H/C/I, Procharger, or turbo on a LS1?

**35th-ANV-SS** · 12-15-2009, 09:38 PM

Which do you prefer and why? Please be descriptive in your responses.

I have been battling this dilemma for a while now.

One thing to consider is that FI would be put on a stock bottom end. I do not plan on putting more coin into the engine then the engine itself is worth.

I know I would be able to put more power to the ground going FI, but in terms of reliability over time, I am leaning towards HCI. I also think HCI would be considerably less expensive.

Thoughts?

**Modulistic** · 12-15-2009, 09:44 PM

hci is less of a chance to totally fuck your shit up or have weird tuning issues. plus it will sound gnarlier than a turbo or sc. prolly cheaper.

**wheeliE-maxx** · 12-15-2009, 09:45 PM

Turbo. Keep my mileage (sort of). No deep gears or converter absolutely necessary. Highway gears (i'd run 2.73's in an a4). No cam giving you away (until you spool, but then it's too late). The feeling of the car accelerating harder at the end of the track is just awesome to me. The setup itself is expensive, but you don't need headers, exhaust, h/c/i etc. Almost unlimited power just determined how much you want to spend on fuel or compression ratio. There's no way you could make 700 horsepower otherwise out of 346 cubes.. Con: it's a bitch to get the tune perfect

**Hi-Po** · 12-15-2009, 09:56 PM

Well Jon, Knowing you for a little while, Ill give you my opinion.

What power do YOU want? Whats your final goal with this SS? ET your going after?

Turbo, Expensive. Not close to a bolt on. Takes a good amount of skill to install, or alot of money to pay someone to install it. Unless you buy expensive turbo headers, you will most likely loose AC. I don't see you, wanting to lose AC in the beautiful 16,000 mile SS. Do you? C6 manifold on the passenger side will work, but I'm not sure if most of the turbo setups are made to bolt up to that. Turbo is expensive! With your 6 speed, there would be some electrical work to be done to get you off the line/ build boost.

Procharger - Something an average Joe can install. Basically a bolt on. For a Procharger kit, its still big money. 6000 + new. Procharger is the best centri out IMO. Maggie cant get a big enough system to fit. Being that you dont wanna ever tear into the bottom end, and I don't think I read buying a new shortblock was in your budget either, I wouldnt go FI. No doubt FI will make more power. But, do YOU need it, or even want it?

I would recommend you a great head/cam package. High/Mid 400's is attainable easily.

In the end, your going to have a shit load of money dumped into whatever route you choose. A good top end package is going to run some serious cash, but in the end, I think you will still be under what the cost of any FI would be.

Then again ,I don't know your long term goal, or any ET you had in mind.

**c5z28** · 12-15-2009, 10:10 PM

Your going to get the same hp with h/c as you would forced induction just for half the price (especially since you can't boost the hell out of a stock short block).

**wheeliE-maxx** · 12-15-2009, 10:27 PM

You can get a ton of power boosted through a stock shortblock. Unless a 5.3 truck motor is stronger than an ls1? They're (people on performancetrucks.net) successfully puttingndown well over 500 rwhp with those. One I remember is making about 620 I think to the wheels. I think the heads/cam record is like 500 rwhp by Patrick guerra on tech, but some people think that's fudged.

**INMY01TA** · 12-16-2009, 05:18 AM

I'm not a fan of turbo cars. Supercharger is badass if you build the block for it to really take advantage of it. I love a simple head,cam, and intake car tho.

**justinmc978** · 12-16-2009, 06:14 AM

Originally Posted by INMY01TA

I'm not a fan of turbo cars. Supercharger is badass if you build the block for it to really take advantage of it. I love a simple head,cam, and intake car tho.

**Spaz** · 12-16-2009, 06:46 AM

Originally Posted by c5z28

Your going to get the same hp with h/c as you would forced induction just for half the price (especially since you can't boost the hell out of a stock short block).

no...

**FasstChevys** · 12-16-2009, 06:52 AM

Originally Posted by 35th-ANV-SS

Which do you prefer and why? Please be descriptive in your responses.

I have been battling this dilemma for a while now.

One thing to consider is that FI would be put on a stock bottom end. I do not plan on putting more coin into the engine then the engine itself is worth.

I know I would be able to put more power to the ground going FI, but in terms of reliability over time, I am leaning towards HCI. I also think HCI would be considerably less expensive.

Thoughts?

I'd go forced induction..........turbo or supercharger, whichever YOU prefer..........

H/C/I doesn't offer the mileage that FI does, however, it 'should' be cheaper..........the power is 'comparable', but a little higher with FI if you're talkin' FI on a stock bottom end

**FasstChevys** · 12-16-2009, 06:53 AM

Originally Posted by Spaz

no...

+1 ....nope

**Smittro** · 12-16-2009, 06:55 AM

Originally Posted by c5z28

Your going to get the same hp with h/c as you would forced induction just for half the price (especially since you can't boost the hell out of a stock short block).

huh??

***Ed Blown Vert*** · 12-16-2009, 07:09 AM

FI if you can afford it. Drives like stock till you need it. Don't have to rev it to make power.

**ls1camino** · 12-16-2009, 07:09 AM

On a stock bottom end?

H/C/I and a 150 shot of nitrous...I'm trying to keep up with my buddy's S/C'd '98 Vette. Haven't raced yet, but we will

**FasstChevys** · 12-16-2009, 08:47 AM

Originally Posted by ls1camino

On a stock bottom end?

H/C/I and a 150 shot of nitrous...I'm trying to keep up with my buddy's S/C'd '98 Vette. Haven't raced yet, but we will

I'd give the edge to you if you can hook that 150 shot out of the hole, or reasonably soon after the hole shot.

But, I don't know his set up either. How many psi of boost? Headers/exhaust? Anything else? I.E. - cam, royal purple, Turbonator?