Lt1 408
Burning Brakes
Joined: Nov 2001
Posts: 1,241
Likes: 9
From: Houston TX
Erik built my 396, quite a few years ago. That engine has been solid through tons of abuse, various cam/head/intake combinations (made 470rw at one point), I tracked it a lot before installing an oil cooler (hit 300 degrees oil temp regularly), etc. The shortblock still doesn't burn any oil or show that it's any worse for wear. I have friends who used Erik for their engines with similar experiences. I highly recommend his work.
-michael
-michael
Race Director
Joined: Sep 2001
Posts: 14,668
Likes: 749
From: NEwhere Ohio
can you make this thing so that it is recommended for nitrous or FI?
At some point, I'll be looking for a strong 383 or as big a motor as I can get, with forced induction on top.
I know it would prob work, and you are just giving conservative advice.
It just seems lately that if you are building something thats NOT FI (or nitrous) its not going to hit the #'s they are making on the C5 or C6 site.
Im tired of reading about guys with stock bottom ends LSx motors + forced induction making 700+ rwhp.
We need options to flatten those guys.
At some point, I'll be looking for a strong 383 or as big a motor as I can get, with forced induction on top.
I know it would prob work, and you are just giving conservative advice.
It just seems lately that if you are building something thats NOT FI (or nitrous) its not going to hit the #'s they are making on the C5 or C6 site.
Im tired of reading about guys with stock bottom ends LSx motors + forced induction making 700+ rwhp.
We need options to flatten those guys.
Melting Slicks
Joined: Apr 2002
Posts: 2,308
Likes: 1
From: Portsmouth VA
Hi Guys,
I definately prefer to call it a 409 and my car is wearing 409 badges from an Impala. I think I calculated that it is a 408.6, which to me is a 409 anyway.
I can testify that if it is built right, it will handle FI or a really big shot of nitrous... but it also requires really good parts and a great tune. Be ready to spend some money if you want it to be stout and durable. I ran mine REALLY hard for a few good years on 2 builds, but it needs to be freshened up now.
It didn't require nearly as much clearancing as I thought it was going to, but I also did use a small base circle cam.
See ya,
Sonny
I definately prefer to call it a 409 and my car is wearing 409 badges from an Impala. I think I calculated that it is a 408.6, which to me is a 409 anyway.
I can testify that if it is built right, it will handle FI or a really big shot of nitrous... but it also requires really good parts and a great tune. Be ready to spend some money if you want it to be stout and durable. I ran mine REALLY hard for a few good years on 2 builds, but it needs to be freshened up now.
It didn't require nearly as much clearancing as I thought it was going to, but I also did use a small base circle cam.
See ya,
Sonny
Le Mans Master
Joined: May 2004
Posts: 5,385
Likes: 534
I'm curious about something and I'm still learning about these engine combos: if you can get 400+ cid from an LTX block with the right crank, wouldn't that be possible with a gen 1 block as well?
If I read that right, I wonder why I read about guys salvaging old 400 blocks out of 70s blazers and Impalas and stroking it out to 406 or more. Couldn't they settle for a much more plentiful LTX block? Again, still learning about engine combinations and what flies and what doesn't.
I saw 396 thrown around so much for LT1 & LT4 stroker builds, I naturally assumed that was the limits of stroking the LT small block.
If I read that right, I wonder why I read about guys salvaging old 400 blocks out of 70s blazers and Impalas and stroking it out to 406 or more. Couldn't they settle for a much more plentiful LTX block? Again, still learning about engine combinations and what flies and what doesn't.
I saw 396 thrown around so much for LT1 & LT4 stroker builds, I naturally assumed that was the limits of stroking the LT small block.
Thread Starter
Former Vendor
Joined: Apr 2006
Posts: 2,470
Likes: 2
From: Portland OR
St. Jude Donor '10-'11-'12
You've got to want to make and LTx fast. Its not cheap, the power is made in the heads and getting the right heads and valve-train combo is not inexpensive at all.
Le Mans Master
Joined: Feb 2000
Posts: 9,715
Likes: 27
From: Kempner Texas
When are you going to post on your website the specifics and details on the 408/409? I was just there and didn't see any of the details I'm interested in.
As starters, is the $4,600 price I saw in an earlier post the short block clearanced and assembled price or is the clearancing and assembly extra? If extra how much?
Do you plan on posting all the clearances, like, piston to wall, bearing, ring end gap, deck heights, etc. or does the assembled short block come with that on a spec sheet?
