Forged LS3 cost and HP
Thread Starter
Burning Brakes
Joined: Sep 2011
Posts: 942
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From: Dallas/Fort Worth TX
Forged LS3 cost and HP
Curious what kind of $$ I would be looking at for a forged LS3 and what kind of HP you can get at different price points?
Amy of you do this in stages or does it only make sense to do it all at once?
Amy of you do this in stages or does it only make sense to do it all at once?
Melting Slicks
Joined: Dec 2006
Posts: 2,186
Likes: 2
From: Woodinville WA
having forged internals won't gain you any hp in themselves and may loose a couple hp due to increased rotating mass. But increase durability and allow higher levels of boost for FI or a bigger nitrous shot to gain hp.
Melting Slicks
Joined: Oct 2000
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From: dfw Texas
Safety Car
Joined: Dec 2010
Posts: 4,150
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From: Detroit
OP there is the shortcut way or the way to do it right. Your wallet will dictate that.
Melting Slicks
Joined: Oct 2000
Posts: 3,368
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From: dfw Texas
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Le Mans Master
Joined: Aug 2007
Posts: 6,475
Likes: 297
From: Orange Park FL
I ordered a short block from them and just built and installed mine in my garage.
Good luck. You will love a Stroker Motor
Safety Car
Joined: Nov 2007
Posts: 4,436
Likes: 875
From: Bay Area CA
If you tear down the motor to replace the crank you might as well install forged pistons. How much hp are you looking at? Find out which is more cost effective, tear down vs. short block purchase with forged crank and pistons.
Thread Starter
Burning Brakes
Joined: Sep 2011
Posts: 942
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From: Dallas/Fort Worth TX
No hp gain, maybe loose a if you have an extended hub at the end of the crank to drive a sump pump.
If you tear down the motor to replace the crank you might as well install forged pistons. How much hp are you looking at? Find out which is more cost effective, tear down vs. short block purchase with forged crank and pistons.
If you tear down the motor to replace the crank you might as well install forged pistons. How much hp are you looking at? Find out which is more cost effective, tear down vs. short block purchase with forged crank and pistons.
Racer
Joined: Aug 2011
Posts: 279
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From: MN
I am at 445 rwhp on my 2012 GS right now with headers, cam, CAI, 160 thermo right now. I would like to get to 550 to 600 rwhp staying NA with bulletproof reliability and excellent street manners. I used to think I would put a blower on my car but I see an awful ot of the blown cars breaking.
The other option is to stroke your LS3. This way you could have your goal rwhp, be super reliable, and have great (and fun) street manners.
In my opinion, you would be much better off not being so wrapped up with trying to hit a big peak rwhp number like so many seem to be, especially if it is only going to be a street and/or daily driven car. Figure out what you really want out of your car. Seems like you just really want a super fun street car, in which case that much power is just unnecessary (IMO) considering you will only be able to run out 2nd gear before you are about to hit triple digits faster than you realize, and that is only if you can even put the power down efficiently, which will be highly unlikely on street tires.
Last edited by Qweklain; Sep 14, 2012 at 01:43 AM.
Thread Starter
Burning Brakes
Joined: Sep 2011
Posts: 942
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From: Dallas/Fort Worth TX
If you are looking for 550-600rwhp on NA, you really only have two options. You could maybe hit that goal with one hellacious cam and top dollar parts/tuning on the stock cubes, but you are going to lose throttle response and street-ability will not be as friendly. Due to that loss of response, it will not be as fun around the street to drive either.
The other option is to stroke your LS3. This way you could have your goal rwhp, be super reliable, and have great (and fun) street manners.
In my opinion, you would be much better off not being so wrapped up with trying to hit a big peak rwhp number like so many seem to be, especially if it is only going to be a street and/or daily driven car. Figure out what you really want out of your car. Seems like you just really want a super fun street car, in which case that much power is just unnecessary (IMO) considering you will only be able to run out 2nd gear before you are about to hit triple digits faster than you realize, and that is only if you can even put the power down efficiently, which will be highly unlikely on street tires.
The other option is to stroke your LS3. This way you could have your goal rwhp, be super reliable, and have great (and fun) street manners.
In my opinion, you would be much better off not being so wrapped up with trying to hit a big peak rwhp number like so many seem to be, especially if it is only going to be a street and/or daily driven car. Figure out what you really want out of your car. Seems like you just really want a super fun street car, in which case that much power is just unnecessary (IMO) considering you will only be able to run out 2nd gear before you are about to hit triple digits faster than you realize, and that is only if you can even put the power down efficiently, which will be highly unlikely on street tires.
I've never driven in a stroked car, so wouldn't know what to expect. I'll have to ask around. I know I could just put a blower on it, have a huge number, and be done with it. But it seems those cars break more often.
I do track the car about 6 HPDE per year. After a few years, I could see possibly converting this to a track only car and participating in time trials or race it.
Burning Brakes
Joined: May 2010
Posts: 754
Likes: 6
From: Fort Worth TX
I am at 445 rwhp on my 2012 GS right now with headers, cam, CAI, 160 thermo right now. I would like to get to 550 to 600 rwhp staying NA with bulletproof reliability and excellent street manners. I used to think I would put a blower on my car but I see an awful ot of the blown cars breaking.
Thread Starter
Burning Brakes
Joined: Sep 2011
Posts: 942
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From: Dallas/Fort Worth TX