Best to 500HP

[NYJETSFAN]

Originally Posted by nebchevy

Ok so how about a badass cam, with headers and a cat back system?? o should I del cats to?

The aforemetioned is cool, but you need to add a CAI to that list..

[nebchevy]

Originally Posted by Padre

I think a more modest goal would fit you best, to start with. A good cam, cold air intake, headers, maybe pulley will get you 460 rwhp easy. That way, you save money on ported heads and manifold. You can always add those later when you want to squeeze out some more ponies.

But for your shop, ask for: cam (and supporting valvetrain, if needed), good headers, and a good CAI (and ported throttle body since it's cheap and people like it). I figure you'd be in for $3k for +80-100rwhp. Heads/manifold may cost you another $2k for maybe another +20rwhp.

Point is, you can have a beast for about $3k with room to grow when you get the itch.

Padre

do you think I should keep my cats on and also should I get a cat back sys or just a muffler del

[BullF-16]

Originally Posted by nebchevy

Ok so how about a badass cam, with headers and a cat back system?? o should I del cats to?

Get the underdrive pulley as well. Delete the cats, no question. With G6x3 cam, 1 7/8" headers, underdrive pulley, 3" catless exhaust and good tune you will be just north of 480 on a realistic dyno. Or at least close!

I did alot or research on this a few months ago and to get 500 i was also going to go with a set of real, real good heads since the stock LS3 heads are so good. I was looking at 2500 for the heads and another grand plus for the fast 102 intake and NW 102 TB.......thats when i said screw it and went the Procharger D1 route

Good luck with whatever you decide. There are a lot of smart people on this forum that will help you get your goal

[Padre]

Originally Posted by nebchevy

do you think I should keep my cats on and also should I get a cat back sys or just a muffler del

Keep the cats. My JBA high-flows are doing fine, and I've got JBA Shorties with a PRoCharger D-1SC going on! But for you, you'll do best with Long Tubes and High-Flow Cats. Going catless over that may gain you 5rwhp and it's not worth the hassle.

For exhaust, I'll be straightforward: the stock catback is fine. All you need is an axle-back to choose your sound. A full aftermarket catback may cost you $1k and gain you maybe 5rwhp.

Padre

[nebchevy]

Originally Posted by Padre

Keep the cats. My JBA high-flows are doing fine, and I've got JBA Shorties with a PRoCharger D-1SC going on! But for you, you'll do best with Long Tubes and High-Flow Cats. Going catless over that may gain you 5rwhp and it's not worth the hassle.

For exhaust, I'll be straightforward: the stock catback is fine. All you need is an axle-back to choose your sound. A full aftermarket catback may cost you $1k and gain you maybe 5rwhp.

Padre

So I should keep my cats on there or are you saying I need to get high flow cats?

[MikeOD]

My LS3 car was a LOT of fun to drive without a cam...good longtubes, cats, a full exhaust, a cold air intake, and tuning work...it sounded awesome, and it was a blast...it trapped a bit better than 116 in less than ideal conditions, and ran mid 12's...and put ~420-430 rwhp down depending on the day/dyno.

...that said...it's apart now for heads/cam/FAST 102...I haven't spent this much money on a car so quickly before...but I can.

On the whole financing the mods thing...I've been in the situation in the past where I REALLY wanted to mod my car at the time, and couldn't afford to...I'm glad I never put myself in debt to do it...there is NOTHING worse than being in debt...whatever you'd be willing to pay for a monthly payment on a loan for mods...just put that much into some other savings account every month instead...then when you can afford to just buy the mod...and not empty the account...buy the mod you want, and go on from there.

[summitss/rsls3]

Check out my mods in my sig. The numbers are there too, i have about 4200 dollars in everything and did all the work myself except the tune so that should give you a pretty good idea, of course to have it all installed is going to cost you a bunch more. I did everything on a budget over 2 years to find the best deals on things and got away pretty cheap I would say. If you decide to meet up with the rest of the nebraska peps in Lincoln we can talk some more.

[summitss/rsls3]

Let me correct myself, i have 4200 in engine and exhaust parts. The tires, wheels, and springs were about 2500 themselves.

[MikeOD]

Originally Posted by summitss/rsls3

Let me correct myself, i have 4200 in engine and exhaust parts. The tires, wheels, and springs were about 2500 themselves.

How many miles have you put on the Richmond 4.11's? How do you drive?...have you drag raced with them?

[summitss/rsls3]

I little over 1,000 miles and i drive the car like it has 483 RWHP. I have launced it a few times just to see how it reacts but have not been to the strip with them. IMO this is the gear these cars should come with. Plus i still get 22-22.5 MPG on the interstate at 75-80 MPH.

[Padre]

Originally Posted by nebchevy

So I should keep my cats on there or are you saying I need to get high flow cats?

With Longtubes, you will be replacing the cats or going catless. With Shorties, you can keep the stock cats, switch for highflows, or go catless.

Since the stock cats are very restrictive, it's a no-brainer to replace them, and you must with LTs anyway.

I'm the only one around here who would recommend Shorties. My JBAs and highflows are great for me - cheaper, easy to install, maybe 5-10hp less than LTs. But you'll be best to go with LTs and highflows from the start if your goal is north of 460.

Padre

[mikeSS]

Originally Posted by nebchevy

lol I know... I just wanted to get my car sound better and mean and some more power.... I make good money, but I am not good at saving lol or should I just wait

just wanted to say something. modding is expensive you must have money ready to go in case something happens. GM is not going to be as warranty friendly to a 500WHP car. so you need more than just 5k when modding. in case something needs fixing.

[nebchevy]

I agree with you all... I will do it one little mod at a time... so maybe I should just work on the cosmetic stuff untill I have money to mod then?? in the mean time... what should I at least do with my exhaust to make it a nice loud sound like a real muscle car should sound? Also if I was to just do a cam install what kinda hp we looking at gaining and what is the best cam for your money/hp

[nebchevy]

Anyone know if the G6x3 cam is a good one to go with if you just install it and headers and no cats and axle back?? Also if you del your cats will you get a error