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550 rwhp for 68 Camaro

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Old Aug 21, 2007 | 04:38 PM
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Default 550 rwhp for 68 Camaro

I've decided to build an LS engine for my '68 Camaro. I want 500 rwhp through a TKO600 and a 3.73 12bolt posi.
I assume we'll be looking at 600-650hp at the crank.

So.... what should I build?
I prefer to stay naturally aspirated, I don't want to go on the bottle.
I'm leaning towards a 7liter LS2.
Will 427ci, AFR heads and a 90mm FAST intake and TB get me there?
What would it take to put 550 to the ground? a blower?
Thanks.
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Old Aug 21, 2007 | 07:43 PM
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Start with a crate LS7 and simply add a cam & headers. Crank horsepower would be just over 600. This would put you in the ballpark. Keep it simple. My .02

Last edited by LS1GMCTruck; Aug 24, 2007 at 11:47 AM.
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Old Aug 22, 2007 | 08:00 AM
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Definately need something bigger than 346. 427 sounds good. I would go for a GM style single plane over the FAST 90/90. They make much more power and are only not used much in new F-Body and Vettes because of packaging. Throw a 4150 style TB on top. You should pass 500rwhp easy.
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Old Aug 22, 2007 | 08:07 AM
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Originally Posted by stealth71
Definately need something bigger than 346. 427 sounds good. I would go for a GM style single plane over the FAST 90/90. They make much more power and are only not used much in new F-Body and Vettes because of packaging. Throw a 4150 style TB on top. You should pass 500rwhp easy.
I'm not doubting you, although I am curious to find out that the difference in height is between having a standard intake under a standard style 4150 TB and the Gen III truck intake.
I was under the impression that the truck intake wouldn't fit on the first gen Camaros because the intake was too tall.
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Old Aug 22, 2007 | 09:51 AM
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I'm not sure on the fit in a 1st Gen. I am thinking of putting one on my Chevelle and there is plenty of space in there. What's the difference in height between a SBC 350 w/ carb vs. LS1 w/ carb? It's possible that it won't fit on 1st gen's, but might be something a cowl hood would make space for.

Originally Posted by Rhino
I'm not doubting you, although I am curious to find out that the difference in height is between having a standard intake under a standard style 4150 TB and the Gen III truck intake.
I was under the impression that the truck intake wouldn't fit on the first gen Camaros because the intake was too tall.
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Old Aug 22, 2007 | 12:06 PM
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How much torque are you looking to make? Is this a street car or are you going to be racing it? What is the max rpm you want to run? Hyd. or Solid roller? Do you mind the extra weight of an Iron block? What type of budget are you working with? These are all things to consider when putting together an engine combination.

You could achieve 500 rwhp with a nice torque curve. with a ls2 402 or ls1 408(iron block) through a manual trans. If you look in the internal section Patrick
G has the 500 rwhp recipe for using a 347 cu in engine.

For 550 rwhp you are going to need a VERY efficient and well matched heads, cam, intake for a 40X. Check out the internal and dyno section (or do a search). There are tons of 500 hp engines that people have put together.
A 427 would be able to put out 550 without breating too hard but you have to consider the added expensive of a ls7/sleeved ls2 or an aftermarket block.

I am putting my AFR headed 408 in a first gen and I plan on making 500-530 rwhp. Im running a victor jr and a 750 Mighty Demon.



Just my 2 cents and some things to think about.
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Old Aug 22, 2007 | 12:08 PM
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502.? meh
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Old Aug 22, 2007 | 12:50 PM
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Originally Posted by AmericanMuscle313
How much torque are you looking to make? Is this a street car or are you going to be racing it? What is the max rpm you want to run? Hyd. or Solid roller? Do you mind the extra weight of an Iron block? What type of budget are you working with? These are all things to consider when putting together an engine combination.
450-475 torque?
Street car with occasional open track day/auto x.
6500ish. max RPM
I'm open to either Hyd. or Solid.
I pref. Alum block.
I'm still in the budgeting phase, but I'm thinking 10k right now. I'll see where that gets me. Anything less is great.
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Old Aug 22, 2007 | 03:13 PM
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If your budget is 10,000 Take a look at this before you decide on an ls motor.
http://www.ultrastreet.net/540_classic.asp
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Old Aug 22, 2007 | 03:42 PM
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10k for the entire swap or just the engine? Is that including all the required items for the fuel system?

This would be an awesome street engine.
https://ls1tech.com/forums/dynamometer-results-comparisons/690275-402-afr-205-results.html
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Old Aug 22, 2007 | 06:07 PM
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Originally Posted by Billy177
If your budget is 10,000 Take a look at this before you decide on an ls motor.
http://www.ultrastreet.net/540_classic.asp
A carbed big block, not impressed. Fuel injection is where its at. Great power and gas mileage.
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Old Aug 22, 2007 | 11:08 PM
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I am sorry you are not impressed, a properly tuned carb will be very close to the milage of fuel injectected syetem. If you know of another place that can get close to 700 hp for under 10,000k let me know.

MY 70 gto 462ci gets 17mpg with an 850DP, tko600 and ford 9 inch with 3.73's and makes 500hp and over 550lbs.

