What can I do to get a bit more power - Camaro5 Chevy Camaro Forum / Camaro ZL1, SS and V6 Forums

Jasper · 12-21-2023, 04:07 PM

Hi Guys,

It's been a long time since I've been on here.... I finally got a cam and headers installed (BTR stage 2.5 cam). Got the dyno tune done and she put down 458whp. When factoring in 15% driveline loss on my manual, I'm at about 537hp crank. My goal was to reach 550hp crank. I was told my numbers were a bit low because of the Vararam intake I have restricting airflow a bit compared to other airboxes. I'm not sure if that is true or not and how much difference it would really make.

Does anybody have comparable configuration with numbers for comparison?
Also, what would be the next step to get a 30hp or so bump without changing the cam. I'm thinking that i'm stuck because the only other options would be supercharge or cam change. I was told that the heads on the LS3 flow huge stock and that changing them or throttle body won't really help.

Mods are:
1/7-8 headers into highflow cats and straight piped beyond
BTR stage 2.5 cam
3:91 diff gear
tune
vararam intake

Thanks very much for your input

1LE_Justin · 12-21-2023, 04:33 PM

I had a 2015 1LE prior to the one I have now back over summer. It had the new BTR Stage 2 v2 cam with headers and a Rotofab CAI. Dyno'd at 477whp and 452 tq.
In terms of getting the extra 30hp bump N/A, would be porting your stock cylinder heads or aftermarket heads.

1JEWLDSSRS · 12-21-2023, 05:37 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Jasper

Hi Guys,

It's been a long time since I've been on here.... I finally got a cam and headers installed (BTR stage 2.5 cam). Got the dyno tune done and she put down 458whp. When factoring in 15% driveline loss on my manual, I'm at about 537hp crank. My goal was to reach 550hp crank. I was told my numbers were a bit low because of the Vararam intake I have restricting airflow a bit compared to other airboxes. I'm not sure if that is true or not and how much difference it would really make.

Does anybody have comparable configuration with numbers for comparison?
Also, what would be the next step to get a 30hp or so bump without changing the cam. I'm thinking that i'm stuck because the only other options would be supercharge or cam change. I was told that the heads on the LS3 flow huge stock and that changing them or throttle body won't really help.

Mods are:
1/7-8 headers into highflow cats and straight piped beyond
BTR stage 2.5 cam
3:91 diff gear
tune
vararam intake

Thanks very much for your input

From what I've read on here over the years for the stage 2 cams, your numbers are right in the ball park of where they should be. Each car and dyno are different entities and will be different. For the extra umph you are looking for, porting and polishing your heads, or a good set of aftermarket ones will net you anywhere from 20-30 more HP. And as for the Veraram holding you back, I don't think that would be an issue if your tuner had the cooling blowers set up right. I'm running a stage 3 in my setup with stock heads, and my specs and numbers are in my sig.

morepowerjoe · 12-21-2023, 09:47 PM

I don't believe that your cai is a problem. I agree with the guys here, I think you would need some good heads or have the ones you have ported. I just got some TSP CNC Ported heads but haven't got it re-dynoed just yet. I'm thinking I'll have it re-dynoed in January so if you watch my build thread I'll report my results.

CamaroDreams76 · 12-22-2023, 10:55 AM

RCR or GPI intake manifold may net another 10ish at the wheel. Porting the heads or milling them would be the next biggest thing N/A.

acammer · 12-22-2023, 11:14 AM

The over-the-radiator Vararam is the best in the business for 2010-2011 Camaro's, so I wouldn't lean to heavily on advise coming from that channel. For what it's worth on my car the Vararam OTR picked up power over the Cold Air Inductions intake.

As a few have said, the power sounds about right for the combination, the BTR Stage 2.5 is still a fairly mild camshaft, and so you've got to manage your expectations. Your top three best bang for your buck mods in terms of power are going to be porting your factory heads (20-30hp), port and rod-mod your factory intake (10-15hp), and add a 25% underdrive pulley (4-7hp).

ss camaro-monte · 12-22-2023, 12:50 PM

Well on GPIs dyno with a custom vvt baby cam 216 228 duration, their ported intake, heads, throttle body and slightly more compression with e85 I made 459rwhp all through a 6l80e.

Ported Heads, intake and throttle body will probably get you 30-35rwhp. e85 might get you 5-10 if you bump the compression a little but not much.

Another member has all the same mods as mine except he has the ss1 vvt and no e85 and he made 15rwhp more than I. Another member made about 25rwhp less than me and he had the ss1 vvt but stock heads, compression, intake, throttle and no e85.

All of these were on gpis dyno in Arkansas around the same time of the year in the spring to show you a comparison.

Trying to show you that ported intake, heads and a little more compression can make a difference but like Andrew said the bigger you go with a cam the more driveability you lose.

I already pull away from brand new stock gt mustangs and Don't hook without drag radials on the street with just a 3200 stall and 3.73s. Imo if 460rwhp isn't enough for you 500 probably won't be either. Might as well start the power adders imo.

Oh and I have the newer vararam I take system to the side. Makes better power than the cai setup.

