Optimal 408 Set Up?
Thread Starter
Burning Brakes
Joined: Jan 2005
Posts: 900
Likes: 0
From: New Bern NC
Optimal 408 Set Up?
My 408 is back under the wrench. The engine was originally built loose by the previous owner. The guy that works on it now discovered the piston cylinder wall clearance was a little out of spec. Thinking about going .040 over and new pistons. Had a cam back out and a lifter turn, which caused us to have to replace the cam, lifters, timing chain, and crank. Thought it would be a good time to go .040 over and get new pistons. If I'm going to do all of this I want to do it right and get the most out of it. Looking for opinions on best possible set up. Below is a list of parts that goes w/ set up. The car dynoed 502 RWHP and 485 LBS torque. I'd like to be around 540-550 RWHP and 500 + in the lower end torque. My last set up made its power fast at lower RPM'S w/ a custom ground cam by Bauer Racing. I like drive ability. Those pojections may be a little ambitious, but lets see how it goes. Also will be spraying a nice shoot of nitrous down the road.
-6 litter iron block
-Dart 225 slightly ported on the exhaust
-90 Fast intake
-90 LS6 throttle body, or Nick Williams
-Kooks long tubes
-no cats
-Zo6 cat backs
-Varram Intake
-did have 12.3:1 compression 100 octane
I feel like I've left something out. This will get it started anyway.
Rob Edwards
-6 litter iron block
-Dart 225 slightly ported on the exhaust
-90 Fast intake
-90 LS6 throttle body, or Nick Williams
-Kooks long tubes
-no cats
-Zo6 cat backs
-Varram Intake
-did have 12.3:1 compression 100 octane
I feel like I've left something out. This will get it started anyway.
Rob Edwards
Le Mans Master
Joined: Jun 2002
Posts: 8,352
Likes: 103
From: In the pit, trying to love someone.
Did you notice anything odd/funny/different as far as feel or handling with the iron block up front? I was thinking of using an LQ9 block for my next project but I was worried about the weight.
Thread Starter
Burning Brakes
Joined: Jan 2005
Posts: 900
Likes: 0
From: New Bern NC
Intermediate
Joined: May 2005
Posts: 43
Likes: 0
Give Hi-tech Motorsports in MN a call 763-712-9088. They built my 408. They did a LOT of testing on engine dynos to see what head porting and cam designs work at this cube size. My aluminum block 408 made 540 plus to the wheels with 500+ torque. They spec their own cams. I actually run less compression than you and you would be very suprised with some of the things they found with testing cam designs, specifically overlap. They currently build quite a few engines for some top level LS1 super stock guys, as well as everything in between. Hell, their head and cam set-up for stock cube lS1's are consistently making 480+ to the wheels. Ask em' about their custom exhaust box they came up with for the vettes. (Good for 20 to the wheels on their c5 408)
Le Mans Master
Joined: Oct 2001
Posts: 5,577
Likes: 3
From: Southern Maryland Maryland
You'd be better off spending the money on a top notch top end rather than the bottom end. I'd try and save a few dollars on the bottom and put that toward a nice set of ET heads.
Phil
Phil
Thread Starter
Burning Brakes
Joined: Jan 2005
Posts: 900
Likes: 0
From: New Bern NC
Thanks a lot for the input guys. Keep it coming and I'll let you all know how it goes. This project will progress at a rapid pace.
Can I have the Dart heads cnc ported and gain nice results. I saw an article in GM High Performance where the Dart heads compared nicely to the other top rated heads.
Can I have the Dart heads cnc ported and gain nice results. I saw an article in GM High Performance where the Dart heads compared nicely to the other top rated heads.
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Racer
Joined: Nov 2004
Posts: 293
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Thanks a lot for the input guys. Keep it coming and I'll let you all know how it goes. This project will progress at a rapid pace.
Can I have the Dart heads cnc ported and gain nice results. I saw an article in GM High Performance where the Dart heads compared nicely to the other top rated heads.
Can I have the Dart heads cnc ported and gain nice results. I saw an article in GM High Performance where the Dart heads compared nicely to the other top rated heads.
Intermediate
Joined: May 2005
Posts: 43
Likes: 0
I agree with this. I run the ETP 245's. The gus at Hi-tech actually epoxy in the floor quite a bit on these as well as the Fast 90.