C5 Tech Corvette Tech/Performance: LS1 Corvette Technical Info, Internal Engine, External Engine, Tech Topics, Basic Tech, Maintenance, How to Remove & Replace
Sponsored by:
Sponsored by:

LS1- I need more power, HELP!

Thread Tools
 
Search this Thread
 
Old Jul 20, 2014 | 06:44 PM
  #1  
charger21's Avatar
charger21
Thread Starter
Burning Brakes
15 Year Member
Liked
Loved
Top Answer: 1
 
Joined: Jul 2008
Posts: 1,047
Likes: 143
From: Bellevue Ky.
2020 C5 of the Year Finalist - Modified
C5 of Year Finalist (track prepared) 2019
Default LS1- I need more power, HELP!

Thinking of getting the parts together for a LS1 horsepower upgrade. I work for GM parts, so I want as many GM parts as I can get because of my discount Thinking of LS7 cam, LS6 heads, and I already have LS6 intake. Car already has LT's, Blackwing intake, and Corsa exhaust. As far as non-GM parts, I am thinking Katech chain, and ATI damper. How does this combo sound? I will also have it tuned. My goal is around 400-430rwhp. Any opinions?
Reply
Old Jul 20, 2014 | 07:49 PM
  #2  
DIXZ's Avatar
DIXZ
Burning Brakes
15 Year Member
 
Joined: Nov 2006
Posts: 989
Likes: 8
From: Chino Ca.
Default

If you work for GM Parts why not go with a LS3 crate motor or and LS7?
Reply
Old Jul 20, 2014 | 07:53 PM
  #3  
racebum's Avatar
racebum
Race Director
15 Year Member
Conversation Starter
All Eyes On Me
 
Joined: Jan 2008
Posts: 16,028
Likes: 170
From: oregon
Default

ls6 heads and the GM LS hotcam, has been an easy 390-400whp combo with headers, a good air intake and the ls6 intake manifold for over a decade

this makes a really cheap combo as you don't have to change valve springs, pushrods or do anything custom

i'm not aware of any GM cam that will get you to 430hp but it could easily be done with something from texas speed or the like. most the GM cams have tame valve lift and ramp rates. great for road racing and mileage, but not for milking every last hp

Last edited by racebum; Jul 20, 2014 at 08:15 PM.
Reply
Old Jul 20, 2014 | 07:57 PM
  #4  
charger21's Avatar
charger21
Thread Starter
Burning Brakes
15 Year Member
Liked
Loved
Top Answer: 1
 
Joined: Jul 2008
Posts: 1,047
Likes: 143
From: Bellevue Ky.
2020 C5 of the Year Finalist - Modified
C5 of Year Finalist (track prepared) 2019
Default

Originally Posted by DIXZ
If you work for GM Parts why not go with a LS3 crate motor or and LS7?
Because THOUSANDS!! more:-)
Reply
Old Jul 20, 2014 | 08:03 PM
  #5  
martysauto's Avatar
martysauto
Drifting
10 Year Member
 
Joined: Sep 2009
Posts: 1,719
Likes: 4
From: cinnaminson n.j.
St. Jude Donor '14
Default

Ls3 heads r cheap and flow great, used with the ls3 intake and 90 mm tb and a good aftermarket cam you will easily hit your goals.
Reply
Old Jul 20, 2014 | 08:14 PM
  #6  
racebum's Avatar
racebum
Race Director
15 Year Member
Conversation Starter
All Eyes On Me
 
Joined: Jan 2008
Posts: 16,028
Likes: 170
From: oregon
Default

Originally Posted by martysauto
Ls3 heads r cheap and flow great, used with the ls3 intake and 90 mm tb and a good aftermarket cam you will easily hit your goals.
i didn't think those fit the ls1 bore spacing?
Reply
Old Jul 20, 2014 | 08:59 PM
  #7  
martysauto's Avatar
martysauto
Drifting
10 Year Member
 
Joined: Sep 2009
Posts: 1,719
Likes: 4
From: cinnaminson n.j.
St. Jude Donor '14
Default

