eengine purchase opinion!

**Edward-T** · 02-26-2014, 01:47 AM

looking for some opinions of reputable and fair engine builders. i have looked at Thompson Motorsports, Promar, ATK, TSP and Hawks - have not made a decision yet, tyhinking of a 408 somewhere around 500 whp, not a daily driver so thats not an issue, the car has 145k on it now and it is an auto with a 3200 stall, long tubes and magnaflow cat back.

***SMWS6TA*** · 02-26-2014, 07:04 AM

In NC I'd talk with Tick Performance.

**pajeff02** · 02-26-2014, 05:24 PM

Have you considered a crate engine?

**Edward-T** · 02-27-2014, 01:41 AM

yes i have, not sure the route i want to go, thought 370 or 408 stroker or LS6 with a front mount turbo, leaning more toward the 408, that is why i am asking for opinions.

**Edward-T** · 02-27-2014, 02:49 AM

also i am even looking in the parts classifieds on this site as well as 2 other F-Body sites for stroker engines or crate motors.

**Firebirdjones** · 02-27-2014, 03:55 AM

Should be no lack of engine builders out there in Nascar country. Quite a few reputable shops but you get what you pay for. I think your budget will ultimately dictate where you go and the type of work you get.

Easy route and my personal choice would be the iron block based 402/408. Very popular and plenty of shops that offer this engine in various stages of build so it offers you the oppotunity to really price shop around.

**pajeff02** · 02-27-2014, 08:40 AM

^^ Agree. If I was going to build an engine, it would start with a 6.0 iron block for its foundation.

**Edward-T** · 02-27-2014, 08:43 AM

i found an LQ9 on Craigs for 1500, supposed to be an 80 k engine, complete minus alternator and starte out of an Escalade, waiting on Tax time and bonus time from work.

**Firebirdjones** · 02-27-2014, 08:57 AM

Originally Posted by Edward-T

i found an LQ9 on Craigs for 1500, supposed to be an 80 k engine, complete minus alternator and starte out of an Escalade, waiting on Tax time and bonus time from work.

That's a buy, I'd definately make that happen even if you didn't need it right away. That's something I'd stash in the corner for a rainy day. I wouldn't even bother rebuilding that if it's only 80,000 miles (unless it's broken). I bought my 6.0 with 80,000 miles complete with computer/harness/cooling system etc.. and the 4L80E still attached to it for $2,000. I simply dropped it in and ran with it.

**Edward-T** · 02-27-2014, 09:07 AM

i know man, i thought of doing that and putting the 2004 Z06 cam and springs in it and the LS6 intake i have on it and running it for a while, still have to wait on the money though....i hate being broke LOL

**Firebirdjones** · 02-27-2014, 10:12 AM

The LS6 cam doesn't seem to get much respect, however I run a Crane Cam custom version of it in my wifes LS1 with basically just a tighter LSA of 112. I find it works nicely for what we do, made 369 rwhp, and traps 112+ mph in the AZ heat. Still knocks down 22 mpg around town here, and has hit 30 mpg highway.

But....if I were you and playing with the idea of just dropping a 364 cubed engine in, I'd personally want to bump the camshaft up a bit for that engine. With more cubes, and a little more camshaft, it would be nothing to make 400+ RWHP with a very mild 228-230 @ .050 cam. Probably enough power to satisfy a while

Before I dropped my 6.0 in my 4x4 blazer, I came very close to installing the LS6 camshaft in that engine. In the end I left it buttoned up with the stock truck cam. I needed the torque anyway to move that 5,000 lbs. truck around.

**Edward-T** · 02-27-2014, 11:16 AM

Yeah I know man, the car i hadbbefore this one was a 02 WS6 m6 and when I bought it, it had the usual bolt ons and an LQ4 with a torquer 2 on a 112 ,and it was 401/396! I added heads, injectors, and an 85 mm maf and redyno tuned and got just shy of 450 whp.