Forced Induction Superchargers | Turbochargers | Intercoolers

Better to have more cubes or less with FI?

Thread Tools
 
Search this Thread
 
Old May 25, 2022 | 09:08 PM
  #1  
pushinfreight's Avatar
Thread Starter
TECH Enthusiast
 
Joined: Sep 2003
Posts: 702
Likes: 0
From: Lakeland, Fl
Default Better to have more cubes or less with FI?

So I have been thinking of a FI build for a street car. I am targeting 8xx/8xxrw. I have also been thinking of something between 400-500 c.i. and 10:1 compression. I would run pump 93 and it set up for E85 and or meth capability. My thinking is bigger cubes and less boost to make things more reliable long term. Also the 10:1 would help for the parking lot driving. Most likely will be a manual transmission. Am I missing a basic that says smaller cubes and just more boost is easier to get it done?
Reply
Old May 25, 2022 | 10:14 PM
  #2  
jayyyw's Avatar
TECH Fanatic
5 Year Member
Liked
Loved
Community Favorite
 
Joined: Dec 2017
Posts: 1,611
Likes: 1,086
Default

I prefer smaller CI for traction purposes. Didn't have any issues driving around with my 5.3l engines and a manual transmission, but i was able to put more power down and faster than comparable cars with more CI.
Reply
Old May 25, 2022 | 10:19 PM
  #3  
truckdoug's Avatar
9 Second Club
10 Year Member
Liked
Loved
Community Favorite
iTrader: (26)
 
Joined: Nov 2013
Posts: 6,389
Likes: 558
From: Portlandia
Default

if you can afford the hardware to keep headgaskets in it, go big.

i run a 5.3 for the increased deck surface b/c i am a poor
Reply
Old May 26, 2022 | 02:25 AM
  #4  
gametech's Avatar
TECH Veteran
20 Year Member
Active Streak: 30 Days
Active Streak: 60 Days
Top Answer: 1
iTrader: (1)
 
Joined: Sep 2004
Posts: 4,905
Likes: 906
From: Stockbridge GA
Default

Originally Posted by pushinfreight
So I have been thinking of a FI build for a street car. I am targeting 8xx/8xxrw. I have also been thinking of something between 400-500 c.i. and 10:1 compression. I would run pump 93 and it set up for E85 and or meth capability. My thinking is bigger cubes and less boost to make things more reliable long term. Also the 10:1 would help for the parking lot driving. Most likely will be a manual transmission. Am I missing a basic that says smaller cubes and just more boost is easier to get it done?
Total waste of money to build that many cubes for that HP goal. At that point, your FI is basically a paperweight hurting overall performance. If you were building an engine for your towing rig, I would likely have a much different opinion.

Reply
Old May 26, 2022 | 06:09 AM
  #5  
forcd ind's Avatar
TECH Veteran
15 Year Member
Liked
Loved
Community Favorite
iTrader: (7)
 
Joined: Sep 2007
Posts: 4,188
Likes: 292
From: woodbine, md
Default

I always go for the cubic inches, but my stuff is mostly street use. The torque makes for nice driving, you can use a smaller cam, esp if using a man. trans. Add boost to get where you want.
Your results may vary.
Reply
Old May 26, 2022 | 11:47 AM
  #6  
rpturbo's Avatar
TECH Addict
15 Year Member
Photogenic
Liked
Loved
iTrader: (47)
 
Joined: Nov 2008
Posts: 2,423
Likes: 225
From: A-Town, Ill side
Default

What forum of forced induction? PD Blower, turbo, centrifugal? As said, for 800 ish, if your going turbo, I wouldn't do anything but a 5.3 or 6.0. I don't see the reason.
I personally like a turbo setup much better over a blower. With that said, a blower is probably better with a manual transmission. Most of it is personal preference, but it also depends on the purpose of the car.
What are your goals of this? And what is it going in?
Reply
Old May 26, 2022 | 12:45 PM
  #7  
Black_Sunshine_99's Avatar
TECH Junkie
10 Year Member
Community Builder
Liked
Community Favorite
iTrader: (11)
 
