C7 Tech/Performance Corvette Technical Info, Internal Engine, External Engine, Tech Topics, Basic Tech, Maintenance, How to Remove & Replace
Sponsored by:
Sponsored by:

500 hp?

Thread Tools
 
Search this Thread
 
Old Dec 1, 2020 | 07:22 PM
  #1  
topdownc6's Avatar
topdownc6
Thread Starter
Intermediate
 
Joined: May 2018
Posts: 37
Likes: 3
From: Lafayette, IN
Default 500 hp?

I just purchased a base 2017 convertible and would like to hit 500 - 525 hp with minimal investment. Is this possible? I am thinking a VARARAM cold air intake and a tune.

Is this is a reasonable & achievable goal or is my hp hopes too high?

Any other cheap upgrade opinions are welcome!
Reply
Old Dec 1, 2020 | 08:28 PM
  #2  
Zipnbyeu's Avatar
Zipnbyeu
Instructor
 
Joined: Aug 2019
Posts: 108
Likes: 5
From: Texas
Default

On a LT1 N/A build to hit 500-525 rwhp you are going to need to add long tube headers,cam, heads, intake, throttlebody, and cai plus a tune and throw in E85 and you will be at the number you want. And look to spend anywhere between 8000 to 15000K

Last edited by Zipnbyeu; Dec 1, 2020 at 08:28 PM.
Reply
Old Dec 1, 2020 | 09:12 PM
  #3  
406Miles's Avatar
406Miles
Advanced
 
Joined: Oct 2020
Posts: 55
Likes: 30
From: Houston Texas
Default

LMR has this for 530HP:
  • LMR Cold Air Induction System
  • 1 7/8 Stainless Steel Headers with catted connection pipes
  • NGK Spark Plugs
  • Firecore 8.5mm Spark Plug Wires
  • LMR Billet housing w/ 160* Thermostat
  • Professional Installation & Assembly
  • Custom engine control module reprogramming
  • Chassis Dyno testing before & after installation

$4,999.99

Reply
Old Dec 2, 2020 | 09:04 AM
  #4  
mittens's Avatar
mittens
Safety Car
20 Year Member
Community Influencer
All Eyes On Me
Top Answer: 1
 
Joined: Nov 2005
Posts: 4,381
Likes: 939
From: Huntsville Alabama
Default

I hit 500 RWHP with both C7 LT1s I have had
one had intake, DOD delete cam, Headers, off road X.
One had stock intake, DOD delete cam, headers and off road X.

But a tune and intake are not going to do it.. ha will nee cam, and headers
Reply
Old Dec 7, 2020 | 07:52 PM
  #5  
lakemg's Avatar
lakemg
Melting Slicks
Liked
Loved
Community Favorite
Top Answer: 1
 
Joined: Aug 2014
Posts: 2,746
Likes: 916
Default

I suspect that the OP is looking for 500 - 525 flywheel hp...which shouldn't be too difficult to attain. Thinking CAI, LTs, intake manifold, and tune should be fairly close to 500 hp at the flywheel.

Last edited by lakemg; Dec 7, 2020 at 07:54 PM.
Reply
Old Dec 8, 2020 | 05:35 AM
  #6  
davidtcpa's Avatar
davidtcpa
Go Canes!
Supporting Lifetime Gold
10 Year Member
St. Jude 10 Year Donor
 
Joined: Dec 2009
Posts: 5,975
Likes: 329
From: Boca Raton FL
St. Jude Donor '11-'12-'13-'14-'15-'16-'17-'18-'19-'20-'21
Default

Supercharger.
Reply
Old Dec 8, 2020 | 10:25 AM
  #7  
JUICED1's Avatar
0JUICED1
Former Vendor
 
Joined: Feb 2012
Posts: 26,512
Likes: 351
From: ST. CHARLES IL
Default

If you're looking for 500hp our Stage 1 package will get you there. If you want to bump it up a few more HP add a ported throttle body.

If you're looking for 500rwhp a cam is needed for sure. Check out our stage 2 package. We can generally run this package from 485-525rwhp depending on cam selection. With E85 and some ported heads/manifold we can close in on 600rwhp.
Reply
Old Dec 8, 2020 | 03:32 PM
  #8  
2ZORNOT2Z's Avatar
2ZORNOT2Z
Burning Brakes
20 Year Member
 
Joined: Aug 2001
Posts: 837
Likes: 388
From: Olathe KS
Default

CAI and a tune won't net you much on an LT1 without other supporting mods. E85 flexfuel sensor and a tune alone will get you pretty close if you are talking about 500 at the flywheel on the cheap, assuming you have E85 available around you. The flexfuel sensor and tune will be around $1k installed. I'd add a CAI at the same time for another 10-ish flywheel horsepower. LTs will take you closer to 530 flywheel horsepower with the flexfuel and CAI but they are $3-6k installed, depending on what you pick. For that money you could almost add a Maggie 2300 to your stock car and forget about it with way over 500 flywheel horsepower.
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 Dec 8, 2020 | 03:38 PM
  #9  
99vetteran's Avatar
99vetteran
Melting Slicks
15 Year Member
Liked
Loved
Community Favorite
 
Joined: Oct 2009
Posts: 2,560
Likes: 485
From: Moberly, Mo
Default

I have E85, long tubes, x pipe and mine only made 451rwhp. Which is 510-525 at the crank. You'll see a little more if you have a Manual Trans. Doesn't matter what it makes on the dyno its at the track that shows the most.

Last edited by 99vetteran; Dec 8, 2020 at 03:38 PM.
Reply
Old Dec 15, 2020 | 11:46 PM
  #10  
GT2BHPPY's Avatar
GT2BHPPY
Instructor
Supporting Lifetime
15 Year Member
All Eyes On Me
 
Joined: Mar 2008
Posts: 103
Likes: 5
From: Olympia WA
Default

2017 LT1 A8, 500 RWHP with E-Force Stage 1 and long tubes. LT's didn't really add much, but it's the sound that they make that is worth the price.
Reply
Old Dec 16, 2020 | 09:41 AM
  #11  
JUICED1's Avatar
0JUICED1
Former Vendor
 
Joined: Feb 2012
Posts: 26,512
Likes: 351
From: ST. CHARLES IL
Default

Originally Posted by GT2BHPPY
2017 LT1 A8, 500 RWHP with E-Force Stage 1 and long tubes. LT's didn't really add much, but it's the sound that they make that is worth the price.
Long tubes won't add as much on a boosted car as an N/A car.
Reply
Old Dec 17, 2020 | 07:52 AM
  #12  
mittens's Avatar
mittens
Safety Car
20 Year Member
Community Influencer
All Eyes On Me
Top Answer: 1
 
Joined: Nov 2005
Posts: 4,381
Likes: 939
From: Huntsville Alabama
Default

My 2014, made 431 rwhp / 449 rwtq with Kooks LT, and Off road X and a AFE intake only.

then did cam swap, 505rwhp / 474rwtq.

Never baselined it.
Reply

Get notified of new replies

To 500 hp?





All times are GMT -4. The time now is 11:14 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