Generation III Internal Engine 1997-2006 LS1 | LS6
Sponsored by:
Sponsored by:

Looking into 408, have some ?'s

Thread Tools
 
Search this Thread
 
Old Aug 31, 2008 | 03:01 AM
  #1  
98RedBird's Avatar
Thread Starter
TECH Addict
iTrader: (77)
 
Joined: May 2005
Posts: 2,773
Likes: 3
From: Peoria, IL
Default Looking into 408, have some ?'s

I'm looking into picking up a 408 stroker short block this winter from either TSP or LME. I am leaning towards LME right now because I hear nothing but AMAZING things from people about their quality. I am going to be spraying this motor probably in the neighborhood of a 200 shot. From what I've seen this should be an easy 750whp and around the same in TQ, or up around 800+ if I want to jump up to a 300 shot.

On to my questions....

Cam choice? Not sure where to start. Currently I have an MS4 but this will choke up a large cubed motor like the 408 I think. I'm considering going with the Texas Giant camshaft from TSP but want to hear from some of you guys first...

Heads I am strongly thinking I'm going to go with Trickflow heads. I see flat out KILLER numbers out of them on the 408's.

Now, for intake and exhaust. I currently have a FAST 90 and QTP 1 3/4 LT's. I'm wondering if I should be upping to the new FAST 92 (ported) and either Kooks 1 7/8 or the TSP 1 7/8 headers instead, what do you guys think? I don't want the intake/exhaust to hold me back but I know how important airflow is on these larger cube motors.

Lastly, I'm considering going with a different trans. I've got a Performabuilt level 2 that only has about 400 miles on it but I don't think it'll hold up too well to the 408 with N20. If I were going to look into something to hold that power what should I be looking at? TH400? 4L80?

Thanks for the help guys!
Reply
Old Aug 31, 2008 | 09:18 AM
  #2  
slow trap's Avatar
TECH Addict
iTrader: (22)
 
Joined: Sep 2004
Posts: 2,639
Likes: 0
From: tennessee
Default

i'm still running qtp 1 3/4 headers but only spray it with a 150-175 hit so on bigger hits i would probably step up to the 1 7/8. as for the tranny a th400 is hard to beat,that is if you can live without the overdrive.i'd keep that 90/90 and have it ported if it hasn't been already.cam wise the giant or similar with 11:5 scr or alittle higher should be a sweet setup.
Reply
Old Aug 31, 2008 | 11:18 AM
  #3  
98RedBird's Avatar
Thread Starter
TECH Addict
iTrader: (77)
 
Joined: May 2005
Posts: 2,773
Likes: 3
From: Peoria, IL
Default

Originally Posted by slow trap
i'm still running qtp 1 3/4 headers but only spray it with a 150-175 hit so on bigger hits i would probably step up to the 1 7/8. as for the tranny a th400 is hard to beat,that is if you can live without the overdrive.i'd keep that 90/90 and have it ported if it hasn't been already.cam wise the giant or similar with 11:5 scr or alittle higher should be a sweet setup.
Great man, thank you for the info. I am also wanting to look into HKE engines. Who has any experience with them? Customer service, price, build quality?

Thanks guys
Reply
Old Aug 31, 2008 | 07:41 PM
  #4  
98RedBird's Avatar
Thread Starter
TECH Addict
iTrader: (77)
 
Joined: May 2005
Posts: 2,773
Likes: 3
From: Peoria, IL
Default

Any other suggestions?
Reply
Old Aug 31, 2008 | 07:53 PM
  #5  
DVS99TRANS's Avatar
TECH Fanatic
iTrader: (7)
 
Joined: Nov 2005
Posts: 1,169
Likes: 1
From: E City,NC & Newark,DE
Default

That is what I'm planning is an iron 408 from LME. Worst case scenario, everything you have will swap over and make the same power and more. Swapping to L92 heads then becomes possible but when looking for a cam. Call Pat G or someone like that and they will give you exactly what your looking for. I know that's not much help, but people like that know EXACTLY what your looking for. I'm going to do the same setup your going for, and that's what I'm going to do instead of guessing or just take suggestions. No offense guys, but do it right the first time If your going to build 408 a purpose(street or track), then it's going to need a certain size cam also.

Although that MS4 will make awesome power on a 408 though.
Reply
Old Aug 31, 2008 | 10:56 PM
  #6  
98RedBird's Avatar
Thread Starter
TECH Addict
iTrader: (77)
 
Joined: May 2005
Posts: 2,773
Likes: 3
From: Peoria, IL
Default

Originally Posted by DVS99TRANS
That is what I'm planning is an iron 408 from LME. Worst case scenario, everything you have will swap over and make the same power and more. Swapping to L92 heads then becomes possible but when looking for a cam. Call Pat G or someone like that and they will give you exactly what your looking for. I know that's not much help, but people like that know EXACTLY what your looking for. I'm going to do the same setup your going for, and that's what I'm going to do instead of guessing or just take suggestions. No offense guys, but do it right the first time If your going to build 408 a purpose(street or track), then it's going to need a certain size cam also.

