The_W

Long time reader so thought I would finally throw my project on here for advice and opinions as I go along with it. Back story on this truck, I got it as my first ride in high school (2004) nothing special just a plan jane v6 silverado to get me through college. Made some so so customizations with what money I had. Kept it clean like none other. Graduated college and could afford a new z71, dealership would only give me $2000 for my truck, I decided against it and make it a fun project. So after much research on site and talking to people decided on a LQ9 and began my search for one. Found a LQ9 on ebay for $1500 bucks with only 130k miles on it. Purchased it and began the madness of swaping the v6 with the LQ9. I did not take all pictures with the swap being that there is many threads with projects like that.

So currently I have this setup:
LQ9 engine
Air intake
Pacesetter Long tube headers
Custom Tune
Spin Tech Mufflers
4l60e tranny

With that being said I have been saving for awhile about a year since I have done the swap to completely redo the engine machine work, performance internals, new heads etc and been trying to decide if i want to go with a 408 build or not. I will be buying all the parts as time goes and when I have them all I will do the build. Any suggestions are welcome on whether a 408 build is worth it or not. I have read many threads on it but I am still skeptical. Thanks for reading this and if you post to it. I will be keeping this updated as I go along with this build.

sonicblue4.6

What spintech muffler do you have? How does it sound with the longtubes?

pewter6.0

iTrader: (2)

I'd say take the money to build a 408, and buy some sort of boost depending on budget. You won't regret it and your potential is much higher than NA 408.

The_W

I bounced around the idea of boost myself and not doing the 408 as well. But would you not at least put some better parts in the engine rather than stock if you boost? engine has 140k miles on it and they werent mine so I dont know how previous owner treated it.

The_W

I am using the super pro street 9000, I have them dumped with true duals 3in in and out. 1 7/8in headers. The sound is very loud but its a good sound, best muffler in my opinion.

sonicblue4.6

You need a sound clip my friend. lol

53bowtie

iTrader: (6)

My opinion, if your going to do boost then keep the stock displacement or go 0.030 over to make it a 370. go with forged internals as budget allows but definitely go forged pistons at a minimum. If your going to stay NA then there is no replacement for displacement....

Clean looking truck by the way.

The_W

Ya I can get a clip up at some point to help you out.

Thanks for comment - ya i will end up wanting boost so being that there really isnt no sense going with a 408. Just clean up what I have with new parts and strap on some boost. Because I have to spend money else where as well like my rear-end and some suspension. Waiting for my tax return to start buying parts....warm weather as well lol!

pewter6.0

iTrader: (2)

Some head studs and ls9 gaskets for insurance. Other than that, use you're money for other mods. Main thing is a good tune.

The_W

Well the concensus seems to be not do the 408 build. Boost the current engine with performance mods to it, more bang for your buck. With that being said, should I keep the 317 heads adn modify them or go with some l92's or ls3 of that nature?