I want 400hp
Thread Starter
Heel & Toe
Joined: Mar 2015
Posts: 23
Likes: 1
From: Dubai
I want 400hp
So I've got a 91 L98 6 speed manual, I use it as a second car and for autocross and trackdays.
What I want is your opinion on is the easiest/most hassle free way of getting 400hp+.
I have started various car projects in the past and they typically always end up taking twice as long and costing twice as much as originally planned and by the time they are 95% complete I have to sell them as the money is always needed for something else. Hence I want the easiest option, I want the car off road for as little time as possible.
I know there are various options, turbo kits, superchargers, engine swaps etc I would like to go the LS route but have heard it can be tricky and don't want the hassle.
Bearing in mind I live in Dubai and so most parts will have to be shipped from the U.S and there is also a limited number of specialists for tuning etc.
I am new to american cars/engines and so I am not up to speed on all the terminology yet so please excuse my ignorance.
Thanks
What I want is your opinion on is the easiest/most hassle free way of getting 400hp+.
I have started various car projects in the past and they typically always end up taking twice as long and costing twice as much as originally planned and by the time they are 95% complete I have to sell them as the money is always needed for something else. Hence I want the easiest option, I want the car off road for as little time as possible.
I know there are various options, turbo kits, superchargers, engine swaps etc I would like to go the LS route but have heard it can be tricky and don't want the hassle.
Bearing in mind I live in Dubai and so most parts will have to be shipped from the U.S and there is also a limited number of specialists for tuning etc.
I am new to american cars/engines and so I am not up to speed on all the terminology yet so please excuse my ignorance.
Thanks
Safety Car
Joined: Sep 2001
Posts: 4,157
Likes: 554
From: Glenbeulah Wi
-Stock short block provided it is in good shape or rebuild it to be in good shape
-Mini ram intake or similar intake like the superram
-GM hot cam or similar performance cam
-AFR 195 heads or similar performance head
-Set of roller rockers 1.5 or 1.6 ratio depending on the cam
-TPIS 1-3/4 headers or similar like Melrose or Hooker
-True dual exhaust
-Higher volume fuel pump, I don't think the stock pump will support 400 HP
-A good tune
These mods will net you 400+ HP at the engine.
-Mini ram intake or similar intake like the superram
-GM hot cam or similar performance cam
-AFR 195 heads or similar performance head
-Set of roller rockers 1.5 or 1.6 ratio depending on the cam
-TPIS 1-3/4 headers or similar like Melrose or Hooker
-True dual exhaust
-Higher volume fuel pump, I don't think the stock pump will support 400 HP
-A good tune
These mods will net you 400+ HP at the engine.
Melting Slicks
Joined: Jun 2013
Posts: 3,065
Likes: 39
-Stock short block provided it is in good shape or rebuild it to be in good shape
-Mini ram intake or similar intake like the superram
-GM hot cam or similar performance cam
-AFR 195 heads or similar performance head
-Set of roller rockers 1.5 or 1.6 ratio depending on the cam
-TPIS 1-3/4 headers or similar like Melrose or Hooker
-True dual exhaust
-Higher volume fuel pump, I don't think the stock pump will support 400 HP
-A good tune
These mods will net you 400+ HP at the engine.
-Mini ram intake or similar intake like the superram
-GM hot cam or similar performance cam
-AFR 195 heads or similar performance head
-Set of roller rockers 1.5 or 1.6 ratio depending on the cam
-TPIS 1-3/4 headers or similar like Melrose or Hooker
-True dual exhaust
-Higher volume fuel pump, I don't think the stock pump will support 400 HP
-A good tune
These mods will net you 400+ HP at the engine.
Drifting
Joined: Oct 2005
Posts: 1,920
Likes: 51
From: Angier nc
It would be easier if you had anything other than a L98.Nothing wrong with the engine itself,just that it wasn't designed for high HP in stock form.You may be surprised at the torque it can make though.
It would be easier to start with an LT1 vette or anything with an LS motor.
It would be easier to start with an LT1 vette or anything with an LS motor.
Last edited by 96 lt-4; Jan 10, 2016 at 11:02 AM.
Safety Car
Joined: Sep 2001
Posts: 4,157
Likes: 554
From: Glenbeulah Wi
It would be easier if you had anything other than a L98.Nothing wrong with the engine itself,just that it wasn't designed for high HP in stock form.You may be surprised at the torque it can make though.
It would be easier to start with an LT1 vette or anything with an LS motor.
It would be easier to start with an LT1 vette or anything with an LS motor.
Team Owner
Joined: Aug 2004
Posts: 21,543
Likes: 3,216
From: Park City Utah
I'd say that the exhaust is a pretty significant difference also. L98 = bad manifolds, 3 cats, single exhaust...LT1 has better manifolds, one cat for each bank, true dual.
Melting Slicks
Joined: Apr 2007
Posts: 2,616
Likes: 111
A lot of these C4 modifiers want to make them faster w/o addressing the rest of the vehicle and a lot of them are a POS with a little more power.
The C6 has become more and more affordable these days with the C7 platform. Maybe you don't even need to sell your C4; keep it for the nostalgia of early 90's performance and buy a very nice car, a 2006-13 Vette with modern conveniences and comfort along with the HP you are looking for.
Last edited by 856SPEED; Jan 10, 2016 at 04:11 PM.
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Safety Car
Joined: Sep 2001
Posts: 4,157
Likes: 554
From: Glenbeulah Wi
I agree but if we are looking for 400 hp that will also need upgrading on a lt1, so my point was that to achieve 400 hp on either platform the real only significant item the lt1 does not need vs the lt1 is the intake.
Last edited by bjankuski; Jan 10, 2016 at 04:31 PM.
Team Owner
Joined: Aug 2004
Posts: 21,543
Likes: 3,216
From: Park City Utah