Hello everyone, I am new to the thread. Allow me to introduce myself, my name is Eric and I currently have an 86 z51 'Vette. My father and I restore Corvettes; we have my 86, a 75, and the 66 vert. My 86 just isn't cutting it for me on the power I want. Also, the age and problems occuring with it give me problems. The car is restored, but I want something a little more new. I am going to get a 00-02 hatchback manuel car when I decide to purchase. The first thing I plan to do is mod the car right off the bat. I plan to create something that will make a newer cobra look like a beetle. I want to have no fear around here to pull up beside anyone. I saw that the post here are very detailed and has the latest in performace. Now to the problem, what cubic inch to go with? Ive read about the 402s and 408s, alongside with the 427s. I possibly will supercharge or turbo the car in the future...But, for a long time it will be N/A. I want to acheive at least 525 RWHP. A shot of laughing gas will be prob be used for even more. I want to hear some combos that will produce that power number with the parts from the throttle body to the flywheel. I'll def be slapping on the classic headers and cold air intake, also the full exhaust. For the engine alone I would like to keep it under 9000. So anyone with some in put please feel free to post... Vettefever17.

 

^ To do it right you probably won't keep it < $9000. Call texas speed and order up a 402 or 416 shortblock. Then slap on some "good" heads be it AFR, ETP, TFS, etc... then the proper cam and manifold and long tubes. You'll be anywhere from 500-550 all motor at the wheels.

If you're planning on FI you need to build a lower compression short-block accordingly... if you build it to make over 500 rwhp NA then you'll be at 12:1 compression or so and only be able to run maybe 4-5 lbs of boost which is a waste.

Do it right from the start.

 

I knew I would run into that problem... The horsepower is one way or the other for which ever build I choose. I think I'll just go with a good solid N/A engine with forged internals. FI is way out of my league at this time so far as financially. Ill look into that company. thank for the input.

 

want to read go to http://ls1tech.com/forums/ unfortunately 9000 does go away fast so plan for everything you need.

 

If you're careful with your combo you can build an FI shortblock with dished pistons and then use 59cc heads for a NA setup. You will want to target 10:1 compression or a little higher. Then swap to 72cc heads for FI and sell the 59cc heads. This should drop the compression just over a full point.