INTERNAL ENGINE MODIFICATIONS Valvetrain |Heads | Strokers | Design | Assembly

Newbie Question - what to build

Thread Tools
 
Search this Thread
 
Old 01-08-2016, 06:13 PM
  #1  
Teching In
Thread Starter
 
brjeep's Avatar
 
Join Date: Jan 2016
Posts: 2
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes on 0 Posts
Default Newbie Question - what to build

I'm new, so go ahead and take your shots because I'm sure I'm about to ask for the umteenth time but...


I hae a 2000 silverado 2500 4x4 (not HD) with LQ4. I also have a junkyard LQ4 in my garage that I want to build / rebuild then install so my truck will be stronger/better/faster.


My truck is for tow/haul and I primarily want more torque, more power at lower RPM. I will not be racing.


I'm also keen to do as much of the build myself for entertainment / educational purposes.


I have $4k or so to spend and want to know what would be best.


--------------------------------------------


My (probably ill informed) thoughts are these:


I'd like a 408 becuase I understand more CI is best way to more torque.


I think a mild cam that would work with my factory iron heads becuase I don't think I can affor new heads *and* a stroker kit and becuase I think big heads would warrant a big cam and I would have poor idle and trouble at low rpm. (OTOH, I guess a stroker does need more air so maybe I'm thinking wrong).


I have no idea what a new intake / throttle body / headers would do for me.


It is unclear to me if I would need an aftermarket ECM.


I'm sure there is much I have not considered.


-----------------------------------------------------------


So I'm basically asking two questions:


1) what would be best use of my $4k to achieve my objective


2) what in my thinking is right or wrong.


Thanks in advance for the advice.


I will take all newbie comments in good humor. :-)
Old 01-08-2016, 07:46 PM
  #2  
Teching In
 
sguiffre13's Avatar
 
Join Date: Dec 2014
Location: Michigan
Posts: 33
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes on 0 Posts
Default

a 408 would be pretty cool but would eat up a good portion of the 4k budget. I think a good cam with some different heads (not aftermarket considering budget), supporting fuel mods, intake, headers/exhaust, and a tune would best suite you for what you want to do. Also when it comes to the cam choice you need to decide if you want to spend the money on a converter for the larger cam.
Old 01-08-2016, 08:00 PM
  #3  
Formerly ScreamingL
 
George C....'s Avatar
 
Join Date: Oct 2003
Location: From the 412
Posts: 3,456
Likes: 0
Received 3 Likes on 2 Posts
Default

Buy a crate ls3 shortblock for 2500 shipped, toss on fresh 317s, contact stock48 for cam, pick up some ebay headers and call it a day

Stock pcm is fine
Old 01-08-2016, 09:38 PM
  #4  
Teching In
Thread Starter
 
brjeep's Avatar
 
Join Date: Jan 2016
Posts: 2
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes on 0 Posts
Default

thanks for the replies.


sguiffre13: what is a converter for a cam? is that a different catalytic converter?
Old 01-08-2016, 11:50 PM
  #5  
TECH Senior Member
iTrader: (5)
 
Wolftrk99's Avatar
 
Join Date: Jun 2013
Location: Virginia Beach,VA
Posts: 5,492
Received 36 Likes on 34 Posts
Default

Higher stall Torque converter... Ditch the cast iron heads... You actually found a second one with cast heads???. Pick up a set of 317s and a gen 4/tbss intake with a 90mm throttle body bore it out .030 over with a set of flat top pistons and have a cam specd out and youll be good....and be way less than your budget
Related Topics
Thread
Thread Starter
Forum
Replies
Last Post
vVandals909
GM Engine & Exhaust Performance
13
04-12-2019 10:31 PM
embs2001
FORCED INDUCTION
66
07-23-2017 12:54 PM
Kendall Campbell
New Members
6
02-20-2016 12:47 AM
SeTxCC
GM Parts Classifieds
16
02-12-2016 11:56 PM
harner
GM Drivetrain & Suspension
40
12-02-2015 05:14 PM



Quick Reply: Newbie Question - what to build



All times are GMT -5. The time now is 04:45 AM.