Shon Herron

How does a 500+ FWHP 396CI only make 396RWHP?
I know it is thru an A4 with a 3000 stall but come on, we know that the losss is not 25% as stated in the article.

Something is not adding up for me. There seemed to be several excuses and I hope they follow up with alot better numbers b/c from the engine dyno I was expecting in the lower 400s. Are my expectations too high?

roadtrip120

Ya that was pretty bad, Why would you need a 396 when a LE2 setup on a stock bottom end puts down more power to the wheels. GMHTP messed that one up, come feature my car at least it made more hp.

What up Shon, hows the car?

Shon Herron

We should be able to put a 355 set up in the car with a truely high stall thru a 12bolt/Th350 and slicks and come up with more power. I hope to know within 6 weeks or so

96capricemgr

I always looked at the drivetrain losses the other way 500fwhp minus 20% woulf be 400rwhp, the car places restrictions on the intake and exhaust not to mention accessories and all there is more loss than just tranny and axle.

That said since when have the car mags been able to write anything worthwhile?

89TramsAmGTA

I agree. That's 20% in my book.

MEAN LT1

It had better perform at the 1320.

OneFlyn95z28

I bet the power under the curve is better then a 355

Power Under the curve is where its at not peak numbers!

LT4POWR

I think they spec'd the motor to be Smog Legal and daily driveable too.

Shon Herron

Where it is at is the MPH at the track, wonder if it will ever be there? If so, bet it wont trap much more that 118ish....

1racerdude

Ya KNOW everybody takes as gospel that these mag's and some people know how to make HP. Ya are seeing it here as this one DID NOT.They said it had a fuel pump problem with the stock pump!!!!!!
A 396 LT1 built right should make 700+FWHP and be street drivable not a DD, so IMO this one is 200FWHP light. I have built 406SBC that are in the 800+ range with a single carb and there ain't much difference in a 396-406=10CI's.These were street drivable but were a "little" high strung for a DD.
Every body should have one like the one in the article.

My Iroc Z28

I Spoked to Chad about that motor and its rwhp numbers since i was going to have him build me a 396 shortblock, he said after the fuel pump swap and some more tuning from bryan @ Pcmforless the car put down 430rwhp/418rwtq. He didn't know if they were going to run a update article in the mag or not, He also says the car is a nice DD & he enjoys driving it.

1racerdude

That's 507FWHP but a 396 would be hell on fuel mileage as a DD. Must have small heads and cam too.

My Iroc Z28

well they only list it as 520bhp. what i didn't understand is the valvetrain setup uses 1.6 on the intake and 1.5 on the exhaust.. why not 1.6's all the way around??.. He didn't get into the head specs besides there stock ported heads and the springs are 918's... The intake is ported to match the heads and opened up for a 58mm tb

I think with some well ported AFR's or Trickflows with bigger valves and runners along with a matching cam and intake manifold a 396 could see 500rwhp N/A but that would most likly rise the cost of the motor and make it less affordable for people.

Heres the specs of the motor listed on there site

Duration:
Intake: 236˚@ .050”
Exhaust: 244˚@ .050”

Lift:
Intake: .585”
Exhaust: .580”

Lobe Separation:
112˚

Heads:

Type:
Trick flow 195cc LT4 Aluminum Stage 2 Porting, Five Angle Performance Valve Job

Combustion Chamber:
64cc

Intake Runner:
195 cc

Intake Valves:
Stainless Steel 2.02”

Exhaust Valves:
Stainless Steel 1.60

SS RRR

For the torque.
That is a teeeennnnnny cam for a 396! What...are they trying to make it emissions legal or something?