If you want the meanest n/a build then go for the 408 with a top shelf HCI, and then hit it with some sauce. That's my opinion

 

It's a budget 408 so Lunati Crank and H-Beams and Weisco pistons

 

go 408 with ls3 heads

 

That's what I'm in the process of doing...https://ls1tech.com/forums/generatio...-breather.html

 

Does anyone know how much a set of LQ4 pistons and rods usually go for?

 

I just sold a used set for $100. A new set forged will be $1,000

 

Just wondering how much I should sell them for.

 

budget 408 with a lunati crank......what budget are you going for lol

pistons and rods are going to run you around 1800 new

I don't think for 98% of the people out there the 90lb difference will even be felt and you can always shed some weight else where

 

How do you figure?
Wiseco Pistons k464x3 - $750
Lunati H-beam rods - $500

 

I'd do K1 crank, Compstar Rods, and Wiseco pistons... in the LS3. A 418 would be beastly...

And the 90lbs is on the front of the car. I'd much rather not have to lose 90lbs off somewhere else just to maintain weight, especially if that weight is over the nose.

 

That set-up would be out of my price range. I'm going to just bore my LQ4 over.

 

Oh yeah it is. It's called boost. I couldn't resist

 

Touche.

 

my bad i was thinking "i" beams.

 

If weight is a serious concern then go LS3.

If weight is not, then go with a 408. They are available from multiple companies and manufacturers at very low prices. One of the cheapest rotating assembly combinations out there I feel like.

And yes go with LS3, L92, or LSA heads.

 

Go with TFS/AFR cathedral head!! They make more power UNDER THE CURVE and peak power to. I got a recipe in my cookbook where they took a LS3 headed 408 Ci motor vs a AFR 245 head out the box.... The AFR heads makes approximately 25hp/25tq more over the LS3 head...This was the same motor testing was done on also.

 

More bore is not going to give you more power. Now that being said the .035 bore difference would be a benefit assuming that both are going to run LS3 heads. But if the LQ 370 is running cathedral heads it does not matter. If you can deal with 135 lbs more weight take a look at LSX 376 it will give you plenty room to grow later down the road , last summer these were selling foe $ 5400 and come with 3 yr warranty.

 

I forgot to mention that this is going in a 96 Impala... I'm in a B-boby LS swap group and everyone who switched over to a iron 6.0 said it weighed less than the LT1 motor so I'm not concerned about the weight difference any more.

 

How do you join that group, I have a Impala SS still original ?

 

I'd surely hope an AFTERMARKET head made more power...

I'd take an aftermarket LS3 head or small bore LS7 if I had a 4.005 bore or better though.