Upgrade questions

[blkvettes#1]

Got some questions that ya'll might be able to answer, some of it may already have been answered and I just don't know how to use the search functions properly.

I have myself a 98 coupe that I want to upgrade to some decent horsepower and I'd like the help of the owners who've been with 'vettes longer than I and deeper into the mystique.

I'm looking to try to get a net gain of near 800+ horse with near same in torque. Now should I be taking my 'vette to a professional upgrader and to whom? Or should I try to monkeywrench it myself? Or should I do a combination of both? I'm trying to keep her near street legal and able to at least skate by on emissions.

Still trying to get down the mechanics of the engine and all, but I do do decent at being a greasemonkey when the time comes. I got a pretty good grip on the chassis and suspension needs, but I wouldn't mind some suggestions on that either.

Well thanks ahead for any help that can be given.

 

[mqqn]

Hi blkvettes#1 -

I assume you are looking for 800+ total HP, not a gain of that (800 + your 345 stock hp) - although either will be quite an undertaking.

I have seen cars with 700+, but not many with 800 or more.

In my opinion it'll rewuire big cubes, power adder, and a lot of tricks by someone who knows the engine - and then I suspect it will be a driveability issue.

Good luck -

best regards -

mqqn

 

[blkvettes#1]

Yes. I meant 800 gross not net and I am full aware of the driveability issue. As far as I can tell the traction control system would have nightmares with that much power.

 

[DRTH VTR]

Just curious- Why so much? I cannot think of any time where that much power could be used. Maybe at the dragstrip, assuming that you replaced the whole drive train, tubbed the rear end, added huge tires, etc. I have seen guys with "only" 550HP end up with cars that are difficult to drive in the real world.

 

[jrose7004]

700 to 800 HP would make the car a ground pounder not a driver! Just my .02!

 

[blkvettes#1]

I agree now, after my original post, that 800+ is a might much. I think I just wanted the guarenteed snake eating power it would provide when I originally posted. But 5-600hp is sounding much better. Still I would like to know whether its better overall to take it to a professional or to try to monkey it myself.

 

[DRTH VTR]

Just my opinion, but a professional would make sense to me. If you are after acceleration, some lower gears in the differential would go a long way.

 

[blkvettes#1]

Who would be probably the best to take it to then? And who would be a good second runner up?

 

[Glenn W.]

Go to the Lingenfelter and Callaway web sites.................just check out their available engine outputs and prices........its just a question of how fast you want to go and how deep are your pockets......they are also good at knowing what else in the drivetrain needs to be modified to take the various HP levels...

The person above is right....going to deeper gears will be your cheapest and quickest way to improve your 0 to 60 times.........

 

[The Drakester]

Mo HP

I have a Lingenfelter SC car. I put down 435RWHP on the dyno and it is hard enough to keep from lighting up the tires as it is. I can't imagine what I would do with 800 HP except make the Tire Rack happy.

 

[mqqn]

Who would be probably the best to take it to then? And who would be a good second runner up?

Hi blkvettes#1 -

Since you are going to texas anyway, I would seriously consider LG Motorsports, and my second choice would be MTI - they offer door to door pick-up/delivery.

The benefit of a pro would be someone who stande behind the work, along with experience. I feel you would be money ahead in the long run considering the cost of experimentation you would incur getting the package dialed in.

550-600 is a much more reasonable goal, although I wouldn't mind seeing your 800 hp C5 in action!

best regards -

mqqn

 

[blkvettes#1]

Thanks alot for the help so far. A lot more help than trying to find it surfing the net by myself and guessing.

 

[BlackNBlue95]

Thanks alot for the help so far. A lot more help than trying to find it surfing the net by myself and guessing.

I would start with a magnacharger, some long tubes and exhaust. that would be a pretty good gain.. more then that you may be taking it too far as streetability goes. Let me know if I can help in anyway.
-=Rick

 

[Bioscache2]

If you want to take a ride then A & A corvettes in Cali have done great things. They have a procharger system which you can purchase for $5k (you can install or pay them more or a local place near you) that will produce 550 hp at the crank with no other modifications. Supercharging is the cheapest way to get lots of power. In addition there are two types of chargers. Root chargers and.....well I forget the name of the other type (someone will post it). At any rate root chargers apply full pressure constantly meaning that in low gears you may have some drivability issues, but the power is always there. The other type spools up with the engine so there is low boost at low rpms and high boost at high rpms. The produces better drivability generally.