Thread: 500-600 WHP Build Questions

Looking to make 500-600WHP on PUMP gas. What size turbo and cam would be required. I have a GM 3800 Crate motor and will be putting a big cam and better flowing heads on it. Before everyone chimes in on a transmission DON'T. I am fully aware that I need a serious rebuild. This is a PROJECT car and will be built as a hobby over the next few years. I plan on sinking 10-20k into it. Please don't flame because I have no interest in entertaining you.

ok first off good luck making that much power. second how much do you want to spend because it going to cost alot of money to get 600 whp

well making power at the engine is not a big deal the primary expense comes from the transmission. aside from our transmission someone could duplicate our turbo setup for less than four grand.

Good luck? Arent guys getting 400-500 on the kits (no cam or headwork) and only pushing 14-17lbs of boost?

Don't forget the beefy tranny

Most 500+ setups ive seen are over 18 psi.
as I said making the power is not difficult the problem is is holding on to the power and getting it to the street using a glass drivetrain

I know I need a built tranny, thats not my question. I hate asking stuff and people going off in a completely different direction.

Let me clarify, I am looking to build a Grand Prix with 500-600 HP. I know there are other weaknesses in the driveline and will deal with those properly. My question is what kind of cam, turbo, heads, intake, tb is it going to take for me to achieve close to my goals. I am doing this build over the next year or two so money isnt really an option. Of course i would love to save so cash and I will attempt that.

cam stock heads feed it corn 500 would be simple.

big fuel system mega bucks in trans making 500 is not the hardest or most expensive part keeping a trans together is.

A "tiny" st1r cam. 130-150lb springs. dbl roller
.82 ar t3 master power t70
Barely ported heads.
Barely ported f body intake. Stock l67 throttle body and maf.
We did 608whp/575ft lbs at 18 psi at 5400 rpm maxing the walbro 255/90's
Shooting fer 700+

4t80 trans alllllll the turbo 3800s haha!!

Yah im hoping to piece this together and do the pipe fab myself.

All good info thx. Like i said this is a build in progress. I dont really care about the price because this is a project car. Some guys build GTO's or Vettes. I want a badass Grand Prix lol. Ill be getting my block on saturday. Paying $325 USD for a GM Crate 3800 still in the crate.

Made 529whp at 17psi...

Yocal ported/polished heads.
Stattama T67 .68 AR
ST5 cam and 130# springs (should have been 150#)
200k mile short block
Double Roller
FBody intake with L67 TB.
ZZP Plogs
e85

Hardly a "tune" on it, and 3 month old e85 in the tank.

Nothing to fancy needed to break 500whp.

Like everyone said its the transmission you gotta worry about.

Originally Posted by jdredd

Made 529whp at 17psi...

Yocal ported/polished heads.
Stattama T67 .68 AR
ST5 cam and 130# springs (should have been 150#)
200k mile short block
Double Roller
FBody intake with L67 TB.
ZZP Plogs
e85

Hardly a "tune" on it, and 3 month old e85 in the tank.

Nothing to fancy needed to break 500whp.

Like everyone said its the transmission you gotta worry about.

No problem spending 5k on a transmission when the time comes. A little disheatening to see you needed e85 to hit 529. Realistically I cant do e85 and I want this as a summer cruiser. Yes I know its not going to be that streetable with a huge cam but this is my choice.

the st1r is essentially a VS cam with 206* duration, we made 600 and are shooting for 700+

you dont need a "huge cam" to make the power you want, no need to sacrifice drivability

we have had the trans apart 6 or 7 times and have probably 7-10k in the transmissions if you want to count all the GMR Unobtainium stuff....

the engine is a bone stock 145k L67 thats just this side of stock for the most part.

Originally Posted by Xorbex

No problem spending 5k on a transmission when the time comes. A little disheatening to see you needed e85 to hit 529. Realistically I cant do e85 and I want this as a summer cruiser. Yes I know its not going to be that streetable with a huge cam but this is my choice.

With the 100% 200k stock bottom, e85 is the easiest choice for me. It's everywhere down here.
I am sure I was getting close to 580whp at the track when I raced it.
If its not around to bad, its great stuff and works wonders. I plan on running 750+ with it :P

The ST5 cam probably didn't start showing its usefulness until passing the 20psi range and higher RPMs.
You can make good power on smaller cams.

All things considered the ZZP turbo cams are pretty tame compared to blower cams.

The ST5 was perfectly streetable. No worse than driving around in my old S1X / PRJ LL cam.
To me it felt baby sized still.. but thats turbo cams for ya I guess...