Let's say that a person is looking at doing a motor , and really wants a 422, but doesn't want to shell out $17k for a MTI 422, even though that's what that person wants. What are the options out there for doing this? What would you guys recommend? Thanks for any help.

Looking to acheive 500-550RWHP with the motor alone, I know heads are big factor, but let's concentrate on the short block for now

 

Nothing against MTI but there are plenty of other engines builders out there that could build you your motor. Check some of the sponsors on the right --->

Also a popular thing right now is the 408ci and 418ci LS1's, there are many that have dyno'd over 500rw. Check out the dyno section on this site. You could see what some people are running and get a quote for a similar motor, it would definately be less than $17,000 and perform just as well as a 422.

Lee

 

I only say MTI because they have been doing these motors for a while, and seem to have great success rates with them, few problems, but of course there is always some tihngs that can go wrong. What's the benefit of going to the 422 over the 408?

Thanks for the help!

 

They're aren't $17K assembled are they? They're $17K installed in the car and tuned, correct?

 

Id say do an AP engine like I just put in Verbins car... I will be installing two more 408 strokers from them very shortly and if they are half as good as that 347 was then I will be very impressed! Call up Brian as he was a huge help to me for getting pricing, info and even tech help!

 

Well I just know the MTI are around $17k, lets say not installed, $16k, not a huge savings But their motors are a work of art I think, just pricey.

Mike - I will wait to see how Matt's car runs at the track before I get my hopes up I would like to see what their 408's do here in AZ as well.

 

Verbs car fired up first time no problem and had a perfect idle even after having the battey off for a few weeks! Cam is a G5X3 112 and heads are TEA LS6 Massingle (sp?) series... Im VERY impressed to say the least

 

What makes the MTI motor a work of art? I think if the motor is built correctly how much better can it look? Futral, APE, MTI etc etc all build top quality engines.

For example, here is my new motor that Futral Motorsports just built for me. You can see it in different stages, I will be finishing her up tonite.






What ever you do give a few of the sponsor on here a call and shop around. Find a shop you feel comfortable with. Good luck on your motor setup!

Lee

 

Your motor looks AWESOME!

I just have always liked MTI, so that's why I feel they are good motors, I am kind of leary investing a lot of money with a company I am not familiar with, given they are probably a good company, but have they been doing these motors as long as MTI and having the same great results?

I will shop around fo shizzle, I am not one to go with the only thing in my head, if I can feel good with another company then I will go with them when the time comes. That's why I posted to see who else produces the 422, etc and what kind of results are being made.

 

Just be sure you know some things about large cube stroker motors cons (which varies with type of components used, setup, and what the motor is built for), lfor example:

-Greater oil usage/blow-by, be prepared to religiously check the oil level, just from my own experience, very important, I check mine twice-three times weekly and my car never sees over 4500 RPMs (city cruiser and daily driver)
-Lower than typical oil pressure than a stock LS1 (at idle), not really a big deal, but it's something to keep very much in mine in very hot weather, requires usage of very good oil filters (crappy ones can suck up your oil pressure)
-Decreased life of certain parts, like rings, valve springs, etc due to the increased demands placed on the equipment with larger engines with significantly more power

These are just a minute fraction of things to consider.


If you go with a big motor you must consider what things you're willing to sacrifice, etc. If you want a great daily driver with less worry of oil level, sleeve issues etc then be sure your builder knows this so that they can accomodate these things you would like to retain (as much as the build allows), i.e. the use of certain rod length and piston combos to have better oil control, the use of iron blocks vs re-sleeved Al blocks so there are no issues with dropping sleeves, etc in your daily driver where the advantage of lighter weight Al and slightly larger bore size are really not seen with daily driver type setups that rarely ever see the track. Also, if you use it for a daily driver be sure the power is where you want it, i.e. low-mid TQ killer as opposed to a 7500 RPM power maker. Another consideration is, "How often do you like to change valve-springs?" If you don't want the hassle you'll have to give up the dyno queen-esq big roller numbers and settle for slightly less HP/TQ at the wheels.

Don't get hung up on huge dyno #s, be realistic and have the motor built to your needs and what it'll be used for.

Talk to many different shops to see what they can offer you. What their warranties (if any) entail, what costs are covered and are not covered. Also, PM or talk to others with larger cube motors to get a more true representation of what they feel about their motors, their opinions on how things were/are handled, things they'd opt to do differently or keep the same.

This, if you pursue this route, is a HUGE financial investment so be sure you get it tailored EXACTLY as you and your budget allows. If you throw your all that money at a "typical" package setup you may not be happy or less happy then you could have been had your wants and desires been intimately adapted to your build.

Sorry for the rant.

 

Wow, excellent info Levi, I really appreciate it. I want a motor that can be driven a lot if neccessary for sure, but I hope to have some type of other car to take the load off the SS. I would have to talk to the shop doing the build for sure, since I will want certain things tailored to me, and I will want to add Nitrous or some sort of power adder, but probably nitrous for the money sake I have a friend with an 383 LT1 that he drives everyday, and I can tell there is an oil consumption thing with it, he is always low on oil when it comes time for his next oil change.

I really appreciate the info, it helps me a lot to figure out what I want and will be happy with!

 

Last winter I built an aluminum block 422. I pieced it together over the winter putting the exact parts I wanted into it. I took it to a local engine builder and had him put it together. I had right around 12k in everything. I did all the other work myself. If I did it all over again I doubt if I would have went with the resleeved block and stroker crank. There's almost 5k in parts right there and they really don't make that much more power then alot of the heads and cam cars now. I'd build some type of forged stock displacement or maybe a little bigger and spray the **** out of it. Although I guess you can build and stroker and do the same thing hehe. Good luck with whatever you decide.

 

That's very true. Most people don't realize that motors this large on the street that are street duty only (i.e. no Nitto DRs, BFGs, etc) are totally useless unless you're doing 60MPH + roll races. They make so much TQ/HP EVERYWHERE (this is where a stock cube N/A LS1 is severely hindered compared to the larger bore/stroket setups (i.e. over 430 RWTQ from 3200 RPMs all the way to redline) that they make putting the power to the ground damn near impossible. That's my experience, anyway

If I had it to do over again, I'd probably do a 383 Aluminum stroker at the MOST. Even that would be getting on the verge of uselessness for what I use my car for anway.