Clutch and ZL1 diff, or clutch and LSA setup?

[camarossdusk]

loving the centerforce dyad with my car, I went almost 2 year on blower with stock clutch before upgrading, only because I was running at the track going up in power with more boost. I went a different route with rear end, went tru-trac, dss axles, aluminum driveshaft. full bmr suspension.

[hazy]

Originally Posted by Taco Time

I was thinking that was a good price up unit he said "with the trade in of your driveline"... Pass. you can have that all done locally (Houston) for less than that AND keep your current driveline. (Either save for later if you decide to de-mod, or try to sell to a V6 guy.)

ECS Supercharger? (If you decide the supercharger route.) Did you have your heart set on the LSA setup or did it appeal to you because of affordability?

Yeah, was primarily looking at LSA bc of affordability. ECS kit is also on my radar, as is a Whipple.

I go back and forth...one of the reasons I'm looking at the more expensive Whipple is bc that's what the motor was built for. Cam is spec'd for it (but I assume it would work well with any blower) but yeah, I'm looking for a 'budget friendly' SC kit, and as it stands right now, ECS and LSA are the two that stand out to me. I like the ECS kit bc if I ever decide to upgrade, it's a simple swap of the SC unit, as opposed to something like a whipple or lsa where I really only have the option of upgrading pulleys.

I've had a good bit of interaction with the guys at HP in Katy, and have a feeling that I'm going to get them to do any work - I trust them, they're local, and they do good work. Once I figure out what kind of $$ I'm working with, I plan on swinging by their shop and having that conversation.

I guess that right now, I'm just looking at what my options are...it's tough to figure out exactly how to go about it when I'm clueless on how much $$ I'll be working with. Not trying to shoot the whole wad on the car, as I've got kids that need to be clothed

[1KillerSS]

Originally Posted by hazy

Yeah, was primarily looking at LSA bc of affordability. ECS kit is also on my radar, as is a Whipple.

I go back and forth...one of the reasons I'm looking at the more expensive Whipple is bc that's what the motor was built for. Cam is spec'd for it (but I assume it would work well with any blower) but yeah, I'm looking for a 'budget friendly' SC kit, and as it stands right now, ECS and LSA are the two that stand out to me. I like the ECS kit bc if I ever decide to upgrade, it's a simple swap of the SC unit, as opposed to something like a whipple or lsa where I really only have the option of upgrading pulleys.

I've had a good bit of interaction with the guys at HP in Katy, and have a feeling that I'm going to get them to do any work - I trust them, they're local, and they do good work. Once I figure out what kind of $$ I'm working with, I plan on swinging by their shop and having that conversation.

I guess that right now, I'm just looking at what my options are...it's tough to figure out exactly how to go about it when I'm clueless on how much $$ I'll be working with. Not trying to shoot the whole wad on the car, as I've got kids that need to be clothed

I remember when I was completely confused on which direction to go in, SC or TT. Then I made a comment about the ECS kit being cheaper for me than the turbo option......Some silly vendor on here made me an offer I couldn't refuse.

[dreksnot]

Early on, I was set on a Whipple. Then I started researching TT. Figured it would be easier on my drivetrain and rest of components. My target was 525rwhp. I easily surpassed that on the first dyno run initial tuning with the AGP TT (600rwhp). It's been easy to get to 800rwhp with the TT kit albeit added twin-fuel, cam and E85. Only thing I'm concerned about is what the stock bottom-end can handle crank HP-wise. I'm figuring 700-750bhp, hoping for the best. The HP now is rough on drivetrain (clutch, axle, driveshaft). Need the supporting cast of components to handle the beast under the hood, I guess. Only regret is that I can't dial up the boost controller to maximum boost (self control is a bitch).

[vortechc5@A2B Motorsport]

I'm on the stock driveline and running mid 10's right now. I actually love the ability to able to slip the stock clutch-and the better I get slipping it the faster the car goes.