Originally Posted by racebum
i didn't think those fit the ls1 bore spacing?
Sorry, brainfart I was thinking of the 4.0+ bore. I have been thinking of going with a 408 in my next build.
Reply
Old Jul 21, 2014 | 11:57 AM
  #8  
charger21's Avatar
charger21
Thread Starter
Burning Brakes
15 Year Member
Liked
Loved
Top Answer: 1
 
Joined: Jul 2008
Posts: 1,047
Likes: 143
From: Bellevue Ky.
2020 C5 of the Year Finalist - Modified
C5 of Year Finalist (track prepared) 2019
Default

Anyone else?
Reply
Corvette Stories

The Best of Corvette for Corvette Enthusiasts

story-0

10 Ugly Corvettes That We Still Kinda Love

 Joe Kucinski
story-1

Top 10 Most Expensive Corvettes Ever Sold on Bring A Trailer

 Brett Foote
story-2

10 Things Every Corvette Owner Needs (2026 Edition)

 Michael S. Palmer
story-3

8 Most "Only Corvette Owners Understand" Quirks and Problems

 Pouria Savadkouei
story-4

10 Reasons the C6 Z06 is Still A Performance Benchmark After 20 Years

 Joe Kucinski
story-5

How Much Horsepower Every Corvette Engine "LOST" in 1972

 Joe Kucinski
story-6

Top 10 DOs and DON'Ts for Protecting Your Convertible Top!

 Michael S. Palmer
story-7

Top 10 Most Explosive Corvettes Ever Made: Power-to-Weight Ratio Ranked!

 Joe Kucinski
story-8

150 hp to 1,250 hp: Every Corvette Generation Compared by the Specs That Matter

 Joe Kucinski
story-9

8 Coolest Corvette Pace Cars (and Replicas) of All Time

 Verdad Gallardo
Old Jul 21, 2014 | 12:28 PM
  #9  
NukeC5's Avatar
NukeC5
Melting Slicks
 
Joined: Jun 2012
Posts: 3,163
Likes: 6
From: Oceanside California
Default

Everything sound good for your goal. Head porting would get you to the higher end of your goal. But thats obviously not a GM offered service.
Reply
Old Jul 21, 2014 | 02:50 PM
  #10  
alxltd1's Avatar
alxltd1
Melting Slicks
10 Year Member
 
Joined: Mar 2009
Posts: 2,300
Likes: 115
From: Odessa FL
St. Jude Donor '10-'12-'13-'14-'15-'16-'17
Default

Are you ruling out a Nitrous kit?
Reply
Old Jul 21, 2014 | 03:45 PM
  #11  
charger21's Avatar
charger21
Thread Starter
Burning Brakes
15 Year Member
Liked
Loved
Top Answer: 1
 
Joined: Jul 2008
Posts: 1,047
Likes: 143
From: Bellevue Ky.
2020 C5 of the Year Finalist - Modified
C5 of Year Finalist (track prepared) 2019
Default

Originally Posted by alxltd1
Are you ruling out a Nitrous kit?
Yes
Reply
Old Jul 21, 2014 | 04:02 PM
  #12  
Bill Curlee's Avatar
Bill Curlee
Tech Contributor
Supporting Lifetime Gold
Veteran: Navy
25 Year Member
Liked
Community Favorite
 
Joined: Dec 1999
Posts: 32,910
Likes: 2,402
From: Anthony TX
CI 6,7,8,9,11 Vet
St. Jude Donor '08
Default

Originally Posted by charger21
Thinking of getting the parts together for a LS1 horsepower upgrade. I work for GM parts, so I want as many GM parts as I can get because of my discount Thinking of LS7 cam, LS6 heads, and I already have LS6 intake. Car already has LT's, Blackwing intake, and Corsa exhaust. As far as non-GM parts, I am thinking Katech chain, and ATI damper. How does this combo sound? I will also have it tuned. My goal is around 400-430rwhp. Any opinions?




QUOTE!

"My goal is around 400-430rwhp"


Stock GM Cam of any LS engine isn’t going to get you to the higher end of your goals! Best source out an aftermarket cam! The LS6 heads will get you a little boost in compression and flow a little better, You will need some porting.

