what is the most efficient way to make 400hp ?
I am tired of getting beat by my buddie's little turbo honda. I need to make some more horse power. what would be the best way to go?

Goal:
beat my buddies honda

current mods:
i have a 305 tpi with the holley command 950 and the lt1 t56 speed and a 100shot of Nos (havent sprayed yet)

 

replace with 350 and supercharge. or stroke it to 383 and supercharge.

 

How much $$$ you want to spend?
Cubes = Hp
400Hp 350 doable
400Hp 383 easy

 

LS1 + LS6 intake + longtubes + tune = 400+hp and the best driveability/economy you will find anywhere.

If you want to keep the LT1, then just put in a cam with duration in the 220* @ .050 range and a set of longtubes, and tune it. Thats an easy 370-400hp as well.

 

I would say the most efficient way at this point is for you to open the valve on that big blue bottle!

The whole TPI intake system is pooped out around 350HP in stock form (airflow wise, I mean. The stock 19lb 305 injectors are done even before that). If you want to get around the 400 mark you have to decide if you're ready to do basically a whole new motor plus the tuning required to make it all work together. Different intake system, heads and almost certainly stepping up to a 350ci engine plus a moderate performance cam. External bolt-ons to a 305 TPI engine won't get you where you want to go.

 

It appears I read faster than my brain processes what I read... you don't have an LT1, just an 'LT1 T56'

My vote goes to an LS-based engine. You can get 5.3L engines now for basically nothing, and they make 300-325hp in stock form. Use an LS6 intake, LS longtubes, a little warmer cam and a good tune and you're easily over 400hp for not alot of money (well, considering what it would cost to do with a Gen 1 motor, for example), and it would be a much easier engine to live with as a driver.

 

i wish i had gone ls1 before i got the stand alone and lt1 6-speed. also this slow dog 305 only has 15k on the motor. if i did a gear change to a 3.73 any chance i could beat a little honda putting 290hp to the wheels. im putting 210hp to the wheels.

 

A Honda putting 290 to the ground is a fast little car compared to you. No gearing setup is going to save you. With another 50 or 60 horses and steeper than 3.73's you might be able to hang with him off the dig just because of torque... But you'll have to shift like a pro while he'll just be stomping the gas with a smile on a front tire fire, and no doubt he'll catch you out of 2nd or 3rd.

You need to find a low mileage 350 with a good rotating assembly and try to find some used bolt ons for a carb'ed budget build. That will be the cheapest way to make 325+ HP and beat your buddies Honda.

Are you able to do that in your area? (smog laws)