And if you slip the clutch your saving your drivetrain. If you want to sidestep your clutch-then you need the beefier drivetrain.

If and when I do need to upgrade my clutch I'll be getting the Monster LT1-S, which is the C7 twin disc-stock pedal effort and you can slip it.

[dreksnot]

Originally Posted by vortechc5@A2B Motorsport

I'm on the stock driveline and running mid 10's right now. I actually love the ability to able to slip the stock clutch-and the better I get slipping it the faster the car goes.

And if you slip the clutch your saving your drivetrain. If you want to sidestep

^^ What I did. ^^ Lasted me one short season at the drag strip before chewing up all the clutch surfaces and fighting with the pedal stuck to the floor (even with a return spring). It's a tough task easing the clutch out at just the right "slippage." Side-stepping the Triple Slayer is much easier, but definitely harsh on the drivetrain, for sure.

[hazy]

Originally Posted by 1KillerSS

I remember when I was completely confused on which direction to go in, SC or TT. Then I made a comment about the ECS kit being cheaper for me than the turbo option......Some silly vendor on here made me an offer I couldn't refuse.

I agree, and have looked into it, most definitely - my only concern is whether or not my current cam will work with turbos. All I know about it is that it's a custom spec blower cam from the shop that built my motor. I've called the shop and asked if they would give me the specs, but was told a big fat nope.

Without this info, I hesitate to go with a set of turbos primarily bc I'm not sure that I feel like dropping an additional 1500-2k for the cam/install.

However!! If the cost of the turbos+new cam is less than, or equal to, the cost of an SC kit alone, I would consider turbos. I think they would probably be more fun, and would DEFINITELY give me more room to grow, but I'm not sure of the $$ aspect of it, and that is one of my primary factors in the decision.

Perhaps I'll shoot a PM to AGP and just inquire....asking questions never hurts!!

At this point, I'm still in the 'figuring out what I want, and how much all my various options will cost me" stage, however I hesitate to ask too many questions, as there is a genuine possibility that none of this may come to fruition, depending on a multitude of factors...

Guess I can put up a post asking about the effects of a blower cam in a turbo setup...My gut is that it would work, just not nearly as effectively as one specific to turbo applications

[JDP Motorsports]

Originally Posted by hazy

I'm going to be making some upgrades in the coming months...Currently sitting at about 470hp/465tq on a built 416ci.

I'm planning on making some upgrades in the next 6 months or so, but trying to decide which to go with. I REALLY want to go FI - motor's built for it. Blower cam, heads, etc...

BUT...I know that the stock SS driveline can only handle so much power...

I figure if I get the LSA kit installed, I'll probably be sitting somewhere in the neighborhood of 700 or so hp (would REALLY like to hit the 750 mark, but not sure how feasible that is with the LSA)

I have no plans to go beyond 750 or so at this point in time. Car is a DD, and I want to keep it somewhat sane for my morning/evening commute (15 miles round trip, mostly traffic)

So, cost: I need a new clutch. Current one is a Katech LS9X - not sure if I should rebuild, or just drop ~ $1,700 for a Street Slayer twin-disc. I'm currently leaning towards the Street Slayer just bc it has such great reviews. Labor to install? guessing 5-6 hrs billed to me, so we'll just round up to 2500 in order to account for the other little things needed (speed bleeder/throwout bearing/etc)

Diff: ZL1 diff (new) seems to run in the $4k range. Plus whatever labor to install is (8 hrs?? no clue, just a guess) so I'm looking at somewhere around 8-9k for a beefed up driveline (clutch + Diff).

Blower: Full LSA kit from ADM is $4,700. I figure there will be other parts needed (fuel pump, and who knows what else, so let's assume another 700 in random parts) again, ballparking an 8 hr install, that puts me in the 8-9k range for clutch/blower.