Some recommendations if you’re doing a cam swap regardless of which cam you use:

- Purchase new LIFTERS LS7 lifters are a good upgrade
- New Melling high volume oil pump
- New Lifter buckets!
- New Comp Cam rocker trunions
- New pushrods (properly measured with a pushrod checker
- MANDITORY New Valve springs
- New valve guide seals
- New /used 36 lb/hr injectors

Please consider using:

- ARP Head Studs. Much improved over the torque to yield OEM Bolts that are mandatory replacement parts.
- ARP Damper Bolt

Have you considered LT SS Headers? The exhaust system will be the choke point after you do all the other up-grades.

If you have a MN6 you may need a new clutch after you add that power.

If you have an automatic, you will need a higher stall speed converter.

Bill
Reply
Old Jul 21, 2014 | 04:30 PM
  #13  
StingrayRebel's Avatar
StingrayRebel
Acct Suspended APR 2026 by request
 
Joined: Dec 2010
Posts: 10,367
Likes: 1,272
2020 Corvette of the Year Finalist (performance mods)
C5 of Year Winner (performance mods) 2019
Default

what kind of budget do you have?... I agree with bill on an aftermarket cam, I would not go through all the trouble of swapping a cam just to put in a factory cam... I would spend a little more for a better cam with supporting mods... even with a mild cam, ls6 heads, and your current setup you can easily hit 420-430rwhp
Reply

Get notified of new replies

To LS1- I need more power, HELP!





All times are GMT -4. The time now is 06:12 AM.

story-0
10 Ugly Corvettes That We Still Kinda Love

Slideshow: 10 ugly Corvettes that we still kinda love.

By Joe Kucinski | 2026-06-03 10:34:17


VIEW MORE
story-1
Top 10 Most Expensive Corvettes Ever Sold on Bring A Trailer

A lot of money has changed hands at the online auction house over the years.

By Brett Foote | 2026-06-03 10:21:50


VIEW MORE
story-2
10 Things Every Corvette Owner Needs (2026 Edition)

Slideshow: 10 great gifts Corvette enthusiasts actually want for Father's Day!

By Michael S. Palmer | 2026-06-03 15:43:40


VIEW MORE
story-3
8 Most "Only Corvette Owners Understand" Quirks and Problems

Slideshow: These are the quirks, annoyances, and oddly lovable problems that every Corvette owner eventually learns to live with.

By Pouria Savadkouei | 2026-05-28 09:31:39


VIEW MORE
story-4
10 Reasons the C6 Z06 is Still A Performance Benchmark After 20 Years

Slideshow: 10 reasons why the C6 Z06 is still a performance benchmark after 20 years.

By Joe Kucinski | 2026-05-27 17:20:09


VIEW MORE
story-5
How Much Horsepower Every Corvette Engine "LOST" in 1972

Slideshow: How much horsepower every Corvette engine lost in 1972.

By Joe Kucinski | 2026-05-27 16:54:53


VIEW MORE
story-6
Top 10 DOs and DON'Ts for Protecting Your Convertible Top!

Slideshow: How to Protect A Convertible Top: 10 DOs & DON'Ts

By Michael S. Palmer | 2026-04-03 00:00:00


VIEW MORE
story-7
Top 10 Most Explosive Corvettes Ever Made: Power-to-Weight Ratio Ranked!

Slideshow: The 10 most explosive Corvettes ever built based on power-to-weight ratio.

By Joe Kucinski | 2026-05-20 07:23:03


VIEW MORE
story-8
150 hp to 1,250 hp: Every Corvette Generation Compared by the Specs That Matter

Slideshow: From C1 to C8 we compare every Corvette generation by the numbers.

By Joe Kucinski | 2026-05-12 16:54:12


VIEW MORE
story-9
8 Coolest Corvette Pace Cars (and Replicas) of All Time

Slideshow: Some Corvette pace cars became collectible legends, while others perfectly captured the look and attitude of their era.

By Verdad Gallardo | 2026-05-11 09:50:51


VIEW MORE