Lsx 454 build
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Joined: Dec 2009
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From: DFW Texas
Lsx 454 build I have a formula firebird. I have been building it for 4 years im 22 years old and still learning. ive been reading thread for a long time and hear its hard to make 550 to 600hp with a ls1 unless u spend alot so i thought about building a huge cub motor so i need input on a lsx 454 build wat i have to use off my ls1 if anything and wat ill need for the conversion i have about 7500 to spend really need help.
That's not enough to do a 454 LSX. You can get close to 550 with a H/C LS1 stroker, or S/C, or nitrous. All within your price range. Besides, if you throw a in 454, you'll need a clutch/converter, trans rebuild, driveshaft, rearend, fuel system, tune, etc. Honestly, you barely have the cash for the supporting mods you'll need for a 454.
I've never understood the fascination people have with a certain amount of power... why do you want 600hp? If you went with a good set of heads and a bigger cam you could have close to 500whp which technically is close to 600 flywheel hp if you just want to tell people you have xxxhp. Why not just put on a great set of heads, well sorted valvetrain, and a custom cam, then put the rest in the drivetrain so you can actually enjoy your power?
I've never understood the fascination people have with a certain amount of power... why do you want 600hp? If you went with a good set of heads and a bigger cam you could have close to 500whp which technically is close to 600 flywheel hp if you just want to tell people you have xxxhp. Why not just put on a great set of heads, well sorted valvetrain, and a custom cam, then put the rest in the drivetrain so you can actually enjoy your power?
If it goes faster once I mod it, stays together, it puts a smile on my face and beats other cars, then I'm happy. I'd rather put money into mods that lay down a baseline and then support later down the road creating a strong total build instead of one strong element and one weak element.
Exactly. Putting down the number is one thing, but putting it to the ground without spinning your *** off or constantly breaking **** is what it's all about. Hell I've got more than 7k in my suspension and drivetrain alone.
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I have a formula firebird. I have been building it for 4 years im 22 years old and still learning. ive been reading thread for a long time and hear its hard to make 550 to 600hp with a ls1 unless u spend alot so i thought about building a huge cub motor so i need input on a lsx 454 build wat i have to use off my ls1 if anything and wat ill need for the conversion i have about 7500 to spend really need help.
Is that $7500 for the short block or long block? We've got an iron 418 that will get you close to what you need. It would be the short block with heads and a cam for $7850.
You would need an oil pump, rockers, lifters, timing set, pushrods, gaskets You use the covers, intake, oil pan from your engine to complete the rest. Plus some various other little things that will always pop up.
Or we could build you a 383 complete long block for $7500 with AFR heads on top and make 500+
You would need an oil pump, rockers, lifters, timing set, pushrods, gaskets You use the covers, intake, oil pan from your engine to complete the rest. Plus some various other little things that will always pop up.
Or we could build you a 383 complete long block for $7500 with AFR heads on top and make 500+
i agree with everyone else. the 454 is about 6k-7k just for the block. that motor would cost a fortune if u ask me. ive been considering the 402 though, it seems to b a pretty good bang for the buck.
you can build an iron 370 for under 2k and built your own turbo kit for 3k. its been done on here many times running mid 9's there is a guy on here selling his turbo set up cheap cheap. but thats if you want to go that way... or else you can go some kind of stroker and get the power you want with the right parts....
turbo isent cheap either considering all the suporting mods u have to do for it to last and be effective. ie forged internals, iron sleeves, and an intercooler. im not bashing the turbo idea, just saying it aint cheap either. however its alot cheaper than a 454 lsx.
you can build an iron 370 for under 2k and built your own turbo kit for 3k. its been done on here many times running mid 9's there is a guy on here selling his turbo set up cheap cheap. but thats if you want to go that way... or else you can go some kind of stroker and get the power you want with the right parts....
I suppose if your own a machine shop and do all the work yourself and go with cheap rods you can bring it for under 2k. How many here have that capability? Few and far between. Or are you talking just stuffing one together without the proper machining home built in your garage not worth a crap ebay engine? Those guys are a dime a dozen on ebay and here unfortunately.
You can find cheap *** turbo kits that don't include fuel system upgrades or inter-coolers for little money yes. But your a long way from a proper setup at that point.
I don't argue some guys can make things work on small budgets by skipping steps and going with used parts or cheap ebay stuff. People need to do what they need to do, but in most case the 370 for under 2k and 3k turbo kit isnt the final cost of the build.
