LT1 Based Engine Tech 1993-1997 LT1/LT4 Engine Related
View Poll Results: Which should I go with?
Intercooled Supercharger
6
15.38%
Heads and Cam combo
33
84.62%
Voters: 39. You may not vote on this poll

Heads and Cam or Forced Induction?

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Old 05-13-2004, 01:28 AM
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Poll

Ok here is my situation. 97 Formy A4, 80k on stock motor. Currently have basic boltons, 3.73's, Long Tubes, CAI, True Duals.

I am in a toss up inbetween doing heads and cam, or going supercharger.

I figure that they will both run me around the same. But N/A may cost a little bit more concidering I will need to go with a new converter, and will need a dyno tune. Where with the supercharger , I can use stock stall for now, and can run it on stock tune.

The reason why Im concidering supercharger, is because the car isnt really raced alot, or driven alot. So its not going to be subjected to most of the abuse most people put on their LT1s. And with a intercooled unit I could lower the boost around 6psi and make around 400 at the crank no porblem. But I read some of these posts and you guys try to talk evreyone out of boosting a stock bottem end LT1.

So please cast your vote, and leave your reason why you selected please. I rather get insight from a large group of lt1 owners who own setups like this, then some salesman over the phone or at a shop.

Thanks,
Mike
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Old 05-13-2004, 09:40 AM
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come on folks help me out here. And when you vote, please reply back why you choose what you did.

Thanks,
Mike
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Old 05-13-2004, 09:44 AM
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Re: Poll

Originally posted by aintno6
But I read some of these posts and you guys try to talk evreyone out of boosting a stock bottem end LT1.
That's because it probably won't last very long.
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Old 05-13-2004, 09:46 AM
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I'd do heads and cam. You open up a WHOLE new can of worms when you starting moving to forced induction, especially on an engine that wasn't built to handle it. Plus you'd wind up spending a lot more on supercharging than you think.
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Old 05-13-2004, 09:48 AM
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If you can afford forced induction, go forced induction.
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Old 05-13-2004, 10:41 AM
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B/c a SC is going to blow your bottom end out in about 5-10k if you are lucky.

Heads and cam can be controlled a lot better, and is more worth it. AND you have more choices.

I don't have to repeat what everyone says, if you read around, or go to the SC forum, you will see. The stock bottom end was NOT made to handle it.
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Old 05-13-2004, 10:46 AM
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i would do heads/cam, you will make about the same power (what is 6psi?!?!) and it will be a lot more reliable
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Old 05-13-2004, 11:15 AM
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Do not install a SC on a stock LT1 bottom end unless you are prepared to rebuild it.

Rich
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Old 05-13-2004, 02:20 PM
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k thanks for the info guys. I was reading the FI forum. And see that they always push people away from FI.

But they didnt always give they're reason to why. I was intrested because of some of the people running supercharges on stock bottem end with no problems.

Mike
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Old 05-13-2004, 03:11 PM
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No choice

You will 'hurt' that motor to put it mildly.
Your stock CR is too high.
It would last for a while but then Kaboom.

One major point; you forgot to tell us what you're going to do with the car. Street and a little strip or just street or mostly strip?

I have $7K in a motor I am building and still have not finished.

Jim
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Old 05-13-2004, 05:37 PM
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heads and cam.
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Old 05-13-2004, 05:56 PM
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aintno6, I modified your subject. In the future, please use a more descriptive subject than just something like "poll" as it will get more people to click your topic

Thanks!
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Old 05-13-2004, 07:44 PM
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I was in the same boat last fall....97 Formy A4, 85k on stock motor, basic boltons, 3.73's, shorties, CAI, etc. What I ended up doing was picking up a wrecked 97 Trans am with 33k miles and pulled the tranny/motor and put heads/cam/long tubes/stall/et streets. I get 21-22mpg mixed driving and 16-17 all city/racing. The car ran 11.84 at 114.7 all motor, and this is with a small cam(~220/226).
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Old 05-13-2004, 08:41 PM
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I statedwith a hot cam
added 6# SC
have now sold both and gone heads and cam.

I was lucky and did not break anything but most folk do break at least a ring.

My advice - if you want to SC it - then do it rght - save your $$ - forge the bottom end and go 12# +. A small 4.5 or 6# blower is not worth it.

Realistically - have your heads ported and get a good cam and valve train - Budget $2,500 and you will have a car that will rival the low boost setup your considering - for less money and without the nagging fear of breaking something.
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Old 05-13-2004, 09:09 PM
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Heck, do both. I did. You only live once, and it's only money after all.
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