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Old Nov 22, 2012 | 12:34 AM
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Default Horsepower progression

The title might be slightly misleading.

My goal was to create a thread that specified the progression from a stock, 350 HP Corvette to a heavily modified vehicle that produces over 500 BHP.

I know some of the basic mods, like, headers, intake, and exhaust system. After that, where do you go from there?

My LS1 is cammed and has all of these mods. If I don't want to get too serious or too expensive installing turbos or superchargers, what are my options?
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Old Nov 22, 2012 | 12:43 AM
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Bigger cam...
Not HP gainers, but you could also swap your differential and do weight reduction...
Also, not sure if you consider nitrous "too serious" but that's an option.
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Old Nov 22, 2012 | 12:53 AM
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I have never been a fan of using gas.

My air conditioning system has been removed, so I suppose I have already started reducing weight.
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Old Nov 22, 2012 | 01:03 AM
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With the mods listed above your pretty much at the point of making some serious/expensive decisions when it comes to your car, Bigger Displacement, Port and polished heads etc, problem is you will eventually get to a point of needing to beef up supporting mods to the engine/car before you know it or you might even already be there.
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Old Nov 22, 2012 | 01:41 AM
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That's what I was afraid of.
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Old Nov 22, 2012 | 06:12 AM
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I agree with all of the above. You must make a decision about how far you want to go, and that usually comes down to how much you want to spend. Anything above the 500+ mark means drive train mods must be considered ( i.e. Clutch ) 700+ means really drive train work on the rear end!

I have to spend another $10,000 - 15,000 next year on transplanting a built 416 to acheive long term power levels and durability.


Once done, it's very easily to have dumped loads of money in these beautiful cars to have what most of us desire. It's a fine balancing act to perform, mod the current one or buy a new one. I'm going to have a tough time after spending loads of money on this one, and when the C7 comes out, buying one of those. I will see how that plays out in the next couple of years. You can't take your money with you or car, so I might as well enjoy them while I'm above the dirt.
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Old Nov 22, 2012 | 11:19 AM
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I went from a stock auto. Now, I never dyno'd each and every time, so some are marked with an estimate(?).

Stock auto - 290rwhp(?)
Exhaust - 291rwhp(?)
Vararam - 305rwhp(?)
ECS tune - 331rwhp
3.42/3200 - 328rwhp
AR Headers - 350rwhp(?)
Supercharger - 501rwhp

That's basically only the performance mods and I didn't list suspension or wheel upgrades, but you get the idea. You can get to 500 at the wheels (about 600-620bhp) pretty easily. Past that you need to start doing a whole bunch of upgrades.

Easiest method to get to the 450rwhp level is add a supercharger. That one mod alone gets you there. Heads/cam also can easily get you to 400rwhp.
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Old Nov 22, 2012 | 11:36 AM
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Here is my Progression of Horsepower

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Old Nov 22, 2012 | 12:33 PM
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Just asked a similar question in "Tech". I was thinking this:
http://paceperformance.com/i-7739382...-shipping.html
With LS7 clutch. Plug and play, warranty and probably all in for less than $10k. Comments?
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Old Nov 22, 2012 | 12:37 PM
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From: Palmdale, Ca----- 2009 Cyber Gray 4LT A6 F55 452 RWHP 422 RWTQ- RIP 1998 C5 734 RWHP & 585 RWTQ-----
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Originally Posted by SL1D3R
The title might be slightly misleading.

My goal was to create a thread that specified the progression from a stock, 350 HP Corvette to a heavily modified vehicle that produces over 500 BHP.

I know some of the basic mods, like, headers, intake, and exhaust system. After that, where do you go from there?

My LS1 is cammed and has all of these mods. If I don't want to get too serious or too expensive installing turbos or superchargers, what are my options?
More cubic inches!

402 - 427 LS motor with H/C and enough header to breathe it!

Although a simple bolt on supercharger (A&A Supercharger Kit) will do everything you want and more and it is a true BOLT-ON!

