H-C versus F-I
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From: Machineguns, because I don’t compromise
No, you've "betterized" it. 
I knew those numbers were stout... I've seen an f-body cracking 500rwhp with a 346 and that car had everything including the kitchen sink thrown in.. electric water pump, the best parts, no ac belt, etc
Now, back to business.... compare the cost of a 402 HCI and supporting mods to a standard ECS or A&A kit on a 346 with close to the same power.
I knew those numbers were stout... I've seen an f-body cracking 500rwhp with a 346 and that car had everything including the kitchen sink thrown in.. electric water pump, the best parts, no ac belt, etc
Now, back to business.... compare the cost of a 402 HCI and supporting mods to a standard ECS or A&A kit on a 346 with close to the same power.
Race Director
Joined: Sep 2005
Posts: 11,060
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From: Pasco WA
George, the poster that said 470/400 was talking about 346s. You went the stroker route, and that's great, but apples/oranges, etc. FWIW, my H/C with 228-232 cam, and about every bolt-on did 483/432, and had a tremendous TQ band, and here I am, installing an A&A Vortech kit. Baby steps, men, to no particular goal, just having fun modding a remarkably moddable car.
Melting Slicks
Joined: Apr 2003
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From: NS
What about tuning? I always wondered how you would tune a FI car since the stock computer is not expecting to see > 1.0 atmosphere of pressure? Obviously it can be done but do the FI suppliers also supply a base tune?
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Joined: Aug 2004
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From: Winston-Salem North Carolina
St. Jude Donor '08-'09
No, you've "betterized" it.
I knew those numbers were stout... I've seen an f-body cracking 500rwhp with a 346 and that car had everything including the kitchen sink thrown in.. electric water pump, the best parts, no ac belt, etc
Now, back to business.... compare the cost of a 402 HCI and supporting mods to a standard ECS or A&A kit on a 346 with close to the same power.
I knew those numbers were stout... I've seen an f-body cracking 500rwhp with a 346 and that car had everything including the kitchen sink thrown in.. electric water pump, the best parts, no ac belt, etc
Now, back to business.... compare the cost of a 402 HCI and supporting mods to a standard ECS or A&A kit on a 346 with close to the same power.
George, the poster that said 470/400 was talking about 346s. You went the stroker route, and that's great, but apples/oranges, etc. FWIW, my H/C with 228-232 cam, and about every bolt-on did 483/432, and had a tremendous TQ band, and here I am, installing an A&A Vortech kit. Baby steps, men, to no particular goal, just having fun modding a remarkably moddable car.
with both of you. The only thing I was referencing was the low tq of NA, thats all. The cost of FI compare to NA resulting in the same HP/TQ on each car, the win goes to FI every time as far as cost factor.
Le Mans Master
Joined: Apr 2005
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From: Scarborough ONTARIO
Yep FI is the way to go, but 2 problems boost is addictive and cylinder presure too much, again if you had to sell the car than its tough to sell boosted car specially if you install on stock bottom end, if you want to keep the car for long than FI is the waay to go.
Cost wise they costing same, but again boost is addictive, you wanna install meth alcohol and there you go another 500-1000 bucks and more HP, after sometime belt slip problems oh ok than cartek flip drive another 1000, oh no belt slip now so i can install smaller pulley and get another couple more boost since i have now flip drive so no belt slip, ,,....after some time you get tired of 600-700 HP and your buddies in FI forging theier bottom end and turning boost to 14 psi making 700-800 Rwhp, than you need new triple disk clutch than differential....so on....never ends.
I love to go SC route but afraid i might get addictive which most likely will happen and the rest you all know forging bottom end an dturning up boost.
If you have patience and dont get greedy than SC is the way to go.
Cost wise they costing same, but again boost is addictive, you wanna install meth alcohol and there you go another 500-1000 bucks and more HP, after sometime belt slip problems oh ok than cartek flip drive another 1000, oh no belt slip now so i can install smaller pulley and get another couple more boost since i have now flip drive so no belt slip, ,,....after some time you get tired of 600-700 HP and your buddies in FI forging theier bottom end and turning boost to 14 psi making 700-800 Rwhp, than you need new triple disk clutch than differential....so on....never ends.
I love to go SC route but afraid i might get addictive which most likely will happen and the rest you all know forging bottom end an dturning up boost.
If you have patience and dont get greedy than SC is the way to go.
Instructor
Joined: Sep 2008
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From: the woodlands tx
Just got an AA supercharger installed by England Green on my 2003 z06. Have to say the torque is insane and once you hit boost, the car is a beast. Car put down 572rwhp/500+ torque first pull. Have 1 7/8 arh headers to go with. I love the sound of a mean cam, but had to go this route due to the bang for buck factor. Stock clutch is history after a 2nd to 3rd gear pull (sticks to floor). So...figure sc cost plus install and clutch if you really want the 'total' sc package.
