$3K performance
Thread Starter
Melting Slicks
Joined: Apr 2008
Posts: 2,582
Likes: 496
From: Hudson, NH
$3K performance
I am sure it's been asked before but other than headers and a tune what can you do to an LS3 for $3K to get a worthwhile increase in performance. I already have headers and a tune.
Thanks
Thanks
Instructor
Joined: Apr 2012
Posts: 198
Likes: 2
From: Enfield, CT/Queensbury, NY CT, NY
hell, for an extra thousand you can buy a supercharger kit. i commonly see either complete supercharger kits on her for 4 thousand bucks, or incomplete kits that require you to source your own parts (piping/wastegates/bracket/etc) and end up totalling about 4 grand. I vote to save up and get charged up!
Instructor
Joined: Jan 2011
Posts: 183
Likes: 0
Used SC kit easily for an extra $1,000.
Intake, Cam, valve springs and have the heads ported polished, then a retune. That's what I'd do.
SUSPENSION! While it may not get you more hp it will make using the hp you have much easier and it WILL make your car feel faster.
Intake, Cam, valve springs and have the heads ported polished, then a retune. That's what I'd do.
SUSPENSION! While it may not get you more hp it will make using the hp you have much easier and it WILL make your car feel faster.
Race Director
Joined: Mar 2005
Posts: 10,399
Likes: 25
From: Austin Texas
Can't beat N2O for Bang for the Buck.
Track Junky
Joined: Jun 2007
Posts: 4,074
Likes: 36
From: Orlando Area
Tech Contributor
All the guys above have great options listed. You may want to list the intended use for the car to help other forum members offer valid solutions.
Drag strip - S/C or NO2 may be the choice for you
Road course - Head/cam/intake
Street - anything will do fine
Dyno Queen - S/C hands down
Old muscle car sound, lopey idle - Cam/heads
There's a million options and ideas out there... If you can be as specific as you can with your goals, the guys on this forum will get you there!
Drag strip - S/C or NO2 may be the choice for you
Road course - Head/cam/intake
Street - anything will do fine
Dyno Queen - S/C hands down
Old muscle car sound, lopey idle - Cam/heads
There's a million options and ideas out there... If you can be as specific as you can with your goals, the guys on this forum will get you there!
Race Director
Joined: Oct 1999
Posts: 13,298
Likes: 14
From: Somers NY
I'm in the same boat as the OP... I have an 05 LS2 (A4) with a 2800 stall converter,KOOKS HEADERS, Vararam CAI, Cartek Tune, & Drag Radials..
I am ONLY a "BRACKET" Drag Racer.... the MOST IMPORTANT thing I need is CONSISTANCY... I only bracket race, or plan on running in an 11.5 "Index" class... as it is now my car is running 11.7x VERY CONSISTANTLY...I need to pick up about .3 or 4 tenths ....I KNOW a SC or Nitrous is a NO NO... it will lose consistancy...
I'm thinking my only choice is a cam.... I just ported the stock LS2 intake and have not made any runs with it, but maybe I'll be running 11.65 as it is now....
Is a cam my only choice, $3000 is also my MAX...oh & also I don't want to go to a 3600 converter because I'm using Nitto 555 (305/35x18") and my 60' times are 1.62 ... I don't think these tires will hold with more converter, & I DON'T want to have to use MT OR other $$$ Drag Radials because I have to drive 100 miles to the track & 100 back home.. & I'm getting great usage from these tires they are hooking with the 2800 converter, and I'm getting about 1 full year of racing with one set...
I'm thinking a cam is my only choice????
I am ONLY a "BRACKET" Drag Racer.... the MOST IMPORTANT thing I need is CONSISTANCY... I only bracket race, or plan on running in an 11.5 "Index" class... as it is now my car is running 11.7x VERY CONSISTANTLY...I need to pick up about .3 or 4 tenths ....I KNOW a SC or Nitrous is a NO NO... it will lose consistancy...
I'm thinking my only choice is a cam.... I just ported the stock LS2 intake and have not made any runs with it, but maybe I'll be running 11.65 as it is now....
Is a cam my only choice, $3000 is also my MAX...oh & also I don't want to go to a 3600 converter because I'm using Nitto 555 (305/35x18") and my 60' times are 1.62 ... I don't think these tires will hold with more converter, & I DON'T want to have to use MT OR other $$$ Drag Radials because I have to drive 100 miles to the track & 100 back home.. & I'm getting great usage from these tires they are hooking with the 2800 converter, and I'm getting about 1 full year of racing with one set...
I'm thinking a cam is my only choice????
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Track Junky
Joined: Jun 2007
Posts: 4,074
Likes: 36
From: Orlando Area
Tech Contributor
I'm in the same boat as the OP... I have an 05 LS2 (A4) with a 2800 stall converter,KOOKS HEADERS, Vararam CAI, Cartek Tune, & Drag Radials..
