402 or 408 or 418 or 427?
It depends on your definition of N/A. If you are doing a basic N/A build, definitely go with aluminum if it's in the budget(hell, an AL block with do well with a normal shot of juice). If you are looking for a high hp/high rpm N/A build, I would look at an iron block to help prevent cylinder wall distorsion.
It's going to be hard to get an "honest" 550RWHP out of a 403/408 without a single plane intake and a good size cam. I think you have more decisions to make than aluminum or iron.
BTW: I vote aluminum.
i went on texas speed's site and did a camparison
these comparisons are for shortblocks.
402=$4100
408=$3850
418=$4900
427(ls3)=$5500
454=$6500
im kinda thinking that the 418ci is the most appealing for price and performance. however the 408 is also a great bargain for a budget build.
these comparisons are for shortblocks.
402=$4100
408=$3850
418=$4900
427(ls3)=$5500
454=$6500
im kinda thinking that the 418ci is the most appealing for price and performance. however the 408 is also a great bargain for a budget build.
TECH Resident
Joined: Jan 2009
Posts: 873
Likes: 1
From: oakland, ca
Depends on the purpose of the build. Depending on purpose of vehicle weight over the nose can be a problem. I would go with the 402 with the amountof info you have given. If I were you I would go a little bigger if you are staying NA like a 416 or 427.
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Verdad Gallardo ok well my goals are to have a big motor that puts down about 550rwhp. it will be a street car with a good amount of track time. i also want to go with the b igger motor for more torque, as i will probly want to use a good size cam. i want to put afr's on whatever engine i choose.
When I was deciding what size motor to build I called some places that deal with mostly drag race setups. Same answer from all was the weight gained by an iron block will not hurt because you too much horsepower from cylinder wall distortion in an aluminum block. I was told the iron block will actually be faster. That is why most high horsepower engines still use a cast block. I'm sure this will turn into a big debate but I got the same answer every time so I went cast and will lose the weight somewhere else.
ok well my goals are to have a big motor that puts down about 550rwhp. it will be a street car with a good amount of track time. i also want to go with the b igger motor for more torque, as i will probly want to use a good size cam. i want to put afr's on whatever engine i choose.
I would suggest a 416 LS3 because it is AL and will make that power with a nice budget.
If you want to really spend some money i would say LS7 427 or 440, that will make more than your power level.
Why AFR cylinder heads?
You said big motor, so i am guessing with a bigger motor and making that power level you are going to stay N/A.
I would suggest a 416 LS3 because it is AL and will make that power with a nice budget.
If you want to really spend some money i would say LS7 427 or 440, that will make more than your power level.
Why AFR cylinder heads?
I would suggest a 416 LS3 because it is AL and will make that power with a nice budget.
If you want to really spend some money i would say LS7 427 or 440, that will make more than your power level.
Why AFR cylinder heads?
ive been told that you cant run an ls7 motor in a 4th gen fbody cuz of the dry sump. if im gonna go real big i would go 454 all the way
i am staying N/A, i want to go with afr's because if im gonna do this build i wana do it right. and afr makes some of the best heads.
ive been told that you cant run an ls7 motor in a 4th gen fbody cuz of the dry sump. if im gonna go real big i would go 454 all the way
ive been told that you cant run an ls7 motor in a 4th gen fbody cuz of the dry sump. if im gonna go real big i would go 454 all the way
But then again its all based on opinion... but not really.
Also i am building a 440 LS7 in my T/A, you do not have to use a dry stump with an LS7 if it's built right, but you can in any car basically.
454s are alot of money if "done right"
You need to do a lot more research - a lot more.
Get in touch with a good builder and start planning, remember with the bigger cubes the power just comes that much easier. There is no problem using the ls7 block without the dry sump and with the larger bore compared to the ls3 they tend to let the motor breath better. As far a cost go my long block was very much a budget build, What gets expensive is upgrading your intake, fuel delivery, headers and cooling system. Not to mention transmission and rear end.
AFR heads were what I was originally going to go with because I had the intake set up for cathedral port heads, but my builder recommended the TFS 235's and they seem to be working alright.
AFR heads were what I was originally going to go with because I had the intake set up for cathedral port heads, but my builder recommended the TFS 235's and they seem to be working alright.
I know TFS heads are good because I had a set and I hated the fact that I milled them to 60cc's because now I cant use them on my 416 build. But I ran into the cnc'd and ported Ls3 heads from Lingenfelter that are a work of art and the flow numbers look about even with the other porters on here, I also saw ALOT of guys on the camaro5 site and they are making over 500 hp with decent sized cams and stock cubes. For 1600 assembled and shipped with the hollow intake valves and inconel exhaust valves, you cant beat it. So now I have to save for the FAST Ls3 intake and TB. I too am on a quest for 550hp minimum 
TECH Enthusiast
Joined: May 2008
Posts: 537
Likes: 1
i went on texas speed's site and did a camparison
these comparisons are for shortblocks.
402=$4100
408=$3850
418=$4900
427(ls3)=$5500
454=$6500
im kinda thinking that the 418ci is the most appealing for price and performance. however the 408 is also a great bargain for a budget build.
these comparisons are for shortblocks.
402=$4100
408=$3850
418=$4900
427(ls3)=$5500
454=$6500
im kinda thinking that the 418ci is the most appealing for price and performance. however the 408 is also a great bargain for a budget build.
First AFRs are good heads, but there are much better heads out there. (PI, WCCH...)
But then again its all based on opinion... but not really.
Also i am building a 440 LS7 in my T/A, you do not have to use a dry stump with an LS7 if it's built right, but you can in any car basically.
454s are alot of money if "done right"
You need to do a lot more research - a lot more.
But then again its all based on opinion... but not really.
Also i am building a 440 LS7 in my T/A, you do not have to use a dry stump with an LS7 if it's built right, but you can in any car basically.
454s are alot of money if "done right"
You need to do a lot more research - a lot more.