500 Horse N/A
Thread Starter
Instructor
Joined: May 2013
Posts: 132
Likes: 0
From: Massachusetts
500 Horse N/A
Recently had my car tuned and it made about 397/389 on a mustang dyno. I am debating between going forced induction or going N/A. I have owned blown vehicles and N/A in the past but I am torn on what route to go. I love having that horse power all the time and the lower end power versus building boost to obtain that much horsepower. If I go N/A I will most likely be running a nitrous kit for the track and having that N/A horse around town. My budget is around 6k for this project. What mods are necessary to obtain the 500 rwhp on the GS. Any inputs would be great.
Race Director
Joined: Dec 2006
Posts: 12,385
Likes: 2,906
From: Fort Worth, Texas
Not sure where you are located, if you are looking to make an honest 500rwhp SAE consider a light weight clutch and lighter wheels/tires in your GS as a healthy cam and 1.875" headers should get you close.
Le Mans Master
Joined: Jan 2009
Posts: 5,656
Likes: 112
From: ocean springs mississippi
Race Director
Joined: Aug 2005
Posts: 13,592
Likes: 187
From: Hudson WI
NCM Sinkhole Donor
If I had it to do over again, I would do a low boost blower, but it will cost you more than $6K.
The drive ability with a cam that you need to get there, isn't always fun to drive.
The drive ability with a cam that you need to get there, isn't always fun to drive.
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Le Mans Master
Joined: Jan 2009
Posts: 5,656
Likes: 112
From: ocean springs mississippi
I have spoken with you a few times (coilovers,ect) and I believe you were happy with your h/c/i set up at that point? What changed? What issues have you encountered?
Le Mans Master
Joined: Nov 2005
Posts: 7,059
Likes: 366
From: Kendall Park NJ
Here is a car that Tune Time Performance put together that made right around 500 RWHP on their stingy Mustang Dyno. This was the one of the first shakedown passes. The car went 10.7 at 2200' above sea level. I usually do not like H/C cars but this one drives wonderfully. It is a great package and uses their blower cam.
Later in the season, we took it to MIR and went 10.3 with the same drag pack, front sway bar and passenger seat removed. The customer was extremely happy. Here are to back to back 10.41 runs at 26:47 and 33:10, respectively.
Later in the season, we took it to MIR and went 10.3 with the same drag pack, front sway bar and passenger seat removed. The customer was extremely happy. Here are to back to back 10.41 runs at 26:47 and 33:10, respectively.
Intermediate
Joined: Jun 2013
Posts: 25
Likes: 0
From: San Antonio TX
I've had both. If you do it right, a Cam/Heads/Intake/Headers car is awesome. Like it better than superchaged (ever broke a belt out in the middle of know where?). However do it right. Just don't throw some crappy massive cam at it. Get a cam that is shifted to give good upper mid-range to peak power. Get tri-y headers to get the midrange even bigger. Then use the air intake to keep up with the airflow, and decide how much head work you want to do (obviously you'll do at least springs). Most importantly, use a good tuner. If you do it right, it will be awesome
Race Director
Joined: Mar 2005
Posts: 11,549
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From: Southampton NJ
Race Director
Joined: Dec 2006
Posts: 12,385
Likes: 2,906
From: Fort Worth, Texas
You can't really stick a huge cam in an LS3 w/o flycutting the pistons on stock heads. It sounds like you'd be happy with a cam that makes good average power as it will be almost as fast as a large cam that makes a high peak dyno number. If that's the case you don't want a low lsa as that increases overlap and narrows the powerband. If you plan to stay NA, then I do recommend the UDP as with the cam idle speed will be bumped ~200rpm naturally and that will offset the difference in 25% reduction with the accessories while still freeing up some power to the wheels. Don't hesitate to call if you have any questions!
Le Mans Master
Joined: Nov 2005
Posts: 7,059
Likes: 366
From: Kendall Park NJ
Not sure about the specs but it drives beautifully. This car actually surprised us with its N/A performance. Under the right conditions, we believe that a high 10.2 is possible. (Better traction) Not bad for a build that was not an all out N/A setup. Owner is contemplating adding that blower. 
Safety Car
Joined: Nov 2007
Posts: 4,537
Likes: 1,403
From: Bethesda MD
Good aftermarket heads like TF add power and their smaller runners tend to help keep the bottom end more livable. Adding a little extra compression helps too. To hit 500 RWHP will not not require a max effort cam with something like a TF 225. Might be tight budget wise if you have to pay for labor.
I have yet to see any cam that consistently gets at least 490 RWHP on stock untouched heads and is considered daily driver friendly.
I have yet to see any cam that consistently gets at least 490 RWHP on stock untouched heads and is considered daily driver friendly.
Burning Brakes
Joined: Apr 2007
Posts: 972
Likes: 11
From: Dawsonville, GA
I'm partial to blowers.
For $6k you should easily be able to buy a good used kit that will far exceed any NA combination by 50-100rwhp.
Daily drive-ability is completely unaltered and it will otherwise behave like a bone stock car... that is... until you put your foot into it.
For $6k you should easily be able to buy a good used kit that will far exceed any NA combination by 50-100rwhp.
Daily drive-ability is completely unaltered and it will otherwise behave like a bone stock car... that is... until you put your foot into it.