Opinions wanted
Thread Starter
Teching In
Joined: Mar 2017
Posts: 16
Likes: 1
From: Clayton Nc
Opinions wanted I am currently planning a build for my 2002 Z28. I am planning buying a stroker kit from Texas speed and already have some 243 heads. The heads are currently being ported and will be shaved.030 with 2.02 intake and 1.57 exh valves. The block will be bored.010. I plan on using the stock ls6 intake. All this in efforts to get as close as possible to 500 rwhp. I have a budget of around 3 to 4k. Could spend more if needed. My question is how close to the wanted 500 will I get and for the amount I'll be spending is there a better route? Any input is greatly appreciated. Thanks in advance.
Sell all that, and do a turbo 5.3 for near nothing after selling the LS motor? Then have the ability to easily top 500hp... Just a thought.
I built a car for a buddy, 406 stroker (weird I know but it was .020 over) PRC stage 2.5 heads, long tubes with a single 3" exhaust. It had a FAST 102 intake and throttle body. All that and all that money got him 497 rwhp. Personally i'd rather not spend that much to only make near 500. It could have made more power if it were a max effort thing, wasn't an auto with a big stall, or had better exhaust (maybe) and didn't have plugs in it for spray but that would cost even more.
And you plan to top yours off with an LS6 intake.. I'm guessing you may land in the 450 range. That intake would be just fine for turbo though. And you could also go without porting the heaads to save money and still make over 500 going turbo.
I assume you have an LS1 and that's why you said you'll bore it .010, but you can only bore them .005 from what I understand.
If you do have an LS1, you can sell it for a pretty penny and pay for the 5.3 motor and a decent amount of your turbo kit and not be out any money yet. Then use your budget for the rest of it and come out making plenty more than 500.
I built a car for a buddy, 406 stroker (weird I know but it was .020 over) PRC stage 2.5 heads, long tubes with a single 3" exhaust. It had a FAST 102 intake and throttle body. All that and all that money got him 497 rwhp. Personally i'd rather not spend that much to only make near 500. It could have made more power if it were a max effort thing, wasn't an auto with a big stall, or had better exhaust (maybe) and didn't have plugs in it for spray but that would cost even more.
And you plan to top yours off with an LS6 intake.. I'm guessing you may land in the 450 range. That intake would be just fine for turbo though. And you could also go without porting the heaads to save money and still make over 500 going turbo.
I assume you have an LS1 and that's why you said you'll bore it .010, but you can only bore them .005 from what I understand.
If you do have an LS1, you can sell it for a pretty penny and pay for the 5.3 motor and a decent amount of your turbo kit and not be out any money yet. Then use your budget for the rest of it and come out making plenty more than 500.
I am currently planning a build for my 2002 Z28. I am planning buying a stroker kit from Texas speed and already have some 243 heads. The heads are currently being ported and will be shaved.030 with 2.02 intake and 1.57 exh valves. The block will be bored.010. I plan on using the stock ls6 intake. All this in efforts to get as close as possible to 500 rwhp. I have a budget of around 3 to 4k. Could spend more if needed. My question is how close to the wanted 500 will I get and for the amount I'll be spending is there a better route? Any input is greatly appreciated. Thanks in advance.
TECH Veteran
Joined: Sep 2014
Posts: 4,893
Likes: 703
From: Mississippi
Cheapest/safest way out is to put a mild turbo setup on the ls1.... otherwise it's tough making 500 rwhp with a stock cube ls1.
If you want to do it naturally aspirated and not worried about boost issues I would look into a 408ci shortblock. Then spend some nice coin on a nice set of heads. Not a LS3 head cause they seem to be below 500 rwhp in some cases even with 400 plus cubes.
Otherwise a correctly built 370 cube setup can get you 590 at crank easily.
If you want to do it naturally aspirated and not worried about boost issues I would look into a 408ci shortblock. Then spend some nice coin on a nice set of heads. Not a LS3 head cause they seem to be below 500 rwhp in some cases even with 400 plus cubes.
Otherwise a correctly built 370 cube setup can get you 590 at crank easily.
My reading tells me that LS1 blocks through 98 can only handle +.005 however the 99+ should handle +.010. Right or wrong?
(Agreed 500RWHP in LS1 block is not cheap and rather at the upper limit)
(Agreed 500RWHP in LS1 block is not cheap and rather at the upper limit)
TECH Veteran
Joined: Sep 2014
Posts: 4,893
Likes: 703
From: Mississippi
Trending Topics
I'd suggest a mild HC build like AI porting the 243, a decent street cam like the titan 4 or HT street sweeper. That'll get you in 420 territory but still be streetable. Then a 100 shot of nitrous for when you need it. With your budget you're not in 500 hp NA territory at any displacement .
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
Thread Starter
Teching In
Joined: Mar 2017
Posts: 16
Likes: 1
From: Clayton Nc
Thanks for the replies! Sorry for the delayed response. I ended up scrapping the striker idea and just did the heads, btr stage 3 cam, 102 intake, headers and underpulley kit. Had it dynoed at rpm and made 470rwhp/423rwtq. I was kind of disappointed with the rwtq.
So you made 470 with a atock cube LS1 with ported 243's? Am I reading that right?
I am currently planning a build for my 2002 Z28. I am planning buying a stroker kit from Texas speed and already have some 243 heads. The heads are currently being ported and will be shaved.030 with 2.02 intake and 1.57 exh valves. The block will be bored.010. I plan on using the stock ls6 intake. All this in efforts to get as close as possible to 500 rwhp. I have a budget of around 3 to 4k. Could spend more if needed. My question is how close to the wanted 500 will I get and for the amount I'll be spending is there a better route? Any input is greatly appreciated. Thanks in advance.
Like the others think you will need a bigger budget for 500 whp NA.
450 whp with good ported 243's, reasonable cam and supporting mod's should be very doable.
My 91 RS's 383 LS1 made 465 whp with hand finished TEA Stage 2.5 LS6 heads and a small 229/229 cam and LS6 90mm manifold, Headers etc. I expect the top end would make about the same on a stock cube LS1.
Or turbo 5.3 like previously mentioned.
Thread Starter
Teching In
Joined: Mar 2017
Posts: 16
Likes: 1
From: Clayton Nc
11 Second Club
Joined: Dec 2016
Posts: 665
Likes: 5
I'd suggest a mild HC build like AI porting the 243, a decent street cam like the titan 4 or HT street sweeper. That'll get you in 420 territory but still be streetable. Then a 100 shot of nitrous for when you need it. With your budget you're not in 500 hp NA territory at any displacement .
Thread Starter
Teching In
Joined: Mar 2017
Posts: 16
Likes: 1
From: Clayton Nc
I'd suggest a mild HC build like AI porting the 243, a decent street cam like the titan 4 or HT street sweeper. That'll get you in 420 territory but still be streetable. Then a 100 shot of nitrous for when you need it. With your budget you're not in 500 hp NA territory at any displacement .