Joined: Mar 2013
Posts: 3,858
Likes: 840
From: Washington
Default

Way too many layers to this question and initial info missing to provide a good answer.
Reply
Old May 26, 2022 | 01:02 PM
  #8  
SLOW SEDAN's Avatar
8 Second Club
iTrader: (13)
 
Joined: Jan 2010
Posts: 4,025
Likes: 952
From: No VA
Default

Originally Posted by gametech
Total waste of money to build that many cubes for that HP goal. .
Agree, I don't get why people are still building LS's for under 900hp, OEM Gen4 internals have been beyond proven to take 800+hp for years on end.

Originally Posted by forcd ind
I always go for the cubic inches, but my stuff is mostly street use. The torque makes for nice driving, you can use a smaller cam, esp if using a man. trans. Add boost to get where you want.
Your results may vary.
How much torque do you need on the street? Even a 5.3L can absolutely roast 28x10.50 slicks down the highway.

Originally Posted by rpturbo
What forum of forced induction? PD Blower, turbo, centrifugal? As said, for 800 ish, if your going turbo, I wouldn't do anything but a 5.3 or 6.0. I don't see the reason.
I personally like a turbo setup much better over a blower. With that said, a blower is probably better with a manual transmission. Most of it is personal preference, but it also depends on the purpose of the car.
What are your goals of this? And what is it going in?
I think big inch blower cars are pretty touchy with a manual, the amount of instant torque just isn't needed on the street unless you want to do 3 block long burnouts. I agree turbo is more manageable and almost infinitely adjustable from the drivers seat.
Reply
LS1 Tech Stories

The Best V8 Stories One Small Block at Time

story-0

Amazing '71 Camaro Restomod Is Modern Muscle Car Under the Skin

 Verdad Gallardo
story-1

6 Common C5 Corvette Failures and What's Involved In Repairing Them

 Pouria Savadkouei
story-2

Retro Modern Bandit Pontiac Trans AM Comes With Burt Reynolds' Autograph

 Verdad Gallardo
story-3

Top 10 Greatest Cadillac V Series Performance Models Ever, Ranked

 Pouria Savadkouei
story-4

Top 10 Most Powerful Chevy Trucks Ever Made!

 
story-5

Hennessey's New Supercharged Silverado ZR2 Has 700 HP

 Verdad Gallardo
story-6

Coachbuilt N2A Anteros Is an LS2-Powered C6 Corvette In Italian Clothes

 Verdad Gallardo
story-7

Awesome K5 Blazer Restomod Comes With C7 Corvette Power

 Verdad Gallardo
story-8

10 Camaros You Should Never Buy

 
story-9

10 LS Engine Myths That Refuse to Die

 Verdad Gallardo
Old May 26, 2022 | 01:11 PM
  #9  
pushinfreight's Avatar
Thread Starter
TECH Enthusiast
 
Joined: Sep 2003
Posts: 702
Likes: 0
From: Lakeland, Fl
Default

Originally Posted by rpturbo
What forum of forced induction? PD Blower, turbo, centrifugal? As said, for 800 ish, if your going turbo, I wouldn't do anything but a 5.3 or 6.0. I don't see the reason.
I personally like a turbo setup much better over a blower. With that said, a blower is probably better with a manual transmission. Most of it is personal preference, but it also depends on the purpose of the car.
What are your goals of this? And what is it going in?
The car will be a C6 and could be Z06 model. This is not a track dedicated car nor an auto cross car. I would put a decent tire on it to drive around. Not a daily driver. I had a 408 with nitrous and it put 800 to the wheels in a TA with a manual. Mostly a car to take to a track a couple times a month. I like to row the gears so an auto is not appealing to me. I have been leaning towards a supercharger because I just like the sound they give you. It is easier to have meth or run E85 which is why I am not doing another nitrous car. I am thinking of a 9.99 e.t. and still have the ac.
Reply
Old May 26, 2022 | 01:17 PM
  #10  
Black_Sunshine_99's Avatar
TECH Junkie
10 Year Member
Community Builder
Liked
Community Favorite
iTrader: (11)
 
