How to get 425hp from an LS1
Thread Starter
Teching In
Joined: Oct 2004
Posts: 41
Likes: 0
From: Big Rapids, MI
How to get 425hp from an LS1 Here's what we are working with......stock 2001 Trans Am WS6 with the Ram Air. I was wondering what are going to be my best mods to get me to around 425hp without NOS? I want it so it can be daily driven but still get up and go (more then the next guy with an LS1). For sure a new cat back system but what about headers and intermediate pipe? I wouldnt mind a mild cam to give me more grunt but just something up from stock. When it comes to cams I'm lost. Now I've heard its fine to stick with stock but am I going to want to up it to like an MSD ignition box and like 36lb injectors with like 425hp? Thinking about a power programmer because I have some 18's on there already and want to do a 3.73 or so in there rear. Any suggestions on what one is the best? Also, I'm really thinking a throttle body, like an SLP intake system, and like a 100shot off the bottle for when I get a bit nuts. My last real question is how do you guys feel about power pullys? I don't plan on running a huge stereo or anything but is it really worth it?
425 hp w/o nitrous is going to require full bolt ons and a pretty big cam, or ported heads and a smaller cam. as for the slp lid, a lid is a lid, just pick one you like. the pulley is a good mod, most prefer asp. that's what i have and no problems with it here. do some searching here and in the dyno forum, you'll get a better idea as to what you will have to do.
search is your friend.
search is your friend.
I dont think MSD makes an ignition box for our cars, nor is there a need for one. You don't need 36 lb injectors as your stock ones will handle well over what you are looking for. You will need all the boltons to get up to around 350rwhp, that includes headers. Don't waste your money on a power programmer, it could be better spent on a tune which would fix your ratio situation and give you some actual gains. You will need at least a cam to get to 425 rwhp, and it will need to be a big one if you want to go cam only. A set of ported heads will get you there with a smaller one. And pulleys do work , Ive never experienced any charging problems.
Are you talking rwhp or fwhp? By reading your post, it kinda sounds like you're asking about fwhp. But yeah, full bolt-ons, a healthy cam, and a set of heads should get you to the 425 rwhp mark. Oh, and don't forget to tune it all up once everything is on.
Trending Topics
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
TECH Fanatic
Joined: Jan 2002
Posts: 1,205
Likes: 0
From: harrisburg, pa
you might not even need a cam to make 425 fly wheel horsepower...little one if any at all. ~360rwhp can be done on an 01 with full bolt ons....good 1 3/4 long tubes like QTP or Kooks. I assume its an M6. Get a good cam and have 450+hp easy
air intake, LS6 manifold, headers, exhaust ( no tune ) will get you right at 350-360 RWHP
add just a TR224 cam and you be close to 380rwhp + or - 5 hp
add any good stage II heads will get you over 420 RWHP
add just a TR224 cam and you be close to 380rwhp + or - 5 hp
add any good stage II heads will get you over 420 RWHP
depends on how much your willing to spend. I bet if you went with one of the futral cams, full bolt ons, and these heads :
https://ls1tech.com/forums/showthrea...1&page=1&pp=20
you'd get what your looking for
just ask gomer and call up Terry when your ready! Oh yeah you will need to invest in a new rear cause that 10-bolt is going to go 
as for the pully all you really need is the underdrive crank pully and yes it is a good mod to do! heres a good write up: http://www.ebbsnflows.cz28.com/photo4.html
if you have stick spec 3 seems to be the way to go, but I advise you research as much as possible. Think it through and dont rush it! :thunb:
https://ls1tech.com/forums/showthrea...1&page=1&pp=20
you'd get what your looking for
just ask gomer and call up Terry when your ready! Oh yeah you will need to invest in a new rear cause that 10-bolt is going to go as for the pully all you really need is the underdrive crank pully and yes it is a good mod to do! heres a good write up: http://www.ebbsnflows.cz28.com/photo4.htmlif you have stick spec 3 seems to be the way to go, but I advise you research as much as possible. Think it through and dont rush it! :thunb:
