Chevyman5436

Okay, so allow me to give you the big picture. 1995 Firebird Formula. Bone stock LT1, T56 6-Speed. 3.42 10-bolt. I want to be able to get mid-11's to high 10's on the 1/4. 500HP-ish? I want to be able to drive the car on the streets during the weekends, but it still needs to pack a punch
Here is what I've come up with=
ENGINE: LT1 Gen II V8

BOTTOM END:
Compstar 3.875" Stroke 4340 Crankshaft
Compstar 6.000" H-Beam Rods
SRP -5cc Flat Top Pistons
Mahle Rings
Clevite Rod Bearings
Clevite Main Bearings
Clevite Cam Bearings
ARP Main Studs
Balance Rotating Assembly
Fully Machine Block w/ Deck Plates

TOP END:
200cc AI Heads
Comp 1.6 Magnum RR
Comp Cams Beehives 26918
Chromemoly 5/16"
Edelbrock 29785 single plane efi (Redrilled bolt pattern, thermo delete)
Edelbrock low profile intake elbow
Edelbrock 3574 injectors

CAM:
Comp XE 230/236: (230/236 .544/.555 112lsa) (Does my M6 need gears to run this? If so please help! What exactly would I need to do??)

Induction:
Holset H2D
Rear mounted. I'll fabricate my own piping

Ignition:
MSD Optical Spark
Trying to decide between NGK or Champion plugs?

Transmission:
Need help deciding my options. HELP

Rear end:
Ford 9"? Maybe 4.11's and Hoosier DOT QTP slicks on some ProStars. Even if I have to grind the caliper vents and buy front wheel spacers.

Tuning:
What do you guys think? I'm not too concerned but I'd like a target to hit at least. But I'll cross this bridge when I get to it.

Well that's what I came up with. I'm 17 as a junior in high school Minneapolis, MN. Please if I messed up, correct me, but no insults. I would like to do this build because I would LITTERALLY be the only teen in the district that actually touched his engine rather than glueing a fart can and a CAI like all the Supras and Civics at my school and calling it "modified". I plan doing this build next winter. What good options would there be for me as far as a transmission?? I've been thinking about this for the last 18 months deciding my options.

tt383lt1

iTrader: (3)

go auto tranny. eather a 80e or th400. i have the th400 with trans brake and love it. if you have more funds go the 80e it has a over drive. if you go auto you will not loose boost during shifting and if you have a trans brake you can lunch on boost too. and if i was you i would look into a 5.3 swap they can handle 1000 hp on a bone stock engine. there is a guy local that is pushing 700 rwhp on a stock engine. i dont like the opti and the lt1 are old school and its getting harder and harder to get programmed.

and what throttle body are you going to run?

Bigtoyz

iTrader: (2)

I dont think you need that much cam for 500 hp. I have the 224/230 114 +4extreme energy blower grind cam and I am in the 440 hp range at the rear wheel NA. Took supercharger off cause it didnt flow enough.

But for forced air induction they recommend 114+ lobe seperation I believe. Makes it easier the the engine to create boost in the cylinder. And you will get way better fuel milage.

4.11 maybe a little much of gear I would say. I have 3.23 with 3200 stall (2200 rpm on the interstate is nice) and that is something of a wild ride off the line. But that maybe the difference of a m6 vs an auto.

With and auto you can get 4x torque modifier in the converter. I have to be quick to shift out of 1st gear cause you get on it and it redlines fast. So you can get quick take of with higher gears in an auto. 3.42 or 3.73's are common as well.

Bigtoyz

iTrader: (2)

Oh I just remembered there is a hi perfomance shop outside of Rockford in the cities area. They specialize in LSx and LTx. They would be good ones to talk to also. Name was Doug Rippie if I remember correctly. They are in with some big names and very reptiable.

NemeSS

iTrader: (127)

That should easily be a 500hp just on motor.

