Powering up the LS1

[dbs1]

Looking for 550 hp @ the crank in my 02 camaro w/o Nitrous, and streetable.

Budget is $5500. Ideas??? Road racer/dragstrip/street

[Mr. Luos]

ProCharger

[ls1camino]

ProCharger

This.

But you're not thinking about the rest of the drivetrain...Clutch, Transmission, Driveshaft, Rear End.

[Pony_Eater]

$ 5500 is not enough for streetable 550 hp

[bluehawk2000]

more in the range of about 15000 would be my guess, for all drive train heads cams intake tb cai sfc nitrous tires suspension.

[mark21742]

How much work can you do yourself?
I did all the work on mine my self including machine work on the heads (with help and using my friend Brandon's mill)
Port/polish kit from Eastwood ran me around $50 (I don't recomend doing your own porting unless you have expirence porting AND the castings of these heads.
ARP or Katech rod bolts figure $200.
ARP head bolt kit $150
Head gaskets $70
Cam $400-$500
Pushrods $120
Valve springs/locks/retainers$200-$400
FAST intake and tb $1200
Great 17/8" long tube headers and exhaust $1500-$2000
Great tune $500-$700

I'm sure I'm forgeting a thing or two, but even on the cheap it adds up quick and without spending an extra $2000+ on after market heads you'll get close, but doubt if you'll hit the hp mark you want with your budget.
Plus you need to upgrade the suspension and rear so you can hook and not grenade your rear.
Not trying to kill your buzz, just letting you know what your in for. I'd set your goal and slowly work toward it as money allows starting with the un glorified suspension work and a 12 bolt or 9" rear so the car handle the new power you throw to it later

[dbs1]

Thx for the replies! I'm about halfway there on the suspension items, and will finish them first, along with the upgraded rear end, trans & clutch. I did not include them, because I am already aware and will probably complete all those before getting into the engine.

The car already has LT's (cheapo's) upgraded exhaust, SLP lid from factory with the LS6 intake and a good dyno tune. From the mph I'm guessing 385hp @ the crank. I can still pull some weight out (40lbs) that has not been done yet.

The last item would be the engine. I've contemplated an LS3 swap (with a hot cam) or just building the LS1. The LS3 swap is going to be in the neighborhood of $7500 w/o deducting for the sell of the LS1 which appears to not be worth a whole lot. With Kook headers I'm told it's a realistic 525 hp.

Taking $1500 off for the install and tuning leaves me $6000 for building the LS1 and it seems the streetability goes to heck along with not as much ponies?

I have some experience with SC's, though none of it is with cent. types. They seem to get hot and the power drops substantially over the course of 20-30 min of hard pressed road course action, that's why I lean towards a N/A setup.

I'm listening though to various ideas!

[mark21742]

If you can get a good deal on an iron block I'd go that way, for only an extra 85 lbs you can bore and stroke it to 400+ ci and a set of worked over L92/76 heads and aftermarket intake, you could go with a bigger cam, lots more power and still be street friendly

[dbs1]

The additional weight over the front for a road course car is a deal killer for me, as is the heat buildup from a sc. That and after finding a write up on the LS3 swap it's more than I thought.

Looks like I need to scale back my goals to meet my budget? Head/cam swap will possibly get to the 475hp range, finish the suspension mods, upgrade the clutch, better brake pads along with some new rims for my old nt01's, stay away from the 1/4 mile and see how long the 7.5 holds up. Pulling another 40lbs off won't hurt either.

Economic reality is sometimes a female dog!