Right now I'm looking at getting a fat tax return and I'm wondering which would be a better choice for me. I have a C6 corvette with an A4 tranny. It is my daily driver and I hit the drags occasionally but really I love taking it Road Racing. I have the wheels/tires, brake pads/fluid, and T1 bars on the way so now it's motor time. Since I'm rolling the new A4 I'm pretty much maxed at 500RWHP which is acheveable either way. Also both will cost me about 10 installed so I'll budget 11.

The pros and cons look like this to me.

Turbo
Pros
daily driveablity
gas mileage
stealthy sleeper
Bigger potential upside
Flexibility with boost controller
Quiet
Cons
Heat on Road course
Added weight
complexity
more parts = more failure points
Would be difficult to get back to stock again
if I wanted to sell.

427/441
Pros
Lighter
Reliability
No tuning
Easier to keep cool on the road course
Decent Dry sump possible
could sell the LS2 long block or keep to return to stock
Cons
Loud headers with lope idle(I like the quiet sleeper effect better)
Gas mileage
Limited power levels

So which would you go with for me a daily driver that you'll also take to both tracks? Also which turbo kit or which NA setup? 441 or 427? Rear or front mounted? Or should I just save 3 grand and do a A&A vortech kit? AAAAHHH!!! Please help me, thanks!!!

 

I'd go with a mild, big cube N/A build over the turbo option just for the compact packaging (less complexity). Both would be fun...I think the turbo build, in the end, would cost more than what you are budgeting (lots of hidden stuff with FI builds).

 

First of all, it is highly unlikely that you can get a 427/441 installed for 11k. Hell I am gonna have almost that in just parts and I have been getting really good deals. Double your budget and that would be a little closer.

That being said, the big cubes will serve you better on the road coarse.

Another option is just doing heads and cam on your LS2, you could get 450 rwhp pretty easy and have a little money left over (not much) Hope this helps.

 

Come to think of it, I'd agree with that too. I've been pricing different options, and nothing I've come up with for big cube builds comes close to 10-11k installed.

 

I think speed inc. is like $18K, and that is with a ls6 topend!

 

you could do a 408 with a direct port kit and have the best of both worlds. using the l92/l76 topend it would be about 7-8k if you do your own work.

 

Actually it's right around that number. It's like 7k installed for the Vortech without guages, 10.4k for the APS TT. And at the most 12k for a 427.

If I was to do a 427 would you recommend a stroker to 441?

 

Sorry to add another option, but I'd do a Kenne Bell 2.8L kit on the stock LS2, it will definitely give you 500+RWHP and unbelievable low end torque, won't hurt gas mileage too much, gives a lot of growth room if you decide later to build the engine, complete kit with a new hood is about $7K.

 

Definately go with N/A power. Predictable and linear power curve in comparison to a TT. You'll thank yourself next time your modulating the throttle at an apex.

I'd stay with a 427. The shorter crank will on average be more reliable than a longer stroke, not to mention longevity especially if your going to run it hard frequently.

I'd wager the extra heft of a Kenne over the front wheels & it's height over the front axle will negate any power advantage. I'd rather stay with a stock motor if it came to that. Remember, power is secondary on a road-course to handling.

 

i'de go bigger motor........and throw the spray at it too.

 

Where are you getting a 427 installed for $12K? Just asking.

 

i agree, better budget more than 11k for 427

 

Let's break this down

Shortblock $6K

Heads (he said LS7) $2.5k

Manifold, cam, lifters, pushrods, rockers etc $2k (low side!!!)

Headers $800

Gaskets and assembly $800 (once again LOW side)

That is $12,100 right there and that is using mostly stock parts. Labor, tune etc not included.

 

Go big cubes, you have a much better platform for FI later if you need/want more power.

 

What's better and stronger, an LS7 or a sleeved LS2?

Would I save a lot going with a 408? How much horsepower would I be leaving on the table?

 

$2500 or so. 50 or so rwhp or more, however you could still make your 500 goal with ease. FYI, a 408 is usually an iron block and that is an extra 100 lbs you really don't want on the nose of that car. Go with a LS2 402 only about $500 more than a FE block 408.

 

So you think 402 LS2 is the most bang for your buck?

What else? What heads? AFRs are the most common would you go 205 or 225?

On a different note, If you could only pick 2 of the three which one would you leave out in regard to heads, cam, long tubes? (I only ask because there are only so many changes you can make to your car before your bumped up to the next class)

Thanks for your responses guys, I appreciate it.

 

For my $11K I would:

402 short 4200

stock l92 heads and intake 1600

CUSTOM cam 450

Kooks 1 7/8 longtubes 900

Misc parts 600

Have the rest of the stuff swapped over.

The price on the heads and intake represent the L92 heads from SDPC with the upgraded valvesprings.

If I had to pick just 2 of the 3 you listed I would leave out the heads.

 

right on par with the prices from SDPC. 418 l92 complete & Install from TSP runs close to 11.5k

 

Puhlease don't!!!!

Why waste your money, you can't road race with an automatic transmission. The first time you accelerate out of a corner (particularly with big horsepower) and the tranny downshifts you will find yourself going the wrong way on a one way road.

Perry