How much is enough? How much is too much?

[xlr8r]

I know it's all relative, but I'm curious to know people's thoughts on engine mods. Specifically I'm trying to calculate the sweet spot for doing things like cams, supercharging, heads, etc. Most people don't want to mod a brand new engine for fear of warranty issues. The flip side of that coin is doing mods on engines with high enough mileage that you might be worried about breakdown, Etc.

when would you mod? How many kilometers are too much before it becomes to risky?

Just curious what people say about it.

Cheers

Vince

 

[Shayne]

my sons z06 had around 90-95k on it when he bought it. he added head, cam, headers, intake, raced it off and on for about 2 yrs, replaced the clutch, and trans, then half shafts and spider gear. he was leaving the line around 6000 rpm and was using a drag radial. the car went from 340 hp to 480 at the rear wheels. didn't start to break stuff until the drag radials added grip off the line. now has changed cams and added a turbo. runs 7 psi and still has the stock bottom end. probably only a matter of time now. the car ran a 10.62 @ 132 at Saskatoon international raceway on Friday night.

 

[Keith Tedford]

As you get more radical with cam lift and duration, you need more radical valve spring pressure to control the valve train. Put enough load on the valve train and things break or wear out a lot sooner. Stick close to factory specs if you want an engine that will live a long happy life. If you want a race car, then build one. If I wanted a quick, reliable street car, I would supercharge or turbocharge. A stock engine supercharged should last a long time if you don't red line it on each shift.

 

[Riley P]

I would throw a turbo on mine with 120K. I've heard of Corvettes lasting well over 300K.
As for what is enough, Manny would be the man to ask. But I would love to be part of the 500 rwhp club and with the high hp numbers I see on some of these cars, I bet it would be pretty reliable at number as well.

 

[VINDIC8R]

I know it's all relative, but I'm curious to know people's thoughts on engine mods. Specifically I'm trying to calculate the sweet spot for doing things like cams, supercharging, heads, etc. Most people don't want to mod a brand new engine for fear of warranty issues. The flip side of that coin is doing mods on engines with high enough mileage that you might be worried about breakdown, Etc.

when would you mod? How many kilometers are too much before it becomes to risky?

Just curious what people say about it.

Cheers

Vince

A wise man once told me, if you are going to mod...

Whatever you do to the top of the engine, you have to do to the bottom. Whatever you do to the front of the engine you have to do to the back.
If you don't, something will give out somewhere.