20)
 
Joined: Mar 2005
Posts: 8,859
Likes: 323
From: Conroe, TX
Default

Originally Posted by Sinister_Z28
Because ive read some threads on here that say u sometimes need expensive light weight rotating assemblies. Am i missing something?
Not really a need for that. Just shelf rods and pistons will be fine. The extra attention needs to be paid to the top end, but that's not to say that the shortblock needs to be assembled properly with respect to frictional losses.
Reply
Old Sep 14, 2013 | 05:06 AM
  #12  
Sinister_Z28's Avatar
Thread Starter
TECH Regular
 
Joined: Dec 2012
Posts: 414
Likes: 0
From: San Diego
Default

I appreciate everyones advice. Now my 408 is a fully forged short block with arp 2000 fasteners used. The short block was built by Thompson Motorsports. As it is right now it has a 11.2:1 compression ratio with LSA heads so id imagine i could bump compression quite a bit with a smaller chamber.

Now i have looked into Forced Induction and it would cost about 7300 for the procharger, injectors, fuel pump, intercooler ect. My issue with FI is my compression ratio is a bit high, id run out of octane on 91, and i could only run about 10 lbs boost before i exceeded the rating on my short block. I would imagine 7300 would get me pretty close to my NA power desire. And if i wanted to run a power adder i could run direct port and spray my way to my goals for about 3300.

How does one determine a max rpm for a engine if u take the valve train out of the equation?
Reply
Old Sep 14, 2013 | 11:32 AM
  #13  
Sinister_Z28's Avatar
Thread Starter
TECH Regular
 
Joined: Dec 2012
Posts: 414
Likes: 0
From: San Diego
Default

Also what heads would give me the best chance of hitting this? Like what is a good head to start with then have it thoroughly worked over.
Reply
Old Sep 26, 2013 | 08:58 AM
  #14  
FASTFATBOY's Avatar
TECH Veteran
20 Year Member
iTrader: (23)
 
Joined: Nov 2002
Posts: 4,861
Likes: 2
From: Mobile Ala
Default

A buddy made 540 rwhp on a Mustang dyno with a 410 six speed 12 bolt combo, that's 560-570 on a Dynojet through a full 4 inch Mufflex ex.

ETP LS7 style heads, stock LS7 intake.

So he's in the upper 600's.
Reply
Old Sep 26, 2013 | 09:08 AM
  #15  
handyandy496's Avatar
11 Second Club
iTrader: (9)
 
Joined: Jun 2013
Posts: 671
Likes: 3
From: florida
Default

Originally Posted by Sinister_Z28
I appreciate everyones advice. Now my 408 is a fully forged short block with arp 2000 fasteners used. The short block was built by Thompson Motorsports. As it is right now it has a 11.2:1 compression ratio with LSA heads so id imagine i could bump compression quite a bit with a smaller chamber.

Now i have looked into Forced Induction and it would cost about 7300 for the procharger, injectors, fuel pump, intercooler ect. My issue with FI is my compression ratio is a bit high, id run out of octane on 91, and i could only run about 10 lbs boost before i exceeded the rating on my short block. I would imagine 7300 would get me pretty close to my NA power desire. And if i wanted to run a power adder i could run direct port and spray my way to my goals for about 3300.

How does one determine a max rpm for a engine if u take the valve train out of the equation?
Just don't spray my way
Reply
Old Sep 26, 2013 | 02:56 PM
  #16  
Sinister_Z28's Avatar
Thread Starter
TECH Regular
 
Joined: Dec 2012
Posts: 414
Likes: 0
From: San Diego
Default

Originally Posted by FASTFATBOY
A buddy made 540 rwhp on a Mustang dyno with a 410 six speed 12 bolt combo, that's 560-570 on a Dynojet through a full 4 inch Mufflex ex.

ETP LS7 style heads, stock LS7 intake.

So he's in the upper 600's.
Where would one find ETP LS7 heads cause i keep hearing about them but i can never find a website for them.
Reply
Old Sep 26, 2013 | 03:23 PM
  #17  
FASTFATBOY's Avatar
TECH Veteran
20 Year Member
iTrader: (23)
 
Joined: Nov 2002
Posts: 4,861
Likes: 2
From: Mobile Ala
Default

Originally Posted by Sinister_Z28
Where would one find ETP LS7 heads cause i keep hearing about them but i can never find a website for them.
Mast Motorsports bought ETP.
Reply
Old Sep 26, 2013 | 04:19 PM
  #18  
MikeWS6's Avatar
TECH Addict
 
Joined: Apr 2009
Posts: 2,354
Likes: 2
Default

Originally Posted by FASTFATBOY
A buddy made 540 rwhp on a Mustang dyno with a 410 six speed 12 bolt combo, that's 560-570 on a Dynojet through a full 4 inch Mufflex ex.

ETP LS7 style heads, stock LS7 intake.

So he's in the upper 600's.
Mustang dynos can be calibrated to read within a certain percent of a dyno jet, and usually are. Still impressive.
Reply
Old Sep 26, 2013 | 07:14 PM
  #19  
Sinister_Z28's Avatar
Thread Starter
TECH Regular
 
Joined: Dec 2012
Posts: 414
Likes: 0
From: San Diego
Default

Originally Posted by FASTFATBOY
Mast Motorsports bought ETP.
So can i buy a set from Mast because i checked Mast's website and the only small bore heads i saw were for a 4.060" bore.
Reply
Old Sep 26, 2013 | 07:45 PM
  #20  
Gray86hatch's Avatar
TECH Addict
15 Year Member
iTrader: (83)
 
Joined: Sep 2009
Posts: 2,388
Likes: 4
From: Battle Creek Mi
Default

Making that kind of power is going to require about $6500 in heads and intake. Solid roller. so another $1200 in cam and lifters. 8000 rpm Nothing gets cheap about it. Trust me I am looking at $5000 out of pocket to sell my stuff and put a set of full tilt mast heads that will make 760-770

Tim
Reply



All times are GMT -5. The time now is 08:40 AM.

story-0
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-1
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-2
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-3
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-4
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-5
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
story-6
Coachbuilt N2A Anteros Is an LS2-Powered C6 Corvette In Italian Clothes

Slideshow: A one-off sports car that looks like a vintage Italian exotic-but hides a C6 Corvette underneath-just sold for the price of a new mid-engine Corvette.

By Verdad Gallardo | 2026-03-23 18:53:41


VIEW MORE
story-7
Awesome K5 Blazer Restomod Comes With C7 Corvette Power

Slideshow: A heavily reworked 1972 K5 Blazer swaps its off-road roots for a low-slung street-focused build with modern V8 power.

By Verdad Gallardo | 2026-03-09 18:08:45


VIEW MORE
story-8
10 Camaros You Should Never Buy

Slideshow: There are thousands of used Camaros on the market but we think you should avoid these 10

By | 2026-02-17 17:09:30


VIEW MORE
story-9
10 LS Engine Myths That Refuse to Die

Slideshows: Which one of these myths do you believe?

By Verdad Gallardo | 2026-01-28 18:10:11


VIEW MORE