To make an LT1 500 rwhp NA sounds like it takes a lot of know-how, and even more $, like $12,000.
I was just looking back over an article "LS1 Triple Play" in the August 2004 issue of Chevy High Performance where they got an otherwise stock LS1 (except for the valvetrain) with a FAST intake and CC 232/234 (XER231HR) cam, to make...

503/452 @ 6,400/5,000

Flywheel, but that amazes me. Is this what someone can expect out of an LS1? What rwhp would you get with say: $1500 ported heads, 232/234 cam, valvetrain upgrade, air filter upgrade, FAST intake, fuel injectors, and mail order tune?

 

hmmm...

500 at the wheels isnt quite as easy. 425-450 is done quite regularly with a stiff cam, ported heads and a good tune.

but that last 50 is gonna take more. i would think with a stout stroker and a good cam, badass ported heads and the upgraded FAST intake (ls6 works great for stock cubes) you would get 500 to the wheels.

 

On stock cubes? It'll take a HUGE cam with heads that are ported the **** out of.

IIRC, there is a cam only car in excess of 450rwhp

 

well...

thunder racing got the Trex cam up to 450hp with stock heads

but the reliability of that is arguable...

 

What does that mean?

I'm not too familiar with how much power is lost through the drivetrain; I didn't think it could possibly be more than 50hp if you have say 3.42's and 16 inch wheels. Am I wrong?
And just looking at the numbers the magazine got at the flywheel with only a fairly sensible hydraulic cam and intake, I would think 500 rwhp wouldn't be hard to get with ported stock heads and the other basic stuff. Of course I don't even have an LS1 so I'm going solely by the article and my limited knowledge.
I know some of you have a whole lot of knowledge and experience; enlighten me. Could you not get 500 rwhp on an LS1 with well ported stock heads, big but very driveable cam, stock bottom end, and the other basics?

 

I should say that I did read this, but I need someone to tell me explicitly that you can lose 80+ hp through the drivetrain.

 

I was talking to a GM guy one day and he said that the drivetrain lose for an A4 is about 15% and the lose for an M6 car is 12%, FWIW.

I make 400RWHp @ 6200RPM with my setup, including the 218/218 cam. With a 224/224 cam, I think that I could make 425RWHp @ 6700RPM. I have full exhaust, full intake mods, ported heads, and I tune it myself. 500RWHp is doable with what I have but with a stroker, such as, a 402 or bigger.

Its possible to make 500RWHp with the stock displacement, but as said above a radical cam, BIG heads, full exhaust, all intake stuff, and a great tune, and be willing to turn it up to 7000RPM.