Matt45

I am looking into building a lq9 408 stroker and was wondering what are the best heads and cam match up for the most horsepower?

G Atsma

How will the engine be used? Which car will it be in? Auto or manual? Rear gear?
We need just a bit more info. No way anyone can give you answers on what you gave us so far....

Matt45

It is for a 86 Monte Carlo ss just for street but want it to reach in the 600+ range all motor. I am still thinking about if I want to put a 6spd or a auto also.

Tuskyz28

https://ls1tech.com/forums/generatio...or-builds.html

Plenty of 40Xci combos in there getting the job done. Some combos are very surprising.

tberg725

If your just cruising the car on the streets and hitting some cruises then go stick but if your planning on hitting the track and want to win races go with an auto

Bspeck82

So is this a racecar?

Darth_V8r

iTrader: (4)

Assuming that is 600 flywheel? 600 rear wheel, build a bigger motor with more bore.

Matt45

I changed my mind on the 408 stroker and just picked up a cheap lq9 block but don’t know what heads and cam I should use. Can you help me I am looking for something up in the 500hp maybe more If possible. Also gonna use fast 102 intake.

Tuskyz28

Your best bang for the buck will be going the LS3 head route and LS3 factory intake. On the cam i would go with the proven 239/255 BTR cam. Seen the combo make 500 rwhp more than once on various 40Xci to 416ci combos.

Bspeck82

A true 500 wheel will require some thought and a lot of extra cash to get it done. I'd call mamo and have him spec a set of heads, cam and a ported msd intake. Valvetrain will also be hugely important to prevent float and many other issues that can hurt results. I'd expect 450 wheel out of most off the shelf combos like a BTR stage 1 ls1/ls2 cam, fast 102 and tfs 225 heads.

Tuskyz28

In all due respect to Tony Mamo he is not needed to make 500 rwhp from a 408ci motor. Not to mention everyone on here can't afford his services.

The op isn't trying to make 500 rwhp from a 346ci ls1 motor.

With that been said 500 rwhp is roughly 580 horsepower at the crank which means the op needs to make 1.4Xhp per cube which is very easily done on pump gas.

Tommy 99 SS camaro made 530 horses on a 416ci setup with TFS 215s out the box and fast intake out the box. Car featured in GMHTP years ago.

Fact~ Richard Holdener took out a forged 6.0 motor and made 590 hp at the crank with out the box AFR 230 V2 heads and a fast 102mm intake with a off the shelf comp 231/239 camshaft in the 20 LS cathedral intakes tested article.

Darth_V8r

iTrader: (4)

As many underperforming 4.000 bore LS3 headed combos as I've seen, it would be more time consuming for me to do what I want with the LS3 heads than to get a set of aftermarket heads. Be easier and faster to start with a set of medium bore mast 240's

Bspeck82

I thought op said he changed his mind and in using the lq9 unless I misunderstood. 500 wheel out of a 408 is easy, unless converter is unlocked. Usually 470 unlocked to 500 locked is expected. Also depends on gear, tires, the dyno etc etc. If OP is going the 408 route than yes shelf parts can be used to make 550-580 crank hp no problem.

neblackshirts

Lots of good advise being given in here. I'm no powerhouse setup or trying to look weak with posting my dyno sheet but here's my lq9 setup just so you can see whats possible like everyone is telling you. Mine is a 408, AFR 230cc, NW 102 & Fast 102 Intake, just under 11.1 compression, 243/251 cam, 3.73 - 12 Bolt rear, 3600 Yank - 4L60E. This is on a stingy Mustang Dyno, been running this setup for over 4 years now and have had lots of help with the tune from great members like above.

As you can see it's doing 400 or more rear wheel torque from 3500 - 6000, I know my numbers get blasted a lot but it's fun and runs plenty hard. Best part is with a 408 if you want more a turbo will put you into another level. Like I said nothing crazy on power and maybe on a Dynojet it's a 500rwhp car? I don't know, but if I ever go another route I'd look hard into an LS3 416 setup. Would love a LSX 454 but feel like without spending big bucks on set of awesome heads and a few other things that would add up quickly I'd be leaving too much on the table compared to a similarly $$ spent on a LS3 416.

tberg725

500rwhp is easily doable on a 408 stroker, I see a couple people saying go with an LS3 top end I would personally stay away from the route just for the simple fact that more often than not I see ls3 top ends putting out crap numbers compared to nice aftermarket setup after the 408 lower end what is your budget? that would really help us give you good recommendations personally I like the trick flow heads and have seen fantastic numbers out of them even right out of the box

Tuskyz28

My last post in this thread unless I get asked a question directly towards me. Here is a simple combo that made the the power and it performed the way it should. Take notes.

402ci LS2 shortblock
11.1 compression
Lingenfelter CNC LS3 heads
Stock L76 intake
248/254 cam on 112 LSA
NO underdrive pulley
NO electric water pump
Steel flywheel
Kooks 1 7/8 headers
12 bolt with 4.11 gears
3700 lb car

517hp @ 6400 RPM and 466 TQ @ 5400 RPM on mustang dyno.

Track results
1.49 60ft
7.01 e.t
104.83 MPH
10.865 e.t
127.70 MPH

Good luck op...

tberg725

Nice set up over the winter you could pick up some nice gains sending that intake out to someone who ports and gets rid of that bar that is in them LS3 intake

99 Black Bird T/A

iTrader: (4)

The correct mods to the LS3 intake can pick up 25+ cfm in flow. Nearly 30 cfm at some lifts vs a stock LS3 intake. That's pretty amazing in my book.

The LS3 intake can greatly benefit from the Rick Crawford Radius Rod Mod. He also ported this LS3 intake I had tested a few years ago.Rick had said most of the gain and benefits were from the radius rods. Note how close Rick's modifications get the LS3 intake to a Fast 102 thats just had basic runner clean up.