I am ONLY a "BRACKET" Drag Racer.... the MOST IMPORTANT thing I need is CONSISTANCY... I only bracket race, or plan on running in an 11.5 "Index" class... as it is now my car is running 11.7x VERY CONSISTANTLY...I need to pick up about .3 or 4 tenths ....I KNOW a SC or Nitrous is a NO NO... it will lose consistancy...
I'm thinking my only choice is a cam.... I just ported the stock LS2 intake and have not made any runs with it, but maybe I'll be running 11.65 as it is now....
Is a cam my only choice, $3000 is also my MAX...oh & also I don't want to go to a 3600 converter because I'm using Nitto 555 (305/35x18") and my 60' times are 1.62 ... I don't think these tires will hold with more converter, & I DON'T want to have to use MT OR other $$$ Drag Radials because I have to drive 100 miles to the track & 100 back home.. & I'm getting great usage from these tires they are hooking with the 2800 converter, and I'm getting about 1 full year of racing with one set...
I'm thinking a cam is my only choice????
I am ONLY a "BRACKET" Drag Racer.... the MOST IMPORTANT thing I need is CONSISTANCY... I only bracket race, or plan on running in an 11.5 "Index" class... as it is now my car is running 11.7x VERY CONSISTANTLY...I need to pick up about .3 or 4 tenths ....I KNOW a SC or Nitrous is a NO NO... it will lose consistancy...
I'm thinking my only choice is a cam.... I just ported the stock LS2 intake and have not made any runs with it, but maybe I'll be running 11.65 as it is now....
Is a cam my only choice, $3000 is also my MAX...oh & also I don't want to go to a 3600 converter because I'm using Nitto 555 (305/35x18") and my 60' times are 1.62 ... I don't think these tires will hold with more converter, & I DON'T want to have to use MT OR other $$$ Drag Radials because I have to drive 100 miles to the track & 100 back home.. & I'm getting great usage from these tires they are hooking with the 2800 converter, and I'm getting about 1 full year of racing with one set...
I'm thinking a cam is my only choice????
Melting Slicks
Joined: Jun 2006
Posts: 2,164
Likes: 3
Gears will give you the most bang for under 3k installed, and no tune needed. You didn't say if you're going to install any of this yourself. If the 3k has to also cover install then your SOL on most of the above recommendations.
Race Director
Joined: Aug 2005
Posts: 13,592
Likes: 187
From: Hudson WI
NCM Sinkhole Donor
Just my opinion.
Race Director
Joined: Oct 1999
Posts: 13,298
Likes: 14
From: Somers NY
Thanks guys... The FAST intake sounds good, but it alone costs about $1000...
& I still don't know how much of a gain I got from porting my stock intake manifold??
I'm thinking of making a few runs with the car as it is NOW.. & if I'm in the 11.6 - 11.65 zone, I'm going to need at least 3 tenths, 1. to make up for summer heat, 2. to prevent me from losing ET by "Deep Staging" (its a nessesity on a .500 Pro Tree) and 3. have a "little" in the bank if needed...
Oh I also plan on a MIZAIR electric water pump.. that should help me out a little freeing up some HP....
& I still don't know how much of a gain I got from porting my stock intake manifold??
I'm thinking of making a few runs with the car as it is NOW.. & if I'm in the 11.6 - 11.65 zone, I'm going to need at least 3 tenths, 1. to make up for summer heat, 2. to prevent me from losing ET by "Deep Staging" (its a nessesity on a .500 Pro Tree) and 3. have a "little" in the bank if needed...
Oh I also plan on a MIZAIR electric water pump.. that should help me out a little freeing up some HP....
Thread Starter
Melting Slicks
Joined: Apr 2008
Posts: 2,582
Likes: 496
From: Hudson, NH
3k
Thanks guys for your input. I want the car for street fun only. I agree that 4K won't get me a supercharger. I don't have the skill necessary to do the work myself. Around here its about 7K for a professionally installed SC. Maybe there isn't enough I could do for 3K to make it worth while. I'd do a SC for 4K but I know that's unrealistic. Thanks for your suggestions.
Burning Brakes
Joined: Aug 2011
Posts: 967
Likes: 1
what about the LS3 MAF conversion?
Try some Roller rockers like 1.8 intake 1.7 exhaust Crane Quick lifts (this should help promote some nice torque increase)
do you have a ported TB?
you'll need some more "little things" like these since you mentioned the Meziere water pump
also could look at weight reduction, like Hotchkiss hollow sway bars, ZIPS light weight rotors, etc
again, sometimes the addition of little things add up, if you don't want to crack into the lower motor, convertor, gears
don't forget weather and temps will have an effect, as i'm sure you know since you want consistency
Try some Roller rockers like 1.8 intake 1.7 exhaust Crane Quick lifts (this should help promote some nice torque increase)
do you have a ported TB?
you'll need some more "little things" like these since you mentioned the Meziere water pump
also could look at weight reduction, like Hotchkiss hollow sway bars, ZIPS light weight rotors, etc
again, sometimes the addition of little things add up, if you don't want to crack into the lower motor, convertor, gears
don't forget weather and temps will have an effect, as i'm sure you know since you want consistency
