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7 1/2k budget?

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Old Aug 3, 2011 | 04:32 PM
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Default 7 1/2k budget?

Sometime next summer I plan to put myself on a 7 1/2k budget and do what ever I want to the vette. My original plans were a supercharger and torque converter, but after talking to some buddies, I'm not sure if I really want to put a supercharger on a %100 stock ls1 anymore. Anyways, My question to you, is what would you do? Whats the best way to squeeze power out of the ls1 besides a supercharger for 7.5k? Head/cam package? If so which one? Btw, I'm not into N2O.
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Old Aug 3, 2011 | 04:36 PM
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You didn't say what you're trying to get out of it. Drag Racing? Track days? Show car? Number one bang for the buck will always be rear end gearing in my opinion. As long as you aren't going for top speed records!
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Old Aug 3, 2011 | 04:41 PM
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Actually a lot of owners here (if they can resist) honestly do procharger setups on stock motors and run them like that for years. How many miles does your motor have? You may be suprised how long 500hp through your car will last. If you have a mechanical side Id say maybe look into UPP's Twin turbo kit for around 5.5k(steal of a deal for a TT)
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Old Aug 3, 2011 | 04:41 PM
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Originally Posted by espz06
You didn't say what you're trying to get out of it. Drag Racing? Track days? Show car? Number one bang for the buck will always be rear end gearing in my opinion. As long as you aren't going for top speed records!
Guess I kinda rushed this post, sorry . I plan on more of a drag racing setup, the car is a 97' LS1

Btw, it all started with me getting my *** handed to me by a built 2010 Camaro (about 480rwhp). Ive ridden in the car, and if I got the vette to feel even close to how the Camaro felt that would be great...but to be faster....would be awesome...
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Old Aug 3, 2011 | 04:42 PM
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Originally Posted by powerjunky
Actually a lot of owners here (if they can resist) honestly do procharger setups on stock motors and run them like that for years. How many miles does your motor have? You may be suprised how long 500hp through your car will last. If you have a mechanical side Id say maybe look into UPP's Twin turbo kit for around 5.5k(steal of a deal for a TT)
My car just turned 100k
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Old Aug 3, 2011 | 04:46 PM
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Originally Posted by C4 Monster
My car just turned 100k
How much of drag racing are we talking here then? lol
Stripping the car for weight reduction? Racing button clutches?Roll bar inside? Skinnies up front? depends how serious your into it. I wouldnt go all out for a couple times at a track.

Honestly if I was in your position Id go FI, and buy a drag pack.
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Old Aug 3, 2011 | 04:47 PM
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Originally Posted by C4 Monster
Sometime next summer I plan to put myself on a 7 1/2k budget and do what ever I want to the vette. My original plans were a supercharger and torque converter, but after talking to some buddies, I'm not sure if I really want to put a supercharger on a %100 stock ls1 anymore. Anyways, My question to you, is what would you do? Whats the best way to squeeze power out of the ls1 besides a supercharger for 7.5k? Head/cam package? If so which one? Btw, I'm not into N2O.
I wanted to do it once, not wait for things to break. Here are my costs turning my own wrenches:

A&A 10psi Supercharger kit (4 years ago) - $5400
Fuel pressure/boost gauge & pod - $200
RPM Differential upgrade - $2100
Clutch/flywheel upgrade - $850
2001+ intake - $350
Hardened pushrods - $120
Double valve springs - $260
Vented catch can - $60
Tune - $450
Drag radials - $550
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Old Aug 3, 2011 | 04:51 PM
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Lucky did you add a cam to? may wanna factor that in. reason I ask is cause you upgraded your valvetrain.

That all adds up to:
$10340

Holy crap haha
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Old Aug 3, 2011 | 04:54 PM
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Originally Posted by lucky131969
I wanted to do it once, not wait for things to break. Here are my costs turning my own wrenches:

A&A 10psi Supercharger kit (4 years ago) - $5400
Fuel pressure/boost gauge & pod - $200
RPM Differential upgrade - $2100
Clutch/flywheel upgrade - $850
2001+ intake - $350
Hardened pushrods - $120
Double valve springs - $260
Vented catch can - $60
Tune - $450
Drag radials - $550
Thats not terrible. I might reconsider. My original plan was a supercharger, cam kit (with larger springs and better push rods), and a larger torque converter. Maybe Ill look into picking up some of these parts used.
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Old Aug 3, 2011 | 04:57 PM
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A guy had a complete procharger kit in the box for $4500. Pretty sure it was new too. Might wanna check out the for-sale forums. I stay away now hahahah
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Old Aug 3, 2011 | 04:57 PM
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Originally Posted by powerjunky
Lucky did you add a cam to? may wanna factor that in. reason I ask is cause you upgraded your valvetrain.

