400hp?
Thread Starter
TECH Enthusiast
iTrader: (2)
Joined: Oct 2008
Posts: 579
Likes: 1
From: Pearland, Texas
400hp? How much do you guys think it would cost to get about 400-425 horsepower? I am about to buy a car but I am not sure if I just want to spend all my cash on a WS6 and put $2000 in mods or buy a Z28 and put $4500 in mods.
With the brand new stock LS6 243 heads which I'm selling for $625 in the classified section and a small cam you should easily get there. Which would cost about $1600 + bolt-ons if the cars don't already have them.
Last edited by camz28arro; Oct 15, 2009 at 03:56 PM.
Thread Starter
TECH Enthusiast
iTrader: (2)
Joined: Oct 2008
Posts: 579
Likes: 1
From: Pearland, Texas
Thanks guys, what do you think I could do with $4000 power wise? Where is the point that things start to break on these cars? I will probably never take it to the track but I will probably be racing my friends alot after school or something.
Sorry I am being so vague, I don't know where to start. I found a rear mount STS for $2500 near by also.
Sorry I am being so vague, I don't know where to start. I found a rear mount STS for $2500 near by also.
Get the car that you really want. You of course want a WS6 by the way it sounds, but are thinking of settling for a Z28 for a cheaper price so you can throw more money into mods. Both are practically the same car, just dollar amount for it is different. Buy the one that you'll be happier with and appeals more to ya. You have plenty of time to mod it in the future. Once you start, you'll never stop
My advise would be to get the WS6, throw full exhaust, airlid, LS6 intake (if it doesn't have one), and tune it. That will get you close to 350whp for less than $2000. Then throw a mild h/c at it after you have those and you'll easily crack 400whp for sure.
My advise would be to get the WS6, throw full exhaust, airlid, LS6 intake (if it doesn't have one), and tune it. That will get you close to 350whp for less than $2000. Then throw a mild h/c at it after you have those and you'll easily crack 400whp for sure.
Thread Starter
TECH Enthusiast
iTrader: (2)
Joined: Oct 2008
Posts: 579
Likes: 1
From: Pearland, Texas
The T/A says it has a "custom clutch, custom exhaust, and custom rear end"... The Z28 I think is cat back only, I drove the Z28.. Very nice car but for some reason didn't appeal to me.
I would try and find out what custom means, lol. Custom coming from a dealership is sometimes the most decieving stuff. If it does already have a 12 bolt, 9" or S60 in it... That would be ideal. Both cars do look in good shape which is a good thing
Trending Topics
x2 I'd go for the z just because most dealerships will say almost anything to sell you a car, I know you want a trans am but I would hold out for a lil and just search the market lol, good luck on your car search.
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
10 LS Engine Myths That Refuse to Die
Verdad Gallardo
"custom rear end" could just mean it has new gears or a diff cover.
"custom clutch" could still be a stage 1 or 2 setup that will not hold up well to 400+ hp for long.
get names or part numbers for what was installed. if they can't tell you....subtract that from the price.
mods don't always ADD to the price of a car.
i say get the car you want.
depending on if you do the work yourself, you can probably make your 400rwhp goal with the money you have. as long as you're not REALLY abusive to the rear end you should be OK for a while.
"custom clutch" could still be a stage 1 or 2 setup that will not hold up well to 400+ hp for long.
get names or part numbers for what was installed. if they can't tell you....subtract that from the price.
mods don't always ADD to the price of a car.
i say get the car you want.
depending on if you do the work yourself, you can probably make your 400rwhp goal with the money you have. as long as you're not REALLY abusive to the rear end you should be OK for a while.
Thread Starter
TECH Enthusiast
iTrader: (2)
Joined: Oct 2008
Posts: 579
Likes: 1
From: Pearland, Texas
Ok, I am really starting to consider the turbo route. Lets say I was starting off with a completely stock car like that Z28, what all would I need to safely run the turbo? The only thing now I can think of is a clutch. What PSI can I safely run it at? This will be my daily driver. Also how much HP will I be seeing? It's a T-76 kit.
Fuel pump, injectors, clutch, rear end, power steering pump, starter, window motors, ahha all sorts of crap on these damn cars! Tune / hp tuners, wideband... Power not much over 450-500 rwhp if you want it to live long.
Fuel pump: $100-200
Injectors: $200+
Clutch: $400+
Tune / hptuners: $500 + wideband $200+
LS6 intake: $300
Rear end: $2000+++
Fuel pump: $100-200
Injectors: $200+
Clutch: $400+
Tune / hptuners: $500 + wideband $200+
LS6 intake: $300
Rear end: $2000+++
The T/A is the better car all thing being the same. Whats the price difference? I always liked the T/A better, it just looks meaner. I just couldn't find one in my buget. Get the one that makes you happy or keep looking. Remember you have to pay for it.Keep us posted on what you do.
Good Luck on your new car.
Good Luck on your new car.
TECH Resident
Joined: Sep 2009
Posts: 859
Likes: 2
From: Frozen Tundra, WI
The T/A is sweet...love the look of those cars.
Definitely find out exactly what "custom" is.
A rearend will live much longer if you run street tires...not drag radials or cheater slicks.
Definitely find out exactly what "custom" is.
A rearend will live much longer if you run street tires...not drag radials or cheater slicks.
I love the front end of the WS6's (ram air), but I despise the *** end. That's why I went with my Z. And you can usually find them for cheaper than the WS6's. Like everyone else said, just be careful dealing with dealers. Some are honest, but its a business and their business is gettin rid of cars. Oh and try for an 01/02 car so it already has the LS6 intake and decent heads. I'd stay away from the turbo....LOTS of supporting mods are required, and you don't get the satisfaction of beating turbo'd cars naturally aspirated
Thread Starter
TECH Enthusiast
iTrader: (2)
Joined: Oct 2008
Posts: 579
Likes: 1
From: Pearland, Texas
If the turbo kit is $2000 do you think I could get the supporting mods done for another $2000?
I asked the lady and she said she put in some sort of high dollar racing clutch($800) since you can't use a normal clutch, she seemed like she knew what she was talking about..
I found a black T/A for $6,000 so I might just go for that. Then I will have $4000 for engine mods with that car. What HP level could I get with that much? I was going to turbo this car, or should I forget that and do heads/cam/exhaust?
I asked the lady and she said she put in some sort of high dollar racing clutch($800) since you can't use a normal clutch, she seemed like she knew what she was talking about..
I found a black T/A for $6,000 so I might just go for that. Then I will have $4000 for engine mods with that car. What HP level could I get with that much? I was going to turbo this car, or should I forget that and do heads/cam/exhaust?
