Hi everyone. I've done my searching on the forum but it seems like most the conversations are over my head. I have no problem working on motors but I am new to the ls1 motor. I'm looking to get to 450ish rwhp but very street able/stockish driving habits. I was thinking going forced induction but it looks like I can get there cheaper doing h/c/i. Can you guys please point me in the right direction on this one. I have no intentions on building a motor or a race car. I just want to have more fun.
Thanks a ton

 

450rwhp out of a 5.7 liter will not be like a stock engine as far as driveability. I suggest leaving the stock cam and heads, throw a set of hardened pushrods and ls6 springs (60 bucks new) and put a smallish turbo (66-70mm) and run 7 lbs. You will make 450whp and it will drive like stock.

 

Since you said HCI I'm a assuming you talking all motor. To get 450 to the tires you'll really want a ser of great heads...... AFR/TFS and a good matching cam from a serious cam guy. Sure you can get 450 rwhp with a set of 243 heads but the cam would have to be bigger with 243 heads than it would have to be with the AFR/TFS to obtain your goal. I'm willing to be you get get a cam around 230 duration and great heads and it'll make 450rwhp.

 

Generally speaking while many have a blind hardon for aftermarket heads ported GM heads will be better than as cast aftermarket, and ported aftermarket may have a modest edge over ported GM heads on near stock displacement stuff.

There have even been cases of people finding power in great GM powered heads over and above some highly regarded aftermarket Factory CNC'd heads.

That said I agree with roastin240 that the drivability of a 450rwhp 5.7l won't be anything near stock, even aside from the engine manners the car will need 3600stall and 3.73s or 4.10s if M6. That and 450rwhp is not useable at near legal speeds on road. Punch it at 50mph on performance street tires and it will break free at least for a moment.

How much power do you have experience with?

 

Contact Martin @ Tick Performance, he can help you get there. He is a member on here.

http://www.tickperformance.com/contact-us/

 

See sig. I think id be at around 450 with a fast 102 and a set of true duals.

 

Just call Pat G and tell him your goals. Him and Tony Mamo got some powerful 346 combos..... Some over 500 rwhp. Have Pat G to spec that cam...... I'm willing to bet he'll get you pass your goals