What will it cost, realistically, to take a stock LT1 and bring it up to at least 500hp & 550lb/ft of torque.

From the moment it's hanging on a cherry picker right after it's been yanked to the moment it's back on that cherry picker on the way back in.

Do not include the cost of upgrading support systems like fuel and cooling.

Do include the entire engine package from Throttle Body thru collectors on headers, plus the engine management system.


I am debating the merits of going that path or just buying a RamJet502 (Which is so complete it only needs 12v and a fuel supply.), and I might as well get right to the bottom line.

 

I made the numbers in my sig NA with a stroker costing ~6000.00. This was a long block from Bauer Racing. It is a little cheaper than what it would actually cost since I helped bret with alot of the motor including some assembly.

Bauer Racing is doing a GP right now.

The numbers in the sig were made with a relatively small hydraulic roller and ported LT4 heads.

Email him and see what he can do for you.

 

About what do you think those numbers would translate to at the crank?

 

5 to 6 gs and your good to go

 

A manual tranny 4th gen has ~12% loss on a Dynojet. So 433rwhp is pretty close to 500hp. But why get hung up on a number? Decide on your budget and get the most you can for your $$$. Talking to Bret is a good idea.

Rich Krause

 

I have about 4k in mine. I went with a "smaller" cam several people with the CC306 and heads put 400 to the ground on stock short blocks. That is close to 500 at the flywheel so all i would do is build a nice 355 and go with good heads and 230/236 or cc306 and you will be close to being there.

 

I went down the road that should be taken but most can't afford and I really couldn't either. But there are dozens of people out there that have spent way less and have gone much faster. But this is what I wanted and it has taken me over about six months to pay for. I keep telling myself it will be worth it in the end. Anyway with that said here's what I have done to my 97 Z-28:

4-bolt Corvette LT1 block bored .030 over (383 Stroker)
AFR 195 LT4 heads with CC double valve springs
LT4 intake with Holley 58mm throttle body
Lunati forged crank with Lunati 6" rods
SRP forged flat top pistons
Comp Cams 503 cam
Meziere water pump
Canton 7qt oil pan
LT4 Extreme duty timing kit
Crane hydraulic roller lifters
Pro Magnum push rods
SLP shorty 1 3/4" headers
Corvette 18" wheels with Nitto 285x35x18s rear
17" Nitto 255x40x17s front
Suncoast Creations SS ram air hood
Del-Trans 4L60E tranny with Pro-Torque 2400 stall
LT1 Edit software
MSD 6AL
Ford 30# SVO injectors
Borla cat back exhaust

That's pretty much it. I have spent approximately $20,000 on this crap. Well it's not crap it's pretty much the best stuff available. But it kinda makes you mad when you are running N.A. and someone can bolt on a NOS kit and run right next to you. Anyway, my best time has only been 13.1. You might ask why that is and I think it is a serious traction problem. I love my Nitto tires for the street, but for the track they just don't work. If you try to go full throttle off the line you can figure your 60ft time will be just the spinning. I ordered a pair of M/T ET streets to use with my stock 16" rims. This will put my probably low 12s easy. After that is done a Zex 75 shot will hopefully bring me to the 11s where I want to be on a "daily driver". It's pretty sad considering I started this project because my original LT1 had a lot of miles on it and I wanted a reliable replacement with a little more power. Well this needs a lot of "attention" so much I had to purchase another vehicle (2000 SS) for my daily driver so I guess I can turn this one into my all out racer. Don't get sucked into this like I did! I guess there is braggin' rights with this kind of investment and I did beat a Z06 the other day, YAY!

If there are any questions with what, why or how I used what I used please let me know and I'll fill you in. This 97 was my 7th Camaro and my 2000 SS is my 9th. I will be hooking that LS1 up as soon as I can recover

 

Because I can have a RamJet 502 for 9 grand.
Budget $1000 for headers & exhaust and I'm ready to go with 502hp and something like 560lb/ft.

So the question becomes:
To come up with a reasonable approximation of those power levels, and most importantly, area under the curve, how much money do I have to spend?

If the cost of a really nice LT1 383 with over 500lb ft of torque is around $6000, then it makes sense to go that way.

But if it's up around $8,000 or more, then the 502 swap starts looking good because the LT1 is never going to have the same area under the curve even if it beats the peak numbers.

I'm just old, and I have gotten in the habit of looking at all the possible angles before I start spending ANY money.

Translation = I've got money but I'm a cheap bastard.

 

I thought it wasn't possible to retrofit a 502 RamJet in a 4th gen Camaro. Well, I guess it is if you have the money, but it would probably cost a crap load of money to get it installed since I think it won't be a simple replacement due to the different distributors etc... Good luck whichever way you choose to go.

 

stroke an lt1 to a 396, and get a good head and cam package, you could easily be looking and 500+. get all this but without the added weight, price, and fuel consumption of a 502.

 

I have an LT1 Caprice.