Don't talk **** when you can't back it up.
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Old Aug 22, 2007 | 11:25 PM
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That is true, but alot of people on here don't know how to tune carbs (myself included) and therefore, FI is much more feasble for them (and me).
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Old Aug 22, 2007 | 11:31 PM
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We specialize in LS swap in our cars we build.

My 69 camaro has a 402 with TFS heads, and 11.5 compression and a harrop intake . It makes 540 rwhp through a 6 speed and 9" rear.

550 should be very hard.
A stock 346 and a blower , or turbo could be another option.
Pm me I f I can help
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Old Aug 23, 2007 | 07:04 AM
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Slow your roll. This is LS1tech not CarbedBBCtech.com

An 500rwhp LSX can roll at 25mpg, something a BBC would struggle at best.

A Forged 347 TT could be done for close to 10k and put down 700+rwhp all day on pump gas.

Ask nitrorocket, his Chevelle is a good example.

Didn't sound like anyone was talking ****, but you.


Originally Posted by Billy177
I am sorry you are not impressed, a properly tuned carb will be very close to the milage of fuel injectected syetem. If you know of another place that can get close to 700 hp for under 10,000k let me know.

MY 70 gto 462ci gets 17mpg with an 850DP, tko600 and ford 9 inch with 3.73's and makes 500hp and over 550lbs.

Don't talk **** when you can't back it up.
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Old Aug 23, 2007 | 12:36 PM
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Originally Posted by Billy177
I am sorry you are not impressed, a properly tuned carb will be very close to the milage of fuel injectected syetem. If you know of another place that can get close to 700 hp for under 10,000k let me know.

MY 70 gto 462ci gets 17mpg with an 850DP, tko600 and ford 9 inch with 3.73's and makes 500hp and over 550lbs.

Don't talk **** when you can't back it up.
I wasnt talking ****. You are the one doing that. I can tune carbs and have done it for years, but now since I have gone the ls1 route I will never go back to the carb, fuel injection is where its at. If you are looking to spend 10,000 or less, look into a 454 lsx short block for 6500, then bolt on trickflow heads. Just ask lmr, this combo made 593 to the wheels. If I offended you Billy I am not sorry, it wasnt my intentions, but you need to realize this is 2007 not 1990 and carbs are not where its at anymore. Josh
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Old Aug 23, 2007 | 01:15 PM
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Originally Posted by Billy177
I am sorry you are not impressed, a properly tuned carb will be very close to the milage of fuel injectected syetem. If you know of another place that can get close to 700 hp for under 10,000k let me know.

MY 70 gto 462ci gets 17mpg with an 850DP, tko600 and ford 9 inch with 3.73's and makes 500hp and over 550lbs.

Don't talk **** when you can't back it up.
462ci of BBC and only makes 500hp
i dont disagree about the proper tuned carb, to achieve efi like mpg
but it would have to be a 390cfm HP type carb, or a jetted down 650 HP
with a 6.5 power valve, with a relatively small cam. and restrictive air cleaner
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Old Aug 23, 2007 | 06:45 PM
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Originally Posted by NemeSS
462ci of BBC and only makes 500hp
i don't disagree about the proper tuned carb, to achieve efi like mpg
but it would have to be a 390cfm HP type carb, or a jetted down 650 HP
with a 6.5 power valve, with a relatively small cam. and restrictive air cleaner
Why would it have to be a small carb, the effective size of it changes when you operate the throttle, the power valve only effects part throttle performance so that does not matter and I don't know how the hell a restrictive air cleaner can help gas mileage. O wait maby it can choke down the carb making the engine run richer? The only thing you said that actually resembled any kind of sense at all was the statement about a smaller cam however there are cams out there that make decent power and still retain good mileage. Preferably solid rollers.


It is a Pontiac motor not a BBC ( I never even implied that it was a BBC)
455 +.030 Makes over 500lbs torque from 2000 to 5000RPM peaking a little over 550lbs I could probably squeeze another 75HP from it by simply changing cams to a big solid roller instead of my small HFT 230/236 .488/.491 however It drives so well now I don't feel the need to. Should go high 11's shifting at 5000rpm

and yes aside from the valve adjustment's a solid roller cam is the best out there. Lighter lifters softer springs, hold the valves open at max lifter longer. what more can you ask for

And I posted last night when I was **** housed drunk so I probably could have worded it a little better, sorry

Last edited by Billy177; Aug 24, 2007 at 12:13 AM.
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Old Aug 23, 2007 | 10:11 PM
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didn't mean to start an S*** storm in here.
I'm interested in a FI LSx aluminum motor.
I'd like to try for 10k (or less, but I know how I like to by the coolest stuff) for the full swap including fuel system, minus transmission.
I think I can get a SWEET deal on a complete LS2. Where should I start. I'll get computer, harness, pedal etc. from the donor car.
I like the idea of 402 or bigger...
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Old Aug 23, 2007 | 10:15 PM
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Originally Posted by datsbad
We specialize in LS swap in our cars we build.

My 69 camaro has a 402 with TFS heads, and 11.5 compression and a harrop intake . It makes 540 rwhp through a 6 speed and 9" rear.

550 should be very hard.
A stock 346 and a blower , or turbo could be another option.
Pm me I f I can help
how much torque are you making? what cam? sounds attractive
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