Three options to more power, help me decide....

[Fiftydriver]

TO all, I am looking to upgrade the performance of my L99 and have settled on three options. My goal is to get into that 550-600 WRHP range but still be able to use the car as an everyday driver, at least in the summer in clear weather!!! LOL

I already have Roto-Fab CAI, Dynatech 1 7/8" LT headers, Dynatech HF cats and Corsa Cat back exhaust with Jannetty tune.

Look over the options and tell me what you would do:

Option 1
Leave engine stock, add on
Magnacharger 2300 kit
Water/meth kit
Protorque 2600 torque converter
Jannetty custom tune
Pros:
-Should get me to that 545-550 WRHP range with great streetability
-Relatively affordable
-No messing with engine
Cons:
-Will my bottom end handle this long term
-No warrantee at all on engine and no back up

Option 2
Pull the L99 and replace it with the LSX376 which is built specifically for forced air systems.
Add same supercharger, same water meth, same TC and Jannetty tune
Pros:
-Could easily get to that 600 WRHP level
-VERY stout bottom end for power level
-More aggressive sound
-Still quite streetable
-2 year/50K warrantee
-Have fresh L99 sitting here as back up if needed
Cons:
-Extra $5500 + cost to pull and install new engine
-Possible issues with engine conversion

Option 3
Pull the L99 and replace with LSX454
F.A.S.T. 102mm intake manifold
Pros:
-Would get me into that 550-575 WRHP range with no supercharger or water/meth.
-No SC cost
-MEAN ASS sounding motor
-2 year warrantee with L99 as backup
Cons:
-Aggressive cam and higher compression makes it less streetable for an everyday driver.
-Fuel milage for an everyday driver???? Not sure what it would be.
-Issues with engine conversion
-Nearly $10,000 in engine cost alone.....

Option 1 would certainly be the most afforable but I am worried about the L99 being able to handle this added stress years down the road. Option 2 maybe the best of both worlds but certainly adds some to the cost and not sure how easy the conversion to the LSX would be for the L99. Sure it would not be a huge problem but little problems tend to add alot of cost to a project.

If I go with option 2 or 3 it will likely be a 3 year project, with the added cost so I am not overly worried about cost as I will just save up until I can afford whatever option would be bet, obviously sooner is better but reality means waiting until I can afford it. I would rather wait three years, make the right choice instead of pushing the L99 harder then it can handle and still needing to get a replacement engine down the road.

Anyway, let me know what you would do or recommend, just looking for opinions from those that have been there and done this!!! Thanks.

[Supercharged SS]

I say option one and it has nothing to do with money. That setup works flawlessly! And more importantly, it meets your outlined goals to a t. Better than the other two do.

[justa25thTA]

Originally Posted by Supercharged SS

I say option one and it has nothing to do with money. That setup works flawlessly!

[fastfaster]

Originally Posted by Supercharged SS

I say option one and it has nothing to do with money. That setup works flawlessly!

this question is for the 8 cylinder guys, dont you have a four cylinder in your camaro.

[kd4hey]

You forgot:

Option 4
Pull the L99 and replace with LSX454
F.A.S.T. 102mm intake manifold
Magnacharger 2300 kit
Water/meth kit
Protorque 2600 torque converter
Jannetty custom tune

That'll put you over the top for sure!! Go Big or Go Home isn't that what they say? (Of course this means I will just STAY home).

Keeping mine stock until the warranty runs out.

[Supercharged SS]

Originally Posted by fastfaster

this question is for the 8 cylinder guys, dont you have a four cylinder in your camaro.

Shhhhh! Don't let my secret out.

[danhr]

You aren't going to hit the stock bottom end limits with option one. Guy up here in Pittsburgh has all of that done on his, plus heads and a blower cam and he's doing just fine. imo, the stock bottom end limit tends to be around the 700-750 rwhp mark.

option two.... well why would you stop at 376 ci? you could get a forged 416 for the same price? Do you not want the extra cubic inches?

option three... if you are only getting 550 rwhp out of a 454 lsx, you need a new engine builder or you did a very mild build. lol. Once you hit that 4.125 bore, power numbers go through the roof.

A big question is, how long do you think you will be happy at the 550 rwhp mark? The mod bug is very addicting. The other two options give you room to grow on, the first one, not so much. If you think will be content with the 550-600 rwhp mark... I'd say go with option 1, and add a cam in there. That way you get that "mean sound" that you want from the lsx454, but keep the costs relatively down.

[Darth_Emma]

Have you considered a twin turbo kit?

[danhr]

Originally Posted by Darth_Emma

Have you considered a twin turbo kit?

I have!! I want one and am currently awaiting the arrival of my first born child to use as payment towards a twin turbo kit!

[Indpowr]

You have way to big of a spread. What is your END goal. If you get a Magna then still not happy then move to the 454 your throwing money after money.

Do it right and do it the first time.

[Darth_Emma]

Originally Posted by danhr

I have!! I want one and am currently awaiting the arrival of my first born child to use as payment towards a twin turbo kit!

I recently got quotes for both a Magnacharger and a twin turbo kit. There is not a huge difference between the cost. A TT kit is a couple of thousand dollars more than a supercharger. So, I figured if the OP had not considered a TT, perhaps he should for the kind of hp gains he's looking for.

[LosXC451]

option 1

[2010 SSRS]

option 3.

[Fiftydriver]

Supercharged SS,

Your care is actually the inspiration that got me thinking about what I wanted to do next. After reading about your results its hard not to do exactly what you had done. My ONLY concern is in the long term. I plan to own this car forever and I do drive it a fair amount on a daily basis in the summer, just want something that will take the continued use with a SC.