I have a '98 T/A with the standard (non ram air) LS1 drivetrain. It is advertised in the Pontiac literature as having 305 bhp. I once read that this engine actually develops 345, the same as the Corvette of that year, but GM chose to advertise the lower number to retain the special, unique aspect of the Corvette image. Is there any truth to that statement, or is 305 the real number ? Thanks in advance for responding.

 

The '98 pre LS6 intake manifold it I'd say you have closer to 330 on an F-body fresh low mile engine.

 

There is some truth to that statement. They did underrate the F-body a bit to seperate the Corvette further from the pack, but the Corvette did make a tad more power then the F-body. Like FIREHAWK said a '98 is pre-LS6 intake and also pre-upgraded exhaust manifolds that came in '00. Your motor probably doesn't make 345 like the Vettes did but I'd bet money on the fact that it makes more then 305.

 

My 2000 is rated at 320HP, so it could be more? due to GM sand bagging?

 

Vette's dyno lower than F-bodies on average. (IRS). Remeber:

*Advertised horsepower is not at the wheels, it's Bhp.

*GM ls1 Horespower ratings are complete crap.

*Factory Ram-Air is a gimmick.

Yes.

 

*PRECISELY* ^ The only year vette that i believe would have stood out over the crowd were the Y2K they had a bigger camshaft then the rest-but i could be wrong about the hp numbers-it only seems logical that way (i dont believe they had the LS6 intake manifold so that may have made a difference)

a Corvette and an F-Body are very much similar-due to the corvettees IRS and stronger rear end it will typically dyno lower due to the larger amount of drivetrain loss. They only tend to be faster because of weight and aerodynamics that take advantage of the higher speeds.

 

The LS6 intake and EGR less manifolds came in 01 FWIW

 

dyno numbers really don't mean anything, there more of a tunin tool. i have heard of crate LS1s on engine dynos putting down 380. If our cars had only 305-325 fwhpstock then how do some on an chassis dyno put down 290-320 whp stock

 

Vettes dyno lower then F-bodies at the wheels because they have a transaxle, not a tranny feeding into a solid rear end via a driveshaft. There a higher % of drivetrain loss being eaten up by the transaxle. Advertised HP is rated at the crank not the wheels like you just stated. Therefor the added drivetrain loss from the transaxle isn't taken into account when rating bhp. A Vette could dyno lower at the wheels then an F-body but if you took those cars and dyno'd them at the crank the Vette could and probably would prevail. The F-body up until '01 had a 198 intake/209 exhaust duration @ .050" w/ .498"/.498 lift w/ 119 Lobe sep cam and the C5 Vette had a 286
intake/300 exhaust duration @ .050" w/ .525"/.525" lift w/ 110 lobe sep cam. The C5 Vette also had true exhaust and a slightly more agressive computer tuning. By the way even if the F-body had functional ram air it would be useless sitting still on a dyno.

 

The LS6 intake came in '01, yes. I worded my original statement incorrectly...my '00 was in reference to the manifolds. The '00+ cars did have upgraded manifolds. The '00+ manifolds are cast iron and have slightly better slow characteristics. The '98/99 cars had double wall stainless steel pieces.

 

****'s getting deep in here. Those specs on the vette cam are WAY off my friend. That cam size you are claiming has more duration than the largest aftermarket cam available by FAR. 286 int 300 exh @.50 Wow, where did you get those specs man? Oh, and the 110 lsa is BS too. Not being a dick, just getting things straightened up a bit.

 

Smart ***....

 

yeah wow check JRP';s sig buddy haha the correct specs are there

 

Yes, you're totally correct and I stand corrected. I know you're not being a dick, I screwed up royally. See how I skipped a line in my original post? I missed with my copy and paste. I have a Microsoft Word document with cam specs and I fugged up with the copy. I don't even know if I have the C5 Cam specs now that I am reading it again. I believe my F-body cam specs are correct though. I have here...

'98-'00

198/209 @ .050" .498/.498 119.5 LSA

'01-02

197/208 @ .050" .467/.479" 116 LSA

Is that correct?

 

Can somebody please explain how factory ram air is a gimmick.

 

I have read that the FTRA actually dyno's higher gains than factory ram air, but I think the hood looks sweet on the ram air cars.

 

They say it is a gimmick, due to the fact that it is not a direct shot into the intake. As well as, the airbox is not sealed to the hood. Hence, not a true 'ram air' set-up.

 

It's not a gimmack. I have the WS6. I paid the extra $3,100 for it. It's worth it. Not only for the visual factor, but take those dopey flaps out. Put the BGRA in and you have true Ram Air. Besides, the upgraded springs, bushings, and so on are way worth it.

 

Amen. I like the fact that I can say its a WS6. Not condescending like, because I love all TA's, just that I have rarer car.


I have been considerin this greatly, and have talked to many about it. I am afraid of rain and snow and so forth. Being my car is a daily driver and sees some torential downpours. So what has been your experience with the BGRA?

 

I dunno about more rare. I have an 02 TA and there were only like 4000 made in 02 and there was like 12000 WS6s in 02. I have a more rare car with the same look. (+ Ws6 hood)