480hp LS3 V8 VS 450hp 2.4L Turbo Cost comparison

[werks]

With so many inquiries regarding V8 conversion costs versus building a reliable 2.4L turbo engine I put together this cost comparison which is guarranteed to amaze and astound!!!

WERKS 480hp Hotcam LS3 versus WERKS 450hp 2.4L Turbo Build

480hp Hotcam LS3 package

Includes -

GM 480 HP V8 LS3 Crate Engine - Rated at 480 HP
SPEC Billet Steel flywheel and Stage 2 clutch
Werks Custom stainless exhaust y-pipe with high-flo catalytic converters
Werks Re-valved custom short stroke shocks
Werks custom Autometer Gauge Cluster
Werks LS3V8 badging
GM/Tremec T56 6spd transmission/shift knob with Werks custom Short throw shifter
Werks Custom balanced driveshaft
Werks modified LS3 exhaust manifolds
Werks Custom motor and transmission mounts
LS3 ECM and Werks custom wiring harness
Eibach Sport springs
Werks Carbon Fiber LS3 Engine Covers
Werks complete detail

Total Installed = $19,000.00 and 30 hp more


WERKS 450hp 2.4L Turbo Package

3" exhaust with high flow cat $900.00
GT 3076R custom turbo kit $5,500.00
Built motor $7,000.00
Electronic Boost Controller $400.00
Turbo Timer $100.00
Dyno tuning $600.00
Supporting Fuel system $750.00
Gauges/pods $500.00
Clutch $600.00
Labor $3,000.00

Total Installed = $19,350.00 and 30 hp less

So guys and gals choose your flavor - V8 sound and torque or turbo flexibility!

[Deepbluegxp]

Interesting, for the current NA owners, what/why is the built motor for $7k required?

To make 450hp you will need to run more than 14psi, at 14psi for extended periods of time the factory rods will expire. The 7K rebuild includes some massaging of the head to flow more air, an o-ringed block/head, Wiseco low compression pistons, Carillo rods and ARP fasteners

[My-Low-Sol]

I'm guessing the GT3076 (not a small turbo) is pushing a good amount of boost (15psi??). 450hp is enough to possibly melt the OE pistons or destroy some other weak spot of the internals.

Interesting comparo though. New motor, trans and suspension VS. a sorted turbo system with no other mods.

[AdamVIP]

Whats the weight distribution of an LS3 swap. Have you popped a conversion onto a set of scales?

[werks]

Originally Posted by AdamVIP Whats the weight distribution of an LS3 swap. Have you popped a conversion onto a set of scales?

Yes we have. The LS3 conversion adds 175lbs to the car and the weight distribution is 52/48. It works very well.

[alphajesse]

Since you're switching the ECU, does Traction Control, ESC and ABS still work on cars equipped with these options?

[Ynot4me2]

WOW I which I had another $19K to spend. Must be really sweet

[Bagpypr]

While I was at Nationals, I heard cars with an LS2 and a car with the Mallet. When they started their engines, not only did they turn every head in the parking lot, but many of us started drooling, and wet ourselves.

[shabby]

20k for a turbo package? Come on thats a bit far fetched...
But if i had 20k lying around i'd definetly go for that ls3.

[Digitsti]

If I had an extra 19k laying around, I wouldnt think twice about it. V8 all the way! Ive had turbos and v8s. Both have there perks but with these roadsters, hands down v8 for me, if I had 19k

[ClearBraInstall]

Originally Posted by My-Low-Sol I'm guessing the GT3076 (not a small turbo) is pushing a good amount of boost (15psi??). 450hp is enough to possibly melt the OE pistons or destroy some other weak spot of the internals. Interesting comparo though. New motor, trans and suspension VS. a sorted turbo system with no other mods.

Hmm. Interestingly enough, I have stock pistons rods (whole bottom end is stock) I am pushing well within the 450 HP range with no problems. Car has 15,000 miles on her. Guess we will see how long she holds up.

I would say depending on how you drive it. How often you push it. Will all depend on longevity.

Clear

[LilRedGXP]

Originally Posted by werks With so many inquiries regarding V8 conversion costs versus building a reliable 2.4L turbo engine I put together this cost comparison which is guarranteed to amaze and astound!!! WERKS 480hp Hotcam LS3 versus WERKS 450hp 2.4L Turbo Build 480hp Hotcam LS3 package Includes - GM 480 HP V8 LS3 Crate Engine - Rated at 480 HP SPEC Billet Steel flywheel and Stage 2 clutch Werks Custom stainless exhaust y-pipe with high-flo catalytic converters Werks Re-valved custom short stroke shocks Werks custom Autometer Gauge Cluster Werks LS3V8 badging GM/Tremec T56 6spd transmission/shift knob with Werks custom Short throw shifter Werks Custom balanced driveshaft Werks modified LS3 exhaust manifolds Werks Custom motor and transmission mounts LS3 ECM and Werks custom wiring harness Eibach Sport springs Werks Carbon Fiber LS3 Engine Covers Werks complete detail Total Installed = $19,000.00 and 30 hp more WERKS 450hp 2.4L Turbo Package 3" exhaust with high flow cat $900.00 GT 3076R custom turbo kit $5,500.00 Built motor $7,000.00 Electronic Boost Controller $400.00 Turbo Timer $100.00 Dyno tuning $600.00 Supporting Fuel system $750.00 Gauges/pods $500.00 Clutch $600.00 Labor $3,000.00 Total Installed = $19,350.00 and 30 hp less So guys and gals choose your flavor - V8 sound and torque or turbo flexibility!

Wouldn't the LS3 option be even cheaper if you factor in the resale value of the stock engine, no?

[werks]

Originally Posted by LilRedGXP Wouldn't the LS3 option be even cheaper if you factor in the resale value of the stock engine, no?

Yes, very true.

[werks]

Originally Posted by ClearBraInstall Hmm. Interestingly enough, I have stock pistons rods (whole bottom end is stock) I am pushing well within the 450 HP range with no problems. Car has 15,000 miles on her. Guess we will see how long she holds up. I would say depending on how you drive it. How often you push it. Will all depend on longevity. Clear

Clear,

Do you have a recent dyno chart? I am not familiar with your particular setup other than your advertised mods so I would be interested to see what your car puts down on 93 Octane pump gas.

With this cost analysis I am trying to do more of an apples to apples comparison. The new hot cam LS3 installed in cars has already laid down 410-420rwhp on 93 Octane fuel. Now Mr. Hahn builds some nice stuff, no doubt about that but I would be extremely impressed if your car put down anywhere near the 380-400whp level on 93 Octane. Just speaking from my experience. We have tuned a couple customer's Hahn Stage 4 kits and seeing it in person they put down a lot less than your 380rwhp target that you are speaking of (15% driveline reduction from 450 crank).

Now before this blows out of proportion this is just from my experience and nothing at all againt your car or Hahn's kits. We put together this turbo engine package so we can run the needed 20psi to reach the 380-400whp target on 93 Octane. I can pretty much guarrantee if you are running more than 14psi for extended periods of time you will break a rod in the stock 2.4L engine.

[werks]

Originally Posted by Bagpypr While I was at Nationals, I heard cars with an LS2 and a car with the Mallet. When they started their engines, not only did they turn every head in the parking lot, but many of us started drooling, and wet ourselves.

That was our customer's LS2 that puts down 470whp on 93 Octane pump gas. The most powerful Solstice in the country as far as we know. At least I have not seen dyno charts to prove otherwise