Alright, so the Trans Am I will most likely be buying next week has some mods and so I'm trying to estimate how much power it's putting out. It's got K&N intake (the good one with the bulge), long tube headers (not sure which brand, possibly Kooks), and Magnaflow dual exhaust. Also has a Stage 2 clutch but that might just help with rwhp a bit. So, I know the '94 put out about 275 hp stock, K&N might be good for another 15 hp, exhaust (headers and catback) could be another possible 30 hp. So my estimate is about 320 hp? Does that sound right? Also, it has the manual 6 speed so it should be making some good rwhp too. What do you guys think? Does that sound right? Well, thanks.

 

I think you've overestimated the hp improvements of the various bolt on pieces and the clutch isn't worth any power at all.

With a good tune, a stock engine with those mods will do about 305 fwhp or about 260-270 rwhp.

 

Agree with the guy in the above post for the most part - you can't just add all the horsepowers together. and dont forget, your engine is 16 years old unless he redid it. When you get the car, you could get a good bump if you were to replace the valve springs and put some 1.6 roller rockers on there for a little more lift. You might be at 315-320 if you did that, if it's healthy.

 

You can put it on the rollers and see what it has, but the track times will tell the story.

 

Alright. Thanks guys. I know engines lose HP with age but I guess I was just going the theoretic route with my estimate. 300 hp at the crank is plenty for me. Especially after coming from a car that from the factory (10 years ago) made 210 hp at the crank (my Vic). lol. Though with the auto tranny and all that, it probably puts out less than 150 hp at the wheels now.

Also, I don't know alot about manual trannies so I was wondering, what good does the stage 2 clutch do? Firmer shifts? Does it cut shift time? Also, should I get a short shift kit? What would be the advantages of that?

 

A better clutch just provides more clamping power, so it hold better under heavy loads, and doesn't burn up when shifting behind big power. Not going to shift faster, not going to decrease drivetrain losses (unless it weighs significantly less, and that's not likely). It will just not "slip" as much when engaged, but with a nearly stock engine, the stock clutch does an adequate job. If you were trying for high RPM clutch dumps with super sticky tires at the track, you might get better 60-ft times.... but then with the M6 and the fragile stock 10-bolt, you're likely to blow the rear.

 

Thanks for clearing that up for me. So, basically all it's good in an almost stock ride is decreased wear time and slippage. And no, it doesn't have slicks and I will not be putting any on, at least not until I put a 8.8 rearend and supercharger, which isn't likely to happen very soon.

 

I agree with the overestimation, but don't think he will need a tune to put down 260 rwhp. Which is my estimate if the engine is in good running order with good compression numbers.

IIRC, the 96-97 SS was rated 305 with an intake and exhaust.

 

You know, when I first read this post I wondered what you were talking about. Then I reread my post and found I left out a small little 2 letter word...'up'. You're right, those numbers are certainly achievable with a stock tune......

 

I was checking out the custom exhaust today. Has longtube headers, the four on each side each dump into a separate big like 3" or 3 1/2" tube, these tow then connect and go over the axle and dump into the Magnaflow muffler, which then splits into two separate 3" (I think) tubes. I don't think it has any cats and the tubing is pretty wide and with few curves heading out to the back. Is this the typical T/A exhaust setup you guys have on your car, or is your different? I'll post up some pics too.

And yes, the car did get a bit banged up on the bottom. Previous owner told me it had lowering springs on, but they were removed because it was scraping.

 

Common exhaust system... headers to a Y-pipe, (possibly) through a cat, then a 3" intermediate pipe over the axle to a cross-flow muffler, with dual outlets, one on each side. I put 800HP through a system essentially like that, but with a full 3" Y-pipe and dual cats, a 4" Mufflex intermediate pipe, and a Flowmaster single in/single out 4" Race Series muffler. My buddy went one better and put more the 1,000HP through the same system.

 

255hp/290tq is my guess

 

You mean rwhp? Because stock, these things are rated for 275 hp and 325 ft-lbs at the crank. Still seems like a pretty low estimate, considering the mods.

 

Here's the thread with pics of my full exhaust setup.

https://www.camaroz28.com/forums/sho...d.php?t=780340

 

There are so many variables, anything short of a dyno is just a guess. Your 275 horse car will only put out about 235 on the dyno and the mods you've described, even if you got 50 fwhp from them (and you won't), would only get you to 275 at the wheels....

I guess the point is, we're guessing. If you don't want the guess, both high and low, ask the question another way or not at all.....