Losing Battle?
Losing Battle? I am trying to make this car quick, but it seems that everywhere that I look the verts are slow for their mods. I dont know if it is the extra weight or aerodynamics of the top. I have always wanted a quick vert but I am starting to get frustrated. Any hope?
i dunno from what i have seen verts usually aren't that much slower...my car is adnormally slow but i still plan on modding it more, it may be a lil slower then a hardtop but it is definately more fun.
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Joined: Mar 2007
Posts: 661
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From: Shreveport,Louisiana
Hell ,what do you call slow.
My 02 Z /28 convertible running full weight spare tire & jack with nothing but a lid & Manaflow replacement muffler runs 13.20's at over 105 MPH & I weigh in at over 245 lbs. Sounds like you got a lemon thats out of tune or something.
My 02 Z /28 convertible running full weight spare tire & jack with nothing but a lid & Manaflow replacement muffler runs 13.20's at over 105 MPH & I weigh in at over 245 lbs. Sounds like you got a lemon thats out of tune or something.
I dont think 370 rwhp unlocked is a lemon cam only. bboyferal your car is sick, I did notice a lot of verts in the forced induction area. I guess thats what it takes. I want to get this car in the high 11 sec range. It just seems to take more to do it.
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Joined: Mar 2007
Posts: 661
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From: Shreveport,Louisiana
Yep , once you get into the low twelves it seems to cost more & more for every tenth of a second .But don't despair because the potential is definitely there .
Instead of costing two or three hundred for a couple a tenths now your lookin at $800.00 to $1500.00 for that 2/10's .
For my money a blower is the way to go on the street with 4-6 lbs. boost , even then you may have a problem with pump gas . On the strip its hard to beat a Turbo. Course there's always laughing gas but you may have the same problem with pump gas with nitrous also . Most stock LS1's with nitrous should get into the elevens I would think. Good luck !
Instead of costing two or three hundred for a couple a tenths now your lookin at $800.00 to $1500.00 for that 2/10's .
For my money a blower is the way to go on the street with 4-6 lbs. boost , even then you may have a problem with pump gas . On the strip its hard to beat a Turbo. Course there's always laughing gas but you may have the same problem with pump gas with nitrous also . Most stock LS1's with nitrous should get into the elevens I would think. Good luck !
Last edited by Z ROADSTER; Aug 5, 2007 at 09:13 PM.
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My 02 SS vert is running in the mid 12's on stock motor, stock auto tranny, but I have went to a 3:93 moser 9 inch with ET Street Radials/ ET fronts and BMR adj torque arm, BMR adj rca's, BMR crossmember with driveshaft loop. I have cam/heads and yank SS 4000 stall to throw in her. I think that will get me my mid 11's. Good luck with whatever way you go.
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Originally Posted by WS6Drop
Our pump gas is **** 91 so I can definitely see a problem. Thanks for the encouragement. Time to spend more money 
Don't see the problem... And 4-6 psi would not only create no problems but would be a waste of time and money as well IMO... Boost should at least be 8/9 to make FI worthwhile IMO... If you're going to run 4-6 psi, you might as well get a mild H/C NA set-up and spend less than half the money.
So we weigh a little more, just add 30 rwhp problem fixed. I love my 'vert.
Originally Posted by bboyferal
I ran 8 psi 500 rwhp on pump when I had stock heads, stock cam, and a stock bottom end. *shrugs*
Don't see the problem... And 4-6 psi would not only create no problems but would be a waste of time and money as well IMO... Boost should at least be 8/9 to make FI worthwhile IMO... If you're going to run 4-6 psi, you might as well get a mild H/C NA set-up and spend less than half the money.
So we weigh a little more, just add 30 rwhp problem fixed. I love my 'vert.
Don't see the problem... And 4-6 psi would not only create no problems but would be a waste of time and money as well IMO... Boost should at least be 8/9 to make FI worthwhile IMO... If you're going to run 4-6 psi, you might as well get a mild H/C NA set-up and spend less than half the money.
So we weigh a little more, just add 30 rwhp problem fixed. I love my 'vert.
I am going H/C route and see what happens. I totally agree with 4-6 psi is a waste. I think if your going to spend the money anyway go big with FI. Thanks everyone.
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Joined: Mar 2007
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From: Shreveport,Louisiana
4 TO 6 lbs of boost a WASTE?
Originally Posted by WS6Drop
I am going H/C route and see what happens. I totally agree with 4-6 psi is a waste. I think if your going to spend the money anyway go big with FI. Thanks everyone.
Ok brother , if you think 4 to 6 lbs. of boost is a waste on a street driven daily driver go ahead , get yourself some 8 lbs of boost. You will soon learn the meaning of the word WASTED when your engine disagrees with you & your pump gas . Just like all novice bench racers , they all think bigger is better. Bigger carb. on the street,bigger cam, bigger exhaust pipes,more boost , etc. etc.
Live & learn !
I'm speaking from experience. I ran 8 psi on pump on a stock block for over a year saving up for a new motor to go 15 psi... When I removed my heads, everything still looked like brand new.
And YES, to turbocharge/supercharge your car (with how expensive it is) and get ~400 rwhp on 4-6 psi is a waste of money and time considering two things:
A. The stock block handles AS A LOW ESTIMATE 500 rwhp on pump... What limits it is the weak pistons NOT THE GAS... With a forged set of pistons, you can do 700 rwhp on pump on a stock cube 346... Ask me how I know. With the stock pistons disintegrating somewhere after ~550 rwhp, 8 psi is an agreed "safety" level to keep the stock pistons intact...
