I have a 99 camaro with 140K miles on it. Stock motor. Just a bunch of boltons and suspension.

I have two options for a rebuild that fit my budget.

1. cam, budget heads (5.3's), fast intake (full top end rebuild)

2. new 408 keeping stock heads(but i will buy new lifters springs and
pushrods) and LS6 intake. (new block old heads)

Everyone's two cents is welcome!!!

also can i make 420 RWHP w/ 408 and stock heads?

 

I'm interested to see this. I have wondered something similar but nobody would respond to my thread.

 

I voted for the 408 option. I would think the stocker is worth a little bit more now, than with a spun bearing or two down the road. So that would offset the price a little bit. And you don't mention a new cam with the 408, would you reuse the stocker? Also, and I don't know how true this is, but I have heard that a fresh and new top end on a tired bottom end would create more blowby past the rings. If I am wrong here, someone let me know. Best of luck with whatever you choose

 

As strange as it sounds I say do the top end. Why? Because simply I have a friend that at 130k miles put a complete top end on his car, PRC LS6 heads, F14 cam, ls6 intake, ported throttle body, and harland sharp roller rockes. Even with the high miles the car went from being a high 12 second car to a mid 11 second monster. Car runs fine and has no issues. Keep in mind that he had a bottom end that was in good shape, had good compression, and didn't burn oil. If you build a fresh 408 with just basically 346 parts up top you will never realize the full potential of the combo. I say just throw a top end on it and drive it like you stole it till it gives, then worry about the bottom end.

 

ttt! I would use a 24X cam. Not stocker.

My bottom runs great right now but it might not once i start pushing a hundred more horses through it.

Come on guys i need advice!!

 

I it's a daily driven vehicle, then you'll make more low and mid-range power with 408 and stock top end. With a larger cam than stock (which can be found dirt cheap used), you will make more power under the curve. We're talking 430 rwhp and 460 rwtq

But if you're more into racing from a roll or drag racing with a lot of gear, a high compression heads/cam 346 will be faster because it will make more hp up high (like 460/410) because of better breathing.

 

thanks patrick. knew i could count on you.

 

i tooo am on a budget 408 build and i was gonna run stock 317's and the cam in my sig, but now i chose to have them ported to stage 3 and wait a lil longer. but ya go with the 408 there is more room for power.

 

wow i am actually suprised on the turnout. i figured more people would tell me to go with top end first.
The guy at the shop looked at me as if i was retarded when i told himm i want a 408 on stock heads.

 

I say do the bottom end first. You can complete the top end later when you got the $$$.

 

for a true budget build, go with a 6.0 lq4
rebuild with speed pro replacement pistons, with rings less than 300$
new bearings, and reuse rods, with arp bolts.
can reuse 317 heads, milled to bring scr up some, with new seals
and patriot valve springs, ls7 lifters. etc. a stock gm 6.0 head gasket will work on up to.030 over bore, which will put u at 370ci. a ms4 type or trex cam will make a powerful motor. with stock type heads, will allow u to even use l92 heads which out flow anything short of afr's.

 

When my engine reaches around 100,000 miles Im going to do a 408 build as well except I will have a bigger budget and include some good heads........I got 59,000miles right now so it wont be for a while, so I opened a seperate savings account just for that

 

I personally would do the top end. If you reuse the stock parts on a 408, you will be starving the engine and not make great numbers out the door. With the top end, you can just transfer it over, and its less downtime for the time being. I've heard of LS1s lasting well into the upper 1xxk miles with being run hard.

 

Get the 408 and just pick up a set of 6.0 liter heads for cheap.

 

i voted 408 b/c i didnt see a option on just keeping the block and getting a stroker kit. and probly have a little left to get some ls6 heads.

 

408

 

how did you make your power? is that threw a 383?

 

no big *** cam

 

right now i engine wise i have a 240/244-112lsa cam, flp longtube headers, ls6 heads,ls6 intake, lid, tsp xpipes, 150hp nitrous, and asp pulley.

soon to come is vengeance ported fast 90 and NW 90mm TB, trick flow 215 heads, and lunati 383 strocker kit. i want to be putting alittle over 600hp to the wheel all motor and then im adding 200 or 250 shot of nitrous

all motor right now im making 450rwhp and 390rwtq

 

i voted "TOP END", i just topped 120k and i'm doing the H/C thing