hey guys, I am going to be buying a lt1 camaro at some point soon. I was wondering what needs to be done to get 450 whp with this motor? it would be a daily driver but wiling to do whatever gets it there. I had a ls1 powered f body before but only had light bolts on. i want to do it well, but as cheap as possible. i know you get what you pay for but any suggestions would be great. thanks

 

Spray the house down. Cam bolt ons and a 125 hit.

 

i thought a spraying but i would like the power to be there all the time and i have heard is harder the normal in the motor. i was thinking cam, heads , headers, intake and tune area. thanks the response.

 

In that case, I would go blower.

You will be pushing it pretty good to see 450rw. A blower would be close in price, much more street friendly, able to make more power with a simple pulley swap.

 

so should i do a stock rebuild and a blower? and what blower? i always liked the twin screw look but i don't know which is best.

 

i would start with a ls1 car, honest for the price modded cars are going for your better off just buying something all ready built, cant get cheaper than that ,i have seen some pretty nasty street cars for low 8s , you get alot for your money these days,check the for sale section and have a look see, lol

 

I like procharger personally. I know a lot of lt1 guys run the vortec kit.

Why do you think it needs a rebuild?

 

most of the lt1 cars have 100k plus on them. should i not?

 

Treat it right and it will last 200+k.

If it is a strong runner, don't worry about it. Run a compression check.. If it is a weak motor on its last leg, budget for a rebuild.

 

ok nice, thanks. does doing cams and such cost more? or us blower just a good one time purchase mod? just to entertain the all motor thought what would be needed? just trying to learn more about all power adder options.

 

It would come out about the same amount but more potential with a blower.

You would need full bolt ons, good size cam, nice set of heads.

No matter how you do it, 450rwhp is not cheap. Nitrous would be easiest and cheapest. Then blower or motor. Last turbo being the most expensive and hardest to get nailed down but most potential.

 

Well thought out heads cam setup can do it.

 

As previously mentioned, CHEAP and Horsepower don't go hand in hand. You want 450rwhp, you better have deep pockets. There's just more to it than you think, especially on an LT1. Good luck

 

200 shot ftw

 

Any emissions concerns?
Exactly, and a blower on a stock bottom end is not going to cut it.

 

Why would it not?

 

The amount of catastrophic stories that have happened over the years with those who've tried to attain even 400rwhp with a blower and stock bottom end are limitless. With the compression of a LT1 and susceptible breakage of ring lands the rule of thumb is about 7lbs at best and that will yield nowhere near 450rwhp. Unless the OP has a healthy fund for this car it would be a good idea for the OP to stick with a heads/cam combo. Then, later down the road if a blower is an option, build an engine to handle boost reliably. JMO

 

Unless I'm way off, which I might be, I would lean more towards tunes not being spot on. With forced induction and a motor lasting, as well as nitrous, it is ALL in the tune.
If a stock bottom end ls1 can make 600, I see no reason an lt1 couldn't make 450.

 

Plenty of N20 stories as well, but yes you are correct regarding tune. I am not sure how well the pistons are designed in the LSx and how much abuse they can take. The LTx hyper-u is prone to ring land disaster which leaves a very narrow margin for error. I just don't think it's the best idea if wanting good reliable power.

 

Completely different animal. Stock LS engines love boost. Stock LT engines do not.

I made over 500 on spray with baby cam only. The list of people who have done that with boost reliably is very short.