Joined: Mar 2013
Posts: 3,858
Likes: 840
From: Washington
Default

Originally Posted by pushinfreight
The car will be a C6 and could be Z06 model. This is not a track dedicated car nor an auto cross car. I would put a decent tire on it to drive around. Not a daily driver. I had a 408 with nitrous and it put 800 to the wheels in a TA with a manual. Mostly a car to take to a track a couple times a month. I like to row the gears so an auto is not appealing to me. I have been leaning towards a supercharger because I just like the sound they give you. It is easier to have meth or run E85 which is why I am not doing another nitrous car. I am thinking of a 9.99 e.t. and still have the ac.
Paging @Detoxx03
Reply
Old May 26, 2022 | 01:19 PM
  #11  
SLOW SEDAN's Avatar
8 Second Club
iTrader: (13)
 
Joined: Jan 2010
Posts: 4,025
Likes: 952
From: No VA
Default

Originally Posted by pushinfreight
The car will be a C6 and could be Z06 model. This is not a track dedicated car nor an auto cross car. I would put a decent tire on it to drive around. Not a daily driver. I had a 408 with nitrous and it put 800 to the wheels in a TA with a manual. Mostly a car to take to a track a couple times a month. I like to row the gears so an auto is not appealing to me. I have been leaning towards a supercharger because I just like the sound they give you. It is easier to have meth or run E85 which is why I am not doing another nitrous car. I am thinking of a 9.99 e.t. and still have the ac.
You can run 9's NA in a C6Z, an honest 800whp in a C6 can run 8's. Just be prepared for the manual drivetrain to fail
Reply
Old May 26, 2022 | 01:19 PM
  #12  
pushinfreight's Avatar
Thread Starter
TECH Enthusiast
 
Joined: Sep 2003
Posts: 702
Likes: 0
From: Lakeland, Fl
Default

I would also convert the rear to 15's so I can run as big a tire as I can to take the power.
Reply
Old May 26, 2022 | 01:21 PM
  #13  
pushinfreight's Avatar
Thread Starter
TECH Enthusiast
 
Joined: Sep 2003
Posts: 702
Likes: 0
From: Lakeland, Fl
Default

Originally Posted by SLOW SEDAN
You can run 9's NA in a C6Z, an honest 800whp in a C6 can run 8's. Just be prepared for the manual drivetrain to fail
It wont be the stock trans. My last trans was an RPM 6060 and McCleod RXT twin. They dealt with a 300 hit all day long no problem.
Reply
Old May 26, 2022 | 01:37 PM
  #14  
SLOW SEDAN's Avatar
8 Second Club
iTrader: (13)
 
Joined: Jan 2010
Posts: 4,025
Likes: 952
From: No VA
Default

Originally Posted by pushinfreight
It wont be the stock trans. My last trans was an RPM 6060 and McCleod RXT twin. They dealt with a 300 hit all day long no problem.
Aftermarket trans still break, I had the gforce setup and the shafts still snapped.

Originally Posted by pushinfreight
I would also convert the rear to 15's so I can run as big a tire as I can to take the power.
C6's can fit some pretty decent size tires, easily fits 28x10.50W's and can run 29.5's but then when they hook everything else likes to give up smoke, differential, output stubs, axles, driveshaft couplers, etc.

I'd save money for the drivetrain before spending it on cubes in a lightweight car.
Reply
Old May 26, 2022 | 01:44 PM
  #15  
pushinfreight's Avatar
Thread Starter
TECH Enthusiast
 
Joined: Sep 2003
Posts: 702
Likes: 0
From: Lakeland, Fl
Default

Originally Posted by SLOW SEDAN
Aftermarket trans still break, I had the gforce setup and the shafts still snapped.



C6's can fit some pretty decent size tires, easily fits 28x10.50W's and can run 29.5's but then when they hook everything else likes to give up smoke, differential, output stubs, axles, driveshaft couplers, etc.

