LT 409 Engine Build
11-05-2014, 04:49 PM
#22
Melting Slicks
Thread Starter
Well I got the car running and have been driving it a bit before Mike gets here on the 12th to pick it up. I have about 100 miles on it and it's real responsive and torquey. The tune is on the lean side at WOT. PCM for less is doing the tuning. And where I am at high elevation, and Mike being in Oklahoma is basically considered sealevel, it will have to be tuned when he gets back to sealevel. Last year Dan Hewitt sent me his 95 C4, and I made it into a 396. His was similar, lean at WOT and when he got it back home in SoCal it was fine. PCM for less tuned this for sealevel. So Mike will have to check the tuning at his elevation. But overall it runs great. No leaks, no problems, and it runs smooth as glass.
11-05-2014, 06:11 PM
#24
Melting Slicks
Thread Starter
A 409 won't have quite as good geometry as a 396, but it still has a better rod ratio than the factory built 400. It's more money to do a 409, but you are getting max torque and cubes out of a LT engine.
Last edited by tpi 421 vette; 11-05-2014 at 06:14 PM.
11-06-2014, 12:19 AM
#27
Race Director
Sounds great Jim 
11-06-2014, 10:09 AM
#29
Melting Slicks
Thread Starter
Waiting for the rods set us back about 4 weeks total. First we tried to get the Crower rods and were told they were on back order before being told they were discontinued. And the machine shop took close to 3 weeks. So it was over 2 months total. If everything was to go smooth, it would normally be 4-5 weeks.
11-06-2014, 12:14 PM
#30
Team Owner
Pro Mechanic
He'll need to change that license plate to LT409
Sounds and looks great!
Sounds and looks great!
11-06-2014, 02:33 PM
#31
Melting Slicks
Waiting for the rods set us back about 4 weeks total. First we tried to get the Crower rods and were told they were on back order before being told they were discontinued. And the machine shop took close to 3 weeks. So it was over 2 months total. If everything was to go smooth, it would normally be 4-5 weeks.
Maybe you can build me a 396 Short Block and ship it.
Regards,
Steve
11-06-2014, 02:54 PM
#32
Le Mans Master
He makes it look easy. You won't go wrong through Jim! Send the heads and intake to Cuisinartvette for some massaging while you are at it.
11-07-2014, 06:39 AM
#36
Le Mans Master
Build threads are always one of my favorite things to read on here. And this is one nice build!!
BTW could you tell me what exhaust system is being used? Thanks
BTW could you tell me what exhaust system is being used? Thanks
11-07-2014, 11:49 AM
#37
Melting Slicks
Thread Starter
It's 1 3/4" headers tied into a pretty much the stock exhaust. Somebody gutted the mufflers though. It's not overly loud when you drive it. Sounds kind of mellow driving it easy until you put your foot in it. Also, the stock exhaust is 2 3/4 and 2 1/2" so it's not that restrictive.
11-09-2014, 07:36 PM
#39
Team Owner
Member Since: Oct 2004
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St. Jude Donor '05
Nice job once again Jim! Not many people want to mess with these cars let alone be the "drop the car off/drive it off done" guy; nice street combo that oughta last a long time and embarass a few late models.
Thanks for involving me once again (and for the nice words guys), also to Gears for allowing me a little extra time to do what I wanted with the intake; it adds up sometimes like you said to go a little further.
Looking forward to seeing gears final results and driving impressions make sure and post up some vids!
Thanks for involving me once again (and for the nice words guys), also to Gears for allowing me a little extra time to do what I wanted with the intake; it adds up sometimes like you said to go a little further.
Looking forward to seeing gears final results and driving impressions make sure and post up some vids!
Last edited by cv67; 11-09-2014 at 11:10 PM.
11-10-2014, 05:30 PM
#40
Burning Brakes
All this came about this year because I turned 60 years old in September. I wanted to do something special, cause, damnit, I'm getting old..Anyway,I had posted on the forum earlier this year as to who could build a nice street motor. You know,something that would make you giggle like a little girl every time you get in it( and on it).Almost everyone said Jim Barth.So I email Jim and from there we got on the phone to further discuss more detail about the project. In August I shipped my vette to him and sent some money and away we went. It went fairly smooth,few little inconveniences here and there,but the project is complete,and I fly out to Salt Lake 11-12-14 to drive my vette back to Tulsa (1200 miles). Through this whole experience,number one, I have made a new, and hell of a friend, with Jim. As the build was going,he kept me informed as to what was going on,and what he was doing. We've talked almost everyday since August,and I will finally get to shake his hand and actually meet him come 11-12 14. The experience has been great,and I HIGHLY recommend Jim to anyone that wants a good performance build done. Mild to Wild, He's the guy that can do it.So thanks,Jim, you've been much more than fair.You went the extra mile.And also,to cusinartvette for also putting in extra time and effort on the porting of my intake.I will venture to say there is not a better flowing stock LT4 intake anywhere.So thanks to all that has been involved,cause everyone has did a super job.With all that said,we had it tuned for sea level(Tulsa is like 650 feet above sea level)so its running pretty lean where Jims at.So when I get back to Tulsa,Jims is lending me his wideband so I can see where its at when I get home. After the tune is right, im going to put it on the rollers to see what its making,and I will post that up and have video also.So that's where were are at this point.Its worth turning 60 guys 