600 HP, Reliability and Driveability

[RGRCamaro]

Hey guys,

This summer I am wanting take my car to the next level. I was originally wanting to just supercharge, had thought strongly on the LSA supercharger. Now, I am thinking that I may cam as well. This would probably clear the 600rwhp mark relatively easily I'd imagine, I dont think I would want to go much higher than 600. I am pretty new to car modding, so any advice would be appreciated!

So my question is, what do you think I will need upgrade motor wise? All forged bottom end? Crank, pistons, rods? What else? anything drivetrain wise?

Following that question, Those of you with around 600rwhp, whats your driveability like?


Thank you in advance!

[Rcfiddy1]

I'm over 600 on a conservative tune with stock bottom end, but did a ECS blower cam and valve springs and retainers with a LS3 conversion. The transmission is holding up well with a vigilante 2800 stall and 3:45 rear end has JRE posi mod and caps. So far so good. Drivability is not at all bad. It takes a but more to start off slow since the converter was put in but other than that unless I go a bit hard on the throttle it's fine. Plus the BOV sounds awesome. I would only worry about axles and rear end at 600hp. Wheel hop will destroy parts.

[sscamaro]

I'm at 546/rwhp with E-Force S/C and no cam. See my sig for the rest of my mods. Drivability is very good. My experiences with a cam have been that you loose some drivability. It all depends what you are looking for.

[lbheat]

502rwhp here. Drives like stock and 85,000 miles so far no issues other than just changing out tensioner pulley

[RankSS]

I am at six and a quarter running 8 psi. Driveability is good. A little body shake at idle with the cam but I like it!
Stock bottom end with Brian Tooley's Platinum springs and pushrods.
Seems plenty reliable and I drive it HARD!

[ToddB]

I will be right around 600 rwhp when I finish getting my cam in. Car drives like stock till you floor it. Mods in sig.

[GraysonPeace]

We have 600rwhp with an LS3 conversion, FTI converter, Whipple, ID injectors, Duel LPE fuel pump, Comp cam, Kooks, stock bottom end trans and diff. The shake intimidates but drives like easy peasy! Even the wife has no problems on the way to get a manicure!

[SGDM]

I'm at 675 with a LS9 cam and drives like a stock car.

[old motorhead]

Originally Posted by RankSS

I am at six and a quarter running 8 psi. Driveability is good. A little body shake at idle with the cam but I like it!
Stock bottom end with Brian Tooley's Platinum springs and pushrods.
Seems plenty reliable and I drive it HARD!

I thought that GT9 cam was a "smooth idle" blower cam. It actually shakes a little at idle? How fast is your idle set? Nice set up. My old LS3 was at 650rwhp with a 3.3" front pulley, just a tad bigger blower cam, and a little over 9psi. About 35K blown miles. The only thing done to the motor, other than routine maintenance, was a belt change. Dead nuts reliable.

[AGP Turbo]

Keep in mind that it's always 15% easier on the engine to make the same whp on a turbo, over a supercharger. Of corse I would recommend you go AGP TT kit. You wouldn't need a cam or long tubes or pulleys or tensioners or anything to hit well over 600whp. Nothing more needed than what comes in the kit. Bolt it on and make 600+whp easy.

[Unreal]

Or 700, or 800, or whatever you want to set the boost too assuming you have the fuel supply.

[AGP Turbo]

Originally Posted by Unreal

Or 700, or 800, or whatever you want to set the boost too assuming you have the fuel supply.

Yep. On an LS3 car, just get both the ZL1 pump and the BAP. Put race gas in the car and turn it up to 800whp.

[Bo White]

I'm 600ish depending on weather and dyno. Bone stock except 9lb Paxton and full exhaust. Sure, fuel system parts have been upgraded but stock LS3 drivetrain other than that. I've got 60lb injectors that are at 97% so I'll be changing them soon.

[RankSS]

Originally Posted by old motorhead

I thought that GT9 cam was a "smooth idle" blower cam. It actually shakes a little at idle? How fast is your idle set? Nice set up. My old LS3 was at 650rwhp with a 3.3" front pulley, just a tad bigger blower cam, and a little over 9psi. About 35K blown miles. The only thing done to the motor, other than routine maintenance, was a belt change. Dead nuts reliable.

Thanks Motorhead.
The way I understand it is the GT9 can be smooth or rough depending on the tune. All in the ignition timing to get the lope out of it. My idle is set at 750.
It is just enough rough.