power limit of the frame of an f-body

[blackbyrd]

does anyone know how much power our cars can take before it starts to break things on the car? a number of hp and torque for this would be nice

[ellik]

I wouldnt want a even a 400HP F-body with stock suspension.

What specifically are you asking about? There are 1100+HP v8 fbodies out there.

[blackbyrd]

i have 1 semester left in college and when i get out and gonna do an engine swap. im gonna start with an ls1 and bore it out either to a 383 or 427 i want to go 427 but i was worried about what it will do to the car. so im dbating on the practicality of an engine for my car. (meaning if im gonna break something everytime i drive it i go smaller) it wont have stock suspension but i dont want to have to put a roll cage in. im realy just worried about the car torqueing becasue of the engine. i hope i answered your questions

[T-Punk]

You should be fine if you have an NA 427.

[Tru2Chevy]

Good suspension mods and weld-in subframe connectors will be a must. If you are thinking of putting a 427 LSx in, and are planning on taking it to the track, I give you 3-4 runs max before they ask you not to come back until you have a roll bar (because if you aren't at least deep into the 11's, you or the car will have serious issues).

- Justin

[blackbyrd]

i might run it at the track just to know how fast it is. other than that this is jsut a dream car for me i always wanted the ls1 but couldnt afford the insurance when i got my car so i decided to wait so i figued i might as well go all out since im gonna have the engine out for a while. as far as suspenion goes i ahve 1le front sway bar. lca's its been lowered. upgraded shocks i want bilsteins i just dont need them right now. strut brace the only thing im lacking is subframes and panhard rod. unless i need to change the a arms and such. ill be gettinga new crossmember when i swap (probably bmr) new axle and driveshaft. i was just worried how much power the car itself could handle before it starts twisting the car

[articacid]

theres plenty of ls1 guys w/ 550+hp daily drivers w/ no problems. plenty of people of 427 ls1s in camaros some even TT'd! no problems. all without roll cages and chassis stiffeners.

its an fbody there meant to handle power. its not a geo metro.

[blackbyrd]

so what your saying is, if i do the 427 i should be fine as long as i do sfc?? is that 2 pt or 3 pt?? and there is nothing else that i should have to do other than normal wear and tear like new tranny and axle??

[AlienInv8r]

you'd probably want to do all of your suspension mods, save the roll cage since you're trying to avoid that. If your really want the car to perform optimally then why not try to give it the best chance of putting that power to the ground.

A 427 would most definitely need a beefed up tranny, and a 12-bolt or 9-inch rear if you use that extra power on a normal basis. Those high hp Ls1's out there without these mods have to either baby the car on launches and such, or are running on a very limited life span for those parts.

So, sure the stock frame can handle a 427 or any high hp engine, but to put it to the ground efficiently and effectively you'll need to build the car to support it.

[blackbyrd]

so when you say build the suspension are you talking about a arms and stuff up front as well as the sfc's, also for this woud you recomend 3 point or 2 point sfc's? basically everything i have already plus a few extras like torque arm.

[Turbo V6 Camaro]

my i ask why you don't want a roll bar?

[blackbyrd]

all of my stereo is in the back seat area.

[shenanigans]

I know someone who autocrosses and roadraces on a race suspension on serious tires, he is pushing I believe ~450-500 to the wheels, but doens't have a cage or a bar. T-top car nad no problems.

[arthansen]

My neighbor has a nitrous SS Camaro with 500 RWHP, suspension wise, all he has is a 12 bolt, LCA, Panhard Rod, drag radials, and the WS6 suspension. It is his daily drive and it rides very nice (goes through tires like toilet paper).

[Tru2Chevy]

Originally posted by blackbyrd:
all of my stereo is in the back seat area.

You can put in a roll bar without getting rid of your stereo. The only downside is that your backseat will no longer be safe for passengers.

- Justin