Well im gearing up to order some parts and of course, im going for the most cost-effective route. My goal is 400 to the wheels and here is the plan

-1 3/4" headers
-3" high flow cats
-MILD cam
-hpipe/xpipe
-corsa pace car
-VaraRam intake


now, the question of the evening is... does the stock Hpipe on the 97 c5 flow well enough to reach 400rwhp? i have a good feeling the cats definitely wont.. but I was thinking if my offer to a certain member falls through for his LT's.. then I could go with Texas speed performance's LT headers and connection pipes to the stock Hpipe then the 3" cats to the corsas. would that be satisfactory for 400 ?

also, Im looking for a cam.. something not over the top agressive.. i need good street manners since i like driving my vette ALOT. midrange and high end is where I want the power.. also, what springs should I replace the stockers with while im in there? Cobra4b had recommended the G5-X1E cam by LG motorsports but they dont seem to have it on their website anymore. Im looking for more opinions on a nice cam that will push me right to/ over 400.

so with VaraRam, full exhaust (stock H-pipe if deal falls thru), cam (need you guys help on which one), and a good tune, will i see my magic number? thanks all in advance for the help.

 

Automatic or manual ?? makes a big difference--If it is a manual--you can make 400 RWHP pretty easily with stock heads and your listed mods + LS6 manifold and a mild cam-something in the .224 range @ 114
BUT if it is an automatic--You'll need better flowing heads-LS6 manifold + a bigger cam-- in the .228-.230 range @ 114 or 112

 

yes I am Manual

 

You will need to up the cam to achieve the numbers you want especially with stock heads. The better the heads the less on the cam you can go and still make 400rwhp. If funds permit, I would just do a G5X3 112 and some decent heads with the above listed and you should be way over 400rwhp. You'll get tired and want more. Good luck!

 

Heads and LS6 mani really arent in the budget... :-/ im shooting for 390-410 without having a potato potato potato potato idle

 

still hoping for some cam advice

 

If you want a smooth idle you should probably just get an LS6 cam. You should be able to find one pretty cheap on here. Super chargers and Nitrous are also good ways to make hp without breaking the bank and you'll still have a smooth idle.

 

With a good tune, you can go pretty aggressive with the cam and still enjoy driving the car. I have a 228/228/112 with 585 lift, that I took out of the car and replaced with a 232/236/114 with 600 lift. Both cams function and drive very well. I replaced the entire motor with the new cam, got it re-tuned and the car functions relative to normal when daily driving under normal conditions. When I get on the gas...look out. She goes like a bat out of hell.

I personally wouldn't go smaller than a 228/228. If you are thinking "mild" cam, you are going to wish you went bigger. IMHO.

 

Drivability is all in the tune. Only draw back to bigger cams is you start running into piston to valve clearence issues. 232-236 is about the limit without flycutting the pistons.

 

Just had Straightline Performance put in a Comp Cam 233/239 113 lsa w/.595/.605 lift. At the same time they installed underpulley, vararam, Dynatech headers, Corsa Catback's, 3600 Yank converter and 3:73 gears in the rearend (went from 2:73's)

Mustang Dyno (that is stingy) - 310 rwhp before mod's, 385 rwhp after mod's with I believe around 365 rwtp (can't remember the torque before).

With a Dynojet dyno mine will make a little over 400 rwhp. You having an M6 transmission, you should make 400 rwhp on a Mustang. and I'll bet 415 on Dynojet.

 

did they upgrade your springs/valves/etc when they put in that cam?