Is the added weight of the 408 too much to make it worth it?
Thread Starter
On The Tree
Joined: Aug 2004
Posts: 194
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From: oklahoma
Is the added weight of the 408 too much to make it worth it? I've pretty much made up my mind on building a 408 because I like the power they are capable of w/out the price of the expensive 427. I'm just wondering though...Is the added weight really that big of a problem. I know its 80-90 pounds on strictly the front, but will it hinder my traction and cause alot of problems, or will I hardly even tell the difference? Your experience and knowledge on the issue is greatly appreciated! Thanks~Andy
Well since we have the same car.. I can say I did noticed the weight difference until the nose raised up so high I couldn't see the street
Ok, ok.. A little exaggerating, but with a 408ci you will notice a substantial increase in going forward. Hell my current ride still handles better than my F-body and I had a bunch of suspension work done to it. Now initially I did notice more of a lean in hard cornering, but the car still handled better than my old SS. I installed BMR sway bars front and back and back to no more lean. The difference between the alum and iron on the street is minor. I am sure you will notice more at the track, but with the right suspension you can be right there with a stock FRC with stock suspension.
Ok, ok.. A little exaggerating, but with a 408ci you will notice a substantial increase in going forward. Hell my current ride still handles better than my F-body and I had a bunch of suspension work done to it. Now initially I did notice more of a lean in hard cornering, but the car still handled better than my old SS. I installed BMR sway bars front and back and back to no more lean. The difference between the alum and iron on the street is minor. I am sure you will notice more at the track, but with the right suspension you can be right there with a stock FRC with stock suspension. PFFF it is 70-80 lbs up front. YOU can make that up with K member and pulling the bumper suport. I am putting a 370 iron block up front and i did not think twice about. My friend eller put a lq9 short block up front and he did not notic it eather. I dont like it when people that do not have an iron block up front post on how it is not worth. At least go out and drive one with an iron block before you make a jugment.
It will take an exstra 10hp to make up the weight and with a 408 you wont have a problem.
It will take an exstra 10hp to make up the weight and with a 408 you wont have a problem.
Thread Starter
On The Tree
Joined: Aug 2004
Posts: 194
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From: oklahoma
Originally Posted by VINCE
Yes you could be the first C5 with a 402 LS2. You could be the first to let us know how much a 402 LS2 makes. You can plow the way for all of us.
Thanks--Andy Trending Topics
Lets see,an ls2 in stock form makes 400HP,so a stroked version with wicked heads and the correct cam along with a LSX and 90 is gonna make 550 or more and the iron block is again closer to 100lbs more than a alum.Lastly what if u already have a kmember like me,then u are still 100lbs lighter ON THE FRONT WHEELS then the guy with the iron.
Its not rocket science,the LS2 will be the way to go and when the LS7 block gets released that will be even better.I'll wait a yr and build a 100lb less 427 for 346 prices
Its not rocket science,the LS2 will be the way to go and when the LS7 block gets released that will be even better.I'll wait a yr and build a 100lb less 427 for 346 prices
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i have a iron block and all i had to do was raise the qa1 coil overs up a little due to the heavier motor but i didnt notice andy difference i like mine and wouldnt go back alumn.
Thread Starter
On The Tree
Joined: Aug 2004
Posts: 194
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From: oklahoma
Its not rocket science,the LS2 will be the way to go and when the LS7 block gets released that will be even better.I'll wait a yr and build a 100lb less 427 for 346 prices :quote
Well, I see your rational for that. But one, I'm not letting my car sit for a year or more. Two, I really don't think the 427 will ever get even close to as cheap as a 346. You can get an entire forged shortblock 346 for $2700. My guess would be that the 427 forged would never be less than $4,000. And like I've said before, I don't like trying brand new things. I like to see how they do in the test of time before I spend thousands of dollars on new stuff
Well, I see your rational for that. But one, I'm not letting my car sit for a year or more. Two, I really don't think the 427 will ever get even close to as cheap as a 346. You can get an entire forged shortblock 346 for $2700. My guess would be that the 427 forged would never be less than $4,000. And like I've said before, I don't like trying brand new things. I like to see how they do in the test of time before I spend thousands of dollars on new stuff
First of all the LS2 is not a direct swap into the C5. Thats problem #1. Problem #2 you have to turn off the knock sensor. I dont think so!! I kind of like knowing if I have KR. Cam selection for LS2's currently are NON-EXISTENT and requires more work to get our cams to work in the LS2. That's problem #3. By the time you get the car up and running safely you would have forked out some doe. It is better to make suggestions when you actually have the setup you are suggesting so you can give some REAL WORLD experience. It's good to stick with what you know or get the advice from someone who ACTUALLY knows.
