I finally decided to pull the trigger on an engine for my street/weekend car. Looking for 450+ rwhp from an NA 6.0 iron block like the LQ4. Going to have to take it to a shop to do this, what kind of money should I expect to spend for something like this from a reputable speed shop? Not necessarily on a budget but I don't want to empty my savings to build up a car either.

I've heard good things about the capability and torque curve of these 6.0 engines. What should I look for in terms of heads and cam specs to achieve this kind of power? Not really looking for a 7k rpm top end monster either, is it possible to get to the 450+ mark with a mild or moderate cam?

 

Think $12,000 for a shop to do it.

You can do it for less if you can do it yourself or with a good used 6.0 that just gets a top end package. Think half the cost or a little less.

Texas Speed's website gives a good reference engine cost if the shop is doing the engine build. Expect to pay about the following if a shop does the tune and installs the new engine.

Add about $4,000 more for

• $1500 to swap the engine into the car.
• $500 more for dyno tune.
• ~1,200 Fast intake, 92 or 102 TB, 42 pound injectors,
• ~$500 to $1,200 Headers & Y pipe depending on choice

 

There's about 600 details we need to know to give you a more accurate answer.

$3-15K would be my off hand guess without knowing if you have a motor already, are buying it from them or not, if you have any go fast parts on the car already like headers, exhuast. Not knowing if it's an auto or stick car. What rear end. Will the shop do all of the work. If you aren't buying it from the shop are you gonna get a junk yard motor yourself? Are you going to just toss it in or have it rebuilt first? Those are just some of the things we would need to know to get you started.

It could easily go to 8k or so on a budget build if you have none of it going already. Motor 1k, refresh it 1500 ish, heads cam tune intake 4500 ish, 1500 or so in labor, or more.

You can get 450 or so from a medium cam yes without spinning past 7k.

 

And it can sky rocket because like 99 black bird posted, if you go to a forged bottom end you need to add a few thousand to the cost of the motor.

 

Considering a new or built engine. I already have headers, exhaust, ls6 manifold and full intake. Stock auto trans (I assume) with a shift kit, stock rear with 3.73's. I know the trans will struggle to survive behind an engine like this and I'm entertaining replacing that as well but not sold yet. Also planning on a couple thousand for things like motor mounts, tune, and whatever else. The shop will do all the work.

edit: not looking at forged internals, no plans for boost or nitrous.

End goal is a reliable 450+ rwhp n/a street car.

 

A stock bottom end is PLENTY for that power level.