425rwhp goal help

[Chaxce]

Okay so I have a stock 2012 SS LS3 which is good for 362rwhp, I want to get that number up to at least 425! I plan on doing the LS9 cam swap which they say adds 20-30hp and a Airaid CAI which is like 5-10hp so I'll be between 387hp and 402hp. I would love to keep my warranty intact so what are some other mods I can do to reach my goal? Like I said preferably keeping warranty intact...

[layzurguy]

Exhaust

[Chaxce]

Catback? What brands have the best gains?

[BenningJ]

Long tube headers (with or without cats), Ported Throttle body, an aftermarket air intake, exhaust, and tune. I have a 2013 LS3 and right now I'm sitting at 424rwhp. I wouldn't bother with the LS9 cam. It will realistically gain you about 18-20rwhp.

[jc615]

If you're doing cam add headers as well

[Chaxce]

I don't believe header keep warranty? So if I ever do header it will be after I've tried all other warranty friendly items...

[62nalide]

You just want to have the number or want it to perform?

[Camero5]

Originally Posted by Chaxce

Okay so I have a stock 2012 SS LS3 which is good for 362rwhp, I want to get that number up to at least 425! I plan on doing the LS9 cam swap which they say adds 20-30hp and a Airaid CAI which is like 5-10hp so I'll be between 387hp and 402hp. I would love to keep my warranty intact so what are some other mods I can do to reach my goal? Like I said preferably keeping warranty intact...

Doing the CAM will void your warranty. Like the others have said, Ported TB, headers, catback, CAI and a good tune should put you easily over 400 on the LS3. If your going to do a CAM, your better off going with something with better gains. Not worth the money to go LS9 unless your doing the labor yourself.

[Chaxce]

Well how different does a bad 425whp perform compared to a good 425whp?

[Chaxce]

If I get the LS9 cam at the Chevy dealership it would keep my warranty right? If not I'll probably not get to 425 with warranty

[MightymouseSS]

Only way you'll get 425rwhp is full bolt ons(cai, lt headers, ported tb, tune) and thats pushing it. The tune will void your warranty. I dynoed 400/398 with bolt ons and stock tune before getting cammed. Getting a cam will definitely get you those numbers but you pay to play if warranty is that important look into solo hf cats but you wont get anywhere near the 425 rwhp. As for the ls9 cam we'll thats gonna void your warranty as well so if your already going to go through the trouble might as well go big.

[Chaxce]

Okay well it looks like no warranty for me, guess I'll get as far as I can on warranty friendly item then when I hit the wall I'll make the leap

[MightymouseSS]

I thought the same way and ended up spending more $$$ by doing things twice. I went with jba shortys and gained hardly anything. I sold those for cheap to a buddy and got LTs and it made a huge difference. If I knew then what I know now I would've save some time and money.

[ST1LE]

Originally Posted by MightymouseSS

I thought the same way and ended up spending more $$$ by doing things twice. I went with jba shortys and gained hardly anything. I sold those for cheap to a buddy and got LTs and it made a huge difference. If I knew then what I know now I would've save some time and money.

Exactly this!!

Sadly there is no way around this, or we all would have found it by now.

If you want more power and want the car to 'perform', as stated above you HAVE to re-tune the ECM to calibrate it for all the changes. Sadly that is just the cold reality.

These engines have been around a long time and have proven reliability even after modded, if done right and tuned right. I appreciate your outlook though, if you cant pay to fix/replace then you should not MOD. Good luck OP, but trust me you wont regret modding if/when you do!