Thanks,Matt
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Old Nov 22, 2012 | 12:46 PM
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Originally Posted by PhilsFRC
Just asked a similar question in "Tech". I was thinking this:
http://paceperformance.com/i-7739382...-shipping.html
With LS7 clutch. Plug and play, warranty and probably all in for less than $10k. Comments?
You can get to those HP numbers for almost half that price with a supercharger setup
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Old Nov 22, 2012 | 12:53 PM
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500 BHP and NOT TOO expensive?

Crate LS7 or Crate LS3 with ASA cam
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Old Nov 22, 2012 | 12:55 PM
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I agree, but the forced induction would be on top of a 14 y/o motor without forged internals. Figure I could sell the old motor for $3-4 and have a net cost around $6k+/-. And the idea of a 2 year warranty isn't bad.
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Old Nov 22, 2012 | 12:59 PM
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From: Palmdale, Ca----- 2009 Cyber Gray 4LT A6 F55 452 RWHP 422 RWTQ- RIP 1998 C5 734 RWHP & 585 RWTQ-----
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Originally Posted by PhilsFRC
I agree, but the forced induction would be on top of a 14 y/o motor without forged internals. Figure I could sell the old motor for $3-4 and have a net cost around $6k+/-. And the idea of a 2 year warranty isn't bad.
So what! Means nothing!

You do not need Forged Internals to run a supercharger -

On a stock motor even with "AGE" and miles can safely run a supercharger easily and safely!

It's ONLY when someone gets greedy and ups Boost beyond 10 PSI on an OLD motor without doing anything else they get into trouble!

Bone stock LS1's with miles and much of nothing else will put down 500+ RWHP (safely) on 9- 10 PSI of Boost!

Thanks,Matt
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Old Nov 22, 2012 | 01:22 PM
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Something to consider-thanks Matt.
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Old Nov 22, 2012 | 01:26 PM
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Originally Posted by madmatt9471
So what! Means nothing!

You do not need Forged Internals to run a supercharger -

On a stock motor even with "AGE" and miles can safely run a supercharger easily and safely!

It's ONLY when someone gets greedy and ups Boost beyond 10 PSI on an OLD motor without doing anything else they get into trouble!

Bone stock LS1's with miles and much of nothing else will put down 500+ RWHP (safely) on 9- 10 PSI of Boost!

Thanks,Matt
Unless one was building a road race machine, there is very little reason to NOT get a Centri supercharger if one is chasing horsepower. The awesomeness of boost, and the smooth transition into it, is just awesome.
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Old Nov 22, 2012 | 01:32 PM
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Originally Posted by PhilsFRC
Something to consider-thanks Matt.
You got it!

It's not like the motor decays or starts to rot due to age -

If you're above 150,000 miles then I would suggest having the bottom end freshened or get a low mile stocker!

My buddy on his stock '04 MN6 coupe put down 565 RWHP (with full exhaust of course)

Thanks,Matt
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Old Nov 22, 2012 | 02:39 PM
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Originally Posted by PhilsFRC
I agree, but the forced induction would be on top of a 14 y/o motor without forged internals. Figure I could sell the old motor for $3-4 and have a net cost around $6k+/-. And the idea of a 2 year warranty isn't bad.
14 year old motor??

and old LS1 might be worth what, $500-$2500( with trans and wiring harness) CHECK FLEA BAY

LS376/515 http://www.gmperformancemotor.com/parts/19244552.html
$7200

Even if you rebuilt, wild guess, but I think your looking at $10K Plus

Best of luck to you.

Last edited by AU N EGL; Nov 22, 2012 at 02:45 PM.
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Old Nov 22, 2012 | 02:44 PM
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Didn't know prices were that low for a complete engine-hmmm!
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Old Nov 22, 2012 | 02:45 PM
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Phil

Check FLEA BAY.

I do feel your desire and pain

Evey time I look to build a full race motor, looking at $14K on the low side, upto $30+ plus
( still needs to be rebuilt every so many hours of use too )

I can by a whole Camaro ( used) GT2 race car for $30,000 with spare parts.

Last edited by AU N EGL; Nov 22, 2012 at 02:47 PM.
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