Chevyman5436

I was thinking about a 5.3 swap. What about a 6.0 LQ9? I would like to do a Vortec swap. My brother is currently doing his 5.3 swap with a th400 in his 93 5.0 Foxbody Notch. It wouldn't be much of a competition if we both have the same stoves in our cars haha. **BUT** if it gets the job done then hell I'm all in. What modifications do you suggest? I don't wanna break the bank but I don't wanna nickle n dime it either. I'd imagine engine mounts are a dime a dozen if the 5.3 and LS1's have the same bolt locations, people are always selling them on craigslist. Would I need forged crank and splayed caps if I'm over 500hp? What heads and cam is good for boost? Are the stock Cathedral heads any good? I would also like stick with the Victor JR style intake with and intake elbow as well and keep it efi.

Chevyman5436

I do remember the name Doug Rippie. Didn't he specialize in making some badass Corvettes?

tt383lt1

iTrader: (3)

just get a k member for a 98 to 02 camaro/ firebird will work for the swap and you can get a 5.3 engine from local junk yards for $400 and there is a guy on the local forum pushing 700 rwhp on a bone stock 5.3 engine with boost. and tpis in chaska is the kings of the lt1 and ls world in mn imo

Camaroking1996

I would get a custom ground cam for this combo. Will make better power and will suit your needs and wants.

Chevyman5436

Alright. Do you know of any junkyards near Apple Valley, MN that I should stop by?

tt383lt1

iTrader: (3)

are you in applevalley? and ace out in st.paul has alot of them. go to
car-parts.com and it tells you every junk yard in the u.s.a that has the part for the car

Chevyman5436

Yes, I live in Apple Valley. I'll look around ace and car-parts and see what I can come up with. Thanks a bunch for your help!

tt383lt1

iTrader: (3)

i live off 42 and cedar in applevalley. small world

96capricemgr

iTrader: (1)

Your proposed engine should manage to hit your goal NA with a ported stock intake manifold.

What you have proposed there is more like a 9 second combination.

Your piston/head choices are not compatible with thoughts of boost and honestly I think would be tough to even tune it NA with that cam on pump gas, with a zero deck and Felpro gasket that is 12.7:1 compression.

The MSD opti is wasted money too.

I would say settle down, you picked out a lot of good parts but are missmatching them and like I said with boost and a lower compression ratio to go with it you would have to be a bad driver to make that run high 10s

WS Sick

Yep I agree, the compression is too high for a boosted application especially a daily driver. With that set-up just by itself, if you didn't run a low 11 or better I would think something was majorly wrong.

Chevyman5436

Oh wow I guess so haha. I'm off Pilot **** and 140th street. I would LOVE to see your car sometime if that's no problem with you. It's not everyday I get to see another LT1 fbody.

Chevyman5436

Okay. What parts should I throw out, and what should I replace it with? I would like to go with the single plane intake however. You can't get a ported LT1 manifold to flow as smooth as a single plane.

WS Sick

As said before youre building for 9 seconds when youre goal is less. If you are really wanting the turbo, I would drop compression back to the 10:1 range that should let you run a good 10 pounds of boost easily with premium fuel. A -16 dish piston or so should do the job , with those heads, a zero deck, and a .040 gasket. The cam could be further optimized. The stock intake ported will easily support your goal.

Sc0tt30

iTrader: (6)

I am shooting for over 700rwhp with my F1A and my cam is 235.9/246 .576/.601 112lsa. I went with a fully ported lt1 intake from AI.

96capricemgr

iTrader: (1)

A single plane does offer better distribution but it is EXPENSIVE for relatively little gain.
I would dial the stroke back to 3.75.
Heck if you want the turbo keep the stock crank, no trouble exceeding your goal on a stock crank with a turbo.
If you are doing AI heads why not get the single plane from them, and I don't think that is the one they would recommend.
I would let them spec the cam too, the 200cc heads come with nicer springs than you listed too.