How to reach 450-500RWHP

Just trying to do my homework and get a plan together before I go buying parts. I want my car to be reliable, drivable, and fast...er! I've been reading how some forced induction kits allow you to keep your motor stock and make big gains. I've also read how a simple head and cam upgrade can keep you away from forced induction complications, but will that be enough to reach my HP goals?

What specific parts do you suggest and how much $$$ are we talking about here? I don't mind paying more for reliability!

Right now all I have is an FIPK and Magnaflow cat-back.

Thanks for any help!

well there is a big difference between 450rwhp and 500rwhp

450rwhp is attainable from a decent cam, ported heads, and a FAST intake...along with the supporting bolt ons. with a good tune driveability should be reasonable. Kraest was making 470rwhp with stock cubes on a Futral F15 cam and Dart 225 heads with the FAST 90/90 intake.

now making 500rwhp...you'll need a stroker for that...no doubt....and a FAT cam

well there is a big difference between 450rwhp and 500rwhp

450rwhp is attainable from a decent cam, ported heads, and a FAST intake...along with the supporting bolt ons. with a good tune driveability should be reasonable. Kraest was making 470rwhp with stock cubes on a Futral F15 cam and Dart 225 heads with the FAST 90/90 intake.

now making 500rwhp...you'll need a stroker for that...no doubt....and a FAT cam
Or, heads/cam and a little spray. ;)

If you wanted to go the forced induction route, it'll be a little more pricey. But, a blower cam and an intercooled setup should get you to 500rwhp easily. They got ~455rwhp out of the '98 SS on Horse Power TV last weekend (not that I always believe what I see on that show - but in this case I do) and I don't think that thing was cam'd.

actually it was a built 383, forged internals and a cam.

it was also low compression when they built it, since they were planning to throw a S/C on it.

and didn't it make 540rwhp?? just saw the rerun.


"Or, heads/cam and a little spray"

well yeah...but i was giving info on a strictly naturally aspirated setup

and didn't it make 540rwhp?? just saw the rerun.
540 was with the blower. 455 was with the nitrous, before the blower (125 shot IIRC).

I'm leaning towards recommending a supercharger setup, but I want to know more about your plans for the car first.

A 500 rwhp supercharged setup is going to be much more driveable/better gas mileage than a 500 rwhp NA setup.

Ask me how I know :D

Ask me how I know :D
Well, I already know how you know, but I am curious about the gas mileage you get in the Vette.

Well, I already know how you know, but I am curious about the gas mileage you get in the Vette.

20/27

Someone should stickie one of these threads. This is turning into a weekly question.

20/27
And if you actually use the gas pedal from time to time? :lol:

Seriously, though, I get that kind of mileage in my Camaro if I'm easy on the gas, but I usually get 17-18 in the city because I just can't help but floor it pulling away from lights and stop signs.

Oh, I'm not easy on it :)

You could do a nice supercharger kit for $7Kish, or go with a decent 408ci for about the same.

My plans for the car is to have a street machine, not a track monster. I just want it to sound meaner (not stock sounding) and be able to keep up with the 6.2's when they come out. The point that blown gets better gas economy is something to consider since it is my daily driver. Having said that it must stay very reliable!

What would an LS6 intake/heads, a moderate cam, and a tune do with stock internals? Do I need to go with stronger springs and pushrods too? What about fuel management? Will stock springs and pushrods handle 450HP?

Basically I want to know what is the most cost effective and safest way to reach 450+?

Thanks for all the ideas! Keep 'em coming!

My plans for the car is to have a street machine, not a track monster. I just want it to sound meaner (not stock sounding) and be able to keep up with the 6.2's when they come out. The point that blown gets better gas economy is something to consider since it is my daily driver. Having said that it must stay very reliable!

What would an LS6 intake/heads, a moderate cam, and a tune do with stock internals? Do I need to go with stronger springs and pushrods too? What about fuel management? Will stock springs and pushrods handle 450HP?

Basically I want to know what is the most cost effective and safest way to reach 450+?

Thanks for all the ideas! Keep 'em coming!

you want to keep stock pushrods, etc with a 450 rwhp car? good luck with that :) do it right and replace it all now, or youll blow something not to far off from now...

any cam upgrade is gonna need new springs and pushrods

internals are fine for 450hp.

the fuel system shouldn't have a problem keeping up, although you'll need to upgrade your injectors most likely.

from what you are saying here...it seems you are contradicting yourself. you want gobbs of power, on a budget, and near stock reliability.

that's like having your cake, eating it too....while a supermodel gives you a blowjob with her best friend helping.


something like the F14 cam, ported heads that flow 315cfm @.600" lift, and the FAST intake should yield you 440-450rwhp with a good tune and have reasonable driveability and reliability.
but you'll also have to have a decent clutch to handle the power, as well as all the obvious boltons for the motor....intake, headers, exhaust.

search around, and you'll see various mod lists that will get you good power. and then shop around.


as for me, i'm sitting right at 400rwhp right now with stock heads, and i get about 26mpg highway and about 18 in mild city.

Hey Teke, did you get a new clutch yet?

i've had a clutch in it for over a year...

haven't redynoed it yet. kindda waiting to put some heads on it and get a GOOD tune.

i actually have to pull the trans again...something is making a strange "grind" in the clutch...but only the first 1 or 2 times i release the clutch in 1st gear each day (doesn't happen in reverse). after the first couple clutch engagements in 1st...it is fine the rest of the day

i've had a clutch in it for over a year...

How do you like the Spec 4? I haven't heard much about it.


i actually have to pull the trans again...something is making a strange "grind" in the clutch...but only the first 1 or 2 times i release the clutch in 1st gear each day (doesn't happen in reverse). after the first couple clutch engagements in 1st...it is fine the rest of the day
Misaligned synchro? :shrug:

You can get 500 rwhp from a stock motor with stock driveability and fuel mileage with a good turbo set up.
But to keep the car reliable you'll need to upgrade/bulletproof everything behind the motor and the fuel pump.