Has NOTHING to do with the gas.
If you added race gas ro run higher boost, your stock pistons would still disintegrate past the same levels due to weak ringlands even with zero detonation. BTW, there are some brave souls in our FI section (NOT RECOMMENDED), that run over 10 psi and make over 600 rwhp on pump gas on stock bottom end, stock heads, and stock cam... One guy ran this way for a year before finally blowing up due to a very expected piston failure.
B. A mild NA H/C set-up can do ~400 rwhp and more for much less money and hassle than an FI set-up for TONS of money LESS.
If you're running 4-6 psi, that's a waste of an FI set-up on an LS1...
BTW, I have never run race gas in my car nor will my car EVER even see race gas.
So live and learn what dude? My car has NEVER ONCE been down on the side of the road? He's getting the right advice obviously and is going with it from people who've been at these crossroads before.
And YES, to turbocharge/supercharge your car (with how expensive it is) and get ~400 rwhp on 4-6 psi is a waste of money and time considering two things:
A. The stock block handles AS A LOW ESTIMATE 500 rwhp on pump... What limits it is the weak pistons NOT THE GAS... With a forged set of pistons, you can do 700 rwhp on pump on a stock cube 346... Ask me how I know. With the stock pistons disintegrating somewhere after ~550 rwhp, 8 psi is an agreed "safety" level to keep the stock pistons intact...
Has NOTHING to do with the gas.
If you added race gas ro run higher boost, your stock pistons would still disintegrate past the same levels due to weak ringlands even with zero detonation. BTW, there are some brave souls in our FI section (NOT RECOMMENDED), that run over 10 psi and make over 600 rwhp on pump gas on stock bottom end, stock heads, and stock cam... One guy ran this way for a year before finally blowing up due to a very expected piston failure.
B. A mild NA H/C set-up can do ~400 rwhp and more for much less money and hassle than an FI set-up for TONS of money LESS.
If you're running 4-6 psi, that's a waste of an FI set-up on an LS1...
BTW, I have never run race gas in my car nor will my car EVER even see race gas.
So live and learn what dude? My car has NEVER ONCE been down on the side of the road? He's getting the right advice obviously and is going with it from people who've been at these crossroads before.
So for someone doing an engine rebuild... Would it be better to do a stockish rebuild (save $$ reusing some parts) and go with an LE2 package.... Or save $2000 (reusing the stock heads/cam) and go with forged internal rebuild (pistons/rods) and blower? Taking into consideration streetability and power level.
convertible is just weight. it takes more to get the weight moving and to keep it pulling hard. best with this combo is 10.006@ 139 with 10-11psi.....3940# raceweight. Heads and cam with a good converter oughta get you 11s all day long
Originally Posted by Z ROADSTER
Ok brother , if you think 4 to 6 lbs. of boost is a waste on a street driven daily driver go ahead , get yourself some 8 lbs of boost. You will soon learn the meaning of the word WASTED when your engine disagrees with you & your pump gas . Just like all novice bench racers , they all think bigger is better. Bigger carb. on the street,bigger cam, bigger exhaust pipes,more boost , etc. etc.
Live & learn !
Live & learn !
I have a blown 57 chevy, I have also had a few cars in my time. The point I was making and others was H/C is cheaper than 4-6lbs of boost to make the same power.
Rear Gear
Originally Posted by WS6Drop
I dont think 370 rwhp unlocked is a lemon cam only. bboyferal your car is sick, I did notice a lot of verts in the forced induction area. I guess thats what it takes. I want to get this car in the high 11 sec range. It just seems to take more to do it.
Originally Posted by caddobass
You never really said what your times are with the cam you have now. But from what I see (cam, intake, & other) you should be getting pretty much in the 11's with a rear gear ( 4:11 ) and good tune. If you are just looking to get in the mid 11's I would go H/C and rear gear. Good Luck, ps don't forget sticky tires.
Sorry didn't know it was A4 car, 4:11 to much. I too was running mid to low 13's with just L/T headers, all stock engine and nitto's on rear. Got the 3:90 9", ET Street radial & skinnies and a dyno tune and ran 12.65 - 110.32 mph. I think the 26" tall tire & 3:90 gear is about the same as 4:11 for us automatic guys. With street tire the gas mileage isn't to bad as long as I leave it in overdrive, if I put it in drive that's another story.I too ran into that roll bar thing but my track has been pretty good about leting me run without it installed. I got a six point weld in from Wolfe, notched with swing outs on both doors as I drive alot on the street also.
Originally Posted by bboyferal
I ran 8 psi 500 rwhp on pump when I had stock heads, stock cam, and a stock bottom end. *shrugs*
Don't see the problem... And 4-6 psi would not only create no problems but would be a waste of time and money as well IMO... Boost should at least be 8/9 to make FI worthwhile IMO... If you're going to run 4-6 psi, you might as well get a mild H/C NA set-up and spend less than half the money.
So we weigh a little more, just add 30 rwhp problem fixed. I love my 'vert.
Don't see the problem... And 4-6 psi would not only create no problems but would be a waste of time and money as well IMO... Boost should at least be 8/9 to make FI worthwhile IMO... If you're going to run 4-6 psi, you might as well get a mild H/C NA set-up and spend less than half the money.
So we weigh a little more, just add 30 rwhp problem fixed. I love my 'vert.
...i love your car too.
