$4,000 saved, FI or heads and cam?
01-19-2005, 10:50 PM
#1
$4,000 saved, FI or heads and cam? I have saving money for a while now and i have about 4k. I had been planning to do the LE2 for the longest time, but then i started looking into supercharging and a rear mount turbo, and I'm leaning more towards the forced induction now. I've been reading alot of posts about it.
From what i gather 6-7psi is safe, and 8psi can be done safely. I was looking around and it looks like i can make 370-400rwhp with just a bolt on supercharger, or rear mount turbo. This is about as good as i could do with with a heads and cam setup, but seems to require much less work, and alot safer as far as installation. See i plan on keeping the stock stall and 2.73 gears because i wont be able to afford to replace them if i do the LE2 and full bolt ons.
I want to be able to run low 12s or high 11s. I want to know how long my engine would last, and how fast i could possibly go. My car is 1995 Firebird Formula, automatic, 2.73 gears, 70k miles, mods in my sig.
How much power would i gain at each boost level of 4.5psi, 6psi, 7psi, and 8psi. Also what other mods would i need? 36lb injectors and a tune right? I would also be adding long tube headers and a 3" x pipe setup (unless i went the turbo route)
I havent really looked into forced induction on the LT1 until now. My last car was a twin turbo 3000gt, and i really like forced induction. What do you all think i should do?
From what i gather 6-7psi is safe, and 8psi can be done safely. I was looking around and it looks like i can make 370-400rwhp with just a bolt on supercharger, or rear mount turbo. This is about as good as i could do with with a heads and cam setup, but seems to require much less work, and alot safer as far as installation. See i plan on keeping the stock stall and 2.73 gears because i wont be able to afford to replace them if i do the LE2 and full bolt ons.
I want to be able to run low 12s or high 11s. I want to know how long my engine would last, and how fast i could possibly go. My car is 1995 Firebird Formula, automatic, 2.73 gears, 70k miles, mods in my sig.
How much power would i gain at each boost level of 4.5psi, 6psi, 7psi, and 8psi. Also what other mods would i need? 36lb injectors and a tune right? I would also be adding long tube headers and a 3" x pipe setup (unless i went the turbo route)
I havent really looked into forced induction on the LT1 until now. My last car was a twin turbo 3000gt, and i really like forced induction. What do you all think i should do?
01-19-2005, 11:35 PM
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You might need more then 4k to do FI. You also have to look into upgrading the fuel system, valve springs and pushrods just to be on the safe side. Then you have to look at installation if you are not going to do it yourself. just on my STS setup i have spent way more then 4k getting everything done perfect and safe. The way i feel is if your gonna do it do it once and do it right so i am going that extra mile to make everything perfect. I mean you CAN do it for 4k if you put the STS kit on yourself and leave the fuel and valvetrain stock...but even then you MUST have a tune after it is put on. Thats where i limited myself i didnt upgrade anything after the STS kit was on...now i have too if i want to raise the boost so i am in the middle of upgrading everything 
. My duel Valvesprings come today and so does my pushrods. Already have my 42# injectors sitting here waiting and a fuel pump is comming soon. plus i picked up a 5" monster Tach with a shiftlite thanks to Spanky LS1...i just had to it looked to cool and the price was just right 
. My duel Valvesprings come today and so does my pushrods. Already have my 42# injectors sitting here waiting and a fuel pump is comming soon. plus i picked up a 5" monster Tach with a shiftlite thanks to Spanky LS1...i just had to it looked to cool and the price was just right 
01-19-2005, 11:42 PM
#6
I was thinking the STS, but i honestly don't like how they sound. I have heard a few video clips and they just sound wimpy. no offense at all, i just love the sound of my open exhasut. How a car sounds is every bit as it looks and performs to me. Thats why i think i am going to go with a ram-air, head/cam, 3" true dual X set up. Should sound awsome, and be pretty dang fast. My problem with the heads and cam would be not being able to afford a stall for the cam. i suppose i can live without one for a while.
I will be doing all of the work myself, and i am more than capable of doing it.
I will be doing all of the work myself, and i am more than capable of doing it.
01-20-2005, 01:24 AM
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Well, one thing with the H/C route, is while you've got the engine apart, you can rebuild the top end. 70k miles isn't exactly old, but not exactly young either. 
Good luck on your build up!!! 
Good luck on your build up!!! Trending Topics
01-20-2005, 02:13 AM
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Originally Posted by Shawn MacAnanny
I was thinking the STS, but i honestly don't like how they sound. I have heard a few video clips and they just sound wimpy. no offense at all, i just love the sound of my open exhasut. How a car sounds is every bit as it looks and performs to me. Thats why i think i am going to go with a ram-air, head/cam, 3" true dual X set up. Should sound awsome, and be pretty dang fast. My problem with the heads and cam would be not being able to afford a stall for the cam. i suppose i can live without one for a while.
I will be doing all of the work myself, and i am more than capable of doing it.
I will be doing all of the work myself, and i am more than capable of doing it.
Well it looks like you answered your own question.
01-20-2005, 11:05 AM
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I saved to buy the blower first. Which I bought from 69firebird. Its still im my closet. But I am the type that If I dont have every part I want I wont put it on. All I am lacking is heads which now that I got my W2 I will finish paying off the heads and its a done deal 
01-20-2005, 11:22 AM
#12
Well I've decided to go with the LE2, and I'm gonna start collecting parts. I love the sound of Ram-Air almost as much as a supercharger whine. Why is it important to remeber the numbers fo the intake bolts? Arent they all the same?
I think i'll get more power from the heads/cam and bolts ons, but i'll probably get worse gas mileage. With a stock stall and rear i am worried about how horrible low end power might be. I was thinking if i power braked off of the line my Nittos would hook up and there wouldnt be a problem.
How long would my stock transmission and stall last with about 400rwhp?
Thanks for all the replies,
Shawn
I think i'll get more power from the heads/cam and bolts ons, but i'll probably get worse gas mileage. With a stock stall and rear i am worried about how horrible low end power might be. I was thinking if i power braked off of the line my Nittos would hook up and there wouldnt be a problem.
How long would my stock transmission and stall last with about 400rwhp?
Thanks for all the replies,
Shawn
01-20-2005, 02:19 PM
#14
Bah it's a 2.73 rear end. i have a guy who will install gears for $75 so it's really no biggie. I have like two extra gears sets laying around from ebay for like $15 as spares. I'll probably go 3.73s, maybe 4.10s, just have fun with the gear until something else breaks. i can go through about 11 rear ends for the price of a Moser so i'm game.
01-21-2005, 10:43 AM
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Originally Posted by Shawn MacAnanny
Bah it's a 2.73 rear end. i have a guy who will install gears for $75 so it's really no biggie. I have like two extra gears sets laying around from ebay for like $15 as spares. I'll probably go 3.73s, maybe 4.10s, just have fun with the gear until something else breaks. i can go through about 11 rear ends for the price of a Moser so i'm game.
Not just the gears that break. The posi and the splines are crap too
01-22-2005, 12:35 PM
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Originally Posted by Shawn MacAnanny
I love the sound of Ram-Air almost as much as a supercharger whine.