How to make 500rwhp?

[StevenBateman]

I'm no grease monkey when it comes to cars, I do know a bit, but in no way am I an expert. I will be taking the car into the shop for some cost info when I'm home from work in a few weeks. I'm looking to make 500ish rwhp. So far I have 1 7/8 long tubes, will be ordering a cold air intake, 25% underdrive pulley. Definitely going for a cam package, which is what I will be going for a quote on (would also like advice on supporting mods). I would like to exclude the use of forced induction, meth, nitrous, e85, pretty much looking for any and all engine mods I could do to achieve this so I can gather some info before I go to the shop to get myself a quote. Any and all help is appreciated!

[KonigWolf]

You're looking to spend 5k+ to make 500. You might get lucky and hit 500 and be under 5k, but I wouldn't hold my breath. I know I tried.

Big cam. ((I run GPI's SS4.))
Aftermarket heads. At the very least ported and polished stockers.
I run 2in long tubes as I plan to go boost later in life.
3in exhaust header back. ((I gained nearly 2 cars on my brother's car when I helped my ole girl breathe.))
25% Underdrive.
Good lifters.
Oil Pump so you can spin more than 6500 without worry of cavitation.
GPI's intake rod mod gained me 8hp/10tq peak, and solid gains in the whole pull.


I dyno'ed my car two months ago; 481/427 was what I ended up with, I've changed a few things since then, and willing to bet I am beating on 500s door. If not, when I switch to E85, it should get me over the hump.
I'm going to get a hold of GPI to see if they will do a "Check Up" tune on the car for a reasonable price if only to see what my latest mods did net me.

[Gunmetal Speedster]

Hey buddy! I'm in a similar boat. Trying to hit 500rwhp while staying all motor. It's not easy haha you definitely have to pay to play. I just got done with my cam install, came pretty close. 493HP/431TQ. That was with the mods in my sig. I created a thread on it, can be found here. In that thread I include everything that I took in to have installed along with my cam. I went for all the recommended upgrades just for added peace of mind. Things such as Katech C5R timing chain, LS2 dampener, Melling oil pump, ARP harmonic balancer bolt, new NGK TR6 plugs, Straub Bronze bushing rocker trunion upgrade, and then also added the Powerbond 25% UDP. I thought that since I was upping the idle with my cam, it would negate the effects an UDP sometimes have. That was not the case, I no longer have A/C going into summer Oh well, worth it haha. Once you start getting close to that 500 mark, there is only so much you can do if you don't tap into heads. It should also be noted that my number seems a bit high. Not sure if that is just the dyno or not. Haven't been on another dyno to compare. On most dyno's, I'd say tapping into the heads is more than likely going to have to happen. Unless you find a happy dyno like me, then yay then again, numbers don't really mean anything so take it as you will. Good luck bro!

[WHAMMO]

Originally Posted by KonigWolf

You're looking to spend 5k+ to make 500. You might get lucky and hit 500 and be under 5k, but I wouldn't hold my breath. I know I tried.

Big cam. ((I run GPI's SS4.))
Aftermarket heads. At the very least ported and polished stockers.
I run 2in long tubes as I plan to go boost later in life.
3in exhaust header back. ((I gained nearly 2 cars on my brother's car when I helped my ole girl breathe.))
25% Underdrive.
Good lifters.
Oil Pump so you can spin more than 6500 without worry of cavitation.
GPI's intake rod mod gained me 8hp/10tq peak, and solid gains in the whole pull.


I dyno'ed my car two months ago; 481/427 was what I ended up with, I've changed a few things since then, and willing to bet I am beating on 500s door. If not, when I switch to E85, it should get me over the hump.
I'm going to get a hold of GPI to see if they will do a "Check Up" tune on the car for a reasonable price if only to see what my latest mods did net me.

Did you have the NPP? What 3" do you run ? Man thats a nice gain for 3" upgrade..

[Gunmetal Speedster]

Originally Posted by WHAMMO

Did you have the NPP? What 3" do you run ? Man thats a nice gain for 3" upgrade..

Not to answer on his behalf, but his profile says 2010 so I'm assuming no NPP from the start and his sig says TSP 3in catback. I agree though, hell of a gain

[JrodCamaro]

I just picked up my 2010 completely stock last Saturday, and will be following your goals the same. May do forced induction at a later date, but for the time being staying bolt-ons all motor upgrades. My DD for the moment, so nothing crazy. putting 500 to the ground would make me giddy in my nether regions, good luck to you sir.

[Royal Tiger]

I've resigned myself to the fact years from now there will be a supercharger under my hood......

[StevenBateman]

Very helpful! Money isn't much of an issue right now because my new job pays me pretty Well, but I don't wanna get too out of hand. 5k doesn't seem too harsh. I'll write most of this stuff down and take it to my shop when I go in and see what they can do for me.

[racesloth]

My friend did with his 2012 2SS:

TEA CNC LS3 heads, Vengeance Kaotic Cam, Kooks LTH/3" Cat Back, and 10% underdrive crank pulley.
Plus supporting mods: C5R chain and 3bolt sprocket, hardened pushrods, BTR springs, LS2 timing damper and ARP head bolts + gaskets.

[UNRIVALED SS]

Look at Livernois or Mast for Heads
Cam choices are pretty broad
Springs, pushrods, lifters, timing set (C5R or equivalent)
American Racing 2" into 3" (my preference)
No cats if that's an option for your application
Electric water pump
Under drive crank pulley

Use the thinnest head gasket possible and or mill those heads and squeeze another point of compression out of it. Run E85 or sweeten up your fuel a little and you'll be at 500. Intresting challenge though. Sort of makes me wonder what it would take to make 550.

[StevenBateman]

Originally Posted by racesloth

My friend did with his 2012 2SS:

TEA CNC LS3 heads, Vengeance Kaotic Cam, Kooks LTH/3" Cat Back, and 10% underdrive crank pulley.
Plus supporting mods: C5R chain and 3bolt sprocket, hardened pushrods, BTR springs, LS2 timing damper and ARP head bolts + gaskets.

If I had an LS3 is be running with vengeance all day! I'm an A6 though.

[StevenBateman]

Originally Posted by UNRIVALED SS

Look at Livernois or Mast for Heads
Cam choices are pretty broad
Springs, pushrods, lifters, timing set (C5R or equivalent)
American Racing 2" into 3" (my preference)
No cats if that's an option for your application
Electric water pump
Under drive crank pulley

Use the thinnest head gasket possible and or mill those heads and squeeze another point of compression out of it. Run E85 or sweeten up your fuel a little and you'll be at 500. Intresting challenge though. Sort of makes me wonder what it would take to make 550.

Thanks man! Running without cats currently. I'll definitely check those heads out though. Unfortunately e85 is not really an option because the closest station with it is about an hour away!

[lazerlemonta]

We have similar goals except mine is to use the stock cam lol With L.O.D. new intake and a crank scraper amongst a few home made intake piping pieces I should be real close to 500. Good luck! Mods are in my signature

[eLeSthree]

Easy. Intake, cam, exhaust, good tune and good weather. The number doesn't mean much. For example: Lazerlemon here runs 11.50s with 476whp. If I ran him at the track, he would destroy me. He is well practiced, has modifications that create lower ET without gaining HP, and has good traction. Just because my dyno chart reads higher, doesnt mean my car is faster.

Either way, I'm sure you will be very pleased with a cammed bolt on camaro. I am.