H-C versus F-I
Thread Starter
Racer
Joined: Feb 2005
Posts: 436
Likes: 1
From: Gatineau Quebec
H-C versus F-I
Although I'm getting ready to do H-C , my question is why is it that so many... apperently do H-C versus F-I ?
Aside from being emission friendly and getting so much more HP on stock motors as advertised by the companies who sells " F I " these systems, they would appear to be better cost wise over HC for more HP's
I'm just looking for opinions here as Im going ahead whit my HC ...if FI were that great many of the GURU's on this forum who are on ther 2nd and 3rd HC they would change to FI system.
I like to think that its the low end torque and the loopy cam sound that you get from HC.
But I can also sell all my parts and go whit F I.
Thanks for your input.
Aside from being emission friendly and getting so much more HP on stock motors as advertised by the companies who sells " F I " these systems, they would appear to be better cost wise over HC for more HP's
I'm just looking for opinions here as Im going ahead whit my HC ...if FI were that great many of the GURU's on this forum who are on ther 2nd and 3rd HC they would change to FI system.
I like to think that its the low end torque and the loopy cam sound that you get from HC.
But I can also sell all my parts and go whit F I.
Thanks for your input.
Safety Car
Joined: May 2006
Posts: 3,799
Likes: 1
From: Northern Virginia
St. Jude Donor '08
I think it all depends on what your goals are. A lot of people who road race go with H/C because it's more reliable and big power is not nearly as important as other factors.
Most of the FI systems will give you a 40 to 50% increase in rwhp. So if your car is producing 300 rwhp a SC will boost you to 450rwhp, with no other mods. If you throw in a blower cam, some headers, and exhaust you will put out even more power. However, to handle that increase in power requires at a minimum a much better clutch. Better, more stickier tires will also be needed unless you like spinning your tires all the time.
With heads and cam you can go from mild to wild. If you just want a moderate boost in power you can add a better cam such as a TSP 224 and some decent heads like LS6 Patriots and easily gain 75 rwhp. You will also need headers, exhaust, etc.
It really depends on what you want. The most cost effective way to go if you want a big HP increase hands down is the SC route. Another benefit is that until you get into boost the car retains its stock driving manners.
Most of the FI systems will give you a 40 to 50% increase in rwhp. So if your car is producing 300 rwhp a SC will boost you to 450rwhp, with no other mods. If you throw in a blower cam, some headers, and exhaust you will put out even more power. However, to handle that increase in power requires at a minimum a much better clutch. Better, more stickier tires will also be needed unless you like spinning your tires all the time.
With heads and cam you can go from mild to wild. If you just want a moderate boost in power you can add a better cam such as a TSP 224 and some decent heads like LS6 Patriots and easily gain 75 rwhp. You will also need headers, exhaust, etc.
It really depends on what you want. The most cost effective way to go if you want a big HP increase hands down is the SC route. Another benefit is that until you get into boost the car retains its stock driving manners.
Banned Scam/Spammer
Joined: May 2007
Posts: 15,685
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From: Machineguns, because I don’t compromise
$.02
FI gives you a mountain of torque to match the high hp numbers.
Compared to H/C cars with 470rwhp and barely over 400tq you can see why some people swear by boost. (I do)
I've had both, and forced induction is worth the extra expense although today it's a lot cheaper to get boosted...
Buying AFR heads for $2400 + cam + gaskets + pulley + headers compared to buying a used (great condition) blower for $3800 (or less) seems like the n/a isn't a good choice.
Rough cam sounds are intoxicating, but you can still use an agressive LSA on blown applications. There was a guy on ls1tech using a TRex cam and a Procharger and made just over 700 rwhp (and torque to match) on a stock bottom end with nice heads and moderate boost. Sure he could get a bit more with a specific blower cam, but the lumpy cam still worked fine.
Hell, I had a 112 LSA cam on my last twin turbo ls1 and it did a great job.
All I'm getting at is that you can do so much with FI, and with the low cost these days it's a no brainer IMO.
Compared to H/C cars with 470rwhp and barely over 400tq you can see why some people swear by boost. (I do)
I've had both, and forced induction is worth the extra expense although today it's a lot cheaper to get boosted...
Buying AFR heads for $2400 + cam + gaskets + pulley + headers compared to buying a used (great condition) blower for $3800 (or less) seems like the n/a isn't a good choice.
