Took her to RPM Performance in Raleigh yesterday. There could not be a better group of people to work with. They were very helpful and honest (only charged me for the dyno pulls since my tune was already so close). I was very happy with everything they did.

Now, on to the show. The motor before was a stock bottom end 346 with home-ported 241 heads, TSP Torquer v2 cam, stock rockers, long tubes, BBK intake, ported MAS and throttlebody. This was my budget buildup and I was very happy with the 412/382 results I got on the dyno, since I was running a $300 set of heads.

When I decided to go with a 408, I wanted a rock solid forged bottom end that could handle big nitrous (up to a 300 shot). Fortunatly, I found a good deal locally that came with LQ9 Patriot heads and a TSP giant cam. Again, staying with a budget mentality, I sold off the heads and cam to help pay for the bottom end. I decided to stay with my 241 heads and T2 cam to save money. My pipe dream was 500/500 on the dyno. In the back of my mind, my more realistic expectation due to the limited cam and 241 heads was 450/450. She put down 442/439. My optimistic side was disappointed, but my realistic side was proven accurate. The only significant changes to the whole setup was the 408 bottom end and a change to an 85mm throttle body (had the 75mm ported one on before).

Should I be happier with this? The motor runs like a kitten. It hits a little in the lope category, but not too much. Since the cam is a tad small for the cubes, the driveability is great, which my wife will like. I built this knowing I would spray the crap out of it, so these numbers seem ok. What do you guys think? Keeping the budget in mind and considering that I am going to start with a 150 shot and move towards 300 as traction evolves, should I just be satisfied and keep her the way it is, or is there something relatively inexpensive that I am missing here that can bring those number up before the spray? Thanks!

 

One of the mods on here had a 408 with stock heads and he hade like 471/47X. I would suggest you do heads and cam before you start throwing n2o on it.

 

Seeing that the heads are "budget heads and the cam is a little small I think that you did pretty good.

How is power under the curve. I bet in makes torque all over the place. That's got to make it real driveable.


I'm putting in a 402 w/L92 ported heads/L76 intake/236/249 cam and I'll be happy to get close to 500/500.

Bob K.

 

It makes over 400 as soon as you touch the trottle and never drops below 400 until after 5500. It is a torque monster for sure! I am thinking of leaving it alone, spray it and call it a day.

 

O man, there really is no replacement for displacement!!!!
That's killer, dude!!

 

i would buy a set of heads and at least the t-rex or similar cam if those are 6 speed numbers

 

i would leave it as is and spray it for now and start saving up for a nice set of heads and a cam that is around 10 * or so bigger than the t2.