Hey guys I recently just got my car put back together and it's not exactly as fast as I'd like it to be.. I did hit the power numbers I was hoping to but I just need a little more, just trying to figure out the best route to go about it safely. The mods are as follows
-PRC 2.5 heads
-Cam 235 240 .618 .615 111lsa
-650 dual valve Springs and chromoly pushrods
-ls6 intake stock tb and maf
-42lb injectors stock pump
-Ls2 timing chain
-ported ls6 pump
-lt headers with a cutout
-monster stage 2 clutch light weight flywheel
-bone stock bottom end
-arp head bolts but will go head studs if need be
Motor had 54k but does have pretty nasty piston slap on cylinder 1 until you drive it a 1/4 mile or so then it shuts up, piston slap has remained the same for the last 15k
The car made 448rwhp and 407rwtq now it's respectable don't get me wrong but I'm still not happy haha. I was thinking about a 100 shot of nitrous via wet plate kit/direct port kit but I feel like that wouldn't really last long term. Maybe an lq9 swap then nitrous but I really don't want the extra weight on the nose as its more of a road race/handling car well it was at least. Could I do a 408 or 383 stroker with the stock block and not worry about block failure at say 550-600rwhp. Idk just kind of stumped on the best route to take ideal budget would be about 2k I would do all work except for machining if needed. Also id be happy around 550rwhp but would like the option to grow into around 600-650 tho I doubt I'd go that far. It's a 80% street car 10% drag and would see the occasional open track day at road America ever other year or so. Thanks in advance.

 

Upgrading your bottom end to a 383 with your existing top end won't do much. Will help with low end pick up, but you'll du I close to the same.

If you were to stay NA, I'd tell you to go 102/102, but that won't get you 550. More like 460-470.

For your budget, to get to 550, nitrous probably your option. Maybe you could go fast 102/102 and nitrous and stay on budget.

 

I agree with Darth, MAMOFIED FAST102/NW 102 will add at least
25-30+(470-480 RWHP) all the time & more torque and throttle response
Through your whole power band 2500-6500 RPM.
Then add Nitous Outlet Plate Kit for a 100-150 shot when needed.

 

If you want over 600 rwhp reliably you should consider better internals regardless of which route you take, but st 550 rwhp I'd say you're fine with a small shot of nitrous

 

With a $2k budget, you can forget a stroker. The rotating assembly alone will be about $1800. Machining could be another $500 or so.

 

For a $2000 budget nitrous is your only bet to get 550rwhp.

If you don't want nitrous you can get for around $1000 a FAST 102 combo and with getting rid of the MAF could pick you up some 15-20rwhp. Then add a set of gears and even though the car wouldn't make more power it would feel quite a bit faster.

That's your best bet of spending $2000 and making your car faster short of nitrous.

 

I am not opposed to nitrous or spending over 2k, ideally I'd like to stay as close the that as I can. The fast 102/102 seems like it may be a good route to go and I could probably buy the one with the direct port kit on it. I think that with the maf tb rails ect.. Probably be closer to 2500 maybe a little more or less. That's should definitely get me there, now would replacing the rod bolts be a good idea at that power level of 550. I have read thathe arp and one other company makes them, one says you have to line bore due to the bolts causing distortion from the extra clamping force. I'm not entirely sure about that but I've read something along those lines a few times.

 

There is a sticky within a sticky... The heads/cam questions sticky by Pat G has a link to a very detailed "How to replace rod bolts with ARP rod bolts with engine in car" thread.

Probably find everything you need to know in there

 

If you don't want to change anything regarding your current engine setup, I'd spend the money on a FAST 102 intake, Nick Williams 102 TB, ditch the MAF, and purchase a 102mm nitrous plate setup (either Nitrous Outlet or Nitrous Express). The intake/TB alone should net you at least 25 rwhp over the current intake/TB setup, and then the 102mm nitrous plate setup can be jetted for however big a shot you want to throw at it.