Rough cam sounds are intoxicating, but you can still use an agressive LSA on blown applications. There was a guy on ls1tech using a TRex cam and a Procharger and made just over 700 rwhp (and torque to match) on a stock bottom end with nice heads and moderate boost. Sure he could get a bit more with a specific blower cam, but the lumpy cam still worked fine.
Hell, I had a 112 LSA cam on my last twin turbo ls1 and it did a great job.
All I'm getting at is that you can do so much with FI, and with the low cost these days it's a no brainer IMO.
Drifting
Joined: Oct 2006
Posts: 1,947
Likes: 8
From: Redwood City CA
If I were to do it all again, I'd go FI. FI gives you a mountain of torque to match the high hp numbers.
Compared to H/C cars with 470rwhp and barely over 400tq you can see why some people swear by boost. (I do)
I've had both, and forced induction is worth the extra expense although today it's a lot cheaper to get boosted...
Buying AFR heads for $2400 + cam + gaskets + pulley + headers compared to buying a used (great condition) blower for $3800 (or less) seems like the n/a isn't a good choice.
Rough cam sounds are intoxicating, but you can still use an agressive LSA on blown applications. There was a guy on ls1tech using a TRex cam and a Procharger and made just over 700 rwhp (and torque to match) on a stock bottom end with nice heads and moderate boost. Sure he could get a bit more with a specific blower cam, but the lumpy cam still worked fine.
Hell, I had a 112 LSA cam on my last twin turbo ls1 and it did a great job.
All I'm getting at is that you can do so much with FI, and with the low cost these days it's a no brainer IMO.
Compared to H/C cars with 470rwhp and barely over 400tq you can see why some people swear by boost. (I do)
I've had both, and forced induction is worth the extra expense although today it's a lot cheaper to get boosted...
Buying AFR heads for $2400 + cam + gaskets + pulley + headers compared to buying a used (great condition) blower fo
r $3800 (or less) seems like the n/a isn't a good choice. Rough cam sounds are intoxicating, but you can still use an agressive LSA on blown applications. There was a guy on ls1tech using a TRex cam and a Procharger and made just over 700 rwhp (and torque to match) on a stock bottom end with nice heads and moderate boost. Sure he could get a bit more with a specific blower cam, but the lumpy cam still worked fine.
Hell, I had a 112 LSA cam on my last twin turbo ls1 and it did a great job.
All I'm getting at is that you can do so much with FI, and with the low cost these days it's a no brainer IMO.
Team Owner
Joined: Jul 2004
Posts: 24,652
Likes: 298
From: NJ
St. Jude Donor '05-'08
I hear this from plenty of people everyday. Many think old school H/C package, but when they actually get in a FI car they love the fact it can be tame when you want or down right nasty.
My next street car will be FI, but I am keeping the H/C for the track.
My next street car will be FI, but I am keeping the H/C for the track.
Team Owner
Joined: Jul 2004
Posts: 24,652
Likes: 298
From: NJ
St. Jude Donor '05-'08
I would agree though that H/C is the better choice for RR and you do not need power to be fast. You need seat time and plenty of it.
Tech Contributor
Joined: Jan 2007
Posts: 19,471
Likes: 1,171
From: Dyer, IN
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Drifting
Joined: Jan 2010
Posts: 1,447
Likes: 1
From: Katy TX
FI gives you a mountain of torque to match the high hp numbers.
Compared to H/C cars with 470rwhp and barely over 400tq you can see why some people swear by boost. (I do)
I've had both, and forced induction is worth the extra expense although today it's a lot cheaper to get boosted...
Buying AFR heads for $2400 + cam + gaskets + pulley + headers compared to buying a used (great condition) blower for $3800 (or less) seems like the n/a isn't a good choice.
Rough cam sounds are intoxicating, but you can still use an agressive LSA on blown applications. There was a guy on ls1tech using a TRex cam and a Procharger and made just over 700 rwhp (and torque to match) on a stock bottom end with nice heads and moderate boost. Sure he could get a bit more with a specific blower cam, but the lumpy cam still worked fine.
Hell, I had a 112 LSA cam on my last twin turbo ls1 and it did a great job.
All I'm getting at is that you can do so much with FI, and with the low cost these days it's a no brainer IMO.
Compared to H/C cars with 470rwhp and barely over 400tq you can see why some people swear by boost. (I do)
I've had both, and forced induction is worth the extra expense although today it's a lot cheaper to get boosted...
