new performance engine for WS6

**Formula_LS1** · 10-30-2006, 04:32 AM

The wife and I have been talking for a bit and finally decided that its a good time to start thinking about some more horsepower and reinforcement in our 98 Formula Ram Air WS6. The first thing we thought about was purchasing a new engine and then reinforcing what we needed too. Only thing is, we have no idea what engine will fit into the car as well as where to find one that does. Last thing we wanna do is find a great deal, buy the engine, and then realize that the bitch doesnt fit. So, anyone know where we can get our hands on a good high HP engine? Something with perferrably more than 500 horses, and also what would we need to reinforce in the car overall? Thanks in Advance.

**Jims455** · 10-30-2006, 08:16 AM

one word, LS7

**nhraformula** · 10-30-2006, 03:57 PM

http://www.trademotion.com/splash/in...?siteid=214152

**Follet30** · 10-30-2006, 05:16 PM

Just stroke the one u got to 383 and put head/cam kit

**Silver Streak** · 10-30-2006, 05:44 PM

I ageee with Follet30.

**SeVeReDiStOrTiOn** · 10-30-2006, 10:50 PM

Originally Posted by Formula_LS1

The wife and I have been talking for a bit and finally decided that its a good time to start thinking about some more horsepower and reinforcement in our 98 Formula Ram Air WS6. The first thing we thought about was purchasing a new engine and then reinforcing what we needed too. Only thing is, we have no idea what engine will fit into the car as well as where to find one that does. Last thing we wanna do is find a great deal, buy the engine, and then realize that the bitch doesnt fit. So, anyone know where we can get our hands on a good high HP engine? Something with perferrably more than 500 horses, and also what would we need to reinforce in the car overall? Thanks in Advance.

What mods do you have now?

**96blackz28** · 10-31-2006, 04:45 AM

do a 427 stroker to you stock motor

**EStealth** · 10-31-2006, 05:59 AM

Originally Posted by Jims455

one word, LS7

^ He said it all.

**9T8W66** · 10-31-2006, 11:06 AM

The first question is what is your total budget for this car.?
We all can give you our own personal hopes and dreams but it's still your Car.
You vave to remain realistic about your goals.
Set up a plan of attack and stick with it.
500 FWHP or 500 RWHP ?
And don't forget all the HP in the world don't mean crap if you can't put it to the ground. So Chassis and Suspension should come first.

Another thing is that High Horsepower cars usually become single purpose (straightline only).
It all depends on what you want out of the car. I've seen people build high powered cars that will flatten your eyeballs. But hate driving it, because it is not what it was.

This is Just My Opinion the Choice is yours.

**third_shift|studios** · 10-31-2006, 12:13 PM

very good point! It's your car man, do what you want and have a goal.
first person to think "FWHP" means "Front-Wheel Horse Power" is getting

**Formula_LS1** · 10-31-2006, 03:04 PM

Originally Posted by third_shift|studios

very good point! It's your car man, do what you want and have a goal.
first person to think "FWHP" means "Front-Wheel Horse Power" is getting

I'm acrtually looking to spend 20-25k on the car overall so i figured whatever gave the the best bang-for-the-buck would be beast. I'm kind of car illiterate so when someone abreviates its a bit harder for me to understand. Last thing i wanna do is go to an auto shop and say "I want my engine to be strokered to a 424" and him go... huh? and then i look like an idiot. Other than that, i can just tune my engine, add a few parts, and reinforce a few things and my engine can push a whole hell of a lot more power? if its cheaper than buyin a new one then shit, i'm in.

**Stricken1** · 10-31-2006, 04:08 PM

Dont forget about the drivetrain... 500 hp will do in your stock rear.

**Formula_LS1** · 10-31-2006, 04:10 PM

Originally Posted by Stricken1

Dont forget about the drivetrain... 500 hp will do in your stock rear.

So i wont have to worry about beefin up the back end to support all the power?

**Silver Streak** · 10-31-2006, 08:51 PM

Well.. depends on if it is an auto or manual.. but to a point the stocker will be fine... but like Striken said.. if you are looking at 500hp... the rear will be toast VERY quickly. Keep asking questions, lurk around to find out what you want as the end result and see what it will take to get there.