That all adds up to:
$10340

Holy crap haha
Just saw that. I probably would go with the stalk drive train (temporary) because the car wouldn't see over 550rwhp (also temporarily). Id like to work my way into all the power vs just hoping into a 700rwhp car.
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Old Aug 3, 2011 | 04:57 PM
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Originally Posted by powerjunky
Lucky did you add a cam to? may wanna factor that in. reason I ask is cause you upgraded your valvetrain.

That all adds up to:
$10340

Holy crap haha
Nope, stock cam for now..but I had the rev limiter raised a bit. A larger cam, is not the only reason to have a stable valvetrain.
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Old Aug 3, 2011 | 04:59 PM
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Originally Posted by C4 Monster
Just saw that. I probably would go with the stalk drive train (temporary) because the car wouldn't see over 550rwhp (also temporarily). Id like to work my way into all the power vs just hoping into a 700rwhp car.
Good luck with that on a 100k drivetrain. Having an automatic helps the differential....but don't count on that tranny holding up long.
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Old Aug 3, 2011 | 05:03 PM
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Most Forced Induction setups (SC or turbo(s)) will eat that budget up quickly. A C6Z06 will get you 500+hp normally aspirated. The 97' didn't have a very "tunable" PCM compared to the later models. Save your money for another car.
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Old Aug 3, 2011 | 05:05 PM
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Originally Posted by lucky131969
Nope, stock cam for now..but I had the rev limiter raised a bit. A larger cam, is not the only reason to have a stable valvetrain.
True indeed.

Originally Posted by lucky131969
Good luck with that on a 100k drivetrain. Having an automatic helps the differential....but don't count on that tranny holding up long.
You may want to rethink engine options if your already planing on being that high. I was in the same boat thinking whether to forge my LS1 or step up to and LS2. I found that for high boost Iron block is better. So when the time comes I'll actually go with a forged 408 LQ9 shortblock from TSP for only about 4k.
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Old Aug 3, 2011 | 05:06 PM
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Originally Posted by dougbfresh
A C6Z06 will get you 500+hp normally aspirated.
....at the flywheel....
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Old Aug 3, 2011 | 05:10 PM
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Originally Posted by lucky131969
....at the flywheel....
That's still 150 more than he has NOW!
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Old Aug 3, 2011 | 05:13 PM
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Originally Posted by lucky131969
Good luck with that on a 100k drivetrain. Having an automatic helps the differential....but don't count on that tranny holding up long.
So you don't think the stock drivetrain will hold up to 500-550rwhp? Not trying to sound like a smartass, just asking.
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Old Aug 3, 2011 | 05:21 PM
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Originally Posted by dougbfresh
That's still 150 more than he has NOW!
So your suggesting completely changing cars? One that sells for about 40-50k? ...for that extra 150?..even the supercahrged installed by a shop makes more sense than that...

Originally Posted by C4 Monster
So you don't think the stock drivetrain will hold up to 500-550rwhp? Not trying to sound like a smartass, just asking.
It will but its just for added security. If you want your drivetrain built,and dont want your bank emptied in doing so, Contact Rick Kim
(RKT56.com) He's the only person Ill have touch my car. I do everything else myself.
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Old Aug 3, 2011 | 05:29 PM
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Originally Posted by C4 Monster
Guess I kinda rushed this post, sorry . I plan on more of a drag racing setup, the car is a 97' LS1

Btw, it all started with me getting my *** handed to me by a built 2010 Camaro (about 480rwhp). Ive ridden in the car, and if I got the vette to feel even close to how the Camaro felt that would be great...but to be faster....would be awesome...
Would take your car only about 410-420 rwhp to feel like the camaro. This can be had for MUCH less than 7.5k.
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