Buying AFR heads for $2400 + cam + gaskets + pulley + headers compared to buying a used (great condition) blower for $3800 (or less) seems like the n/a isn't a good choice.
Rough cam sounds are intoxicating, but you can still use an agressive LSA on blown applications. There was a guy on ls1tech using a TRex cam and a Procharger and made just over 700 rwhp (and torque to match) on a stock bottom end with nice heads and moderate boost. Sure he could get a bit more with a specific blower cam, but the lumpy cam still worked fine.
Hell, I had a 112 LSA cam on my last twin turbo ls1 and it did a great job.
All I'm getting at is that you can do so much with FI, and with the low cost these days it's a no brainer IMO.
H/C is much less stress and maintenance as compared to a blown setup.
Race Director
Joined: May 2004
Posts: 16,667
Likes: 1,209
From: Raleigh, NC
St. Jude Donor '15
Not much. Just change the oil on the self contained units and a whole lot of nothing on the ones that use engine oil.
I'm sure someone will have stories of going through 10 belts a week and changing the oil daily.. but it's not really like that anymore if you go with the right system.
I'm sure someone will have stories of going through 10 belts a week and changing the oil daily.. but it's not really like that anymore if you go with the right system.
Tech Contributor
Joined: Jan 2007
Posts: 19,471
Likes: 1,171
From: Dyer, IN
Not much. Just change the oil on the self contained units and a whole lot of nothing on the ones that use engine oil.
I'm sure someone will have stories of going through 10 belts a week and changing the oil daily.. but it's not really like that anymore if you go with the right system.
I'm sure someone will have stories of going through 10 belts a week and changing the oil daily.. but it's not really like that anymore if you go with the right system.
Team Owner
Joined: Jul 2004
Posts: 24,652
Likes: 298
From: NJ
St. Jude Donor '05-'08
Not much. Just change the oil on the self contained units and a whole lot of nothing on the ones that use engine oil.
I'm sure someone will have stories of going through 10 belts a week and changing the oil daily.. but it's not really like that anymore if you go with the right system.
I'm sure someone will have stories of going through 10 belts a week and changing the oil daily.. but it's not really like that anymore if you go with the right system.
We have guys beating the carp out of these cars at the 1/4 mile and they have no issues. I would have to assume that a "normal" driver would not have issues either.
Race Director
Joined: Aug 2004
Posts: 14,639
Likes: 39
From: Winston-Salem North Carolina
St. Jude Donor '08-'09
FI gives you a mountain of torque to match the high hp numbers.
Compared to H/C cars with 470rwhp and barely over 400tq you can see why some people swear by boost. (I do)
I've had both, and forced induction is worth the extra expense although today it's a lot cheaper to get boosted...
Buying AFR heads for $2400 + cam + gaskets + pulley + headers compared to buying a used (great condition) blower for $3800 (or less) seems like the n/a isn't a good choice.
Rough cam sounds are intoxicating, but you can still use an agressive LSA on blown applications. There was a guy on ls1tech using a TRex cam and a Procharger and made just over 700 rwhp (and torque to match) on a stock bottom end with nice heads and moderate boost. Sure he could get a bit more with a specific blower cam, but the lumpy cam still worked fine.
Hell, I had a 112 LSA cam on my last twin turbo ls1 and it did a great job.
All I'm getting at is that you can do so much with FI, and with the low cost these days it's a no brainer IMO.
Compared to H/C cars with 470rwhp and barely over 400tq you can see why some people swear by boost. (I do)
I've had both, and forced induction is worth the extra expense although today it's a lot cheaper to get boosted...
Buying AFR heads for $2400 + cam + gaskets + pulley + headers compared to buying a used (great condition) blower for $3800 (or less) seems like the n/a isn't a good choice.
Rough cam sounds are intoxicating, but you can still use an agressive LSA on blown applications. There was a guy on ls1tech using a TRex cam and a Procharger and made just over 700 rwhp (and torque to match) on a stock bottom end with nice heads and moderate boost. Sure he could get a bit more with a specific blower cam, but the lumpy cam still worked fine.
Hell, I had a 112 LSA cam on my last twin turbo ls1 and it did a great job.
All I'm getting at is that you can do so much with FI, and with the low cost these days it's a no brainer IMO.
Last edited by GeorgeZNJ; Feb 15, 2010 at 08:15 PM.
