Dyno Guesses & Bench Racing Forum - What kind of power can I expect with this build? Are 243 heads worth it?

Hello, I'm fairly new to the LS-world, and I'm doing a swap into my '73 Camaro. I'm in the middle of rebuilding the motor I was hoping you guys could help me guestimate what sort of power I'll be making and if I'll be making my goals.

It's a 2000 T/A LS1, 241 heads, headers with no cats, true duals, LS6 intake, and I'm looking into a mild street cam. I would LIKE to cross the 400bhp line, but I've also got the rest of the car to restore so I'm trying to decide if I should sell my 241's instead of rebuilding them (got them for free) and getting the 243's, or just save my money if the mild cam, exhaust, and intake will be enough to push me into torque-heaven.

In summary: Do I need 243's to push me over the 400hp line or will LS6 intake, mild cam, headers, no cats, and a big air filter take care of me on an LS1 block?

If all you are looking for is 400bhp meaning at the flywheel than most definitely you will be able to make that with the mods you have listed. If you are wanting at the wheels it can still be done very easily as long as its a 6pd transmission. A cam in the 228-232 range will have good street manners and make all the power you will need.

U can get close (rwhp)with the right mild cam....243s will ad about 10-15 hp unported over the stock 241s

a small eps cam 222/226 -113lsa with 243 heads should make 400 rwhp, with all the other proper ls1 bolt ons.you can also use 799 heads,same ports.

if its on a mustang dyno no way.


but those heads are worth porting.

Unless your paying for "Aftermakret" castings those are fine to work over.

For 400rwhp go w/ the 243's if 400 crank Hp the 241's will work fine !

Thanks for all the feedback guys. I'm definitely glad I went with the LS1 instead of a Gen-I small block for my project now. So it sounds like I'll be certainly hitting 400hp or more at the flywheel, but the jury's out on the rear wheels, but I can live with 385hp or whatever at the rear wheels. Time to get some stiffer springs in these 241's and get building.:devil: