408 build
408 build im planning on doing a 408 build for my 02 camaro ss in the next couple years. i want 550 to 600rwhp with this motor n/a. what would be the best h/c choice to get me there? i was thinking AFR 225cc or 235cc heads and a 25x/25x cam?
600RWHP out of a naturally aspirated 408 is a tall order and will likely require a premium set of heads & intake along with a fairly large cam.
If you step down closer to the 525 number you mentioned, then you have a lot more options. Almost anything will get you there. Since I'm on a tight budget, my goals for my 402 (same thing, less overbore) are stock LS3 heads, stock LS3 intake, and a mild-ish cam. Not only does the inexpensive price of the LS3 head appeal to me, but the fact that it works so well with a small cam really appeals to me. I want a very street friendly car that's easy to drive but still makes 500+ at the wheels, and I think that the LS3 heads will give me that.
Since you're not in a hurry, rather than decide on heads right now, just start doing homework, and give the aftermarket some time to start pushing some square port offerings. I suspect that you'll be seeing a lot of them over the next year, and I think that they are going to be very good at providing even more of what the stock LS3s offer... big power with mild cams (i.e. good street manners).
If you step down closer to the 525 number you mentioned, then you have a lot more options. Almost anything will get you there. Since I'm on a tight budget, my goals for my 402 (same thing, less overbore) are stock LS3 heads, stock LS3 intake, and a mild-ish cam. Not only does the inexpensive price of the LS3 head appeal to me, but the fact that it works so well with a small cam really appeals to me. I want a very street friendly car that's easy to drive but still makes 500+ at the wheels, and I think that the LS3 heads will give me that.
Since you're not in a hurry, rather than decide on heads right now, just start doing homework, and give the aftermarket some time to start pushing some square port offerings. I suspect that you'll be seeing a lot of them over the next year, and I think that they are going to be very good at providing even more of what the stock LS3s offer... big power with mild cams (i.e. good street manners).
600RWHP out of a naturally aspirated 408 is a tall order and will likely require a premium set of heads & intake along with a fairly large cam.
If you step down closer to the 525 number you mentioned, then you have a lot more options. Almost anything will get you there. Since I'm on a tight budget, my goals for my 402 (same thing, less overbore) are stock LS3 heads, stock LS3 intake, and a mild-ish cam. Not only does the inexpensive price of the LS3 head appeal to me, but the fact that it works so well with a small cam really appeals to me. I want a very street friendly car that's easy to drive but still makes 500+ at the wheels, and I think that the LS3 heads will give me that.
Since you're not in a hurry, rather than decide on heads right now, just start doing homework, and give the aftermarket some time to start pushing some square port offerings. I suspect that you'll be seeing a lot of them over the next year, and I think that they are going to be very good at providing even more of what the stock LS3s offer... big power with mild cams (i.e. good street manners).
If you step down closer to the 525 number you mentioned, then you have a lot more options. Almost anything will get you there. Since I'm on a tight budget, my goals for my 402 (same thing, less overbore) are stock LS3 heads, stock LS3 intake, and a mild-ish cam. Not only does the inexpensive price of the LS3 head appeal to me, but the fact that it works so well with a small cam really appeals to me. I want a very street friendly car that's easy to drive but still makes 500+ at the wheels, and I think that the LS3 heads will give me that.
Since you're not in a hurry, rather than decide on heads right now, just start doing homework, and give the aftermarket some time to start pushing some square port offerings. I suspect that you'll be seeing a lot of them over the next year, and I think that they are going to be very good at providing even more of what the stock LS3s offer... big power with mild cams (i.e. good street manners).
Here's a good sticky with many 402,403 and 408's. Build info and results.
Happy reading...
https://ls1tech.com/forums/dynamomet...s-part-ii.html
Happy reading...
https://ls1tech.com/forums/dynamomet...s-part-ii.html
Teching In
Joined: Sep 2010
Posts: 46
Likes: 0
From: Ft.Lauderdale, FL
i may have decided to go with a lsx454 instead, it only seems to be a couple grand more, and thats about as good as it gets for me. thats been my dream motor for a long time.