Not everyone will mind a 90 lb weight added to the front end.
Not everyone wants their car to do well at the track.
Not everyone even goes to the track.
Some people just like really fun, solid street/highway rollers.
The iron block setup is the best bang for the buck, hands down.
Not everyone wants their car to do well at the track.
Not everyone even goes to the track.
Some people just like really fun, solid street/highway rollers.
The iron block setup is the best bang for the buck, hands down.
Last edited by CANNIBAL; Dec 23, 2004 at 09:35 AM.
TECH Fanatic
Joined: Nov 2001
Posts: 1,064
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From: CA
Originally Posted by CANNIBAL
Not everyone will mind a 90 lb weight added to the front end.
Not everyone wants there car to do well at the track.
Not everyone even goes to the track.
Some people just like really fun, solid street/highway rollers.
The iron block setup is the best bang for the buck, hands down.
Not everyone wants there car to do well at the track.
Not everyone even goes to the track.
Some people just like really fun, solid street/highway rollers.
The iron block setup is the best bang for the buck, hands down.
Nicely put
408ci Iron is what I went with in my pig 'vert. With a 200 shot, good suspension I should be in the low 10's - I hope
I went from a LS1 based 383 stroker to my current Iron block 408.
the 383 with a mild cam put down 490rwhp and ran 10.70's in bad weather with consistant LOW 1.5X 60's. pulled a FEW 1.49's.
was highly debating the if the extra 100lbs up front was worth it, but I built it anyway. my 408 puts out 540rwhp and runs 10.50's with CONSISTANT mid 1.4X 60's so, no traction is not an issue. have cut 1.42 to 1.47 60's and the powerband is just outrageous. I launched at 6k with the 383 and now I launch at 5k with the 408!!
the 383 with a mild cam put down 490rwhp and ran 10.70's in bad weather with consistant LOW 1.5X 60's. pulled a FEW 1.49's.
was highly debating the if the extra 100lbs up front was worth it, but I built it anyway. my 408 puts out 540rwhp and runs 10.50's with CONSISTANT mid 1.4X 60's so, no traction is not an issue. have cut 1.42 to 1.47 60's and the powerband is just outrageous. I launched at 6k with the 383 and now I launch at 5k with the 408!!
TECH Junkie
Joined: Dec 2001
Posts: 3,242
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From: Lakeland, FL
I agree with Vince swapping in an ls2 is nowhere near as easy as swapping in an iron block and you never ever want to pave the way unless you got some serious dough or unless you don't mind if you car is down for 6 months +. Speaking from experience my iron block is doing really well and for the 1st time in years I am starting to think of my car as reliable . I have sprayed this bitch to very high speeds and have had no ill effects so far ( I was also able to keep an eye on my knock sensor readings while doing this which is another + to having a motor that fits well).
But no matter what it is always heavier than an aluminum block so if you need every last ounce of speed out of your ride then go aluminum, if you wanna save some cash and have a mainly street car then go iron or if you are going for ultimate reliability (i.e strongest parts) then go iron as well.
. I have sprayed this bitch to very high speeds and have had no ill effects so far ( I was also able to keep an eye on my knock sensor readings while doing this which is another + to having a motor that fits well).But no matter what it is always heavier than an aluminum block so if you need every last ounce of speed out of your ride then go aluminum, if you wanna save some cash and have a mainly street car then go iron or if you are going for ultimate reliability (i.e strongest parts) then go iron as well.
Originally Posted by goober35
PFFF it is 70-80 lbs up front. YOU can make that up with K member and pulling the bumper suport. I am putting a 370 iron block up front and i did not think twice about. My friend eller put a lq9 short block up front and he did not notic it eather. I dont like it when people that do not have an iron block up front post on how it is not worth. At least go out and drive one with an iron block before you make a jugment.
It will take an exstra 10hp to make up the weight and with a 408 you wont have a problem.
It will take an exstra 10hp to make up the weight and with a 408 you wont have a problem.
I think people fail to realize this guy has a Corvette FRC which comes in at 3100lbs roughly. There is no k-member you can purchase to make it lighter. You can only balance the car by moving some of the weight off the nose. If you want to get rid of the weight the iron block added you can get a lighter battery, lighter wheels, lighter seats and aerospace or strange brake setup. All those mods will cost you, but you will lose more than a 100lbs off the car and retain the original weight with little loss of comfort. Of course there is more you can do, but that is just off the top of my head..
