Smartest way to 600hp?

[TheFlyingBananaSS]

I've got a stock 2013 2SS with an L99. The only mod I've done is Flowmaster super 10's. This summer I'm planning on a big power jump.


You guys know better than me, but can I get 600hp with just bolt ons? And can the stock tranny and rear handle it?

[racesloth]

600 with just bolt ons wont happen.... What is your budget?

supercharger and turbo aren't usually considered bolt on's...

[Rainbow1616]

L99 you won't even get 500 with just bolt ons.

[TheFlyingBananaSS]

Hmmmm. So all these bolt on supercharger and turbo kits don't even give 100hp gain? I'm really not concerned about the cost. I'm looking for the most reliable, no nonsense way to go about this.

[Pro Stock John]

Supercharger or turbo.

I'd budget $2000-2500 for a trans rebuild too.

[SynergyGreenSS]

Originally Posted by TheFlyingBananaSS

Hmmmm. So all these bolt on supercharger and turbo kits don't even give 100hp gain? I'm really not concerned about the cost. I'm looking for the most reliable, no nonsense way to go about this.

Most people wouldn't say superchargers and turbos are "bolt ons". Either of those options will get you what you're looking for though. There are lots of threads on here that will show you what other people have done to get to 600 horsepower

[hammdo]

OPTION 1:

Twin turbos from AGP, can leave the stock engine alone and get there -- since you've not modified anything.

OPTION 2:

I have the ADM LSA Supercharger that is very close to 600 RWHP, and with a pulley upgrade, can get there.

You have an L99, so, you'd have to consider a cam upgrade, lifters, and since you've pulled the heads, a CNC ported set GMPP or from GPI.

For either option:
There are other mods too -- suspension, fueling, headers (if you go supercharger), Catch cans (Mighty Mouse is the one I've used for my FI build), CAI choices, tune.

You really should get a plan of what you'll need to 'support' 600 RWHP -- its not just bolt ons or turbo/supercharger. There are several other items that need to be addressed in order to handle that increase in power.

I've done a lot of those, and it was a long term plan after I decided to go FI. I did the usual bolt ons, then focused on suspension. After those changes and increasing the power via supercharger, I did other suspension mods that I discovered while road racing. There are other items to consider, cooling (trans, radiator, engine) that also play into this. I added a ton of cooling to the system to handle the heat generated as well as my future goals (ported supercharger/snout/pulley). I'm also having to upgrade fueling as I go. The bug will hit you once you start ;o)

My suggestion is read the Members Build thread -- LOTS of info on what folks have done. It will be an eye opener once you get into it.

-Don

[Detroit Muscle]

stock L99 trans can handle up to 700 crank hp I believe

[Dmpsix]

Just get a ZL1.

Even if you sell your car for $15k, for an additional $15k you can get yourself a used ZL1.

Let's say you really want that 600rwhp.

So you spend $7k on a twin turbo kit. Then another $1000 for install + tune
That's $8k right there.

You're already at $23k (with the $15k car)
Now you have 600rwhp. You're probably gonna need to spend an additional $2k for suspension + install to have the power actually be put to the ground instead of skidding at around everywhere.
Then bigger brakes + rotors an easy $500 - $1,000
So you're already at $25k.

I mean we're just talking in terms of getting to 600rwhp. Not sure how the stock drive train will hold up

But if you wanted to upgrade tranny or internals, an easy $2k - $3k is in your future too.

So if you do the math, a ZL1 is still an easier and much safer option to 600rwhp. You can safely hit 700rwhp and the car will drive stock, unlike a crazy tricked out SS which at 600rwhp, will definitely not drive stock.

[GONIF]

Originally Posted by Detroit Muscle

stock L99 trans can handle up to 700 crank hp I believe

For a short time.

[TheFlyingBananaSS]

Thanks everyone for your input. I see it's best to develop a plan that takes into account the handling, cooling and fuel delivery too. The Brembo brakes feel pretty strong to me but I will consider them too.

[Dmpsix]

Originally Posted by TheFlyingBananaSS

Thanks everyone for your input. I see it's best to develop a plan that takes into account the handling, cooling and fuel delivery too. The Brembo brakes feel pretty strong to me but I will consider them too.

Not to mention consider the longevity of the drivetrain too. How long will your car last at 600rwhp?

There's some people daily driving 600rwhp... some, not many. But they've done just fine without too many issues if I remember correctly, but you have to take into account how much they spent getting there.

In my humble opinion, forced induction is overpriced in terms of inflation and adjustments now. These cars are now worth less than half of what they cost brand new 4-5 years ago.

ZL1's brand new were $50-$60k for 5th gens. Now they're low-mid $30's.

Superchargers and turbos are still the exact same price they were 4-5 years ago.

I'm no financial expert and I can't say that their prices aren't deserving, I just think in terms of how I feel when you consider $ - Horsepower ratio and what you can buy now with X amount of dollars, versus what was available back then.

[SrtWtF]

Or..... You can go big cam some ported heads and Nitrous. Best way....

[jrhagen]

It's a toy, spend your money the way you want and enjoy it. You can't take it with you. I've spent more on mods than my car cost and I'm not done yet.