16 weeks to go...

E

Alex

slc4yos said:
Fortunately for the SL-C build...my intelligent, and rational personality stayed in bed this morning. When I talked to Fran today...he got the irresponsible, care free HP junkie on the other end of the line. Feels like my inner crack-head pawned the TV again.... :cry:

LS9 it is!!!
:pepper:
Click to expand...

Boost is cheating; big cubes is winning :pepper:
 
gt40fran

Fran Hall RCR

The LS9 has superb internal components that you would be hard pressed to buy and assemble for the OEM cost...and comes with a factory warranty...it also has intrinsic value by being an LS9 not just "another" hot rodded LSx built by Joe Blow..
 
S

Yos

The LS9 has just always been the holy grail of LS motors to me. It was built by some of the best engineers in the world with a basically unlimited budget. The guys at NRE are obviously master engine builders, but they couldn't build 1000hp motors if it weren't for the legwork done by GM engineers and builders. When those guys say it's the best...I don't argue.

An LS built by me, or a new LS9 was never a debate...just a compromise. It took a while for me to figure out how to afford it, but I guess none of this is cheap anyways.

With the LS9...I'll easily reach my original goal of blowing past the 200mph mark. As well as smoke everything on the road or track. The best part....it'll fire up every morning and she'll idle like a dream.
 
A

Aaron M

Well thank goodness Im not the only one who thinks the LS9 is the way to go. Ive been conving my build buddy that trying to put together a toyota UZ based engine is hard. Putting together a 5.7 UR Tundra engine is silly, and that we'll be waiting for months to get electrical and computational stuff sorted.

He's now convinced that the LS9 is the way to go. He just hates the stigma that is attached to driving a chevy motor (in Australia, the LS3's are fitted to all of our utility holdens and V8 Commodores (G8's in the states) and bogans drive them here.

I say to him: It is the pinnacle of chevrolet engineering, and only found in their top of the line Supercar.......for now. We wont get anywhere near the reliability and output for the cost, let alone the warranty.

So unless a pair of V12 AMG's or BMW's land on our doorsteps for $50 each, we are going LS9 motor, ECU and loom.
 
S

Steven Hung

<style type="text/css"> <!-- @page { margin: 0.79in } P { margin-bottom: 0.08in } --> </style> I am a newbie in the world of kit car but has been modifying cars since I could remember. Hopefully, several years from now my wife agrees to let me spurge on a SL-C and not make me sell my toys: a modified 93 MR2 Turbo and a E46 M3 with bolt-ons. My MR2 Turbo has been dynoed at 310 HP and 270 TQ. At around 2800 lb the car is very fun to drive but sometime can be a handful with laying power to the ground at low rpm. The silly question that I have is how much of the LS9 638 HP and 604 TQ is usable and at what rpm range. I am assuming that the LS9 in a 2500 lb SL-C even with wide tires can break traction in almost any gear. The image that I cannot get out of my mind is Jeremy Clarkson shredding the rear tires on a Mercedes SLS AMG. It is fun but expensive.
 
gt40fran

Fran Hall RCR

Shredding tyres in any car is easy if you drive the car "like you stole it" ...but if you drive it with the intent of going fast , then its very usable..

There are lots of add ons that can be installed too, if you are not comfortable with 638hp.....should you want traction control or ABS...Racelogic and Bosch both make standalone systems....or you could install a less powerful engine like an LS3/LS7 and not worry...

Fast cars with high hp/lb need to be treated with respect regardless of wether its a 300hp WRX or a 600hp Ford GT.....
 
Last edited:
J

Steve

Supporter
Anyone who derides it is either jealous or doesn't understand engines. It is extremely well made with top-notch parts and, most importantly, everything is made to work well together. It bears no resemblance to the engines in your Holdens.

Also, I'll bet with a little tuning and pulley changes the power would easily top 700hp.

If I weren't a Ford guy, I'd go the LS-9 route. It is a bit pricey but like so many other things, you get what you pay for.
 
S

Steven Hung

I would love to have a LS9 equipped SL-C. However would I have the self restraint and the driving skills to drive the car on the street and on a road course without killing myself and others? 2<sup>nd</sup> generation Viper GTS is the highest HP/TQ that I have driven on the small auto-x track with Skip Barber 2 day high performance driving school at Lime Rock with an instructor. The Viper with 450 HP/490 TQ and at 3400 lb does not compare to the mind boggling power to weight ratio of a SL-C with a LS9. It is in the same territories as the Bugatti Veyron Supersport. If your dream is a LS9 equipped SL-C go for it because that is what you want. Any other engine choice might have you questioning yourself about the decision with possibly regrets. Please post driving impression about living with your super car, both pros and cons. It would allow me and those sitting on fence to make the appropriate educated decision for engine selection.
 
gt40fran

Fran Hall RCR

I have a Viper GTS and its a fun car but not in the same league as the SL-C when it comes to handling...not in stock trim anyway.
This type of performance is hard to tame on a small X cross course ...a Mini cooper would probably kick any supercars butt in that environment.
I know that our SL-Razor is dynamite on tight tracks, and a well driven one will show a clean pair of heels to most high hp cars...

Is a Hennesey Venom really a great, easy to drive, well balanced car, I expect not and neither is a Saleen S7 but they have their place in the Automotive world ,all be it with lofty price tags...the SL-C is available at a fraction of the cost and is attainable by far more guys looking to live the dream....the LS9 , as mentioned is the pinnacle of GM's performance engine group and it a great fit for this kind of car...

Looking forward to seeing what Yos does with the interior too as he says he has a top notch custom guy waiting in the wings.....15 weeks and counting now
 
V

Justin

Back in May, I went to an autocross and posted a 57.700. A well driven ZR1 could only muster up a 58.900 or so. At the time, my Razor was only producing 150 hp and I was on terrible tires.
 
CANTDRIVE55

Doc Kaler

I agree Fran. My track prepared ACR could actually smoke the Hoosier slicks briefly powering out of turns if I put the pedal down a little too much. Nonetheless, my SLC will be in a league above the Viper (and I loved that car...not deriding it at all) in terms of track performance. I'm sure the LS9 will be very potent with drivers more skilled than me!
 
S

Yos

Either way...I'm excited!

I had a car years ago that was overpowered and dangerous. It was a 90' mustang with motor work, supercharger, and NOS. It was terribly hard to drive. You could never be at full throttle until you were at least 1/2 way through second gear. And I could billow smoke off the tires at 70mph in 5th gear without dumping the clutch. In all reality it was a useless car...but damn was it fun :D

Ever since I decided on the LS9, I've been bouncing off the walls. I was content using an LS3, but it was a compromise. Yos' SL-C (chassis #tbd) may not be the smartest, or best out there, but it'll be mine. And I'll sleep better knowing it was exactly the way I wanted it. If I won the lotto tomorrow...we'd still be going LS9.

I can't wait to show you the interior either Fran. I've already got the drawings going....
 
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