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Advice for LS1 Build

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Old Mar 1, 2016 | 10:18 PM
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Default Advice for LS1 Build

I'm looking for some advice on where to go with my LS1 build.

To start off with it is a swap car, (1996 BMW M3) so SC/turbo is not out of the question, but would be difficult considering the space available as well as the amount of custom parts I would need. So I am leaning towards going all motor. The car has a t56 trans with a 4.27 LSD rear end.

Recently the car made 376 rwhp/370 tq with the following mods.

Intake
Long tube headers
dual 3 in exhaust to single 3 in
unknown spec cam
HP tuners mail in tune


Since then I have installed a FAST 102mm intake manifold and 102 mm TB.
I've thought about just doing just heads and cam to shoot for 500 hp. I have also thought about just doing an all out build going to 383 ci.

I want it to be streetable but be able to take it to the drag strip and circuit tracks.
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Old Mar 2, 2016 | 04:27 AM
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Man i'm no expert but I don't know if 500 rwhp (i'm assuming) is attainable and be streetable for a 350 ci LS1. I made 430 RWHP with my setup in an auto, that might be more like 445-450 in a manual. You'll need a big *** cam, and at least 243's worked by AI, or TEA.
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Old Mar 2, 2016 | 07:21 AM
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Originally Posted by BlackedOut LS1
Man i'm no expert but I don't know if 500 rwhp (i'm assuming) is attainable and be streetable for a 350 ci LS1. I made 430 RWHP with my setup in an auto, that might be more like 445-450 in a manual. You'll need a big *** cam, and at least 243's worked by AI, or TEA.
It's achievable and can be done street able. But it takes a different approach than porting out 243 heads to 232cc and going with a 242/246 cam and all supporting mods.

You need the best after market heads you can get, short travel hydraulic or low lash solid lifters, a hellified intake, 1-7/8" headers, X-pipe and dual exhaust, and anything you can do to take load off the motor, such as light clutch, under drive pulley, electric water pump. And you have to pay attention to every single detail.

It's far more expensive, and very worth it. Check out 5-liter-eaters thread. By the time the tuning is done and a proper dyno, he will be close to 450 RWHP on a stalled auto with a 227 cam with only 2 degrees overlap, 1-3/4 headers, and still some room to take load off the motor.

Imagine where he would be with a manual, light clutch, 1-7/8 headers, electric water pump, electric steering pump....
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Old Mar 2, 2016 | 07:47 AM
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Well there you have it, you've already got the intake and the manual trans, just give Tony a shout and make it happen. Just be prepared to shell out some serious cash.
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Old Mar 2, 2016 | 07:49 AM
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5litre setup made 42x with the converter locked. I agree 440-450whp is not out of the relm with the little things addressed but locked converter numbers are equal to M6 numbers...but I do not put much stock in dyno numbers anyway. They are like the Gtech I use on the street, good for measuring performance gains and tuning, but the overall number is not accurate for comparing on the internet. I have seen 480whp LS1's trap 119, and 440whp LS1's trap over 120. Too many variables to worry about some arbitrary peak number.

That being said, I do think a mamo top end is going to net the most power out of a LS1 while retaining great Street manners. The guy knows his stuff.
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