Want a 400HP C4
Thread Starter
Burning Brakes
Joined: Aug 2006
Posts: 1,189
Likes: 0
From: Houston PA
Want a 400HP C4
I'm fortunatly in a position where I can get a used C6, or put money in my 94. I like my C4, so I started thinking why not give it 400HP. The question is, whats the best way to do it, build the LT1, or put a built 383 in. Most important, it needs to be a driver, injected, very relable, dependable, idle in traffic all day, everything it is now. No trailer queen, but Damm it Scottie, more power!
Melting Slicks
Joined: Nov 2003
Posts: 2,679
Likes: 1
From: South Amboy NJ
Do you want 400hp at the wheels or at the crank. With ported heads and a hot cam on a bad tune my car put down 323rwhp and 343rwtq. Add the driveline loss and that was about 425chp. With a good tune and some more tweaking, I'm sure I was getting even more out of it. The car was dead reliable and driveable. 
Team Owner
Joined: Sep 2002
Posts: 22,209
Likes: 12
From: OBAMA IS HITLER
i agree with your sentiment, base C4 power whether it be L98 or LT1 is flat-out inadequate.
if you're in a position to easily afford a C6, i would opt for that. and of course do some mild bolt-ons down the road, to be sure.
if you're in a position to easily afford a C6, i would opt for that. and of course do some mild bolt-ons down the road, to be sure.
Thread Starter
Burning Brakes
Joined: Aug 2006
Posts: 1,189
Likes: 0
From: Houston PA
I'm looking for 400Hp at the crank, as I imagine the LT1 was measured. I figure another 100HP shouldn't break the transmission or rear differental, and the car will be lots more fun than it already is. Of course the clutch will be updated when the engine is out. A minor brake improvment may be needed, but it's a street car, so they will be ok for a while.
Safety Car
Joined: Dec 2006
Posts: 4,290
Likes: 6
From: St Marys GA
Well I can't really help with the judgement call here, but I'm in the same boat horsepower-wise (actually looking for 350-400 at the wheels, so a bit more than 400 crank). Here's the thread I started with a list of everything I plan to do to it; adds up to about $5 grand, so not bad for probably 390 whp.
http://forums.corvetteforum.com/show....php?t=1726156
http://forums.corvetteforum.com/show....php?t=1726156
Melting Slicks
Joined: Oct 2003
Posts: 2,951
Likes: 3
From: Mount Vernon OH
Selecting the right cylinder heads and camshaft should get you there...depending on your total budget there are other items worth of upgrading while you have the top end of the engine apart.
Happy Hot Rodding!
Happy Hot Rodding!
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Le Mans Master
Joined: Apr 2005
Posts: 8,077
Likes: 4
From: Scarborough ONTARIO
Here is a Recipe for 400 Chp and 500 lbs of Ctorque.
http://temp.corvetteforum.net/c4/joe90/index8.shtml
even if u buy C6 u still try to mod some on that, just bolt on mods on those cars are really expensive. sami
http://temp.corvetteforum.net/c4/joe90/index8.shtml
even if u buy C6 u still try to mod some on that, just bolt on mods on those cars are really expensive. sami
Drifting
Joined: Apr 2007
Posts: 1,291
Likes: 33
From: Chicago IL
Do you want 400hp at the wheels or at the crank. With ported heads and a hot cam on a bad tune my car put down 323rwhp and 343rwtq. Add the driveline loss and that was about 425chp. With a good tune and some more tweaking, I'm sure I was getting even more out of it. The car was dead reliable and driveable.
Drifting
Joined: Apr 2007
Posts: 1,291
Likes: 33
From: Chicago IL
I'm fortunatly in a position where I can get a used C6, or put money in my 94. I like my C4, so I started thinking why not give it 400HP. The question is, whats the best way to do it, build the LT1, or put a built 383 in. Most important, it needs to be a driver, injected, very relable, dependable, idle in traffic all day, everything it is now. No trailer queen, but Damm it Scottie, more power!
Team Owner
Joined: Oct 2004
Posts: 81,241
Likes: 3,063
From: altered state
St. Jude Donor '05
If it were me Id spend just a bit more and build a 383, a 350 will only make so much torque and be driveable, a 383 will only do so much..Heads and cam will add some power, but not quite as much as you think you should have when you hit the go pedal (if you are doign a conservative build)etc..
Once you go big youll never go back.
Once you go big youll never go back.
Last edited by cv67; Jun 12, 2007 at 05:42 PM.
Le Mans Master
Joined: Jun 2006
Posts: 5,642
Likes: 5
From: One day you're a Comet...the next day you're dust... Arkansas
Buy the C6, it will be worth much more in the long run and be a LOT better to drive. Drop 6 large in a 12 large C4 and it's still worth 12 large.
Burning Brakes
Joined: Nov 2006
Posts: 818
Likes: 13
From: San Antonio Texas
Burning Brakes
Joined: Nov 2006
Posts: 818
Likes: 13
From: San Antonio Texas
Vetteblack - I'm basically in the same position. I've gotta a '96 LT-1 (black) Your views are idential to mine. I want my car to do everything it does now, but BETTER. So far I've got a claw, and B&B 3" exhaust. Headers are coming this month. Probably going to go w/ RR, then cam, then LT4 intake, then heads. Hopefully be close to 400hp. If not it'll be some kinda power adder after that.
Burning Brakes
Joined: Sep 1999
Posts: 848
Likes: 4
From: Tulsa,Ok
5 years ago I did the hotcam kit,had my stock heads ported,and they still have the stock valves,tpis 1 3/4 headers and full exhaust, had my tb bored out to 52mm,and Ed Wright dyno tune.I believe I have 400+ at the crank.