Jake
As starters, is the $4,600 price I saw in an earlier post the short block clearanced and assembled price or is the clearancing and assembly extra? If extra how much?
Do you plan on posting all the clearances, like, piston to wall, bearing, ring end gap, deck heights, etc. or does the assembled short block come with that on a spec sheet?
Jake
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Thread Starter
Former Vendor
Joined: Apr 2006
Posts: 2,470
Likes: 2
From: Portland OR
St. Jude Donor '10-'11-'12
When are you going to post on your website the specifics and details on the 408/409? I was just there and didn't see any of the details I'm interested in.
As starters, is the $4,600 price I saw in an earlier post the short block clearanced and assembled price or is the clearancing and assembly extra? If extra how much?
Do you plan on posting all the clearances, like, piston to wall, bearing, ring end gap, deck heights, etc. or does the assembled short block come with that on a spec sheet?
Jake
As starters, is the $4,600 price I saw in an earlier post the short block clearanced and assembled price or is the clearancing and assembly extra? If extra how much?
Do you plan on posting all the clearances, like, piston to wall, bearing, ring end gap, deck heights, etc. or does the assembled short block come with that on a spec sheet?
Jake
As starters, is the $4,600 price I saw in an earlier post the short block clearanced and assembled price or is the clearancing and assembly extra? If extra how much?
Yes that price is for the assembled shortblock
Do you plan on posting all the clearances, like, piston to wall, bearing, ring end gap, deck heights, etc. or does the assembled short block come with that on a spec sheet?
HKE does not publish that information and doe not provide a build sheet with it on it either. It not open for discussion and posting it or providing it has proved more trouble than its worth so he does not do it. If you really needed know something and were putting money down then I'm sure I could get you some limited information but it's not something he readily gives out.
Le Mans Master
Joined: Feb 2000
Posts: 9,715
Likes: 27
From: Kempner Texas
Sorry Jake been bust and didnt see this:
As starters, is the $4,600 price I saw in an earlier post the short block clearanced and assembled price or is the clearancing and assembly extra? If extra how much?
Yes that price is for the assembled shortblock
Do you plan on posting all the clearances, like, piston to wall, bearing, ring end gap, deck heights, etc. or does the assembled short block come with that on a spec sheet?
HKE does not publish that information and doe not provide a build sheet with it on it either. It not open for discussion and posting it or providing it has proved more trouble than its worth so he does not do it. If you really needed know something and were putting money down then I'm sure I could get you some limited information but it's not something he readily gives out.
As starters, is the $4,600 price I saw in an earlier post the short block clearanced and assembled price or is the clearancing and assembly extra? If extra how much?
Yes that price is for the assembled shortblock
Do you plan on posting all the clearances, like, piston to wall, bearing, ring end gap, deck heights, etc. or does the assembled short block come with that on a spec sheet?
HKE does not publish that information and doe not provide a build sheet with it on it either. It not open for discussion and posting it or providing it has proved more trouble than its worth so he does not do it. If you really needed know something and were putting money down then I'm sure I could get you some limited information but it's not something he readily gives out.
Jake
Last edited by JAKE; Sep 21, 2010 at 05:54 PM.
Le Mans Master
Joined: Feb 2000
Posts: 9,715
Likes: 27
From: Kempner Texas
I'm curious about something and I'm still learning about these engine combos: if you can get 400+ cid from an LTX block with the right crank, wouldn't that be possible with a gen 1 block as well? If I read that right, I wonder why I read about guys salvaging old 400 blocks out of 70s blazers and Impalas and stroking it out to 406 or more. Couldn't they settle for a much more plentiful LTX block? Again, still learning about engine combinations and what flies and what doesn't.
I saw 396 thrown around so much for LT1 & LT4 stroker builds, I naturally assumed that was the limits of stroking the LT small block.
I saw 396 thrown around so much for LT1 & LT4 stroker builds, I naturally assumed that was the limits of stroking the LT small block.
Sure it's easy to get over 400 CID using a stock GM 400 Gen I block and crank, in fact I did it (415 CID) and installed it in an 86 Vette. The Mini-Ram, exhaust, sensors, etc., all bolted right up.
Installing a Gen I 400+ engine in a car that has a LT1/4 (or vice-versa) is a different matter though since the fuel/ignition/etc., systems are so different. It can be done but call for a lot of work; a lot more than I was willing to under-take.
QA buddy of mine is installing a LS1 in his 89 Vette and has been wrestling with the wiring for over two weeks. He told me this evening he's still short of being half-way done.
Jake
