Adding power to 2002 LS1
06-20-2018, 09:30 AM
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Adding power to 2002 LS1 So, my overall goal for my fun little camaro street car is 450-500 rwhp. That being said, I’ve currently done a CAI, Long tube headers, high flow cats, and magnaflow exhaust. I’m thinking about doing a lid, tune, and a decent head/cam package. Would this put me in my hp goal range? What extra stuff would I need for when the cam is swapped out?
06-20-2018, 11:43 AM
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Why is that? Is there internal work that needs to be done once 500 is reached? I figured I’d just shoot for 450 but I wanted to show that I’m okay with it being a bit above that too if 450 can’t be exact.
06-20-2018, 01:27 PM
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To get that last 50 hp it will require top dollar heads, and attention to things like valvetrain detail to make it work. Whereas 450 rwhp can be done with just a basic HCI and valvetrain for the most part. And all this assumes that you have full bolt ons and a good tune of course
06-20-2018, 01:51 PM
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For 500 to the rear, you would have to be surgical with your build. My advice is the same as my man above. Buy the best heads you can afford, and have a cam spec'd or custom ground to match. Maybe a Fast Intake. Remember its the little things that matter when sqeezing the most power out of a build. Attention to detail. Things like measuring your new pushrods individually instead of buying a predetermined set. Proper fueling, getting that power to the ground etc..Personally, I would rather have a stable and reliable 450+ than a car on the brink of the edge at 500. Good luck.
06-20-2018, 02:01 PM
#6
I just recently wrapped up a build that made 452 on a really 'meh' tune and a mustang dyno. 450 is a walk in the park, everything above that is time consuming and expensive. Simply because the motor doesn't have that much displacement, so you're fighting the size of the bore when it comes to valve size, which severely limits flow.
What kind of budget do you have for this? There are a lot of options when it comes to aftermarket heads, some great, others 'meh'.
What kind of budget do you have for this? There are a lot of options when it comes to aftermarket heads, some great, others 'meh'.
06-20-2018, 02:18 PM
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I’m willing to spend about 3k right now. Granted, this is an over time type of thing for me so if more money is required I will get it later. Thanks for explaining the the difference between 450 and 500, that makes sense come to think of it. Any suggestions on what heads to get? Also, how much would it cost me to go from just having an intake to full bolt ons?
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06-20-2018, 02:30 PM
#9
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Get a nice set of LS6 heads, or as-cast TrickFlows if you can swing them. And for a manifold, an LS6 at minimum, or a FAST 92. That engine will then be breathing, and only limited by your choice of cams.
06-20-2018, 02:37 PM
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Here is an easy kit that should take you to the 450 rwhp.
http://www.hawksmotorsports.com/hawk...free-shipping/
http://www.hawksmotorsports.com/hawk...free-shipping/
06-20-2018, 02:42 PM
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Do you wanna spend like 3 grand on top dollar heads to shoot for 500 hp, or more like 1500 with basic LS heads and shoot for more like 450 hp, You need to decide which way you want to go here. If you get best type heads out there, you might as well go all the way then. Know what I mean?
06-20-2018, 02:50 PM
#15
420HP is more realistic, 450HP will require high rpm race parts and compression and very good heads, 500HP would need race only parts and very high rpm,stall,gears, etc: .... you want 500HP street friendly you are going to need to go Turbo, Blower, or NOS on a LS1 or Stroker motor / 6.0 etc:
You will be surprised what 420/400 with a well prepped car will do, suspension is just as important as HP, sometimes suspension is more important.
You will be surprised what 420/400 with a well prepped car will do, suspension is just as important as HP, sometimes suspension is more important.
06-20-2018, 03:02 PM
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Yeah. I followed an old rule of thumb from my dad. He always said to make the car handle nice, and be able to handle serious power. That way when you wanna pour it on you don’t have to worry about all that. So the suspension I’ve got is nice and well able to handle 450rwhp.
I do think you have a point about how fun a 420rwhp car can be, but if I can I would rather have the little bit more power so long as I don’t make it too unfriendly with standard street driving. However, what race parts would I really need? I feel like (maybe not the best thing to say because I don’t know much... lol) that good heads with a mid-ish matched cam, full bolt ons, a good torque converter, and a tune shouldn’t have much trouble making 450hp at the wheels, or would I be wrong?
I do think you have a point about how fun a 420rwhp car can be, but if I can I would rather have the little bit more power so long as I don’t make it too unfriendly with standard street driving. However, what race parts would I really need? I feel like (maybe not the best thing to say because I don’t know much... lol) that good heads with a mid-ish matched cam, full bolt ons, a good torque converter, and a tune shouldn’t have much trouble making 450hp at the wheels, or would I be wrong?
06-20-2018, 03:10 PM
#17
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Yeah. I followed an old rule of thumb from my dad. He always said to make the car handle nice, and be able to handle serious power. That way when you wanna pour it on you don’t have to worry about all that. So the suspension I’ve got is nice and well able to handle 450rwhp.
I do think you have a point about how fun a 420rwhp car can be, but if I can I would rather have the little bit more power so long as I don’t make it too unfriendly with standard street driving. However, what race parts would I really need? I feel like (maybe not the best thing to say because I don’t know much... lol) that good heads with a mid-ish matched cam, full bolt ons, a good torque converter, and a tune shouldn’t have much trouble making 450hp at the wheels, or would I be wrong?
I do think you have a point about how fun a 420rwhp car can be, but if I can I would rather have the little bit more power so long as I don’t make it too unfriendly with standard street driving. However, what race parts would I really need? I feel like (maybe not the best thing to say because I don’t know much... lol) that good heads with a mid-ish matched cam, full bolt ons, a good torque converter, and a tune shouldn’t have much trouble making 450hp at the wheels, or would I be wrong?
06-20-2018, 03:10 PM
#18
well 500hp N/A ls1 isnt going to be fun to drive as a DD.. you will need to get a better intake / race ready heads / big *** cam / higher compression (to up dynamic compression from camshaft) / better rod/rodbolts / pistons / lightweight race parts / change springs every year / 4000 stall / 3.90+ gears / 9 or 12 bolt / built 4l60e or 4l80, th400... really its would be better to just turbo your LS1 and make 700HP, just change rods and pistons, turbo cam, injectors and fuel system and best heads you can afford (ls6 / trickflow / prc)... 500HP N/A is too much work for a 5.7
06-20-2018, 03:15 PM
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I know 500 is, but what about 450. I wouldn’t think it would be as big of a deal, is it? Either way, a 12 bolt rear is on the list and a better tranny will be installed in the future too
06-20-2018, 04:06 PM
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May I make a suggestion? Which ever way you go, don't get caught up on a certain dyno number. They can vary, so it's not the best indicator of true power. If the setup is done right, with a good tune, it will do whatever it does on any particular dyno.