I thought I'd share a project I recently wrapped up for a friend of mine, who also happens to be a GPI customer. This is one of the nicest 5th gens I've ever seen, the owner has done extensive work to build the motor and ancillary systems, clean up the engine bay, customize the interior, full suspension, incredible finish, etc. Most of the details are in the video, but I'll list the highlights from the powertrain here:
• SBE LS3
• GPI SS4 NFC cam
• GPI ported heads
• OEM intake
• Long tubes
• Stainless Works exhaust
• RXT clutch
• F1-A Procharger with a 7.5” lower and 4.5” upper to tame as much as possible
• Big Procharger intercooler
• DSX Aux pump and flex sensor, ID1300s
I wanted to share a couple thoughts about this setup for folks considering this in the future. Thought number one is probably obvious - this is WAY too much blower for a SBE LS3. We've got the most mild pulley combination commonly available for this, and we're still having to be extremely modest with RPM limiting the combination in order to keep power under a somewhat reasonable threshold for a stock motor. The problem with operating this way is that we're never getting anywhere near the engine natural power peak - this combo made 500whp at 6500 naturally aspirated. The blower is also nowhere near the limits of what it can deliver. This combo wants to produce quite a bit more power, we're holding it back to keep it alive, and the result is a peaky power curve with sub-optimal average power when compared to the peak. If this were planned to remain a stock bottom end combo, this would be much better off with a D-series blower.
Second - this combo underscores why a good intercooler is so valuable. We're on pump 93 octane, no methanol, and we see only a 30*F rise in IAT with 800+whp worth of airflow. No doubt having a big blower operating well below its peak capabilities is helping. Without cool charge air the 93 octane would be more of a hurdle, but by keeping everything cool we stay as far away from detonation as possible.
Third - this thing is going to be a PARTY when it gets its built short-block and we can spin this blower up a little more. The reason this blower was selected over a D1SC or similar sized blower was that the eventual plan is to build a second short block, iron, with forged pistons/rods and a stroker crank, and swing the dyno needle past the 4 digit mark. No doubt the rest of the pieces are in place to make it happen.