So: Clutch+diff, or clutch+blower? I don't drag race. I occasionally get it from a roll on a late night, empty stretch of highway, but I don't race - 2 kids and a wife that I need to be around for, and jail/dead is not how I help them out. Randomly will hit it from a stoplight, but never a 3k rpm first gear dump and go.

I'm well aware what the risk is should I go blower instead of diff (boom go the axles), but I REALLY want that blower. And with the cost being so close, I can't decide which to go with. Anyone care to share their thoughts? I have months to make this decision, and depending on a few different things, none of them may happen (2 kids.....) but I still wanted to get some thoughts from the folks here who REALLY know their shit.

Sorry for the long post, but I wanted to try and explain where I stand as clearly as possible...

Thanks!!!!

The factory diff will hold up just fine for your usage. I would go with a set of DSS Level 4 axles and a 1-piece driveshaft HERE along with a good clutch set up. We have a ton of experience with various clutches and I'd be happy to help you out.

The other important piece would be sub-frame mounts, trailing arms, toe-links and rear upper control arms. We have a great economical package HERE that will address wheel-hop and allow you to put power down.

So far as forced induction options go there are a TON of them and it comes down to power goals, budget and appearance. The LSA Package is a great set up but on a 416ci engine I'd want a little more displacement. You can go with a PD style SC from Magnuson or a Whipple. You can also go centrifugal wit an ECS or ProCharger system. Then there is turbos and that would give you a lot of room to grow should you decide later you want more power.

Please feel free to call, email or PM me anytime with questions. Good luck with your build and I'm looking forward to your results.

Kind regards,

Jordan Priestley
888.308.6007

[Taco Time]

Originally Posted by hazy

Yeah, was primarily looking at LSA bc of affordability. ECS kit is also on my radar, as is a Whipple.

I go back and forth...one of the reasons I'm looking at the more expensive Whipple is bc that's what the motor was built for. Cam is spec'd for it (but I assume it would work well with any blower) but yeah, I'm looking for a 'budget friendly' SC kit, and as it stands right now, ECS and LSA are the two that stand out to me. I like the ECS kit bc if I ever decide to upgrade, it's a simple swap of the SC unit, as opposed to something like a whipple or lsa where I really only have the option of upgrading pulleys.

I've had a good bit of interaction with the guys at HP in Katy, and have a feeling that I'm going to get them to do any work - I trust them, they're local, and they do good work. Once I figure out what kind of $$ I'm working with, I plan on swinging by their shop and having that conversation.

I guess that right now, I'm just looking at what my options are...it's tough to figure out exactly how to go about it when I'm clueless on how much $$ I'll be working with. Not trying to shoot the whole wad on the car, as I've got kids that need to be clothed

I have just begun looking at superchargers as an option for my car. I was always sold on turbos. I ordered the ZL1 driveline just to be prepared. What I use my car for now I'd be fine with the stock driveline. BUT, I could easily change my mind next week and decide to become really into drag racing. I'm 90% sure I'm going turbo, but I want to still look at superchargers, just to be sure.

I only (personally) know one person who dealt with HP and he had a bad experience. They tuned his car 3-4 times and just couldn't get it right. wouldn't ever call him back. It was an ordeal. He finally took it to J-Rod so he and Matt could tune it. I've also seen several people from H-Town say positive things about HP. So take all that how you will.

I have a night fury cam and I knew I wanted turbos so I emailed Kevin at AGP as well as messaged Lethal Racing. I told each of them my setup and that I wanted twins and asked their opinion on how my cam would work for me. Even though that shop won't give you specs, you could try doing that.

If you need suspension stuff call JDP. I ordered most of what Jordan has listed above and they made me a hell of a deal on it all.

[1KillerSS]

You could call that shop that won't give you the specs and ask them if the cam is compatible with turbos.


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[Batmanntexas]

I'm another one running on the stock drive-train. Been running the Whipple since May of 2013, and the car is a daily driver. It has made about a 5-6 passes down the quarter mile as well. So far, about 20K miles on the drive-line with the SC, and have had ZERO issues.