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What’s a good hp/$ ratio
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Teching In
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What’s a good hp/$ ratio I’ve just picked a ls engine to build and have read a lot of power adder/ mod options. My question with this is what would a good hp to dollar ratio be when picking one part or package over another on advertised hp gains. I’m starting with a bone stock 00 ls1 from a ss camaro and want to be in the 450-500 rwhp range when done. I don’t mind spending the cash just don’t want to waste it. Thanks in advance to any responses helping me find a good baseline to start with.
Not a simple answer. Assuming you mean NA, 500 rwhp will cost double what it takes to get to 450. 450 with good bolt ons and a decent cam and 243 heads will get you there. 500, you will need to start with premium aftermarket heads, and from there every detail matters.
FI is a bit different if that is what you are thinking to do.
Back to NA -- figure for $3-4K you can get over 450. For 500, set aside $10k
FI is a bit different if that is what you are thinking to do.
Back to NA -- figure for $3-4K you can get over 450. For 500, set aside $10k
General rule of thumb is $50/hp or less. Anything higher and it's not really a deal anymore. About a decade ago it used to be $100/hp or less....but stuff's gotten much cheaper. I also wouldn't look at advertised gains, but find people who've actually used/installed the parts and see what they gained.
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I’m glad you said 243 head because I just picked up a set at the goodguys show in Nashville now I just need to figure out cam and intake/tb options. I’ll try and stick with $50/hp I’m wanting to autocross the car and some cruising on nice days. I’ve alre figured out the suspension stuff now I’m into the engine building stage. I think 450 will be plenty with the proper gearing and handling line. Thanks for the input
Ok then 243 heads, mill to 60cc. Send to any of a bunch of vendors for a good valve job, 228 range cam like streetsweeper ht, Titan 4, 228r, etc. good lifters, fast 102 intake, NW throttle, 1-7/8 headers, dual 3 inch exhaust or 3 inch Y with cutouts, electric water pump. If it is a manual, light clutch. If an auto, 3600 stall.
the way I see it is if you go supercharger kit it will fit on the ls1 or any other ls engine you decide to throw in the car. which helps this engine and any further project you may decide to go if youd want FI. you could spend 3-6k on H/C/I and get the same power levels but unless those heads or intake can go onto the next motor then basically i see them as a "one and done" compared to a power adder. all depends on what you want now, how long you plan on having the car and what you may want to do in the future with said motor/car.
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Thread Starter
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Ok then 243 heads, mill to 60cc. Send to any of a bunch of vendors for a good valve job, 228 range cam like streetsweeper ht, Titan 4, 228r, etc. good lifters, fast 102 intake, NW throttle, 1-7/8 headers, dual 3 inch exhaust or 3 inch Y with cutouts, electric water pump. If it is a manual, light clutch. If an auto, 3600 stall.
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the way I see it is if you go supercharger kit it will fit on the ls1 or any other ls engine you decide to throw in the car. which helps this engine and any further project you may decide to go if youd want FI. you could spend 3-6k on H/C/I and get the same power levels but unless those heads or intake can go onto the next motor then basically i see them as a "one and done" compared to a power adder. all depends on what you want now, how long you plan on having the car and what you may want to do in the future with said motor/car.
Im definitely staying n/a. I may go forced induction later on another build. Honestly couldn’t say how long I’m going to have the car. And fi is a must or I would just keep the 383 that’s in it now.
Originally Posted by One sic gbody
Who would you recommend to have the heads sent to. Also would it be worth it to have them ported. Cost vs results. I have the 1-7/8 lt headers already and a x pipe. For 3” exhaust. high flow mufflers and no catsi was going to get a whole cam package with lifters rods and springs. Trans it’ll be a t56. What’s a NW throttle.
Good deal on the exhaust. NW is Nick Williams. Its still the best cable throttle you can get in 102mm.
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I would look into tsp and AI. Both are good. Porting not necessary for 450, but I would do the ports if it were my heads. Usually a package deal. VJ more important though.
Good deal on the exhaust. NW is Nick Williams. Its still the best cable throttle you can get in 102mm.
Good deal on the exhaust. NW is Nick Williams. Its still the best cable throttle you can get in 102mm.
For the 450 bucks AI is asking to port the heads I might as well have them done since the ride will already be paid for on the valve job. I’m concerned that the hallow ls6 valves will be weaker due to the fact that they are hallow. Will this be of a concern
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Ok cool. So have the heads ported and a good valve job. Mill the heads to 60cc. 102 intake and tb and a cam package. Then I should b good to go. Now would I benefit from a custom cam grind or would I just call cam company, tell them this is what I’ve got and what I want to do with it. send me what you think I should have to get me there. And will I still be able to run pump gas on the head shaving
Last edited by One sic gbody; May 8, 2019 at 10:06 PM.
Originally Posted by One sic gbody
Ok cool. So have the heads ported and a good valve job. Mill the heads to 60cc. 102 intake and tb and a cam package. Then I should b good to go. Now would I benefit from a custom cam grind or would I just call cam company, tell them this is what I’ve got and what I want to do with it. send me what you think I should have to get me there. And will I still be able to run pump gas on the head shaving
You can run 91 octane up to about 11.5:1. 60cc is still safe
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Would it be worth just having the bowls ported on the heads? LS1/2/6 heads respond well to a 'pocket port', seems like AI only does full CNC jobs these days so not sure if TEA and others are the same in that regard.
That and a valve job. Depending on the heads the bowl blend and valve job can give you more than the port work, IMO the 243 head is a great candidate here.
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