Madman81

Hell all..I'm new to the wonderful world of the LS crowd and need some help. I'm currently building an LQ4 408, machine work is done and now comes time for head and intake choice. I am using the TSP Tsunami cam, forged internals of course w a t56. Going in an 85 c10. Need help picking the rest of the stuff I need. Looking for good reliable power day in and day out. Oh yeah and to also whip my buddy in his GTO ...

wannafbody

iTrader: (2)

2 or 4 wd? You could go factory LS3 top end if on a budget.

Tuskyz28

Since you using a Texas speed cam i would call them directly and talk to them and find out what heads they offer that matches your cam the best. Matched parts equals a strong hard running motor.

Madman81

My bad, it's a 2wd. I am in deed on a budget. I received a pair of 243s in a package deal that I got and didn't really want 2 use them considering what I have read when using them on a 408 build and had seen where ported LS3 heads would work a lot better but I don't really know if spending the money on aftermarket heads would b justifiable considering everything else I have yet to purchase. I still need to figure out my injection system, fuel delivery, and what harness to use

62nalide

iTrader: (2)

Like mentioned above the smartest thing to do is match heads to the cam you have.It plays a big role how it will perform. I'm a firm believer of LS3 top ends with the right parts.

62nalide

iTrader: (2)

If you are on a budget, I'd look into stock ported castings.

Madman81

I'm actually gonna go that route and currently looking into which castings would b the best platform 2 have reworked. I already have the spring kit from Texas speed so whenever I figure out what casting to use my next task will b to figure out who to send them to

62nalide

iTrader: (2)

So did some digging and it looks like there's 2 versions of that cam and different lifts as well. IMO I'd call to see which one you have.
Specs that have found are

Cat port heads 1.6 rocker ratio : 235/240, .654"/.609", 111 LSA
LS3 heads 1.7 rocker ratio: 235/240 .629"/.615" 112 LSA

That being said if you run the Cat heads with a 1.6 and jump to a 1.7 LS3 setup your lift jumps up to .695" give or take.

Madman81

I ended up going with the Frankenstein stage 2 243 heads and the holley midrise intake kit. If anyone could chime in on injector size and the manufacturer that would be great. I'm running the walbro 255 pump and the corvette regulator/filter as well

chris99gmc

I'd go with something around a 60lb injector for a n/a build and go up from there if you plan to throw some boost at it. You might want to use a bigger pump or add another walbro 255 and run them as a dual pump setup. I would personally ditch the vette regulator and spend the money on a Holley adjustable regulator. The vette regulators are popular because they're an easy hook up and go for a swap, but If you were to actually see the data logs or monitor the actual fuel pressure those things put out on different setups, you'd probably think twice on using one yourself... Having the right fuel pressure on a consistent basis is extremely important if you want to get good results out of your setup. I'd say that you'd be asking a bit much out of a non-adjustable stock regulator when you start throwing things like higher flowing fuel pumps, more displacement, and even boost into the mix. Its simply not designed for a setup like that.

Madman81

Thanks for the info Chris, I'm learning as I go. Theirs just so much back and forth about a certain parts performance it makes it hard to decipher what's good info and what ain't. How would I go about setting up a 2 pump system and who makes a reliable injector. My intake calls for an ev1 style injector but I'll be damned if they ain't tall ev1 and short ev1s