Although that MS4 will make awesome power on a 408 though.
I think the MS4 will be restrictive to a 408
Reply
Old Aug 31, 2008 | 11:05 PM
  #7  
N4cer's Avatar
10 Second Club
iTrader: (11)
 
Joined: Apr 2006
Posts: 2,526
Likes: 1
From: Ashland, KY
Default

I see the 408ci motors running great on cams in the lower 240's duration for intake. I loved my Futral 243/246 cam. The bigger cams always run all sloppy for street use.
Reply
Old Sep 1, 2008 | 03:36 AM
  #8  
DVS99TRANS's Avatar
TECH Fanatic
iTrader: (7)
 
Joined: Nov 2005
Posts: 1,169
Likes: 1
From: E City,NC & Newark,DE
Default

The MS4 will crack 500 with a 408 along with a decent set of heads and a FAST 90/92. Someone just did it with a TSP 402, because I was thinking the same thing. I've talked to a couple sponsors about it and it's not restricting it, just not running the full potential of the motor is all. You can always swap up later, which I think isn't all that bad. Just make sure you have a good tuner is the key.

Here's a link to back it up and it was with a MS3. Plus look at his dynograph, he makes unreal power down low.
https://ls1tech.com/forums/dynamometer-results-comparisons/970307-tsp-402-w-ms3-stage-1-ls6-heads.html

Last edited by DVS99TRANS; Sep 1, 2008 at 03:40 AM. Reason: adding
Reply
LS1 Tech Stories

The Best V8 Stories One Small Block at Time

story-0

Amazing '71 Camaro Restomod Is Modern Muscle Car Under the Skin

 Verdad Gallardo
story-1

6 Common C5 Corvette Failures and What's Involved In Repairing Them

 Pouria Savadkouei
story-2

Retro Modern Bandit Pontiac Trans AM Comes With Burt Reynolds' Autograph

 Verdad Gallardo
story-3

Top 10 Greatest Cadillac V Series Performance Models Ever, Ranked

 Pouria Savadkouei
story-4

Top 10 Most Powerful Chevy Trucks Ever Made!

 
story-5

Hennessey's New Supercharged Silverado ZR2 Has 700 HP

 Verdad Gallardo
story-6

Coachbuilt N2A Anteros Is an LS2-Powered C6 Corvette In Italian Clothes

 Verdad Gallardo
story-7

Awesome K5 Blazer Restomod Comes With C7 Corvette Power

 Verdad Gallardo
story-8

10 Camaros You Should Never Buy

 
story-9

10 LS Engine Myths That Refuse to Die

 Verdad Gallardo
Old Sep 1, 2008 | 04:52 AM
  #9  
98RedBird's Avatar
Thread Starter
TECH Addict
iTrader: (77)
 
Joined: May 2005
Posts: 2,773
Likes: 3
From: Peoria, IL
Default

Originally Posted by DVS99TRANS
The MS4 will crack 500 with a 408 along with a decent set of heads and a FAST 90/92. Someone just did it with a TSP 402, because I was thinking the same thing. I've talked to a couple sponsors about it and it's not restricting it, just not running the full potential of the motor is all. You can always swap up later, which I think isn't all that bad. Just make sure you have a good tuner is the key.

Here's a link to back it up and it was with a MS3. Plus look at his dynograph, he makes unreal power down low.
https://ls1tech.com/forums/showthread.php?t=970307
Hmm, cool man! I was talking to a sponsor on here who was saying that you need to go with a larger cam in a larger cubed motor, otherwise you'll be holding it back a little. I don't mind swapping cams to see some more better numbers though.
Reply
Old Sep 1, 2008 | 05:59 AM
  #10  
PowerShift408's Avatar
TECH Fanatic
iTrader: (44)
 
Joined: Jan 2006
Posts: 1,741
Likes: 1
From: Bowling Green, KY
Default

Stick with your FAST90 and have it ported. I have a 90 on top of my 408. I've got a Patrick G nitrous ground cam w/ a 200 shot in mind, although I'm going to spray 250 to it. I've got AFR 225s as well. In the tranny department, I did have a built T56, but now I'm in the process of doing the 4l80e swap. Was going to do the TH400, but I wanted overdrive and a lock-up style converter.
Reply
Old Sep 1, 2008 | 06:58 AM
  #11  
N4cer's Avatar
10 Second Club
iTrader: (11)
 