**ls1bandit** · 10-31-2006, 09:54 PM

http://cgi.ebay.com/ebaymotors/LS1-L...QQcmdZViewItem

BAM

**SeVeReDiStOrTiOn** · 10-31-2006, 10:10 PM

ok well since you didn't answer I found your current mods on another post.

1998 Pontiac Formula Firebird WS6 with Ram Air (SLP Whisperlid, SLP Mass Air Flow Sensor, Gorilla Chip, Flowmaster Dual Exhaust)

You only have a couple bolt-ons and now you want a new motor to get more power? I can understand that if you had full bolt-ons and a good H/C setup already...but all you have is a lid, canned tune and flowmasters. If I was you i'd mod your ls1..it has plenty of potential for more hp. Then i'd take the money saved and mod the rest of the drivetrain(tranny, rear)..and as you're doing that mod the suspension( SFC, STB, LCA's..etc)

**Formula_LS1** · 10-31-2006, 11:07 PM

Originally Posted by SeVeReDiStOrTiOn

ok well since you didn't answer I found your current mods on another post.

1998 Pontiac Formula Firebird WS6 with Ram Air (SLP Whisperlid, SLP Mass Air Flow Sensor, Gorilla Chip, Flowmaster Dual Exhaust)

You only have a couple bolt-ons and now you want a new motor to get more power? I can understand that if you had full bolt-ons and a good H/C setup already...but all you have is a lid, canned tune and flowmasters. If I was you i'd mod your ls1..it has plenty of potential for more hp. Then i'd take the money saved and mod the rest of the drivetrain(tranny, rear)..and as you're doing that mod the suspension( SFC, STB, LCA's..etc)

ok, so i guess i'll stick mwith my stock right now.... so... anyone got any ideas on how much this is gonna run me? Also, any idea on what exactly to beef up in the rear and tranny? Please be specific, i dont have all the acronyms down just yet (still a little brain dead when it comes to mechanics). Thanks again everyone.

**9T8W66** · 11-01-2006, 07:41 AM

Like I said in my previous post Start with the chassis
1) Sub Frame Connectors
2) Shock Tower Brace
Then move to the suspension
3) Lower Control Arms
4) Panhard Bar
5) Torque Arm
6) Sway bars ? (To increase Handling) Optional
All of these parts are Bolt on's that you can do at home to save money.
The car will feel very differnt with all this done and usually put more power to the ground.
Beleive it or not with the mods you have your already at around 360-370 FWHP Flywheel Horsepower. So the question remains what will you be happy with.
There are plenty of peope on here that have more experience with H/C combo's than me. But I can tell you that Cam only cars with all the bolt on's can put down close to 400 RWHP Rear Wheel Horsepower. That calculates close to 500 at the flywheel.

Oh and by the way What trans do you have again ?

**Formula_LS1** · 11-01-2006, 03:14 PM

Originally Posted by 9T8W66

Like I said in my previous post Start with the chassis
1) Sub Frame Connectors
2) Shock Tower Brace
Then move to the suspension
3) Lower Control Arms
4) Panhard Bar
5) Torque Arm
6) Sway bars ? (To increase Handling) Optional
All of these parts are Bolt on's that you can do at home to save money.
The car will feel very differnt with all this done and usually put more power to the ground.
Beleive it or not with the mods you have your already at around 360-370 FWHP Flywheel Horsepower. So the question remains what will you be happy with.
There are plenty of peope on here that have more experience with H/C combo's than me. But I can tell you that Cam only cars with all the bolt on's can put down close to 400 RWHP Rear Wheel Horsepower. That calculates close to 500 at the flywheel.

Oh and by the way What trans do you have again ?

Auto trans, thinking of getting a shift kit for it, and possibly a hurst dual gate shifter... only thing is... i have to hack up my center console to get it to fit... that the only thing keeping me back from just going out a buying it... afraid the shop will ruin my interior.

**9T8W66** · 11-01-2006, 03:24 PM

Don't waste your time with a shifter for an auto everything is done electronically anyway. Depending on what you want to do with the car 3200 stall is as much as I would go on a basic bolt on LS1. The shift kit is a no brainer.