408 questions...

[SoHo48]

I'm working on a 408 build for my tired 4.8

tsp iron sb, -10cc diamonds
prc 2.5 cnc'd 5.3's.

using the stock 4.8 manifold, throttle body and maf for induction...
(anyway I can improve on this? w/o changing all the front drive's)

what are the torque specs on the oil pan? (as I understand, its a stressed component...)

and will all the sensors hook up in stock location, should I replace any of them? is there any special process for removing knock sensors?

want to make this is as drop in as I can... But never removed such a new engine out of a truck. sorry for all the questions!! and thanks!

[SoHo48]

anybody?

[GasGuzzler]

Sensors should be the same in most cases and install the same as original. I'm sure there's something I'm forgetting.

Knock sensors just screw out but I would buy new ones both for the proper application and because the torquing of them might make them not register properly.....plus the fact that truck LSX engines are bad about rust/scaling/corrosion of the sensors anyway.

There is a good torque spec for the knock sensors but I wouldn't worry about the pan that much. If you're starting with a bare block, the most important thing is the special tools to align the front and rear covers as well as the oil pan. You do that properly and it won't matter quite as much about the torque as long as you're close. On the other hand, there is no reason to not torque the pan properly.

[SoHo48]

okay so the oil pan is sort of critical.. what sort of tools do I need for the rear cover? I usually just take the front off and bolt it back on without much thought..

I gottcha on the sensors.. I'll order new ones soon.. want to put this thing in the empty hole soon.

Any idea what sort of numbers I'll be looking at with this setup? sort of worried the truck manifold will choke out this 408... so I'm thinking of a f-body conversion or an Area 51 idler relocator, 2002 idle pulley, and f-body fuel pump.

[GasGuzzler]

None of the engine covers (front, bottom, rear) are a pain if removed and reinstalled singly....it's when more than one have to be removed that makes it an important step to align the stuff. I cannot offer a solution as I use the GM tools.

[SoHo48]

what are the tools? this shortblock has not front or rear cover.

[GasGuzzler]

Just bolt on plates to help align all the parts for leak free operation...

[SoHo48]

awsome thanks... no special fab work is gonna be needed.

and looks like a tbss manifold is 90mm... so I'll get a 90mm cable operated tb and 85mm maf and be set intake wise.

you guys are great.

[RedHeartbeat]

I put the oil pan on without a gasket to align the covers and I have an old bellhousing I bolt on to align the pan. The bellhousing was cheaper than the pan alignment tool.