[SS4ALL]

Hi All,

I am looking for opinions as to much how much is too much WHP for the SS as daily driver. Mostly looking for those of you who have driven big HP cars as daily drivers but all points/opinions are welcome.

These are some points...

1. Know that power train warranty is void, you'll be impacting long term reliability, worst gas mileage, never race on the street, etc.
2. Don't want it to break loose of traction when rolling and then going WOT on stock tires or maybe one size wider.
3. Still want it to have a fairly smooth linear feel to power delivery.
4. Thinking about a small to mid size super charger

So what are your thoughts? 500 whp? 600 whp? What has been your experience?

 

[nsx276]

I'm no expert but I would imagine anything below 600 hp would be ok. M5's, AMG's and RS models have that kind of power and they're daily drivers. The most powerful car I ever drove was my friends GT-R Black Edition (545 hp). It was fine around the suburbs with stop signs and red lights. (Granted its AWD) I'm toying with the idea of more power, I would do run 600hp on the SS as a daily driver as long as you said the power delivery was still linear.

 

[KWBaraka]

How much is too much HP for a daily driver?

No such thing.

The only criteria for a daily driver is whether the car is reliable and safe.

Now......if you go NA and have such a radical set-up that the car constantly overheats, breaks down, stalls in traffic, or is unsafe to drive (big-assed cam = no vacuum = no brakes, for example) then you messed up.

But if you can build that big HP (NA or with a power adder) and still be safe and reliable.....then have at it!

It's all about how well the 'system' is built.

KW

 

[SlingShot]

I think it will depend on the budget. The more power you go, the more supporting mods will have to be done to support the power level. Without changing all the axles, rear end, upgrading trans and so forth, around 425rwhp would make a great daily driver. As far as spinning the tires at WOT, my ZL1 does it at 50mph with 315 Invo's on the back.

 

[SS4ALL]

As far as spinning the tires at WOT, my ZL1 does it at 50mph with 315 Invo's on the back.

Does this happens with all traction/stability gadgets on?

That's some perspective right there. I can only imagine what will happen with our 275 tires...

 

[Gerome]

I think it will depend on the budget. The more power you go, the more supporting mods will have to be done to support the power level. Without changing all the axles, rear end, upgrading trans and so forth, around 425rwhp would make a great daily driver. As far as spinning the tires at WOT, my ZL1 does it at 50mph with 315 Invo's on the back.

I agree . It truthfully depends on how deep your pockets are . If gas is no big deal , getting all of the supporting parts is no problem . Then the sky would be the limit .

 

[ZAHANMA]

I agree . It truthfully depends on how deep your pockets are . If gas is no big deal , getting all of the supporting parts is no problem . Then the sky would be the limit .

In my opinion, there is still a limit to what can be a daily driver. I've done the 500hp and it isn't an issue to drive every day...but when you starting hitting the 900-1000hp mark it just starts to be onerous to drive every day. That doesn't mean you can't drive it on the street and drive it to work...but the modifications needed to create and then reign in (trans/gears/diff/bushings/motor mounts/etc) 1000hp are adverse to a good daily driver...especially in a big city like Houston where a majority of the people drive more than 30 minutes to work.

For me, 6-700hp is fine for a daily driver...maybe even 800 depending on the car...but anything more than that and it needs to be taken out od daily driving duties and moved to a fun toy...that could be driven on occasion on a commute.

 

[SlingShot]

Does this happens with all traction/stability gadgets on?

That's some perspective right there. I can only imagine what will happen with our 275 tires...

Yes, that's with all nannies turned on.

 

[Shriker]

For me its always been about how the rest of the car handles the power. When I had a 400rwhp LT4 '96 Vette with R compound tires it would HOOK and go.....really nice.

When I had 400rwhp blown 97 Cobra Mustang , it would spin all the time with non R compound but still summer performance 275's. Big difference.

The SS is VERY managable stock (without traction control on) . I think it could easily handle another 100+hp though I would definitely want to go with a stickier tire at least (if not larger wheels and tires)

600 rwhp really seems like the upper limit these days given tire technology. Sure 4wd systems are really the way to go (like the GT-R) but are heavier more complex, more costly , and eat more power as well.

 

[Ctsv4now]

I would say around 600 rwhp is the upper limit as well.

 

[SS4ALL]

Thanks to ALL for the feedback and keep them coming...

My car has about 370 whp at the moment and I am thinking about doing headers + tvs1900. The tvs1900 is the stock SC in the LSA engine found in the ZL1. This should put my SS in the 525 to 550 hp range since the LS3 has a higher compression rate than the LSA. I am really not interested in breaking 600 whp and many of your opinions kind of support that as well.