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From: Machineguns, because I don’t compromise
The bands get toasted. Tuning (of the transmission using hptuners) can help, but a built stocker will be needed soon enough... And once the boost addiction grows stronger, a different transmission choice (swap) is needed. What that is depends on what you're planning (powerglide for the strip, etc) to do with the car.
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From: Central Jersey
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Joined: Sep 2005
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From: Pasco WA
Just got an AA supercharger installed by England Green on my 2003 z06. Have to say the torque is insane and once you hit boost, the car is a beast. Car put down 572rwhp/500+ torque first pull. Have 1 7/8 arh headers to go with. I love the sound of a mean cam, but had to go this route due to the bang for buck factor. Stock clutch is history after a 2nd to 3rd gear pull (sticks to floor). So...figure sc cost plus install and clutch if you really want the 'total' sc package.
Tech Contributor
Joined: Jan 2007
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From: Dyer, IN
Just got an AA supercharger installed by England Green on my 2003 z06. Have to say the torque is insane and once you hit boost, the car is a beast. Car put down 572rwhp/500+ torque first pull. Have 1 7/8 arh headers to go with. I love the sound of a mean cam, but had to go this route due to the bang for buck factor. Stock clutch is history after a 2nd to 3rd gear pull (sticks to floor). So...figure sc cost plus install and clutch if you really want the 'total' sc package.
Le Mans Master
Joined: Nov 2003
Posts: 8,004
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From: Tampa Fl
St. Jude Donor '12-'13-'14
Im in the same boat. I really love the way my car sounds and shakes at a light. That's half the fun, but Im seeing FI cars putting down crazy TQ numbers, and that's where the fun is.
When I do it over again, Ill do FI for the power, and a small cam on a tight LSA to give me the sound Ive come to love.
With FI, you lose no drivabilty.
When I do it over again, Ill do FI for the power, and a small cam on a tight LSA to give me the sound Ive come to love.
With FI, you lose no drivabilty.
Melting Slicks
Joined: Mar 2004
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From: Farmers Branch TX
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St. Jude Donor '09
FI is amazing. I had a cam only car, which was fun, but had to really wind it out to get into the power band. With the blower and a big blower cam, I was able to get all the power/torque, and still have that sound that I enjoy.
Stock bottom 346 with cam/headers/A&A Vortec kit.
Stock bottom 346 with cam/headers/A&A Vortec kit.
Team Owner
Joined: Mar 1999
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From: San Jose/Bear Valley CA
CA Events Coordinator
If you have the money go all out and do the built motor with the F/I setup. 
New block, heads, cam, upgrade every part with better than stock! You will have a car that will make you forget everything else going on in your life everytime you get behind the wheel. 
Kinda like a mini vacation anytime you want. 
For me 717 RWHP is just right.
Best of luck to you with your future mod choices.
New block, heads, cam, upgrade every part with better than stock! You will have a car that will make you forget everything else going on in your life everytime you get behind the wheel. Kinda like a mini vacation anytime you want. For me 717 RWHP is just right.
Best of luck to you with your future mod choices.
Thread Starter
Racer
Joined: Feb 2005
Posts: 436
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From: Gatineau Quebec
Thanks for your replies...although I was expecting more from the H C GUYS.
As I stated in my post.. Why more HC versus FI well it appears that FI is the way to go if you have a stock car $ wise.
Many like me have invested in gear , TC, etc...so to do FI is not the best $ value at this time.
Altough FI appears and does give mutch more HP per $ how does it fare in low RPM when most of us only punch on it from corner to corner, and occasionnaly go to the strip.
Well I will go ahead whit my HC ,as I have all the parts and since I have a small cam 224/228 I will consider moving up to a FI system once I get to the track and get into the high 11th as it it my goal at this time. I'll probably whant to go low 11th.
That said I certenly do not whant to toast my A4 so Ill probably stick to my setup and enjoy the corner to corner low end torque
Many thanks Lucien
As I stated in my post.. Why more HC versus FI well it appears that FI is the way to go if you have a stock car $ wise.
Many like me have invested in gear , TC, etc...so to do FI is not the best $ value at this time.
Altough FI appears and does give mutch more HP per $ how does it fare in low RPM when most of us only punch on it from corner to corner, and occasionnaly go to the strip.
Well I will go ahead whit my HC ,as I have all the parts and since I have a small cam 224/228 I will consider moving up to a FI system once I get to the track and get into the high 11th as it it my goal at this time. I'll probably whant to go low 11th.
That said I certenly do not whant to toast my A4 so Ill probably stick to my setup and enjoy the corner to corner low end torque
Many thanks Lucien
