400 HP LT1?
Thread Starter
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Joined: Jun 2001
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From: Marlboro country MA
400 HP LT1?
I have a 92 auto LT1 which makes about 300 HP, based on dynos at about 260 RWHP, appropriate for a basically stock engine from that year. I've been wondering what's the cheapest way to get 400 HP out of it and still have a car that can be used as a daily driver. Nitrous is not an option, because I want the power available full-time. Is it possible to get 400 HP by going the route of cam/roller rockers/porting/headers/exhaust, or is supercharging the only reliable option? What would be a realistic minimum budget?
Note added: Is this not a good idea in light of the fact that I have 100,000 miles on the engine? It runs fine now...
[Modified by MTVette, 10:11 PM 3/31/2003]
Note added: Is this not a good idea in light of the fact that I have 100,000 miles on the engine? It runs fine now...
[Modified by MTVette, 10:11 PM 3/31/2003]
Burning Brakes
Joined: Sep 1999
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From: Tulsa,Ok
Re: 400 HP LT1? (MTVette)
Well,the mods I have actually have me probably somewhere around 420-430 at the flywheel,if your referring to flywheel horsepower.My dyno numbers in my sig are before I had the headers put on,and they are rear wheel numbers.
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From: Exit 89 GSP,Lakewood,NJ The Land Of Mojo
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Re: 400 HP LT1? (MTVette)
Mackey had the top end(heads and cam) done to his 96,000 mile LT1 in his '96.
He dynoed at 362 at the wheels, that's over 400 at the flywheel.
He also has longtube headers and a cat back exhaust (no cats though).
He dynoed at 362 at the wheels, that's over 400 at the flywheel.
He also has longtube headers and a cat back exhaust (no cats though).
Elite Torch Red Member
Joined: Sep 1999
Posts: 57,805
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From: Exit 89 GSP,Lakewood,NJ The Land Of Mojo
Cental/South NJ Events Coordinator
CI 1-2-3-4-5-6-7-8-9-10-11-12 Vet
CI-II Burnout & Drag Champ
St. Jude Donor '03-'04-'05-'06-'07
Re: 400 HP LT1? (MTVette)
He also has longtube headers and a cat back exhaust (no cats though).Don't think that's gonna pass emission testing. :D
Thread Starter
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Joined: Jun 2001
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From: Marlboro country MA
Re: 400 HP LT1? (Mr Mojo)
Supercharging will get you there for sure. My buddy did it on his C5, actually two of my buddy's. One still has the stock exhaust and he's putting out close to 650 HP(with a 75 shot), the other is close to 500 at the wheels with a few other mods, but with the S/C alone he managed to get into the mid 12's on street tires, 118mph in the 1/4.
Team Owner
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From: Athens AL
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Re: 400 HP LT1? (MTVette)
Yeah a SC will cost ya about 5K on average.
Of course, you can do the Hotcam/rr/porting/exhaust route, and just have it reprogrammed every time you do the emissions test. It is possible to DEtune the hotcam to pass emissions, so long as you keep the cats.
Of course, you can do the Hotcam/rr/porting/exhaust route, and just have it reprogrammed every time you do the emissions test. It is possible to DEtune the hotcam to pass emissions, so long as you keep the cats.
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Re: 400 HP LT1? (MTVette)
Just need to know if you mean flywheel or rear wheel.
If you mean flywheel the Hot Cam and a good set of heads and some headers will get you there. If you're wanting 400 at the wheels you'll need a more aggressive cam but it can still be done very easily without going through the headaches of forced induction.
If you mean flywheel the Hot Cam and a good set of heads and some headers will get you there. If you're wanting 400 at the wheels you'll need a more aggressive cam but it can still be done very easily without going through the headaches of forced induction.
Le Mans Master
Joined: Oct 1999
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From: Sachse Texas
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Re: 400 HP LT1? (MTVette)
Heads and cam are the most reliable way to get to the mark.
Check out some of the online vendors for heads and cam prices. You could just go with Stage II heads and then get a hotcam "kit" and you would be right around 350 rear wheel +/- 20.
http://www.speeddemonmotorsports.com http://www.moreperformance.com
Check out some of the online vendors for heads and cam prices. You could just go with Stage II heads and then get a hotcam "kit" and you would be right around 350 rear wheel +/- 20.
http://www.speeddemonmotorsports.com http://www.moreperformance.com
Thread Starter
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From: Marlboro country MA
Re: 400 HP LT1? (Nathan Plemons)
Just need to know if you mean flywheel or rear wheel.
If you mean flywheel the Hot Cam and a good set of heads and some headers will get you there. If you're wanting 400 at the wheels you'll need a more aggressive cam but it can still be done very easily without going through the headaches of forced induction.
If you mean flywheel the Hot Cam and a good set of heads and some headers will get you there. If you're wanting 400 at the wheels you'll need a more aggressive cam but it can still be done very easily without going through the headaches of forced induction.
Thanks for your replies. I am looking for 400 HP at the flywheel, not rear wheels. What I'm reading here is that with a good top end engine job, 400 HP is quite do-able.
Now, I'm really interested in your estimates of cost...
Le Mans Master
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From: Sachse Texas
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Re: 400 HP LT1? (MTVette)
Depends if you are doing the labor or if someone else is. Also depends on what you choose to do. Do you want it done over a weekend, or do you want to send you heads somewhere to be worked on and have the car down for 3-4 weeks.
If you are paying someone to do it, figure $4-5k turn key which includes programming.
Chris
If you are paying someone to do it, figure $4-5k turn key which includes programming.
Chris
