FI or NA with $3500
FI or NA with $3500 I've been saving up for some heads and a cam, but I could get a used Vortech kit for that price. I would like to make around 550rwhp and I would probably only get around 430rwhp with H/C.
With my mods would the Vortech 9# kit, 12# pulley and tunning all I would need to make 550rwhp?
I've heard it isn't safe to run that much boost on stock internals, but wouldn't my exhaust mods lower the boost? I have Hooker LT's, ORYP, and Loudmouth exhaust. Also doesn't the aftercooler help you to run more boost safely?
With my mods would the Vortech 9# kit, 12# pulley and tunning all I would need to make 550rwhp?
I've heard it isn't safe to run that much boost on stock internals, but wouldn't my exhaust mods lower the boost? I have Hooker LT's, ORYP, and Loudmouth exhaust. Also doesn't the aftercooler help you to run more boost safely?
Moderator
Joined: Nov 2001
Posts: 3,048
Likes: 12
From: Raleigh, NC
Re: FI or NA with $3500 If you don't get the boost into the 7 or 8 PSI range, I don't think a stock internals motor will last a long time. But mostly, that will depend on how you tame detonation. I ran 10 PSI safely without detonation, but it can rear it's ugly head at inopportune times. I had to raise the octane a few points to run 10 PSI without detonation. I think you could run 93 octane with max 7 or 8 PSI on stock timing. 5 or 6 would be safest.
If you run any more boost than that, you will have to retard timing AND the stock internals won't handle the power long-term. My 2cents.
If you run any more boost than that, you will have to retard timing AND the stock internals won't handle the power long-term. My 2cents.
TECH Enthusiast
Joined: Dec 2001
Posts: 553
Likes: 0
From: Columbia, MD
Re: FI or NA with $3500 My advice:
$3500 will barely get you a heads and cam package installed. You still might need a little extra for the tuning, gaskets, etc. For the Supercharger, be prepared to shell out $6000 for the blower, gauges, injectors, etc. and another $1000 for labor. And don't forget another few hundred extra for custom tuning.
Stay away from used supercharger kits, unless you personally know the guy who's selling it to you. There's no telling how many miles is on the impeller unit, if the guy trashed it or not, if you will get all the parts, or if there's any warranty left on the kit. I don't trust anybody when it comes to that kind of stuff, 'cause its just too freakin' expensive if you get screwed. Just keep saving until you can afford a new kit.
If you only have the money right now for one or the other, get the heads & cam first. Just make sure they're not milled so you can throw on the blower when you've saved up the money. You can always put on the supercharger later. But if you put it on before the heads and cam, then you have to pull apart the blower to install the heads and cam. Basically you'd be paying for the blower install twice.
Just my 2 cents.
$3500 will barely get you a heads and cam package installed. You still might need a little extra for the tuning, gaskets, etc. For the Supercharger, be prepared to shell out $6000 for the blower, gauges, injectors, etc. and another $1000 for labor. And don't forget another few hundred extra for custom tuning.
Stay away from used supercharger kits, unless you personally know the guy who's selling it to you. There's no telling how many miles is on the impeller unit, if the guy trashed it or not, if you will get all the parts, or if there's any warranty left on the kit. I don't trust anybody when it comes to that kind of stuff, 'cause its just too freakin' expensive if you get screwed. Just keep saving until you can afford a new kit.
If you only have the money right now for one or the other, get the heads & cam first. Just make sure they're not milled so you can throw on the blower when you've saved up the money. You can always put on the supercharger later. But if you put it on before the heads and cam, then you have to pull apart the blower to install the heads and cam. Basically you'd be paying for the blower install twice.
Just my 2 cents.
TECH Apprentice
Joined: Nov 2001
Posts: 306
Likes: 0
From: malmstrom Air Force Base, Montana
Re: FI or NA with $3500 the headers may lower your manifold pressure but manifold pressure isn't what kills your motor it's too much cylinder pressure. Aftercoolers/intercoolers help lower intake temps, which inturn will decrease detonation.
With a $3500 budget I would say you could finish up your bolt-ons, and put on some NO2. I would say don't dabble in FI until you are ready to part with about twice that much cash. I would bet you'll even have to spend about 5K to get a good heads and cam combo bought, installed and tuned.
With a $3500 budget I would say you could finish up your bolt-ons, and put on some NO2. I would say don't dabble in FI until you are ready to part with about twice that much cash. I would bet you'll even have to spend about 5K to get a good heads and cam combo bought, installed and tuned.