I'd save money for the drivetrain before spending it on cubes in a lightweight car.
I would build the drive train for 1000rw and cooling like it is in Phoenix mid summer. And when you drive a manual clutches and trans become consumables. Over build and under push. I am really trying to understand how to pick the right c.i. and necessary boost for the engine to survive without a yearly teardown. I have nuked a couple engines so i understand nothing is "fool"(me) proof.
Reply
Old May 26, 2022 | 01:58 PM
  #16  
SLOW SEDAN's Avatar
8 Second Club
iTrader: (13)
 
Joined: Jan 2010
Posts: 4,025
Likes: 952
From: No VA
Default

Originally Posted by pushinfreight
I would build the drive train for 1000rw and cooling like it is in Phoenix mid summer. And when you drive a manual clutches and trans become consumables. Over build and under push. I am really trying to understand how to pick the right c.i. and necessary boost for the engine to survive without a yearly teardown. I have nuked a couple engines so i understand nothing is "fool"(me) proof.
I get clutches wearing that's not a big deal, but I'm not a fan of transmissions being a consumable, especially to only run 9.9's.

You need to pick which car you are starting with and go from there. A C6Z with an LS7 427 vs a base with an LS3 376 are completely different starting points. The LS3 is arguably the better option for higher boost but the 427 can last a good while at 800hp on pretty low boost, neither should need yearly teardowns at 800hp.
Reply
Old May 26, 2022 | 02:14 PM
  #17  
pushinfreight's Avatar
Thread Starter
TECH Enthusiast
 
Joined: Sep 2003
Posts: 702
Likes: 0
From: Lakeland, Fl
Default

Originally Posted by SLOW SEDAN
I get clutches wearing that's not a big deal, but I'm not a fan of transmissions being a consumable, especially to only run 9.9's.

You need to pick which car you are starting with and go from there. A C6Z with an LS7 427 vs a base with an LS3 376 are completely different starting points. The LS3 is arguably the better option for higher boost but the 427 can last a good while at 800hp on pretty low boost, neither should need yearly teardowns at 800hp.
if it was the LS3 then i would inly use the block and go with forged internals. If i bought the Z06 I would.most likely sell the motor and get one purposely built. I do t mind spending the money just want to spend it as few times as possible. I would even do an iron block if the reliability was significant over an aluminum block.
Reply
Old May 26, 2022 | 02:34 PM
  #18  
SLOW SEDAN's Avatar
8 Second Club
iTrader: (13)
 
Joined: Jan 2010
Posts: 4,025
Likes: 952
From: No VA
Default

Originally Posted by pushinfreight
if it was the LS3 then i would inly use the block and go with forged internals. If i bought the Z06 I would.most likely sell the motor and get one purposely built. I do t mind spending the money just want to spend it as few times as possible. I would even do an iron block if the reliability was significant over an aluminum block.
Why bother? LS3 has been 7's on stock internals and lots of guys make 900+whp with them. You seen conflicted about your goals, 800hp and 9.9's in a C6 is plenty doable without the things you are talking about, 700hp in a C6 run's mid 9's at worst.

Putting an iron block in a vette doesnt make much sense, but I don't disagree about selling the LS7 to fund the project. You could easily sell the LS7 and get a much stronger engine that could handle double your goal and come out even.
Reply
Old May 26, 2022 | 02:56 PM
  #19  
pushinfreight's Avatar
Thread Starter
TECH Enthusiast
 
Joined: Sep 2003
Posts: 702
Likes: 0
From: Lakeland, Fl
Default

Originally Posted by SLOW SEDAN
Why bother? LS3 has been 7's on stock internals and lots of guys make 900+whp with them. You seen conflicted about your goals, 800hp and 9.9's in a C6 is plenty doable without the things you are talking about, 700hp in a C6 run's mid 9's at worst.

