Generation III Internal Engine 1997-2006 LS1 | LS6
Sponsored by:
Sponsored by:

Losing HP Why???

Thread Tools
 
Search this Thread
 
Old Jul 18, 2002 | 10:45 AM
  #1  
Kylekay's Avatar
Thread Starter
Teching In
 
Joined: Jun 2002
Posts: 27
Likes: 0
From: Pearland, Texas
Default Losing HP Why???

2 years ago I had MTI install their Stage II heads, T1 cam, Mac headers, 160* tstat and programming that was included with the package at about 5,000 miles. I got 405 rwhp.
1 year later I had the car dyno’ed again, same place, I had about 28,000 miles on her than and tested at 386 rwhp a loss of 19HP.
1 month ago at about 45,000 miles I had a lifter break and had to replace the cam. I went with their C2 cam and also got the LS6 intake installed along with better lifters and new springs to handle the higher lift. The car tested at 389 rwhp. WTF??? <img border="0" title="" alt="[Eek!]" src="gr_eek2.gif" /> Where did my HP go?
From similar setups I have seen on this forum I was expecting around 420-440 rwhp. <img border="0" title="" alt="[Sad]" src="gr_sad.gif" />
The only reason Jeff and Jason at MTI suggested is that the rings could be causing the loss of power. This car has never been to the track and rarely raced on the street. No other power adders have been used and she burns less than ½ quart per 3,000 miles. I am planning to get a compression and leak down test soon to see if I do have a ring problem but I doubt it. I changed the spark plugs and they looked good.
Has anyone seen this kind of power loss before? Is it normal to lose this much HP after 40,000 miles? Any ideas?
<img border="0" title="" alt="[Confused]" src="images/icons/confused.gif" /> <img border="0" title="" alt="[Confused]" src="images/icons/confused.gif" /> <img border="0" title="" alt="[Confused]" src="images/icons/confused.gif" />
The car is a 2000 NBM Firehawk M6
Reply
Old Jul 18, 2002 | 03:46 PM
  #2  
Kylekay's Avatar
Thread Starter
Teching In
 
Joined: Jun 2002
Posts: 27
Likes: 0
From: Pearland, Texas
Default Re: Losing HP Why???

I think I run lean, I don't have Atap so I'm not sure but I have problems with pinging and it gets worse the hotter the engine gets, ofcoures.
Reply
Old Jul 18, 2002 | 04:25 PM
  #3  
383ss's Avatar
10 Second Club
iTrader: (14)
 
Joined: Mar 2002
Posts: 2,893
Likes: 0
From: Kansas City, KS
Default Re: Losing HP Why???

may sound stupid, but have you ever replaced your fuel filter??
Reply
Old Jul 18, 2002 | 04:33 PM
  #4  
Kylekay's Avatar
Thread Starter
Teching In
 
Joined: Jun 2002
Posts: 27
Likes: 0
From: Pearland, Texas
Default Re: Losing HP Why???

I wish it would be something that simple, but yes I replaced it a few months ago and I have run 44K through her.
BTW, there is no such a thing as a stupid question.
I want to figure this out and I need all the help I can get.
So thanks and keep the ideas coming! <img border="0" title="" alt="[Wink]" src="gr_images/icons/wink.gif" />
Reply
Old Jul 18, 2002 | 06:08 PM
  #5  
SSINFUL's Avatar
TECH Apprentice
20 Year Member
 
Joined: May 2002
Posts: 318
Likes: 0
From: Leg Dist #31, WA
Default Re: Losing HP Why???

Yeah, I gotta dumb question: Why do those mods and then "never been to the track and rarely raced on the street"?

Kinda like having DirecTV & then only watching the local channels...
Reply
Old Jul 18, 2002 | 10:59 PM
  #6  
Kylekay's Avatar
Thread Starter
Teching In
 
Joined: Jun 2002
Posts: 27
Likes: 0
From: Pearland, Texas
Default Re: Losing HP Why???

1. I do not race off the line, I can not afford a new rearend or clutch. This car is my daily driver and right now I do not have another car to use.
2. I love a very strong car <img border="0" title="" alt="[Big Grin]" src="gr_grin.gif" />
Now if you have something that can actually help I'm ready to hear it.
Reply
Old Jul 19, 2002 | 12:42 AM
  #7  
I8COBRA's Avatar
TECH Resident
iTrader: (56)
 
Joined: Jan 2002
Posts: 975
Likes: 0
From: Bartlett, IL
Default Re: Losing HP Why???

After doing heads and cam on my old LT1 I ruined the rings by constantly running rich and lost 30-40 hp.
Reply
Old Jul 19, 2002 | 11:38 AM
  #8  
MY99TAWS6's Avatar
TECH Veteran
iTrader: (3)
 
Joined: Apr 2002
Posts: 4,719
Likes: 3
From: Kelowna,BC
Default Re: Losing HP Why???

