408 on the cheap..
Thread Starter
12 Second Club
Joined: Mar 2014
Posts: 54
Likes: 0
From: fayetteville n.c
408 on the cheap.. 
Was at the salvage yard and found a lq4, picked up the short block for 160 bucks. Take off ls3 heads with rockers for 675. Ordered the speed master 408 kit was 900 to the house. Dropped it off at the machine shop to get it balanced.
All of the piston and rods came matched and were within a gram. The rods and crank were within spec also. The only thing is that he has to add heavy metal to balance it, which is fine with me.
I have searched and people only flame the the kit but no one that has actually bought it has spoken up (as far as my searching has brought up) but so far so good. The kit was on backorder so someone is buying them. No Bashing, this is just a thread to share my results as I build it. If it dies it dies.
This will be going in my 87 cutlass, along with a drop in quick performance 9 inch, and twin disc aluminum flywheel clutch setup. Just waiting on heads, and parts to come back from machine shop then the build up will commence. stay tuned.
Last edited by alexj01_83; Nov 1, 2018 at 08:44 PM. Reason: typo
You really think all the LS3's at only 376ci spend there life at 5000+, For a budget build 408ci engine the LS3 heads are a perfect match.
On The Tree
Joined: Dec 2013
Posts: 182
Likes: 11
From: North Vanacouver , BC
Saw it the other day on jegs , was looking into it for for a heavy 4x4 to build good low end torque . Subscribed .
I think the LS3 heads would go well with this considering the extra cubes and stroke .
I think the LS3 heads would go well with this considering the extra cubes and stroke .
Thread Starter
12 Second Club
Joined: Mar 2014
Posts: 54
Likes: 0
From: fayetteville n.c
Rear end installed. with 1 7/8 headers, 3inch exhaust and single camber flowmasters.
Cam that i'm currently running. going to swap it over.
Upgraded rockers with bushings. I already have the 660 btr springs on current heads. so i'll reuse the retainers, and spring locators, but install new spings.
ly6 intake with 50# flex fuel injectors.
Trending Topics
TECH Fanatic
Joined: Jan 2017
Posts: 1,758
Likes: 442
LS1 Tech Stories
The Best V8 Stories One Small Block at Time
6 Common C5 Corvette Failures and What's Involved In Repairing Them
Pouria Savadkouei
Retro Modern Bandit Pontiac Trans AM Comes With Burt Reynolds' Autograph
Verdad Gallardo
Top 10 Greatest Cadillac V Series Performance Models Ever, Ranked
Pouria Savadkouei
Top 10 Most Powerful Chevy Trucks Ever Made!
Hennessey's New Supercharged Silverado ZR2 Has 700 HP
Verdad Gallardo
Coachbuilt N2A Anteros Is an LS2-Powered C6 Corvette In Italian Clothes
Verdad Gallardo
Awesome K5 Blazer Restomod Comes With C7 Corvette Power
Verdad Gallardo
10 Camaros You Should Never Buy
10 LS Engine Myths That Refuse to Die
Verdad Gallardo So your saying that .0175” is a big difference, and that’s why the OP shouldn’t run these heads unless he’s gonna spin it 5k all day? I see your argument on shrouding, but it’s not relevant. The combo works well. I’ve put ls3 heads on two street driven 6liter builds and they make serious torque. GM put the heads on the ly6, in a 3/4 ton truck, because the engines make great torque. I’m putting GMPP cnc’d heads on a 6liter build right now, going in a 4wd truck, street driven for torque.
Thread Starter
12 Second Club
Joined: Mar 2014
Posts: 54
Likes: 0
From: fayetteville n.c
So I now have everything I need, building will commence this evening.
So far with rotating assembly, heads, machine work, and all the gaskets i have 4k in it.
that's not bad considering most short blocks are around that price..
