LS3 to 500 HP Suggestions pls Economically - Page 4 - Camaro5 Chevy Camaro Forum / Camaro ZL1, SS and V6 Forums

SoFlaZ · 04-23-2009, 12:51 PM

If you choose to do a heads/cam setup vs. a supercharger and each with a good tune, which one would get better MPG overall? If I ever get my car to 500 hp im not going to really care about gas mileage but I would like to know because a head/cam engine seems less streetable and fuel efficient to me the more hp you add vs a s/c.

ZZcamaro · 04-23-2009, 12:54 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by SoFlaZ

If you choose to do a heads/cam setup vs. a supercharger and each with a good tune, which one would get better MPG overall? If I ever get my car to 500 hp im not going to really care about gas mileage but I would like to know because a head/cam engine seems less streetable and fuel efficient to me the more hp you add vs a s/c.

There is certainly a point where the heads/cam car is no longer an easy driving car. You can get away with more cam on a manual car also. I am doing a cam car, but I am making sure it is not so aggressive that it is no fun to drive everyday. I know I will break 500 at the wheels, and it is all bolt on.

TT C6 · 04-23-2009, 06:18 PM

For a street engine, the LS3 has had most of the power squeezed out of it by GM.
The standard mods of cold air induction, long tube headers (Kooks or American racing, and a dyno tune are going to net you some decent results.

However, the the extra power you make from a cam is going to have trade-offs.

But a TVS blower and headers on the car and be done with it.
It will idle stock, have torque EVERYWHERE, and even WITH the blower, it will have better MPG when commuting, as long as it gets a PROFESSIONAL tune on a DYNO.

I used to be a N/A only guy. But with GM making such strong motors, and OEM reliability being offered by the TVS blowers, how could you do anything else?

Gary B · 04-23-2009, 07:36 PM

You want a dead reliable 500rwhp daily driver? Buy a Z06 with an exhaust and a good tune! Other than that, I think a S/C would work best....and I AM a naturally aspirated guy.

Kyle2k · 04-23-2009, 08:39 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by CamaroSpike23

prndM trannys.

dont know. but I doubt they actually hook up a 750hp motor to it. I would imagine they hook it up to a load tester and run it that way which would be effectively fwhp but I cant say for sure

Both auto and manual?

*CamaroSpike23* · 04-23-2009, 08:58 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Kyle2k

Both auto and manual?

i cant remember off hand. I believe both auto and manual were tested. let me call Al up real quick and ask him....

seriously tho, ill go see if I can find his comment.

08z51c6 · 04-23-2009, 09:19 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by rgrizzard

Not really! New heads won't get you squat on an LS3. On an LS1 or 2 that is a different story.

Really who told you that!!!

http://www.gmhightechperformance.com.../photo_27.html

After a set of ported heads:

http://www.gmhightechperformance.com.../photo_26.html

518hp and 452 lbs of torque at the wheels is pretty sick if you ask me.

SemperFi · 04-23-2009, 09:35 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by 08z51c6

Really who told you that!!!

http://www.gmhightechperformance.com.../photo_27.html

After a set of ported heads:

http://www.gmhightechperformance.com.../photo_26.html

518hp and 452 lbs of torque at the wheels is pretty sick if you ask me.

How much $$ we talkin to get those ^^^ (and install)

08z51c6 · 04-23-2009, 09:41 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by SemperFi

How much $$ we talkin to get those ^^^ (and install)

This car had a cam, Kooks long tube headers, Borla Exhaust, VaraRam CAI and a custom tune. Stock it put down 406 rwhp and 483 rwhp with the above mods. Then they added a set of CNC ported stock LS3 heads and the power jumped to 518 rwhp. Cost wise I couldn't tell you but it's probably close to the cost of a supercharger kit plus install.

Edit: found the cost of the heads, $1880.00

SemperFi · 04-23-2009, 09:57 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by 08z51c6

This car had a cam, Kooks long tube headers, Borla Exhaust, VaraRam CAI and a custom tune. Stock it put down 406 rwhp and 483 rwhp with the above mods. Then they added a set of CNC ported stock LS3 heads and the power jumped to 518 rwhp. Cost wise I couldn't tell you but it's probably close to the cost of a supercharger kit plus install.

Edit: found the cost of the heads, $1880.00

sweet. but those heads alone would give you... 50hp?

08z51c6 · 04-23-2009, 10:00 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by SemperFi

sweet. but those heads alone would give you... 50hp?

No, more like 35 rwhp which isn't too shabby for a set of ported stock heads.

69 Camaro 09 · 04-23-2009, 10:38 PM

not many people really talk about turbo'ing their LS3. but wouldn't it be the easiest way to get the most rwhp? (well i guess bolting on a supercharger is easier than that, but it also has its set backs

)

i was thinking turbo. should i be thinking otherwise?

http://hiperturbo.readyhosting.com/store/page8.html

SemperFi · 04-23-2009, 10:44 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by 69 Camaro 09

not many people really talk about turbo'ing their LS3. but wouldn't it be the easiest way to get the most rwhp? (well i guess bolting on a supercharger is easier than that, but it also has its set backs

)

i was thinking turbo. should i be thinking otherwise?

http://hiperturbo.readyhosting.com/store/page8.html

That is my real question here. Cuz arent turbos more reliable than supers anyway?

THE EVIL TW1N · 04-23-2009, 11:15 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by SemperFi

That is my real question here. Cuz arent turbos more reliable than supers anyway?

actually, more people run into issues with turbos than superchargers on non-stock applications.

04-23-2009, 07:36 PM	#46
Gary B Drives: Subaru Join Date: Oct 2008 Location: Ct. Posts: 573	You want a dead reliable 500rwhp daily driver? Buy a Z06 with an exhaust and a good tune! Other than that, I think a S/C would work best....and I AM a naturally aspirated guy. __________________ Time for a new ride soon....6th Gen or 5th Gen Z28? Hmmm....

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04-23-2009, 12:51 PM	#43
SoFlaZ Drives: 2013 SS LS3 Join Date: Feb 2007 Location: WPB FL Posts: 947 View My Garage	If you choose to do a heads/cam setup vs. a supercharger and each with a good tune, which one would get better MPG overall? If I ever get my car to 500 hp im not going to really care about gas mileage but I would like to know because a head/cam engine seems less streetable and fuel efficient to me the more hp you add vs a s/c.

04-23-2009, 06:18 PM	#45
TT C6 Banned Drives: C6, 96 383ci Z28 hardtop Join Date: Jan 2007 Location: Philly Posts: 126	For a street engine, the LS3 has had most of the power squeezed out of it by GM. The standard mods of cold air induction, long tube headers (Kooks or American racing, and a dyno tune are going to net you some decent results. However, the the extra power you make from a cam is going to have trade-offs. But a TVS blower and headers on the car and be done with it. It will idle stock, have torque EVERYWHERE, and even WITH the blower, it will have better MPG when commuting, as long as it gets a PROFESSIONAL tune on a DYNO. I used to be a N/A only guy. But with GM making such strong motors, and OEM reliability being offered by the TVS blowers, how could you do anything else?