I read that it is more than possible to reach more than 550 with just the "right" supercharger but I really have no interest in going there. I also want headers because I truly enjoy the sound + have read that it is a must to keep back pressure in check with a supercharger in an LS3 engine.

I know that it will take a totally new approach to driving in order to be safe on the roads but the occasional "safe" punch out so be a lot of fun. What do you guys think?

 

[penemyone]

As one of my old military instructors told us, "Do what you can afford". There are so many factors involved (type of mods, traction, gearing, climate, family, etc.) The variables are infinite. It really breaks down to what YOU feel is comfortable.

 

[Drew888]

Don't forget some drivers cannot handle 400 hp so to "do what YOU feel is comfortable" is the key.

With my Subaru Legacy (last year swapped out the front open diff to a proper LSD) on E85 it can be a little much to handle in certain situations and that's about 400 to the wheels. Lots of grip and if tight corners are involved I have a good grip on the steering wheel or I may lose it. I have been driving modded AWD cars for the last 12+years so I already know that I'll have to seriously readjust my thinking when going back to rear drive. From rear to AWD is cake but not so going the other way. I'm sure I'll get used to it in no time and see lots of power on over steer in my future.

 

[leadfart]

My PPV makes around 600 at the crank, give or take a few!:wink: It is a very nice DD. I do, however, have lots of track time, at the strip. Several thousand passes, I use to bracket race my Impala SS, every weekend, until they closed my track.

I put a lot of thought into the mods on the PPV. It is extremely docile, until you don't want it to be docile.:biggrin:

My tuner, installer, was able to custom fab a system for me off of the G8 platform. I'm running ten pounds of boost, upgraded injectors, Kooks headers and high flow cats. It was meant to be a fun sleeper.

Eventually the tranny will be upgraded, but it's fine as long as you don't beat on it constantly. I keep my cars awhile, I will go bigger and forged, when it becomes necessary.:shithappens:

I do, I have to admit, get a big grin out of walking a lot of stock Vettes and Camaro's, at the track. I have also owned many Vettes and Camaro's, myself.

No such thing as too much, if the package is right. But in practical terms, what I've got is about right, for me!

 

[SS4ALL]

Don't forget some drivers cannot handle 400 hp so to "do what YOU feel is comfortable" is the key.

Agreed. When it comes to cars on the road as somebody said "With great power comes great responsibility"

 

[LS1hawk]

The tune plays a large part in being driven daily. I see you mentioned the TVS 1900. Any reason to choose this over the TVS 2300?

 

[SS4ALL]

My PPV makes around 600 at the crank, give or take a few!:wink: It is a very nice DD. I do, however, have lots of track time, at the strip. Several thousand passes, I use to bracket race my Impala SS, every weekend, until they closed my track.

I put a lot of thought into the mods on the PPV. It is extremely docile, until you don't want it to be docile.:biggrin:

My tuner, installer, was able to custom fab a system for me off of the G8 platform. I'm running ten pounds of boost, upgraded injectors, Kooks headers and high flow cats. It was meant to be a fun sleeper.

Eventually the tranny will be upgraded, but it's fine as long as you don't beat on it constantly. I keep my cars awhile, I will go bigger and forged, when it becomes necessary.:shithappens:

I do, I have to admit, get a big grin out of walking a lot of stock Vettes and Camaro's, at the track. I have also owned many Vettes and Camaro's, myself.

No such thing as too much, if the package is right. But in practical terms, what I've got is about right, for me!

Did you upgrade you tires? Still riding 235s? Very much keen in learning... asking lots of questions

 

[SS4ALL]

The tune plays a large part in being driven daily. I see you mentioned the TVS 1900. Any reason to choose this over the TVS 2300?

Frankly, I am getting a very good deal from a very reputable shop first and foremost (they want to work on their first SS). Secondly I like the efficiency/footprint/heat sink on the ZL1 blower which is actually a little different than the blower on the CTS V. That same ZL1 part #, GM installed blower, is the one that I'll get on my car. Also I want the headers for sound/efficiency but don't want to be over 600 whp (not now or eventually) which I believe is an important aspect/reason to get a bigger blower (> psi).

I am doing lots of readings and I am new to V8s so if I am wrong or looking at it from a different angle please share your opinion. Thanks!

 

[z51vett]

As Tim Allen says more power.
z51vett
Doug

 

[leadfart]

I'm running the 2300 Maggie on mine. At the track, I run on MT ET Street radial II's, in a 265-40-18, on OEM Caprice-V wheels. Stealthy.:wink: With the stock converter and gears, I can pull low 1.80 sixty's. On a good track, the dr's will deadhook.

I could easily run the number, with this car. It is very consistent. My tuner is top-notch.:biggrin: