Okay, quick question for all you chassis guys. I have a '92 hard top with SFCs and a completely rebuilt Spohn suspension. I'm willing to do anything to it except ruin my mint interior with a roll cage. I'm building a 396 small block and want to push for 500hp/lb ft, but I'm not sure if the car can take that much power without twisting itself up. If it can't handle the 500, then howabout 450hp? Thanks a lot.

 

Come on..yes or no.

 

should be ok. i have seen guys with 600+hp 7-800lbs tq with only SFCs and they havent hurt there cars yet.

 

I don't think you'd have a problem, i'd also recommend a wonderbar, and to just make sure you don't have any serious chassis damage beforehand...ie: cracked gearbox mount, etc...

 

My little 355 is making numbers in that range, no issues even with the rage top, but I have an 8-point cage, plus my "sfc's" are way beyond anything store bought.
- That said, yes there are plenty of guys running hardtop, even t-top cars with the same stuff as you, with that much or more power. Mostly it comes down to the harshness of the launch and traction. More traction and more aggressive launches translates to more stress on the chassis and suspension compenents. - again, shouldn't be an issue....

 

Go ahead, and add the 500 HP, and have fun...

 

just try not to drive your car sideways too often, hahaha....

 

Well then why bother?

Okay, I have the wonder bar and new torque arm and all that fun stuff. I'm guessing a strut tower brace would be in my best interest too. Thanks a lot guys, now I know I can go ahead and build a super Camaro.

 

Your car will look like a crushed soda can anywhere after 499 hp. The forces that 500 hp put to the car are so extreme that nothing short of a titanium body will hold it together

 

What if he duct taped the subframe together?

 

Gaffer's tape would work better I'd think.

 

NOW, Now, play nice guys!

 

Whaaaaat, just having a bit of fun

 

499hp it is then!

 

I know, me too......

 

it will be fine with the 500

 

I know a guy who seem welded his full car (1986/ 1990-1992 clone) for a pure on race application. Deatails on the project was a little over my head, but, it ran 8s and had 700+ and he had no problems.

 

I don't like you anymore

 

You might want to consider upgrading your rear end and/or tranny. In my opinion, an aftermarket tranny cooler is manatory with 500hp, especially if you are going with a higher stall converter (and you should with a new motor, it makes a big difference). Get the biggest cooler you can and your tranny will thank you.

For the rear end, I would switch to synthetic lube. I think a fair number of people are putting that kind of power through a stock 10 bolt, but synthetic lube can't hurt.

Tires might be an issue. I doubt they will last long with that much power!!

 

The tranny and rear will be rebuilt in due time. And a cooler is on the list. And who really needs tires anyway?

 

As Shagwell said, twisting the chassis/body is less about hp level and more about traction. Does your hardtop have a crack where the b-pillar meets the roof on the driver's side? Add 500hp and sticky tires and it might, although the SFC's will help.

 

I know 500 is pushing the envelope. But the car will only see a track maybe two or three times a year. And the rest of the year it probably won't be hooking up at all.


Seriously though, I'll be careful.

 

+1, tranny and rear-end. I know a guy pushing 650 rwhp on the bottle with an LS1 and he went through 3 pumpkins and somewhere around 5 axles, both stock and Mosers, until he finally went to a Ford 9". He was a 6 speed on drag radials, running 11's at around 130 mph

 

I sure hope your car holds together with the work youve done. If not, my IROC with stock suspension and chassis will have a hard time with the near 400hp that I am about to put it at this weekend =/

 

I'll be praying for your IROC. Just go easy on her until you stiffen it up a bit.

 

SFC's before you holeshot it. Or else you'll find your fenders don't quite line up the way they used to, and for some dang reason, your door doesn't open or close right anymore...

 

if she hooks, yes.
"I have seen the b-pillar cracks and shouldered open the door to see the light of the BMR trailer..."