Re: FI or NA with $3500 $3500 isn't my budget, thats just what I have right now and I'm wondering if I should keep saving and get what I really want or if I should settle for half way. "Heads and Cam" Where are yall getting these prices from. I'm figuring...
$1400 Absolute Speed S2 heads
$400 TR 224/224/112 Cam
$300 Gaskets/Bolts
$500 Tunning
$2600 total and I have friends that would help with the instal. Or what I really want...
$4400 7# ATI Procharger kit
$500 tunning
$300 Guages
$5200
$1400 Absolute Speed S2 heads
$400 TR 224/224/112 Cam
$300 Gaskets/Bolts
$500 Tunning
$2600 total and I have friends that would help with the instal. Or what I really want...
$4400 7# ATI Procharger kit
$500 tunning
$300 Guages
$5200
TECH Enthusiast
Joined: Dec 2001
Posts: 553
Likes: 0
From: Columbia, MD
Re: FI or NA with $3500 Well, if you're going to do the heads & cam install yourself, then that saves you about $900 off the estimated $3500, which takes you to $2600 like you said. And if $5200 includes your fuel pump, injectors, tuning, and everything you said, then that's a steal as well, especially if youre installing that yourself too.
I'd still do the heads & cam first. That should be plenty of horsepower while you wait to save for the blower. At least that's what I did anyway. I have over 400RWHP now, and when the supercharger finally gets here.. <img border="0" alt="[evil]" title="" src="graemlins/gr_devil.gif" />
I wish UPS would hurry the f**k up!
I'd still do the heads & cam first. That should be plenty of horsepower while you wait to save for the blower. At least that's what I did anyway. I have over 400RWHP now, and when the supercharger finally gets here.. <img border="0" alt="[evil]" title="" src="graemlins/gr_devil.gif" />
I wish UPS would hurry the f**k up!
Trending Topics
TECH Addict
Joined: Nov 2001
Posts: 2,659
Likes: 1
From: Bellevue, Wa
Re: FI or NA with $3500 if your end goal is to have a blower get it first.
if your goal is just an hp number then heads/cam/n20 is by far an easier route.
I say get the blower first because the heads/cam don't have a huge impact on peak numbers, they certainly improve the curve, at least they did in my case, but peak not much of a diff.
make sure you know what your getting into with the blower as it isn't plug and play. if you know what your doing they are alot of fun. and as far as budget goes, if you shop smart you can do wonders.
I've done heads,cam,springs,intake,headers,exhaust,fuel system, ls1-edit, water/alky system, and blower for just under $5,000 and did everything myself for a labor cost of $0 (well actually $50 to get the exhaust welded) so you can get it all on a budget. last dyno I threw down the numbers in the sig with a leaky discharge tube. should be a little higher now that it's sealed. car ran 117mph on street tires with me only being able to floor it once I was in 3rd gear. I would suspect 120mph with real tires.
so first identify your goal then figuring out how to achieve it should be easy.
if your goal is just an hp number then heads/cam/n20 is by far an easier route.
I say get the blower first because the heads/cam don't have a huge impact on peak numbers, they certainly improve the curve, at least they did in my case, but peak not much of a diff.
make sure you know what your getting into with the blower as it isn't plug and play. if you know what your doing they are alot of fun. and as far as budget goes, if you shop smart you can do wonders.
I've done heads,cam,springs,intake,headers,exhaust,fuel system, ls1-edit, water/alky system, and blower for just under $5,000 and did everything myself for a labor cost of $0 (well actually $50 to get the exhaust welded) so you can get it all on a budget. last dyno I threw down the numbers in the sig with a leaky discharge tube. should be a little higher now that it's sealed. car ran 117mph on street tires with me only being able to floor it once I was in 3rd gear. I would suspect 120mph with real tires.
so first identify your goal then figuring out how to achieve it should be easy.
LS1 Tech Stories
The Best V8 Stories One Small Block at Time
6 Common C5 Corvette Failures and What's Involved In Repairing Them
Pouria Savadkouei
Retro Modern Bandit Pontiac Trans AM Comes With Burt Reynolds' Autograph
Verdad Gallardo
Top 10 Greatest Cadillac V Series Performance Models Ever, Ranked
Pouria Savadkouei
Top 10 Most Powerful Chevy Trucks Ever Made!
Hennessey's New Supercharged Silverado ZR2 Has 700 HP
Verdad Gallardo
Coachbuilt N2A Anteros Is an LS2-Powered C6 Corvette In Italian Clothes
Verdad Gallardo
Awesome K5 Blazer Restomod Comes With C7 Corvette Power
Verdad Gallardo
10 Camaros You Should Never Buy
