500HP street motor, a waste?

[The T-man]

I am looking to put together a 500 horse/ 500 torque Gen-1 small block, a 406 stroker
my engine dyno shop says it's a waste of $ and time for the street, they say go 400 horse and that I'd be much happier, better milage, reliability, etc....

any thought from you guys?!?!

[monza]

Time for a new dyno shop..... I can't believe it from a dyno shop kings of HP?

running a LS2 402 stroked 545hp @ rear wheels and it's a blast. Sure lots of power but totally controllable.

[camcojb]

Originally Posted by The T-man

I am looking to put together a 500 horse/ 500 torque small block, a 406 stroker
my engine dyno shop says it's a waste of $ and time for the street, they say go 400 horse and that I'd be much happier, better milage, reliability, etc....

any thought from you guys?!?!

I disagree, 500 hp has become very common, even factory meet or exceed this number with a full factory warranty. Not that hard with the proper suspension and tires to put that much power down. Plenty to be fun, perfect for track, and I don't see why reliability should be an issue if properly built.

Jody

[Flash68]

I agree. Time for a new shop. This is the first time I have ever heard this from anyone, especially an actual performance shop! Those guys must not be truly into performance... sheesh.

go for 500hp. Or more.

[67ragtp]

Dont mean to highjack the thread, but DAMN Dave!, fuel's got to be near 650 ponies at the flywheel. I know your running a harrop but wow! thats pretty stout. Care to elaborate on compression/cam specs/heads, hows its street manners? Very impressive!

Thanks Rich

[Vegas69]

I'm around 600/600 and it's a blast to drive on the street. Let a buddy drive it and he couldn't believe how docile it is until you hit the loud pedal. I am really impressed with my True Trac rear as well. Even with tire spin it just keeps moving forward. Now an old school small block with a flat tappet cam may be a little peaky over 500hp. I'd go roller cam or more cubes.

[XcYZ]

Originally Posted by The T-man

my engine dyno shop says it's a waste of $ and time for the street, they say go 400 horse and that I'd be much happier, better milage, reliability, etc....

any thought from you guys?!?!

500+ RWHP, 22mpg, runs mid 11's at close to 124 in full street trim. Couldn't be happier, but... will have the nitrous hooked up this winter.

[Stuart Adams]

Originally Posted by XcYZ

500+ RWHP, 22mpg, runs mid 11's at close to 124 in full street trim. Couldn't be happier, but... will have the nitrous hooked up this winter.

Yeah Buddy! LS = Like Sex.

[monza]

Originally Posted by 67ragtp

Dont mean to highjack the thread, but DAMN Dave!, fuel's got to be near 650 ponies at the flywheel. I know your running a harrop but wow! thats pretty stout. Care to elaborate on compression/cam specs/heads, hows its street manners? Very impressive!

Thanks Rich

Lets thread jack away... here is what pumps FUel.... 05' LS2 block (GTO), Eagle Crank and displaces 402ci. Diamond Racing pistons w/ 2cc dishes yield 11.2:1 compression under the Trick Flow 225 heads w/ 2.08/1.60 valves. The cam is a custom spec cam from Brett Bauer Racing Engines. (don't have specs in front of me) The Harrop Hurricane w/ eight 52mm throttle bodies and fuel rails by Harrop. Any other specifics you want, let me know.
General streetablity has been really good, I was battling some tune issues making low rpm driving rather rough, that is all sorted and drivability is now unreal, smooth when you want, crazy power when you get on it.

Here is a article done by Hot Rod (not current as thing are always changing... making it more of a track beast): http://www.hotrod.com/featuredvehicl..._rs/index.html
(thats been posted before but for other who may want to check it out)

I have to post up my Optima Vegas Wrenching madness in a new thread soon just swamped busy.

[MtotheIKEo]

Note that there is a difference in a 500hp carb'd gen I motor and a 500hp LSx. Older motors get a little more rowdy when you start pushing the hp up. They are not as refined as a newer LSx with fuel injection.