corvette advice needed

[spadanko]

so i have a customer with an 89 vette and he wants a new motor for it. Requirments are somewhere around 700hp, stock hood, keep it injected, pump gas 94 (no e85 here) and keep stock digital dash working. it is a street car but not a roadtrip car either. he has a pretty good budget so options are open but just looking for advice on what way to get there. thanks for any info

[MPbdy]

Show queen or does he actually drive and race it?

Ever owned a fast car? Most people have no idea what 700 horsepower is actually like in real life.

N/A only? Nitrous? Blower or turbo possible? Budget?

How old is he? That can be a big factor in what people will tolerate.

[spadanko]

as far as i know he hasnt owned anything really fast since he thinks its fast now. said no to nitrous but im sure i could convince him of a blower or maybe turbo. hes in his 40s but drives and acts like hes 18. said 30K but thats flexable to but remember thats everything with labour

[ncaudio]

For $30K he should sell the '89, get a newer Vette and have you build up an engine for him. That way he gets the double thrill of a newer car with some extra Horsepower.  I had a '85 Vette in '89 and the car did not communicate much what it was going to do near the limit and the ride was punishing, just not as refined as a newer one. I'm sure with new tires it would be better, but IMHO, it's just not a great car.

If he drives like a 18 YO, by the time it gets sideways in a corner (or maybe a straight) with throttle he might be off the road. You might not make as much on the deal, but you might keep a customer longer and he'd probably be happier.

[MPbdy]

Mark GNX7 is selling a badass stroker ls7 in the classifieds right now. It is pretty much exactly what you need for a 700 horsepower street ls7 NA.

I'm not sure about the integration into the c4 chassis, but you aren't going to reach that power with an lt1/lt4 and be happy with it on the street.

I think it might be beneficial to get someone with a 500rwhp vette to go scare the shit out of him.

I mean the l98 is making 250hp for crying out loud...

[Mik3ymomo]

I agree here with NCAUDIO that he needs a different car. Trade that 89 in for a C6 w/Z51. Then go to eastcoastsupercharging.com and buy one of their blower kits.
Will have street manners and the power the guy wants. He may even be able to do it close to his budget depending on what he can get for his 89 in the deal.

The stuff ECS puts out is quality and its also record
Setting and proven on these platforms.
C4 isn't a platform I would build for a 700hp street machine.

My opinion is the C6 makes it easier and more reliable at those levels. Its already engineered for you and just need bolt ons to get you there. Also 700hp is just a number. What is he looking to accomplish? Whatever it is other then to hang a dyno sheet in the wall 600-650 will still get it done on the track. Probably way more then he can ever handle anyway.

So recap

C6
Blower
Headers
Alky kit
Clutch
Fuel system

650whp

The kit is run on a 9 sec C6 that holds the C6 record for fastest in the US.

[spadanko]

well he came in today and realized 700hp is kinda stupid so now we are just doin a nice 383, im sure it will still make more then enough power for him. thanks for the help guys

[turbo-civic-si]

well he came in today and realized 700hp is kinda stupid so now we are just doin a nice 383, im sure it will still make more then enough power for him. thanks for the help guys

I think 700hp is kinda stupid too.  1000 is where it is at these days.

[NOROTOR]

I think 700hp is kinda stupid too.  1000 is where it is at these days.

Well, you need at least that amount to do any kind of heavy towing.