Joined: Apr 2006
Posts: 2,526
Likes: 1
From: Ashland, KY
Default

If you guys need the adapter to use a 4L80e with your 4L60e harness, I have one sitting here for a good price.
Reply
Old Sep 1, 2008 | 12:48 PM
  #12  
Fifedogg's Avatar
11 Second Club
iTrader: (15)
 
Joined: Mar 2007
Posts: 772
Likes: 0
From: So Cal
Default

The MS4 isnt going to chock up your motor per say. I used the MS3 in my 402 and love it. I wasnt trying to make an all out drag car though. If you plan on doing so I think the TSP giant cam will work good though. I would recommend some eddelbrock 245's or some AFR 225's. Trickflow also makes some of the best heads out there.
Reply
Old Sep 1, 2008 | 12:53 PM
  #13  
Fifedogg's Avatar
11 Second Club
iTrader: (15)
 
Joined: Mar 2007
Posts: 772
Likes: 0
From: So Cal
Default

Originally Posted by DVS99TRANS
The MS4 will crack 500 with a 408 along with a decent set of heads and a FAST 90/92. Someone just did it with a TSP 402, because I was thinking the same thing. I've talked to a couple sponsors about it and it's not restricting it, just not running the full potential of the motor is all. You can always swap up later, which I think isn't all that bad. Just make sure you have a good tuner is the key.

Here's a link to back it up and it was with a MS3. Plus look at his dynograph, he makes unreal power down low.
https://ls1tech.com/forums/showthread.php?t=970307
Yeah that was me I did that through cat's and a magnaflow catback. I love the way it drives and when I hit the gas it has some great pull. If your going with an all out drag racer I would get some better heads and a bigger cam. Just make sure to match your heads with your cam.
Reply
Old Sep 1, 2008 | 05:19 PM
  #14  
1fast1slow's Avatar
9 Second Club
iTrader: (2)
 
Joined: Dec 2004
Posts: 63
Likes: 0
Default

Imho you should definitely get a custom grind cam to match your specs, specially w/ the nitrous. I just got a set of kooks 1 7/8 headers and they are freakin awesome and fit well on my c5.
Reply




All times are GMT -5. The time now is 10:41 AM.

story-0
Amazing '71 Camaro Restomod Is Modern Muscle Car Under the Skin

Slideshow: This heavily modified 1971 Camaro mixes classic muscle car styling with a fifth-generation Camaro interior and modern LS3 power.

By Verdad Gallardo | 2026-05-12 18:06:42


VIEW MORE
story-1
6 Common C5 Corvette Failures and What's Involved In Repairing Them

Slideshow: From wobbling harmonic balancers to failed EBCMs, these are the issues that define long-term C5 ownership and what repairs typically involve.

By Pouria Savadkouei | 2026-05-07 18:44:57


VIEW MORE
story-2
Retro Modern Bandit Pontiac Trans AM Comes With Burt Reynolds' Autograph

Slideshow: A modern Camaro transformed into a retro icon, this limited-run "Bandit" build blends nostalgia with brute force in a way few revivals manage.

By Verdad Gallardo | 2026-04-21 13:57:02


VIEW MORE
story-3
Top 10 Greatest Cadillac V Series Performance Models Ever, Ranked

Slideshow: Cadillac didn't just crash the high-performance luxury vehicle party, it showed up loud, supercharged, and occasionally a little unhinged...

By Pouria Savadkouei | 2026-04-16 10:05:15


VIEW MORE
story-4
Top 10 Most Powerful Chevy Trucks Ever Made!

Slideshow: Top ten most powerful Chevy trucks ever made

By | 2026-03-25 09:22:26


VIEW MORE
story-5
Hennessey's New Supercharged Silverado ZR2 Has 700 HP

Slideshow: Hennessey has turned the Silverado ZR2 into a 700-hp off-road monster with supercharged V8 power and a limited production run.

By Verdad Gallardo | 2026-03-24 18:57:52


VIEW MORE
story-6
Coachbuilt N2A Anteros Is an LS2-Powered C6 Corvette In Italian Clothes

Slideshow: A one-off sports car that looks like a vintage Italian exotic-but hides a C6 Corvette underneath-just sold for the price of a new mid-engine Corvette.

By Verdad Gallardo | 2026-03-23 18:53:41


VIEW MORE
story-7
Awesome K5 Blazer Restomod Comes With C7 Corvette Power

Slideshow: A heavily reworked 1972 K5 Blazer swaps its off-road roots for a low-slung street-focused build with modern V8 power.

By Verdad Gallardo | 2026-03-09 18:08:45


VIEW MORE
story-8
10 Camaros You Should Never Buy

Slideshow: There are thousands of used Camaros on the market but we think you should avoid these 10

By | 2026-02-17 17:09:30


VIEW MORE
story-9
10 LS Engine Myths That Refuse to Die

Slideshows: Which one of these myths do you believe?

By Verdad Gallardo | 2026-01-28 18:10:11


VIEW MORE