how much hp is too much for a daily driver?

**jevonniespapi** · 11-15-2009, 06:05 AM

Well, i think this is my first post at ls1.com, so I thought Id get everyones opinion on how much power is more than enough for a daily?

I have a 2000 z28 with 285 hp. Best time was a 13.7 in the quarter. I'd like it to be a 12 second car, and still drive to work everyday.

Is 400 hp out of my league?

Im not even sure how I'd get up to that mark (cant decide which direction to go for cheap/dependability) so I thought id ask to see if anyone even drives their "fast" car to work all the time.

Thanks,
Jay

**importhater81** · 11-15-2009, 06:56 AM

Originally Posted by jevonniespapi

Well, i think this is my first post at ls1.com, so I thought Id get everyones opinion on how much power is more than enough for a daily?

I have a 2000 z28 with 285 hp. Best time was a 13.7 in the quarter. I'd like it to be a 12 second car, and still drive to work everyday.

Is 400 hp out of my league?

Im not even sure how I'd get up to that mark (cant decide which direction to go for cheap/dependability) so I thought id ask to see if anyone even drives their "fast" car to work all the time.

Thanks,
Jay

You can put your car into the 12s easy and still drive it to work with no issues.A good set of long tube headers on a decent exhaust with a tune should do it.

**jevonniespapi** · 11-15-2009, 08:05 AM

well, i have a flowmaster exhaust and an SLP cold air intake/ram air kit on it. And a street tune. Still, im in the 13s.

get me to the 12s and to work!

**importhater81** · 11-15-2009, 08:33 AM

I went from mid 13s to high 12s doing to my ss what I said in my first reply to your post.Was running mid 13's with just a slp loudmouth exhaust.Headers and tune woke the car up big time.Runnin 12's on F1 eagles with shit traction.

**jevonniespapi** · 11-15-2009, 08:46 AM

wow, didnt realize it was that easy. What will get me to 11s?

**Spikito** · 11-15-2009, 09:02 AM

11's is a whole nother story.

but about your original post, it may depend on how hard you're pushing it.....thats why youre running a little slower than importhater.

another thing you could work on is suspension and good tires. maybe even buy a spare pair of rims and put drag radials on them.

you could also look into a mild stall. help you off the line some, shave off some tenths

**importhater81** · 11-15-2009, 09:23 AM

Is it an a4 or m6?and yes it takes a lot more to hit 11's!12's are easy though.

**Smittro** · 11-15-2009, 09:54 AM

Originally Posted by jevonniespapi

wow, didnt realize it was that easy. What will get me to 11s?

If you're in the 12's and want 11's bottle it..

**35th-ANV-SS** · 11-15-2009, 10:03 AM

Yes, like previous said M6 or A4. If A4, a stall. If M6, drive it harder lol.

Suspension components will help you get more HP to the ground. LCAs, shocks, and torque arm. Some DRs for the track will also help with your launch and 60' time. I wouldn't want too sticky of tires though, otherwise you could be asking for trouble with respect to your rear-end. If you haven't got them already, LTs will add a lot of HP.

For 11's, that is a whole new realm. H/C or FI.

**Spikito** · 11-15-2009, 10:06 AM

for not having an LS1 i tend to give good advice, lol

**jevonniespapi** · 11-15-2009, 10:23 AM

A4.

how more hp (money) will i need to get into the 11s?

**importhater81** · 11-15-2009, 11:08 AM

Originally Posted by jevonniespapi

A4.

how more hp (money) will i need to get into the 11s?

I'll let ya know when I get there!Probably about 3k....to do it right.That's parts only,assuming you wrench on your own car.

**35th-ANV-SS** · 11-15-2009, 11:11 AM

I am just guessing, but you will probably need a larger stall (3600), good set of heads, a cam (not too radical if a DD), and an intake (you have the LS1, prolly want at least a LS6 or FAST) with some drag radials and HOPE your rear-end doesn't take a shit. This would be on top of all available bolt-ons.

Those mods would probably get you close to 420-440whp.

Cost wise, price it out. But guessing 5K (depending on what brands, good heads alone can be $2500) without any supporting suspension and drive-train mods.

Or do a 125 wet shot and call it a day. Need bigger fuel injectors and possible an upgraded fuel pump for this though (not really sure). You need a great tune also. Downfall is you will need to fill the bottle up often.

**Johns00Z28** · 11-15-2009, 05:39 PM

If you have suspension, sticky tires,3600 or higher stall and a decent cam you should get in the 11's.

**jevonniespapi** · 11-16-2009, 04:44 AM

Originally Posted by Johns00Z28

If you have suspension, sticky tires,3600 or higher stall and a decent cam you should get in the 11's.

how drastic would that affect my fuel economy!?

recommend me a good cam!

**Johns00Z28** · 11-16-2009, 04:53 AM

Can't go wrong w/ a 228 cam or something in that range for a DD although a custom cam would probably be even better. In my opinion, with the higher stall and cam your gas mileage will suffer more in city style driving and less on the highway.

**jevonniespapi** · 11-16-2009, 07:01 AM

I wish there was a thread that said you want this much hp, this is what you do, or this time, this is what you do, you know, all the variables. Then I wouldnt have to make such a lengthy thread!

**Johns00Z28** · 11-16-2009, 07:10 AM

Originally Posted by jevonniespapi

I wish there was a thread that said you want this much hp, this is what you do, or this time, this is what you do, you know, all the variables. Then I wouldnt have to make such a lengthy thread!

You can just look at what other guys have done that are making the kind of power and running the kind of numbers you want to run and replicate it.

**EVIL-LS1** · 11-16-2009, 07:30 AM

My mods are SLP Lid,K&N,Smooth Bellows,Delphi 85mm MAF,SLP Y,SLP Loudmouth 1. I have Ran a best of 8.55@85.88 MPH and 13.35@108.85. This is with a stock trans,273 gears. Iam doing 373 gears,M/T Drag Radials,Tune this winter. Iam hoping to be in the 12s. My next mod after I do 373s,m/t drag radials, is a 3200-3500 Stall Iam hoping to be in low mid 12s.

**Johns00Z28** · 11-16-2009, 07:33 AM

Originally Posted by 1Bad97Ram

My mods are SLP Lid,K&N,Smooth Bellows,Delphi 85mm MAF,SLP Y,SLP Loudmouth 1. I have Ran a best of 8.55@85.88 MPH and 13.35@108.85. This is with a stock trans,273 gears. Iam doing 373 gears,M/T Drag Radials,Tune this winter. Iam hoping to be in the 12s. My next mod after I do 373s,m/t drag radials, is a 3200-3500 Stall Iam hoping to be in low mid 12s.

If a cam is in your plans for the car I'd go a bit higher on the stall.