Suthrn_Bred

i just recently bought my camaro......i saw a 350 crate engine i wanted to throw in there....im tryna get my car up to around 475-500hp....and its a daily driver is it good to have that type of power in a daily driver....help me out...........thanks

five7kid

iTrader: (14)

Welcome aboard thirdgen.org.

Hmmm, 475-500 HP daily driver 350. Pretty tall order, without power adders. And, that kind of power can get you in trouble pretty quickly in a driver.

A 400 HP 350 with a 100 shot for the track - that's pretty easy. Even easier with a 400 HP LS1 with a 100 shot (check the stickies in the top section of this forum for info about what it takes to put an LS1 in a 3rd gen).

DeltaElite121

500HP out of an LSx is attainable without the shot, and it's still streetable. Have it be known, though OP - that those parts aren't cheap.

I'd say build a 406 SBC, or go big block if you're after the 500 mark.

Suthrn_Bred

i dont wanna run nos....just a crate motor n sum gud heads....and possibly a supercharger...................and to get a big block in the ride....wut all would i have take out or would it fit without any adjustments? idk too much about cars so bare with me lol....

five7kid

iTrader: (14)

Start with the stickies. There is one for big blocks (BBC), Pontiac engines (typically only 'Bird owners consider these), LT1's, LS1's.

First question is "emissions". Technically, only an engine with the complete induction, exhaust, and all emissions equipment from the same year as the chassis or newer from a passenger car is legal. Since no BBC or Pontiac engine passenger cars were made after 1981, technically no BBC pr Pontiac engine is legal in a 3rd gen on the street.

red rock

iTrader: (2)

You also have to look at the fact you have an '88 with a V6 i presume. You will need to "beef" up your whole drive train and chassis to handle that kind of HP. I by no means don't want to discourage you, But it would take a lot of $ to handle that kind of power in a V6 chassis. By the way, Welcome to Thirdgen.

five7kid

iTrader: (14)

Uh, the only differences between a V6 chassis and a V8 chassis are the front springs and sway bars. Bolt-ins.

The rear ends are the same basic thing whether V6 or V8 - gear ratios may be different, V6 isn't likely to have posi, but strength-wise, no difference between V6 & V8.

red rock

iTrader: (2)

No updated LCA"S, panhard bar, wonderbar, trans, rear end, subframe connector's, springs, brakes, etc all to support 500 HP. That car won't run too long with out them. I'm just trying to be some what realistic. What good is a high HP motor if you don't have the chassis to handle it. I know they are all just bolt on's, but they are all help to withstand that kind of power. If someone ask's for advice, i think we owe it to them to look at all the angles.

Suthrn_Bred

I appreciate the info.....ima probably just try to get 400HP....its a daily driver....i just want to be able to have a lil fun when i want.....is 400HP some good power???

zraffz

400 horses is more than enough. My street/strip car is looking at around 420 horses out of a big block (but with way more torque than you'll get from a streetable small block). Honestly, driving a stock Camaro SS (ls1 year) was more than enough for me to call a good street car.

Not to mention 400 horse in a 3400 lb car will put just about any daily driver to shame... well you understand what I mean. Most kids with "fast" cars will get put down hard if they race a 400 horse car.

b1lk1

300HP to the wheels would make most people not used to cars with power crap their pants.

five7kid

iTrader: (14)

Your 1st post made it sound like a V6 car would have to be upgraded, but a V8 car wouldn't. V8 cars either didn't have those items, or would have to be beefed up just the same as a V6 car to handle 400 HP.

Realistic is good. My rule of thumb is to plan on spending at least as much to make the car capable of handling the power as you spend making the power.

red rock

iTrader: (2)

That was my point, i guess i didn't word it properly. Generally it takes money to make power, and more money to keep the power to the ground.