450hwp-500whp goal....N/A or Turbo?

[lm38330]

Im really undecided on which way i want to go with my build right.I have fresh LQ4 sitting here,but until a few days ago,i had some local offer me a 65K mile LS1+some cash for my LQ.So im gonna for it.

Now i get the ideas of going with a turbo setup then going N/A.

Now i have a potential buyer for the LS1 and i can pick up a LM7 for about 300 bucks,so that will equal extra cash.

My HP goal is 450HP-500HP for a weekend toy.

heres my turbo setup ive been brainstorming-
Motor:
5.3L LM7
ARP rod bolts
LS6 camshaft
TSP pushrods(already have)
GM yellow springs
LS7 lifters
LS1 intake manifold
LS2 timing chain(already have)
F-body oil pan and all front accessories

Fuel setup
60# injectors
C5 FPR
255lph Walbro(Already have) or Bosch 044
91 octane- No E85 in my area but we do have some high octane fuel.

Turbo setup:
76mm turbo,since ive read a 5.3 can spool these quick
external wastegate-suggetsions are welcome
BOV-suggestions are welcome
FMIC

Trans-
TH400


Now my NA setup-

LS1
36# injectors
C5 FPR
LS6 intake
Walboro FP
MS3 cam with supporting valvetrain
243 heads

trans-
TH400


Im looking for suggestions on how to get to my goal.

Thanks

[digitalsolo]

I'd just stroke the LS1 and put some decent heads on it.    Turbo setup is way overkill for 450-500 RWHP.    Your 243 heads will be worth a little bit toward some decent ported factory castings (or just get those cleaned up a bit).

Turbo setups are nowhere near as easy to deal with as a basic heads/cam car.    There are a lot of things to deal with and account for to make it a truly reliable car.

[ALLslowNOshow]

Pill it till you kill it.

[atli126]

na and spray

[Speedfab]

Do you care about drivability?  And by that I mean stock like smoothness.

[lm38330]

Not really.It's gonna be weekend toy,definitely gonna some street time as well as some drag strip time.So thats  what I'm shootin for.

As long as the Damn thing runs on the weekends and when I wanna take it to the strip.

Also,is my T2 rear gonna slow me down from my HP goal.

Thanks in Advance

[usmcpi]

If you have a LQ4, why would you not turbo that instead of the 5.3?  You already have the lq4, plus more displacement, plus its been rebuilt, etc...

How much are you thinking the turbo kit is going to cost you complete, all the way from the air filiter until the car leaves the tuner shop.  Most people underestimate all these costs, it's not cheap.

What all is currently done to your lq4?  A basic heads and cam package with ls6 intake will bring that damn near 500rwhp.

[DavidPHumes]

For only 450-500WHP I can't see why going turbo would make sense. 500+, sure, but 450WHP in an LS is like 150WHP out of a Honda engine... it just doesn't make sense to spend the $$ to go turbo when you can do the same with a bigger cam and nicer heads. On the other hand, if you want anything more than 500WHP, N/A will start becoming very cost prohibitive in that you'll need larger cubes to get you there. 400WHP is WAY easier than 450-500.

Remember, turbo cars will absolutely nickle and dime you unless you already have some of the stuff. I had a budget of $4k and have easily doubled that no problem and I still have a stock shortblock. Fueling is important and more expensive than you'll think and all of the plumbing stuff like couplers and clamps start to add up quickly.


Also you're going to need a donkey dick sized cam to get you to your power goals N/A with smaller cubes. A stock LS7 only makes 440-460RWHP and that's with 427ci.

[usmcpi]

Plenty of mild (low 230s duration, such as the torquer 2/3) cams make 450rwhp easy in a ls1 with ported/aftermarket heads and a ls6 intake.  And depending what you call donkey dick cams, some people have made around 500-520 rwhp on a ls1 with cams around 238/244.  With 18 more cubes, it will be much easier to get to 500rwhp with the lq4. 

All said and done (if you do your own labor), heads and cam and all the supporting valve train is around $3k.  I dont know what intake, headers, or injectors you currently have, but figure a total of $1k for those.  Plus i usually figure in some incidentals for shit that nickel/dimes you to death or parts i over looked, so 500rwhp for $5k.

Go turbo and like David said, you'll be in $8k before you know it....i mean unless you buy all ebay off brand shit.  Which may work, or u may go WOT one day and end up with compressor pieces in your cylinders.

[talkstometal]

http://www.norotors.com/index.php?topic=13277.new#new

I have some 243 stage 3 heads, brand new.  same setup on another car made 463 rwhp

[rx7man93]

I agree, im running stock LS1 bottom end w/bolt upgrades (rebuit), TSP 243 stage 3 heads, and a torquer 3 cam, ls6 intake/TB (ported), 46lbs injectors (dual pump in tank).  I was told to expect about 450-500hp / 375/450rwhp.  Its going to be my summer daily driver. GL with your build!! Check out my build thread if you get a chance!

http://www.norotors.com/index.php?topic=5130.0

[Demon]

Stroked LS1 here with ported 243 heads and large cam making 520whp.  475whp could be done with less head work or more street friendly cam.

[usmcpi]

I agree, im running stock LS1 bottom end w/bolt upgrades (rebuit), TSP 243 stage 3 heads, and a torquer 3 cam, ls6 intake/TB (ported), 46lbs injectors (dual pump in tank).  I was told to expect about 450-500hp / 375/450rwhp.  Its going to be my summer daily driver. GL with your build!! Check out my build thread if you get a chance!

http://www.norotors.com/index.php?topic=5130.0

Those stage 3 heads arent exactly optimal in a stock bore LS1 with 2.08/1.6 valves.  You'd be muc better off with the 2.02/1.57 valves.

[Speedfab]

I agree, im running stock LS1 bottom end w/bolt upgrades (rebuit), TSP 243 stage 3 heads, and a torquer 3 cam, ls6 intake/TB (ported), 46lbs injectors (dual pump in tank).  I was told to expect about 450-500hp / 375/450rwhp.  Its going to be my summer daily driver. GL with your build!! Check out my build thread if you get a chance!

http://www.norotors.com/index.php?topic=5130.0

Those stage 3 heads arent exactly optimal in a stock bore LS1 with 2.08/1.6 valves.  You'd be muc better off with the 2.02/1.57 valves.

Exactly how much (more) bore shrouding are you thinking takes place by moving a valve edge three hundredths of an inch, i say 3/4 of a damn millimeter, yes the thickness of your fingernail and spark plug gap, closer to the cylinder wall?  In round numbers, exactly how many engines have you personally built and dynoed with 2.08 intake valves and 3.9 bore?  How many heads like that have you had on the ol SF901 sitting on a 3.9 inch tube?  Just a rough estimate will do.

This ain't LS1tech, son.  Keep spreading that sheep shit here, and you'll be my personal crusade.

[Speedfab]

And to the OP:  If you dont care how it idles, a stock displacement LS1 can prety easily make 450 to the wheels with enough cam, heads and compression.  And a good tune.  Get the biggest displacement aluminum block Gen 3 motor you can get your hands on, and go to town.