Cheapest/Easiest Way to get to ~400 crank HP

taylorbr · #1 02-11-2009, 04:22 PM

I'm looking at pulling my engine to repair some leaks and am considering rebuilding it in the process. I curious what the easiest and/or cheapest way is to get around 400 HP at the crank and still be streetable? Is it an N/A build with larger displacement and higher compression or FI either by a turbo or supercharger? Appreciate your inputs, thanks!

Mensaf · #2 02-11-2009, 04:49 PM

Supercharger setup will get you there. Jersey Tom is selling his for 5g's I believe. If you're really going to spend money on it, get the block built/prepped properly for it, and make the switch out of the non interference heads.

Freeman · #3 02-11-2009, 05:45 PM

OT selling supercharger set up's too as far as I know.. From what I understand, almost all superchargers, especially ones capable of getting you to 400HP, require additional maintenance and upgrades which result in plenty of cash spent.. Like over 7 grand worth...

intellibomb · #4 02-11-2009, 07:39 PM

do a search for a brighton impreza with an eg33 swap... he was using it as a track car but he was getting ~400 hp NA....

Crazy_pilot · #5 02-11-2009, 07:52 PM

Easy and cheap are kind of relative at that point. It's do-able N/A, but not easily. High compression pistons, serious headwork (port/polish and custom cam/valve setup), exhaust, and engine management to start.

Alternatively you could go with a bolt-on supercharger, although there's only a couple available out there. TomsSVX could probably be convinced to part with his setup, but again not cheap.

Either way I'd say your minimum cost will be $6-$7000. Not trying to discourage you, but it is expensive to get power out of these motors.

LetItSnow · #6 02-11-2009, 07:57 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by intellibomb

do a search for a brighton impreza with an eg33 swap... he was using it as a track car but he was getting ~400 hp NA....

I don't think there's much "streetable" about that setup!

Crazy_pilot · #7 02-11-2009, 08:03 PM

^^^

Here's the most recent thread about that car. It was putting down 292 AWHP (~380 crank HP).

RallyBob · #8 02-11-2009, 08:22 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Crazy_pilot

^^^

Here's the most recent thread about that car. It was putting down 292 AWHP (~380 crank HP).

Actually, that's the old thread. It was updated here. It's now making 318 whp/276 wtq on a different dyno (which reads about 10% lower than the old one). Regardless of the 'actual' numbers, it is considerably faster now.

RallyBob · #9 02-11-2009, 08:26 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by LetItSnow

I don't think there's much "streetable" about that setup!

Surprisingly it is pretty docile, all things considered. The recently increased displacement has actually made it tamer to drive. Don't get me wrong, the lack of inertia would be hell to drive in a full weight SVX on the street in stop and go traffic, but in a lightweight Impreza it pulls right off idle cleanly...although the idle is at about 1100 rpms. But other than the (much) louder exhaust note there's really nothing 'unstreetable' about it in an Impreza chassis. The hard part would be keeping your license.

LetItSnow · #10 02-11-2009, 09:28 PM

The exhaust was the first thing that came to mind.

The rest I can't speak for, but I'll bet you're right.

svxfiles · #11 02-12-2009, 12:25 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by taylorbr

I am curious what the easiest and/or cheapest way is to get around 400 HP at the crank and still be streetable?

Small block Chevy!

300 HP is much easier.

taylorbr · #12 02-12-2009, 07:47 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by svxfiles

Small block Chevy!

300 HP is much easier.

, thanks for that! I was reading about Bob the fabricator's efforts at N/A builds and I know those get to around 400 crank HP. I was just trying to get a feel for the differences in cost and streetability between something like that and a supercharger...

Sov13t · #13 02-12-2009, 08:11 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by svxfiles

Small block Chevy!

300 HP is much easier.

And sooooooooo much cheaper.

__________________

lhopp77 · #14 02-12-2009, 08:35 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by LetItSnow

The exhaust was the first thing that came to mind.

The rest I can't speak for, but I'll bet you're right.

Actually, I think that exhaust sound is very tinny and crappy. I think the stebro type sound is sooooo much better.

Lee

RallyBob · #15 02-12-2009, 10:58 AM

IMO, the easiest way to get 400 crank hp (or 400 whp for that matter) is to go turbo. A single turbo would be easiest to fit, and something like a GT3076, a 'small' GT35, or a GT3782 (cheaper, non ball bearing) would easily produce the numbers and spool nicely. You could run lower boost to extract the same power if you 'freed up' the engine's breathing a little too. Mild head work and cams would compliment things immensely.

Pay someone to do it and it will always cost you. People don't work for free, nor should they be expected to. But if you're capable of doing all the work yourself you could probably put it together for about $8500 or so.