I will flipping through a jegs magazine and saw all the engines they were selling, and I came across a question. There was a 502 HP engine for about 9 grand. If it were possible for someone to save up, would it be better to just get that type of engine, rather than do little by little to upgrade the stock ls1 engine?

It just seems like that would be easier in the long run, but if I was sure I wouldnt be asking. Most people who get their ls1s to 500 HP had to invest a LOT of money to get there. Performance parts for these cars seem to be anything but cheap.

 

If you're getting that motor to get good 1/4-mile times, I'd try to squeeze the best times out of your car that you can now, and mod it increnementally, it'll be cheaper instead of dumping a ton of money into it all at once. I know if I had $9K saved, I wouldn't dump it into my car.

I don't think it should cost that much money to get 500 HP from the LS1, they're already making ~350 at the crank. You could get a 150 shot, or buy bolt-ons.

 

Would the car be more reliable if he just bought the engine rather than doing upgrades?

 

$6k twin turbo's will usually get you 500RWhp on a stock motor. Reliable too if done right. Still good as a daily driver too. Then you can start modding the lower end for mor boost, then bolton's add alot more too. Just gotta figure drivetrain upgrades to go with either way.

 

That motor doesn't just drop in and bolt up to an LS1 f-body. You are talking about some serious mods to squeeze that big block in there...if it's even possible. Then, you'll need a different transmission...and the car's weight balance will be altered, big time.

This is silly. The LS1 is a 350 HP engine, unmodified. 426 rwhp is about 502 engine HP. That's nothing with an LS1. You wouldn't do such a swap just to have 500 hp...you'd do it to modify the hell out of a big block and crack 1000+hp.

 

on top of what your spending for that engine you will need 2k for a rear end then some more money to get your tranny to bolt up then all kinds of money to get the fuel and tuning components or you could just buy nitrous or a s/c and have the same amount of hp. remember 500 hp at the crank is not 500 at the wheels.

 

99blackz28... was on the right track about turbo's. i havent seen a twin turbo listed for that price, but ill take his word on it. i just bought a single turbo $6500. www.ls1motorsports.com waiting for it to arrive. check it out. they list 530hp (doesnt say flywheel or rwhp) but seems a little more than the twin turbo listed above. those results are listed on a stock ls1. you can also save about $1200 on the website if you dont need the fuel pump and injectors. if your trying to save money, go with the turbo. 502 sounds nice but you will want to beef that up anyway. might as well go for a zl1 package.

 

The place I'm looking at is Induction Concepts . They haven't finished an LS1 system but from other cars they estimate cost at $5500-$6000. Then add shipping and (if you have alot more money than me) install fees. Detroit Speedworks has a single kit for 4k. Not sure what all it includes though.