Upgrade options
Thread Starter
Teching In
Joined: Aug 2003
Posts: 16
Likes: 3
From: Austin, Texas USA
Upgrade options 
I have finished the chassis so that I can drive it (less a throttle cable) but I have posted an ad on the duPont registry that I am building replicas. I am getting lots of questions on boosting the horespower beyond the 320 that is stock in my crate engine. My focus is on building replicas, not performance upgrades. This may be a silly question but what are some recommendations for bolt on applications and ball park cost that will boost the horespower and what kind of HP will that get me? Or if there is a post that reviews all that just let me know.
By the way, thanks for all the kind words and possitive feedback on my new web site www.exoticdreambuilders.com
If you can put together what I've seen in your website, then you can definately bump HP on the LS1s pretty cost effectively. I expect at least 500 flywheel HP on the engine I'm building for my Grand Sport by going with some Patriot Stage II heads (very inexpensive), a custom grind cam, ported throttle body, long tube headers, underdrive crank pulley, etc. The homework has all been done on these engines. It's very easy to get more power out of them. I suggest that you read the posts in the internal and external engine sections here for a while. It'll help get you going in the right direction.
for a basic horsepower boost, look into purchasing the LS6 crate motor, 405 hp, and factory warrantied.
About as simple as you can get, and if your purchasing new LS1 crate motors, the cost is about $500 more, (ballpark estimates)
Ryan.
About as simple as you can get, and if your purchasing new LS1 crate motors, the cost is about $500 more, (ballpark estimates)
Ryan.
easy.. heads and cam.. 
For $3000 you could add all the goodies to get you into the mid 400's (crank hp).. Or for a $1000 you could do a REALLY nice N20 setup.. but the head/cam route is more reliable and there all the time.
For $3000 you could add all the goodies to get you into the mid 400's (crank hp).. Or for a $1000 you could do a REALLY nice N20 setup.. but the head/cam route is more reliable and there all the time.
Originally Posted by slow
for a basic horsepower boost, look into purchasing the LS6 crate motor, 405 hp, and factory warrantied.
About as simple as you can get, and if your purchasing new LS1 crate motors, the cost is about $500 more, (ballpark estimates)
Ryan.
About as simple as you can get, and if your purchasing new LS1 crate motors, the cost is about $500 more, (ballpark estimates)
Ryan.
Good point. I don't know why I didn't think of the LS6. I guess I'm just a wrench-head.
Very very nice.
A few comments...
1) I'd pull together a performance package, maybe partner with one supplier so you have consistent product. I'd get the following:
-Ported Heads (I like the GM CNC LS6 heads for the price). Keep the compression at 11:1 and nobody will have problems.
-224/224/114-ish cam, will pass emissions and not need a ton of custom tuning (I'd go no bigger than a 228/228//114 because it might not pass and you might force folks to buzz the motors too high and the engine reliability drops)
-Chrome moly pushrods
-LS6 intake
-Ported throttlebody
-Crank underdriver pulley
-ASP hi-sided tensioner pulley or Katech tensioner, the belts can walk off if you run more rpms
-Blueprinted oil pump
Should bump a 300rwhp stock motor up to 400rwhp no problem, maybe 425rwhp, but that depends on the head work and what you are using for exhaust manifolds.
I'd run 1.75 long tubes and 3" dual exhaust with a crossover for optimal power.
Add another $7000 to make the engine into a 382ci stroked motor.
A few comments...
1) I'd pull together a performance package, maybe partner with one supplier so you have consistent product. I'd get the following:
-Ported Heads (I like the GM CNC LS6 heads for the price). Keep the compression at 11:1 and nobody will have problems.
-224/224/114-ish cam, will pass emissions and not need a ton of custom tuning (I'd go no bigger than a 228/228//114 because it might not pass and you might force folks to buzz the motors too high and the engine reliability drops)
-Chrome moly pushrods
-LS6 intake
-Ported throttlebody
-Crank underdriver pulley
-ASP hi-sided tensioner pulley or Katech tensioner, the belts can walk off if you run more rpms
-Blueprinted oil pump
Should bump a 300rwhp stock motor up to 400rwhp no problem, maybe 425rwhp, but that depends on the head work and what you are using for exhaust manifolds.
I'd run 1.75 long tubes and 3" dual exhaust with a crossover for optimal power.
Add another $7000 to make the engine into a 382ci stroked motor.
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Originally Posted by Mark IXZD 150
Good point. I don't know why I didn't think of the LS6. I guess I'm just a wrench-head.
Most of us have ls1's so we have to soup them up, but if your purchasing $5000 crate motors. Might was well get the extra 55+ hp or so that the LS6 offers, and will make for a lot easier option. (or might want to make that motor standard, if the tranny will take the abuse for your warranty period. )
A large cammed motor would be nice, but you might give away the V8 under the hatch with too lumpy of a cam.
But i also agree with getting with a well known LS1 shop, to parter with for the upgrades. It appears that you do know what your doing, as that is some amazing fabrication work, i have spent like 2 hours on your site today, looking at all the pics, But for instance, i would rather pay a shop who has done 100's of 427's to build mine, than pay somebody a grand less, who has never resleeved a ls1 block before. The shop will also have ls1edit, and be able to take care of tuning needs, for optimal horsepower, and drivability. (if you don't already have edit, and practice on the gen III/Ls1 motors. )
Ryan.
Ryan
Last edited by slow; Dec 30, 2003 at 08:53 PM.
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Teching In
Joined: Aug 2003
Posts: 16
Likes: 3
From: Austin, Texas USA
Thanks for all the input. I have to balance the HP with the 915 transaxle. The 915 should take about 400HP with no trouble. After that a 930 or G50 may be required. That also drives up the cost which is already pushing the envelope for replicas. You have given me some good ideas. Thank for all the feedback.