C5 HP Boost
Thread Starter
5th Gear
Joined: Apr 2014
Posts: 5
Likes: 0
From: Somerset Michigan
C5 HP Boost
What is the best way to increase the HP in my 04 LS1 w/o turbo, supercharge or N/O? I would like to bring it up to over 400 HP at the lowest cost. Does anyone have experience with this that they are willing to share?
Pro
Joined: Jan 2015
Posts: 622
Likes: 48
From: Nederland Texas
CAI, Intake manifold, larger throttle body, cam, heads, full exhaust (header to tip) and a tune to finish up. Just make sure the cam, push rods, lifters, and the valve train go good together and not fight. Bent valves and scarred pistons aren't fun. Had it happen a buddy of mine
Racer
Joined: Feb 2015
Posts: 299
Likes: 33
From: Chambersburg PA
My 02z/ls6 is 400hp/370tq rwhp on a load bearing dyno. Drives like stock, mods are
ARH 1 3/4 with high flow catted xpipe.
BTR stage 2 cam
BTR platinum springs/titanium retainers
Hardened pushrods
HD timing chain
Comp trunion upgrade
What I didn't need to get to 400 rwhp
Using stock injectors
Stock air filter
Stock throttle body
Stock 243 heads
Stock lifters
Stock oil pump
Not hard to get to 400hp with a ls6 style build
ARH 1 3/4 with high flow catted xpipe.
BTR stage 2 cam
BTR platinum springs/titanium retainers
Hardened pushrods
HD timing chain
Comp trunion upgrade
What I didn't need to get to 400 rwhp
Using stock injectors
Stock air filter
Stock throttle body
Stock 243 heads
Stock lifters
Stock oil pump
Not hard to get to 400hp with a ls6 style build
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That should get you to where you want to be, or very close to it.
Pro
Joined: Jun 2015
Posts: 639
Likes: 28
From: Wytheville Virginia
Personally for a few more hp numbers, I don't think it's worth spending the $ I would do small things, like CAI, catback exhaust, tune that's it. But if you can do all the installs yourself that would save some serious dough. Good luck
Pro
Joined: Jan 2016
Posts: 550
Likes: 53
From: Fort Myers Florida
The easiest way to make your vette faster is to replace the gears in your rear end to 3.15 or 3.42. It will also be the cheapest way. BUT you are still going to pay a shop 1200-1500.00 to do it.
Le Mans Master
Joined: Sep 2016
Posts: 6,480
Likes: 555
I was wondering something similar, but I don't have a specific HP/torque figure in mind, but rather what would be the least expensive mods to make that are easy to do yourself. Using the motorcycle mindset, the easiest and least expensive gains are usually achieved by opening up the intake, adding a higher flow exhaust, and adding a fuel manager to handle the increased air and fuel requirements, which is usually followed by an experienced tuner to make everything work the most efficiently. Granted, these mods don't yield big gains on bikes (usually only around 5 to 10%), but they're usually enough to make a noticeable difference and are worth the money spent. I don't think I'd want to be swapping out heads or cams, but I certainly wouldn't have a problem upgrading engine externals. How much gain could one expect by going with an exhaust change, a free flowing intake, and a tune? Would it be worthwhile vs the cost?
Last edited by grampi50; Apr 6, 2017 at 05:22 PM.
Melting Slicks
Joined: Aug 2011
Posts: 2,423
Likes: 200
From: Atlanta GA
Heads, Cam, intake, CAI, and Headers will get you over 400 RWHP.
400 RWHP could be done with headers, CAI, Cam, and tune. That should get you really close. Might add a ported TB with that as well and a underdrive pulley.
For reference, most Z06s with headers, CAI, and tune are at 390 RWHP.
400 RWHP could be done with headers, CAI, Cam, and tune. That should get you really close. Might add a ported TB with that as well and a underdrive pulley.
For reference, most Z06s with headers, CAI, and tune are at 390 RWHP.
Last edited by bikeriderga; Apr 6, 2017 at 05:56 PM.