[TheSixSpeed]

Hello, I’ve been a long time lurker and I’m interested in modding my LT1 to get somewhere around 500whp. My problem is deciding whether to stay NA or go with boost. Here are my issues:

As someone who lives in a neighborhood with a strict HOA, having my LT1 go any louder than it already is (with NPP) is a no go. I also want to keep it as stock “feeling” as possible. Not exactly interested in a cam that will cause my car to stall more often during start up and low speed driving. My current mods that I’m considering are:

1. Rotofab Dry CAI
2. LT2 Intake
3. Flex Fuel

I’ve also considered headers, but it seems like they drastically increase the noise level of the car, even with the stock exhaust and cats. What would ya’ll recommend to get to that 500whp? Thanks in advance.

[2SS Capt]

Originally Posted by TheSixSpeed

Hello, I’ve been a long time lurker and I’m interested in modding my LT1 to get somewhere around 500whp. My problem is deciding whether to stay NA or go with boost. Here are my issues:

As someone who lives in a neighborhood with a strict HOA, having my LT1 go any louder than it already is (with NPP) is a no go. I also want to keep it as stock “feeling” as possible. Not exactly interested in a cam that will cause my car to stall more often during start up and low speed driving. My current mods that I’m considering are:

1. Rotofab Dry CAI
2. LT2 Intake
3. Flex Fuel

I’ve also considered headers, but it seems like they drastically increase the noise level of the car, even with the stock exhaust and cats. What would ya’ll recommend to get to that 500whp? Thanks in advance.

I don't think that will get you there, a stock LT1/SS is around 390-395 RWHP, I think with your suggestions above you'd probably end up around 450-470 RWHP with a good tune...

[TheSixSpeed]

Originally Posted by 2SS Capt

I don't think that will get you there, a stock LT1/SS is around 390-395 RWHP, I think with your suggestions above you'd probably end up around 450-470 RWHP with a good tune...

450-470 is already pretty good, would porting or replacing the heads be another mod to consider, or would that also impact drivability?

[2SS Capt]

Originally Posted by TheSixSpeed

450-470 is already pretty good, would porting or replacing the heads be another mod to consider, or would that also impact drivability?

450-470 RWHP will definitely be a noticeable difference... I would say maybe headers and deleting secondary cats might get you the extra 20-30 HP you are looking for... For anything more I think you are likely going to need to go forced induction...

[WiggyB]

Get the headers and just close the valves when headed home which is exactly what I do. Hate to say it won't hit the numbers you are wanting without one or the other (headers or cam).

[knighti2]

I just posted these results in another thread asking about flex fuel. Here are my numbers and you will not get to 500 rwhp without doing more I don't believe.

I just had the following installed:

Rotofab, Solar 87mm ported TB, Kooks headers / green cats, MSD wires and new plugs, a flex fuel system and the requisite tuning. Stock intake (no porting) and stock NPP exhaust.


This was all on a local shop's mustang dyno:
On 93 Octane the car made 429rwhp.
On E85 the car made 460rhwp.


Obviously we can use Tour / Stealth mode to keep it quieter with NPP. It is noticeable louder in Sport / Track mode for sure.

[TheSixSpeed]

Originally Posted by 2SS Capt

450-470 RWHP will definitely be a noticeable difference... I would say maybe headers and deleting secondary cats might get you the extra 20-30 HP you are looking for... For anything more I think you are likely going to need to go forced induction...

Unfortunately deleting the secondary cats and swapping the headers would definitely make the car louder, which isn’t what I want (at least while I’m living where I’m at currently). Would porting the heads (such as with Pray) or getting aftermarket heads lead to any reasonable gains? Or would they be minimal without headers to go with it?

Might consider a mild cam.

[PeteSS2018]

Why wouldn't you go with a tried and tested boost/SC solution?

You need to get it tuned anyone, so as long as you go with a safe & professional tune by someone who knows what they're doing ... it should give you your power target relatively easily, with a very 'factory' type drive (while taking it easy) and not a complex mod mechanically speaking.

[Hammer-joe]

I would go the procharger route. In 2019 I installed Procharger P-1X on my 2018 Camaro SS everything else was completely stock. It made 540 with a 4.0 pulley.

[TheSixSpeed]

Originally Posted by PeteSS2018

Why wouldn't you go with a tried and tested boost/SC solution?

You need to get it tuned anyone, so as long as you go with a safe & professional tune by someone who knows what they're doing ... it should give you your power target relatively easily, with a very 'factory' type drive (while taking it easy) and not a complex mod mechanically speaking.

After taking a bit of time to look at various boost applications, I think a LT1 to LT4 conversion might be what I want. Procharger is nice, but I’m more of a fan of PD since that would get me power everywhere rather than just high in the rev range. Will probably still do the Rotofab and Flex Fuel in the mean time. Thank you for the suggestions.