Fuel system to support the hp you want to make isn't cheap. Tuning isn't cheap and you need to cool that air don't you?
SO no for 98% of the people on here 5 k for a complete 370 and turbo kit isn't a reality. If you want a properly built engine you don't buy it from ebay and you don't build it yourself with your friends help who had a dad who once built a wicked 350.
yes you can build a 370 yourself. have the block machined. you take it and put together. price out the parts. speedinc. for one place. NOT ebay crap. or hell 370 boosted short block from them speedinc $3400 and then 4100 left for a turbo kit. yea pretty sure that wont be that hard if you have a brain and know how to weld. anybody that builds there car themself should be about to do that. unless your rich and have people build it for you.
can use stock i'm guessing 317 heads. and his ls6 intake
kentuckyturboandperformance.com
for turbo kit 3700+ shipping
ok so there is 7100. he has 7500 to spend... so whats left bigger injectors fuel bump and a cam.
not to much there and have a wicked set up.
BUT THATS A CRATE MOTOR. BUILD IT AND SAVE$$
can use stock i'm guessing 317 heads. and his ls6 intake
kentuckyturboandperformance.com
for turbo kit 3700+ shipping
ok so there is 7100. he has 7500 to spend... so whats left bigger injectors fuel bump and a cam.
not to much there and have a wicked set up.
BUT THATS A CRATE MOTOR. BUILD IT AND SAVE$$
Last edited by itsback08; Dec 16, 2009 at 11:52 AM.
yes you can build a 370 yourself. have the block machined. you take it and put together. price out the parts. speedinc. for one place. NOT ebay crap. or hell 370 boosted short block from them speedinc $3400 and then 4100 left for a turbo kit. yea pretty sure that wont be that hard if you have a brain and know how to weld. anybody that builds there car themself should be about to do that. unless your rich and have people build it for you.
can use stock i'm guessing 317 heads. and his ls6 intake
kentuckyturboandperformance.com
for turbo kit 3700+ shipping
ok so there is 7100. he has 7500 to spend... so whats left bigger injectors fuel bump and a cam.
not to much there and have a wicked set up.
BUT THATS A CRATE MOTOR. BUILD IT AND SAVE$$
can use stock i'm guessing 317 heads. and his ls6 intake
kentuckyturboandperformance.com
for turbo kit 3700+ shipping
ok so there is 7100. he has 7500 to spend... so whats left bigger injectors fuel bump and a cam.
not to much there and have a wicked set up.
BUT THATS A CRATE MOTOR. BUILD IT AND SAVE$$
I'm not going to argue with you, we see this all the time 12k miles on a motor and it's junk. Garage built, not decked, bearing clearances not set because you just bolt it all together right? Just like building a model, you buy a book and then follow the directions.
Guys go to school to learn to build them and still dont get it right.Fuel system to support 600 rwhp with injectors is about $1350
How much for a cheap *** ebay intercooler to handle it?
Cam $400+
Tuning?
You going to run any boost and timing controller type devices?
Guages??
Your just touching the tip of the iceberg with the real costs involved with FI.
In your previous post you had him in a turbo 370 for 5k now your up to $7100 and you need to be able to weld. And how much can a fuel system cost or intercooler or a cam cost right? Add 400+ for the cam and then what are you doing about the valetrain? Just going with all his stock stuff?
I'm not going to argue with you, we see this all the time 12k miles on a motor and it's junk. Garage built, not decked, bearing clearances not set because you just bolt it all together right? Just like building a model, you buy a book and then follow the directions. Guys go to school to learn to build them and still dont get it right.
Fuel system to support 600 rwhp with injectors is about $1350
How much for a cheap *** ebay intercooler to handle it?
Cam $400+
Tuning?
You going to run any boost and timing controller type devices?
Guages??
Your just touching the tip of the iceberg with the real costs involved with FI.
I'm not going to argue with you, we see this all the time 12k miles on a motor and it's junk. Garage built, not decked, bearing clearances not set because you just bolt it all together right? Just like building a model, you buy a book and then follow the directions.
Guys go to school to learn to build them and still dont get it right.Fuel system to support 600 rwhp with injectors is about $1350
How much for a cheap *** ebay intercooler to handle it?
Cam $400+
Tuning?
You going to run any boost and timing controller type devices?
Guages??
Your just touching the tip of the iceberg with the real costs involved with FI.
+ bov
+ wastegate
+ valvetrain
+ drivetrain
+ a bunch of other misc. ****
+ the fact that this dude already said he doesn't want to go FI...