LS6 Builder Aiming for 500 Wheel Horsepower in a C10

LS6 is going into a square body Chevy pickup with a 4L80E and the builder wants to know if he’s on the right track.

One of the best ways to build a performance car on a budget is an LS swap and recently, “Junorocket” posted seeking input on the LS6 that he is building for a Chevy C10 pickup. The goal is 500 wheel horsepower with a 4L80E automatic transmission and a 27-inch rear tire, and along with explaining his goals, he shared his current build list with the hopes that the community would tell him how close he is to his goal.

LS6 Build Introduction

When the OP first shared his question with the forum, he explained the purpose of this LS6 build along with running through the components that he has for the engine right now.

“I’m working on my LS6 engine right now, and just like the title that I put above, aiming for 500 hp on wheels.

So far these are parts that I have bought.
– Forged bottom end (K1 crank, Lunati rod, 3.905 Wiseco piston).
– PRC 227 heads, 62cc chamber.
– Comp cams, 231/239, .617/.624
– Morel 5206 Lifters (I have Comp short travel lifters as well, but I think Morel will do the job better, right?)
– TSP roller rockers.
– Holley single plane intake.
– Holley 4 barrel 1000 cfm throttle body.
– MSD coils.

This motor will sit on a weekend warrior C10 truck with a TCI 4L80E 6 speed transmission, 3.73 final gear, and 27″ tall wheels. Any idea how far I am from the 500 hp that I aiming for? Any advice on what parts that I should use or replace? I’m thinking about swapping my cam with something that a bit bigger, any advice on that too?”

Unfortunately, the OP didn’t share any pictures of the project, but this C10 sounds like it will result from this build, especially with 500 wheel horsepower.

The Community Responds

The first person to reply was “ddnspider”, who asked a question and provided some basic input.

Wheel HP or flywheel? Title says whp but question at the bottom says 500hp. You’re about 75 whp shy of 500whp. 500whp stock cubes through a 4l80 and 27″ tire is a tall order. Consider boost?

While “JoeNova” shared similar sentiments.

Stock compression pistons? If so, the forged rotating assembly isn’t helping you to your goals at all. Neither are the MSD coils. The roller rockers are still on the fence depending on a few variables.

You’re basically left with a head/cam/intake LS1. I agree, 75whp short with the 80e and that intake manifold.

“David@Vengeance” was the next to respond, sharing what his shop did to achieve 500 wheel horsepower with a manual transmission.

500 is going to be a tall order, if not on the verge of unrealistic through a heavy 4l80. We have made right at 500whp with The following parts through a stick:
-Mast Heads (Milled)
-Vindicator Camshaft
-Johnson Lifters
-Ls3 Rocker arm set
-Fast 102
-102 Tb
-1 7/8 headers and supporting exhaust

This combo was not the most street friendly either, so keep that in mind as well. Let us know if there is anything we can help you with.

To which the OP replied to several different comments in one post, from which we have selected the key information.

I’m sorry I mean WHP.
Noted sir, 425-ish WHP, I’ll be happy enough with that number.
As for boost, i’m not really sure about it.

Yes sir, completely aware about that, bought the rotating assembly because there’s no any machine shop in my country could do a crank balancing job.

So since the shipping cost would be pretty much the same if bought another stock crank I decided to bought a forged complete rotating assembly, and on that moment I didn’t have any goal about HP in any kind of way, just want to make it run again, and cosmetically looking like a gen 1 motor, haha

Considering this is my very first time working on my engine all by myself, I will take 425-ish as good start.

There Is a Chance

While it clearly isn’t easy to make 500 wheel horsepower with a 4L80E, there have been people who have done it, as pointed out by JoeNova.

Its possible. It will just suck to drive.
My buddy did a 4.8 that made 600 at the crank on his engine dyno. That would be 450-470 wheel depending on drivetrain.
A 5.7 would certainly make it easier to do, even with an auto.

Nothing is impossible, but sacrifices will be made.

“Jtm2085” pointed out a member who made more than 500 wheel horsepower with a 4L80.

I believe chrs1313 hit 5xxwhp through a 4l60e

“NHRAFORMULA00” replied, pointing out that he now has the engine from chrs1313’s aforementioned build. He would also share some key components of that engine later in the thread, which we have also included here.

522 to be exact. that motor is in my car today. 12-1 compression. He rebuit it a couple of years later with a 6.0 block and it made the same H.P. numbers but the tq. was about 30 higher.

Trickflow heads milled for 12-1 compression, 239-243 on a 111+4, heads have ls3 intake valves turned down to 204 for light weight. ported 102 intake with a 102 t.b. stock bottom end,pistions notched. yellow terra rockers.

If you have experience with this type of build or would simply like to share some engine building experience with the LS6, click here to head into the thread.

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Patrick Rall

"Before I was old enough to walk, my dad was taking me to various types of racing events, from local drag racing to the Daytona 500," says Patrick Rall, a lifetime automotive expert, diehard Dodge fan, and respected auto journalist for over 10 years. "He owned a repair shop and had a variety of performance cars when I was young, but by the time I was 16, he was ready to build me my first drag car – a 1983 Dodge Mirada that ran low 12s. I spent 10 years traveling around the country, racing with my dad by my side. While we live in different areas of the country, my dad still drag races at 80 years old in the car that he built when I was 16 while I race other vehicles, including my 2017 Dodge Challenger SRT Hellcat and my 1972 Dodge Demon 340.

"Although I went to college for accounting, my time in my dad’s shop growing up allowed me the knowledge to spend time working as a mechanic before getting my accounting degree, at which point I worked in the office of a dealership group. While I was working in the accounting world, I continued racing and taking pictures of cars at the track. Over time, I began showing off those pictures online and that led to my writing.

"Ten years ago, I left the accounting world to become a full-time automotive writer and I am living proof that if you love what you do, you will never “work” a day in your life," adds Rall, who has clocked in time as an auto mechanic, longtime drag racer and now automotive journalist who contributes to nearly a dozen popular auto websites dedicated to fellow enthusiasts.

"I love covering the automotive industry and everything involved with the job. I was fortunate to turn my love of the automotive world into a hobby that led to an exciting career, with my past of working as a mechanic and as an accountant in the automotive world provides me with a unique perspective of the industry.

"My experience drag racing for more than 20 years coupled with a newfound interest in road racing over the past decade allows me to push performance cars to their limit, while my role as a horse stable manager gives me vast experience towing and hauling with all of the newest trucks on the market today.

"Being based on Detroit," says Rall, "I never miss the North American International Auto Show, the Woodward Dream Cruise and Roadkill Nights, along with spending plenty of time raising hell on Detroit's Woodward Avenue with the best muscle car crowd in the world.

Rall can be contacted at QuickMirada@Yahoo.com