early questions

[onephatz]

alright here we go. I've got a '75 280z that I'm starting it's tear down and transformation. I'm looking for direction before I start so as the project progesses I can be looking for the parts I want.

 

this car is going to be stripped down to the bare chassis, sand blasted, rust fixed, cage welded in, and then put back together as a track car. when I say track I mean 90% track 10% road. I'm only putting back that which I need to be "steet legal". all the wiring will be redone, no sound proofing ect. ect.... mind you this will proubly take me more than a year.

 

what I'm looking at right now is help with engine and transmission decisions. I'm shooting for a hp range between 500-600hp.

 

option #1

5.7 ls1/2, worked over(cam, intake, headers, maybe heads)

maybe 400-450 n/a hp

add ~150 shot of nitrous for special occasions

 

option #2

5.3 lm7, w/ cam, intake, headers, maybe heads?

add supercharger w/ ~10-14psi boost

 

option #3

5.7 gen 1 sbc "built"

aftermarket heads, forged pistons,stronger rods,ect...

add supercharger w/ ~12-18psi boost

 

supercharger will either be a twin screw or a ati procharger.

 

several questions plage me. does weight loss due to the all alumimum block of the ls1 out weight the greater strength of the cast iron block of the 5.3 and gen1 blocks? those who race, is it better to have a constant hp level like haveing a built n/a motor or have hp tuneablity with different supercharger wheels for different tracks. can a gen 1 engine be built stronger and cheaper than working with a lm7 or ls1.

 

 

transmissions:

since it's gonna be a track car mileage isn't on the top of my list. but... a friend has a salvage licence and can get wrecked cars at a reasonable prices. If I were to get an f-body ls1 and t56 that maybe cheaper than say getting a wc-t5 and having it rebuilt to hold the power. how much heavier is the t56 vs a t5?

 

all these things can be mixed or matched and I'm getting a headache with all the possablitys. (don't you wish you had these troubles ) I'm sure I'm forgetting something but that'll come later

 

directions? comments? shrewd remarks?

 

thanks

jesse

[Phantom]

Here comes the mantra - search & read, search & read.

 

For starters - you're obviously building a 1/4 mile car. If you want a winner forget the idea of a manual transmission and plan for an automatic.

 

Also, an NA LS1 properly set up with a 175-200 shot can put over 700 HP to the rear wheels. You better start planning for what you want after the transmission too. Have you looked at the NHRA equipment rules?