Dynos are that consistent I don't think...was your car hotter when you ran the last test..like heat soaked from driving it there...did you have any knock retard during the run.What was the wideband o2 readings for air fuel.Maybe you need your injectors cleaned..how is your fuel pump ..maybe check pressure..I think also your injectors may be too small..I have done calculations and most people seem to be running them way past 80 % recommended and think this might be cause some horsepower reduction or limiting..is your car standard..clutch slippage???
and what about your 02 sensors..time for new ones mabye..clogged cats.??
Reply
LS1 Tech Stories

The Best V8 Stories One Small Block at Time

story-0

Amazing '71 Camaro Restomod Is Modern Muscle Car Under the Skin

 Verdad Gallardo
story-1

6 Common C5 Corvette Failures and What's Involved In Repairing Them

 Pouria Savadkouei
story-2

Retro Modern Bandit Pontiac Trans AM Comes With Burt Reynolds' Autograph

 Verdad Gallardo
story-3

Top 10 Greatest Cadillac V Series Performance Models Ever, Ranked

 Pouria Savadkouei
story-4

Top 10 Most Powerful Chevy Trucks Ever Made!

 
story-5

Hennessey's New Supercharged Silverado ZR2 Has 700 HP

 Verdad Gallardo
story-6

Coachbuilt N2A Anteros Is an LS2-Powered C6 Corvette In Italian Clothes

 Verdad Gallardo
story-7

Awesome K5 Blazer Restomod Comes With C7 Corvette Power

 Verdad Gallardo
story-8

10 Camaros You Should Never Buy

 
story-9

10 LS Engine Myths That Refuse to Die

 Verdad Gallardo
Old Jul 19, 2002 | 01:18 PM
  #9  
Kylekay's Avatar
Thread Starter
Teching In
 
Joined: Jun 2002
Posts: 27
Likes: 0
From: Pearland, Texas
Default Re: Losing HP Why???

Good questions MY99TAWS6,
Can cats go bad in 40,000 miles? The cats were installed with the headers. The guys at MTI said my injectors are fine but I have my doubts to, they also said the clutch and fuel pump are OK. Will injectors that are working past 80% slowly decrease their output? MTI did replace the front O2 sensors but did not tell me what the A/F or KR was.
Thanks
Reply




All times are GMT -5. The time now is 01:02 AM.

story-0
Amazing '71 Camaro Restomod Is Modern Muscle Car Under the Skin

Slideshow: This heavily modified 1971 Camaro mixes classic muscle car styling with a fifth-generation Camaro interior and modern LS3 power.

By Verdad Gallardo | 2026-05-12 18:06:42


VIEW MORE
story-1
6 Common C5 Corvette Failures and What's Involved In Repairing Them

Slideshow: From wobbling harmonic balancers to failed EBCMs, these are the issues that define long-term C5 ownership and what repairs typically involve.

By Pouria Savadkouei | 2026-05-07 18:44:57


VIEW MORE
story-2
Retro Modern Bandit Pontiac Trans AM Comes With Burt Reynolds' Autograph

Slideshow: A modern Camaro transformed into a retro icon, this limited-run "Bandit" build blends nostalgia with brute force in a way few revivals manage.

By Verdad Gallardo | 2026-04-21 13:57:02


VIEW MORE
story-3
Top 10 Greatest Cadillac V Series Performance Models Ever, Ranked

Slideshow: Cadillac didn't just crash the high-performance luxury vehicle party, it showed up loud, supercharged, and occasionally a little unhinged...

By Pouria Savadkouei | 2026-04-16 10:05:15


VIEW MORE
story-4
Top 10 Most Powerful Chevy Trucks Ever Made!

Slideshow: Top ten most powerful Chevy trucks ever made

By | 2026-03-25 09:22:26


VIEW MORE
story-5
Hennessey's New Supercharged Silverado ZR2 Has 700 HP

Slideshow: Hennessey has turned the Silverado ZR2 into a 700-hp off-road monster with supercharged V8 power and a limited production run.

By Verdad Gallardo | 2026-03-24 18:57:52


VIEW MORE
story-6
Coachbuilt N2A Anteros Is an LS2-Powered C6 Corvette In Italian Clothes

Slideshow: A one-off sports car that looks like a vintage Italian exotic-but hides a C6 Corvette underneath-just sold for the price of a new mid-engine Corvette.

By Verdad Gallardo | 2026-03-23 18:53:41


VIEW MORE
story-7
Awesome K5 Blazer Restomod Comes With C7 Corvette Power

Slideshow: A heavily reworked 1972 K5 Blazer swaps its off-road roots for a low-slung street-focused build with modern V8 power.

By Verdad Gallardo | 2026-03-09 18:08:45


VIEW MORE
story-8
10 Camaros You Should Never Buy

Slideshow: There are thousands of used Camaros on the market but we think you should avoid these 10

By | 2026-02-17 17:09:30


VIEW MORE
story-9
10 LS Engine Myths That Refuse to Die

Slideshows: Which one of these myths do you believe?

By Verdad Gallardo | 2026-01-28 18:10:11


VIEW MORE