LT 409 Engine Build
Racer
Joined: Dec 2013
Posts: 419
Likes: 5
From: Bel Air Maryland
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 
Last edited by Wheel Stander; Nov 11, 2014 at 04:19 AM.
Le Mans Master
Joined: Apr 2000
Posts: 5,713
Likes: 105
From: Manassas VA
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.
I thought that looked stock. FWIW I am running the EM headers tied in to my stock exhaust. Sounds very much the same. With the additional power and the use of headers and no cats, they sure don't sound stock!!
Thanks again for posting this build. Lots of good information in there.
Burning Brakes
Joined: Sep 1999
Posts: 848
Likes: 4
From: Tulsa,Ok
Guys, this 409 is one bad ****..1st gear..useless..2nd gear...useless...3rd gear..ahh sometimes...It does everything that I had hope it would do. And the sound..music to a gearheads ears...If you guys rode and drove in this you would be ordering one up for Jim to build. This is, in my mind, the ultimate LT4.
Race Director
Joined: Oct 2011
Posts: 16,086
Likes: 819
From: Dallas Texas
2025 C4 of the Year Finalist - Modified
Guys, this 409 is one bad ****..1st gear..useless..2nd gear...useless...3rd gear..ahh sometimes...It does everything that I had hope it would do. And the sound..music to a gearheads ears...If you guys rode and drove in this you would be ordering one up for Jim to build. This is, in my mind, the ultimate LT4.
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Le Mans Master
Joined: Oct 2002
Posts: 7,098
Likes: 378
From: Las Vegas - Just stop perpetuating myths please.
Awesome build. Cool idea to use the small journal rods. And i always liked the idea of a square motor sbc for my heavy '94 Z28. I cant see in the pix but i expect u had to use a 1 piece RMS to 2 piece RMS adapter. Are those expensive to install? Only $170 for the adapter but i dont know how much labor to install it. Im thinkn the stock 4 bolt block saved a bunch of $$$ over a splayed block and good enough when using a street cam.
Wow nice build/combo and im jealous. But at 3X the cost of a cast 383 i can only dream.
Thx for sharing.
Wow nice build/combo and im jealous. But at 3X the cost of a cast 383 i can only dream.
Thx for sharing.
Thread Starter
Melting Slicks
Joined: Mar 2002
Posts: 3,108
Likes: 126
From: S.L.C. UT
Awesome build. Cool idea to use the small journal rods. And i always liked the idea of a square motor sbc for my heavy '94 Z28. I cant see in the pix but i expect u had to use a 1 piece RMS to 2 piece RMS adapter. Are those expensive to install? Only $170 for the adapter but i dont know how much labor to install it. Im thinkn the stock 4 bolt block saved a bunch of $$$ over a splayed block and good enough when using a street cam.
Wow nice build/combo and im jealous. But at 3X the cost of a cast 383 i can only dream.
Thx for sharing.
Wow nice build/combo and im jealous. But at 3X the cost of a cast 383 i can only dream.
Thx for sharing.
Le Mans Master
Joined: Oct 2002
Posts: 7,098
Likes: 378
From: Las Vegas - Just stop perpetuating myths please.
Just wanted to say thx for info on the adapter. I had read in the chevy power manual it took a special built tool and for some reason though it needed to fit up to the block by drilling and taping.
Tempting to build a square 406 motor but it really needs a 4 bolt main and splayed caps drives the cost up along with a good forged crank. Its good to read someone knows how to build one though.
Thx again for sharing.
Tempting to build a square 406 motor but it really needs a 4 bolt main and splayed caps drives the cost up along with a good forged crank. Its good to read someone knows how to build one though.
Thx again for sharing.
Team Owner
Joined: Dec 2007
Posts: 20,974
Likes: 261
Very cool build Jim. This is awesome. It's amazing how many people you have helped on this forum.
I also have only great things to say about Jim, ALSO For you guys thinking about motor builds and talking in this thread don't forget Jim can get AWESOME deals on AFR heads.
Saved me tons of money and taught me lots in the mean time.
I also have only great things to say about Jim, ALSO For you guys thinking about motor builds and talking in this thread don't forget Jim can get AWESOME deals on AFR heads.
Saved me tons of money and taught me lots in the mean time.
Thread Starter
Melting Slicks
Joined: Mar 2002
Posts: 3,108
Likes: 126
From: S.L.C. UT
Plus two breathers vents crankcase pressure well, freeing up a few hp at high rpm.