Putting an iron block in a vette doesnt make much sense, but I don't disagree about selling the LS7 to fund the project. You could easily sell the LS7 and get a much stronger engine that could handle double your goal and come out even.
The 800 number come from what i was use too with my old car. So if i understand you correctly an LS3 sbe and good heads for FI will hold 800rwtq potential as long as fuel and boost is there. Also between 388-427 c.i. with 10-14 lbs of boost will get the job done. Additionally 700rw will put a full weight C6/z06 into the high 9's with a manual transmission mission that will not be a dog on the street or a dog below 3500rpm. Correct?
Reply
Old May 26, 2022 | 05:13 PM
  #20  
SLOW SEDAN's Avatar
8 Second Club
iTrader: (13)
 
Joined: Jan 2010
Posts: 4,025
Likes: 952
From: No VA
Default

Originally Posted by pushinfreight
The 800 number come from what i was use too with my old car. So if i understand you correctly an LS3 sbe and good heads for FI will hold 800rwtq potential as long as fuel and boost is there. Also between 388-427 c.i. with 10-14 lbs of boost will get the job done. Additionally 700rw will put a full weight C6/z06 into the high 9's with a manual transmission mission that will not be a dog on the street or a dog below 3500rpm. Correct?

Don't even need aftermarket LS3 heads, stock ones hold 800+ easily. Good fuel and some boost you are good to go. Ive done LS3’s that make 900+ on 18-19psi with stock heads.

My friend made 650hp NA and ran mid 9’s with his 427. In my car mid 9’s only took 8psi with my 364. Both manual c6’s and both certainly not a dog on the street.
Reply



All times are GMT -5. The time now is 05:53 AM.

story-0
Amazing '71 Camaro Restomod Is Modern Muscle Car Under the Skin

Slideshow: This heavily modified 1971 Camaro mixes classic muscle car styling with a fifth-generation Camaro interior and modern LS3 power.

By Verdad Gallardo | 2026-05-12 18:06:42


VIEW MORE
story-1
6 Common C5 Corvette Failures and What's Involved In Repairing Them

Slideshow: From wobbling harmonic balancers to failed EBCMs, these are the issues that define long-term C5 ownership and what repairs typically involve.

By Pouria Savadkouei | 2026-05-07 18:44:57


VIEW MORE
story-2
Retro Modern Bandit Pontiac Trans AM Comes With Burt Reynolds' Autograph

Slideshow: A modern Camaro transformed into a retro icon, this limited-run "Bandit" build blends nostalgia with brute force in a way few revivals manage.

By Verdad Gallardo | 2026-04-21 13:57:02


VIEW MORE
story-3
Top 10 Greatest Cadillac V Series Performance Models Ever, Ranked

Slideshow: Cadillac didn't just crash the high-performance luxury vehicle party, it showed up loud, supercharged, and occasionally a little unhinged...

By Pouria Savadkouei | 2026-04-16 10:05:15


VIEW MORE
story-4
Top 10 Most Powerful Chevy Trucks Ever Made!

Slideshow: Top ten most powerful Chevy trucks ever made

By | 2026-03-25 09:22:26


VIEW MORE
story-5
Hennessey's New Supercharged Silverado ZR2 Has 700 HP

Slideshow: Hennessey has turned the Silverado ZR2 into a 700-hp off-road monster with supercharged V8 power and a limited production run.

By Verdad Gallardo | 2026-03-24 18:57:52


VIEW MORE
story-6
Coachbuilt N2A Anteros Is an LS2-Powered C6 Corvette In Italian Clothes

Slideshow: A one-off sports car that looks like a vintage Italian exotic-but hides a C6 Corvette underneath-just sold for the price of a new mid-engine Corvette.

By Verdad Gallardo | 2026-03-23 18:53:41


VIEW MORE
story-7
Awesome K5 Blazer Restomod Comes With C7 Corvette Power

Slideshow: A heavily reworked 1972 K5 Blazer swaps its off-road roots for a low-slung street-focused build with modern V8 power.

By Verdad Gallardo | 2026-03-09 18:08:45


VIEW MORE
story-8
10 Camaros You Should Never Buy

Slideshow: There are thousands of used Camaros on the market but we think you should avoid these 10

By | 2026-02-17 17:09:30


VIEW MORE
story-9
10 LS Engine Myths That Refuse to Die

Slideshows: Which one of these myths do you believe?

By Verdad Gallardo | 2026-01-28 18:10:11


VIEW MORE