12-21-2023, 04:07 PM	#1
Jasper Drives: 2011 Summit White Camaro SS (LS3) Join Date: Sep 2014 Location: Welland, Ontario Canada Posts: 542	What can I do to get a bit more power Hi Guys, It's been a long time since I've been on here.... I finally got a cam and headers installed (BTR stage 2.5 cam). Got the dyno tune done and she put down 458whp. When factoring in 15% driveline loss on my manual, I'm at about 537hp crank. My goal was to reach 550hp crank. I was told my numbers were a bit low because of the Vararam intake I have restricting airflow a bit compared to other airboxes. I'm not sure if that is true or not and how much difference it would really make. Does anybody have comparable configuration with numbers for comparison? Also, what would be the next step to get a 30hp or so bump without changing the cam. I'm thinking that i'm stuck because the only other options would be supercharge or cam change. I was told that the heads on the LS3 flow huge stock and that changing them or throttle body won't really help. Mods are: 1/7-8 headers into highflow cats and straight piped beyond BTR stage 2.5 cam 3:91 diff gear tune vararam intake Thanks very much for your input __________________ Mods: Vararam intake, Solo axleback, VTC, Overkill in-car Tune, 3.91's.

12-21-2023, 09:47 PM	#4
morepowerjoe Drives: 2012 Chevrolet Camaro l99 Join Date: Aug 2020 Location: Austin, TX Posts: 2,109	I don't believe that your cai is a problem. I agree with the guys here, I think you would need some good heads or have the ones you have ported. I just got some TSP CNC Ported heads but haven't got it re-dynoed just yet. I'm thinking I'll have it re-dynoed in January so if you watch my build thread I'll report my results. __________________ DSS FX Forged Pistons, Eagle ESP L19 Forged Rods, ARP Head and Main Studs, TSP PRC 260 CNC Ported Heads milled .030, Cometic .040 Head Gaskets, GPI SS3 VVT Camshaft, GM Performance Racing Lifters, CHE Trunnions , Molly Pushrods, Melling 10355HV Oil Pump, Cold Air Inductions CAI, Fast LSXR Intake Manifold, Nick Williams 103 TB, TSP 1 7/8" Longtubes with 3" TSP Exhaust, ZL1 Fuel Pump, Mishimoto Radiator, Mishimoto Oil Cooler, Tru Cool 40k Tranny Cooler, 3600 Circle D Converter, Fluid Dynamics Balancer Build Thread https://www.camaro5.com/forums/showthread.php?t=609817

12-22-2023, 10:55 AM	#5
CamaroDreams76 Tri-County Camaro SWFL Drives: 2013 IOM 2SS/RS/1LE Join Date: Apr 2013 Location: South West FL Posts: 3,083 View My Garage	RCR or GPI intake manifold may net another 10ish at the wheel. Porting the heads or milling them would be the next biggest thing N/A. __________________ Just bolt ons........ https://www.camaro5.com/forums/showthread.php?t=343023

12-22-2023, 11:14 AM	#6
acammer GPI Sales Consultant Drives: 2011 Camaro 2SS SGM Join Date: Jul 2016 Location: Weedsport, NY Posts: 2,794 View My Garage	The over-the-radiator Vararam is the best in the business for 2010-2011 Camaro's, so I wouldn't lean to heavily on advise coming from that channel. For what it's worth on my car the Vararam OTR picked up power over the Cold Air Inductions intake. As a few have said, the power sounds about right for the combination, the BTR Stage 2.5 is still a fairly mild camshaft, and so you've got to manage your expectations. Your top three best bang for your buck mods in terms of power are going to be porting your factory heads (20-30hp), port and rod-mod your factory intake (10-15hp), and add a 25% underdrive pulley (4-7hp). __________________ GPI Max Package 2.0: Brodix BR7 heads/GPI porting, MAX3 cam, ST2116LSR, BSR Max Lift rockers, LS7 LSXR with 103mm TB, Vararam OTR, Mcleod RXT, G-Force/Strange 9" IRS setup with 4.63 gear. 551whp, 11.1@124mph. *Got a question about a GPI product? Feel free to shoot me a message!*

12-21-2023, 04:33 PM	#2
1LE_Justin Drives: 2013 Camaro SS 1LE Join Date: Dec 2023 Location: Bluffton, South Carolina Posts: 6	I had a 2015 1LE prior to the one I have now back over summer. It had the new BTR Stage 2 v2 cam with headers and a Rotofab CAI. Dyno'd at 477whp and 452 tq. In terms of getting the extra 30hp bump N/A, would be porting your stock cylinder heads or aftermarket heads.

12-22-2023, 12:50 PM	#7
ss camaro-monte Drives: 2015 camaro 2ss, 87 monte ss Join Date: Jun 2016 Location: Houston Posts: 242	Well on GPIs dyno with a custom vvt baby cam 216 228 duration, their ported intake, heads, throttle body and slightly more compression with e85 I made 459rwhp all through a 6l80e. Ported Heads, intake and throttle body will probably get you 30-35rwhp. e85 might get you 5-10 if you bump the compression a little but not much. Another member has all the same mods as mine except he has the ss1 vvt and no e85 and he made 15rwhp more than I. Another member made about 25rwhp less than me and he had the ss1 vvt but stock heads, compression, intake, throttle and no e85. All of these were on gpis dyno in Arkansas around the same time of the year in the spring to show you a comparison. Trying to show you that ported intake, heads and a little more compression can make a difference but like Andrew said the bigger you go with a cam the more driveability you lose. I already pull away from brand new stock gt mustangs and Don't hook without drag radials on the street with just a 3200 stall and 3.73s. Imo if 460rwhp isn't enough for you 500 probably won't be either. Might as well start the power adders imo. Oh and I have the newer vararam I take system to the side. Makes better power than the cai setup.