true costs of 400+ HP
#1
Unless it's untaxed, then it's red.
Thread Starter
Join Date: Aug 2009
Location: Damascus MD
Posts: 589
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
true costs of 400+ HP
Most of us can rattle off a list of the parts we think will get us at or above 400 HP. Obvious stuff like big sticks, studs, a turbo or two, pump mods, a clutch or converter... And we put an imaginary price on what that stuff costs and figure that what it cost to get to to the goal.
I'd like to get folks chiming in on the supporting stuff that's less obvious. Stuff like Dana 80? Input/output shafts? Just the sort of stuff that breaks once the engine hits 400ish.
I'd like to get folks chiming in on the supporting stuff that's less obvious. Stuff like Dana 80? Input/output shafts? Just the sort of stuff that breaks once the engine hits 400ish.
#2
Registered User
Join Date: Aug 2008
Location: West Palm Beach, Florida
Posts: 1,450
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
I think it depends on what you're using the truck for. That's going to define what it's going to cost in beefing it up. Not that I'm an expert, I'm probably not cracking 200hp!
I was just thinking of say, a sled puller like Pulltilbroke's, as opposed to BC847's, compared to Wannadiesel's. You know what I mean? Andrew is pulling huge loads at high rpm's, David's doing boosted launches but no load, and Faith may dabble a bit, but drives mainly for kicks. It's a good question, but I think, like most things, the answers you'll get are going to be as varied as the ways of actually achieving the 400hp mark.
I was just thinking of say, a sled puller like Pulltilbroke's, as opposed to BC847's, compared to Wannadiesel's. You know what I mean? Andrew is pulling huge loads at high rpm's, David's doing boosted launches but no load, and Faith may dabble a bit, but drives mainly for kicks. It's a good question, but I think, like most things, the answers you'll get are going to be as varied as the ways of actually achieving the 400hp mark.
#3
Unless it's untaxed, then it's red.
Thread Starter
Join Date: Aug 2009
Location: Damascus MD
Posts: 589
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
Hmmm. Indeed. Obviously different truck/uses/owners will break different parts. Purpose built trucks like dedicated pullers and racers aside, I think most of us on here do rely on them as road vehicles, towing, driving to work... Whatever. What I'm looking at is for the average Joe, building things up one weekend at a time and screwing around at the occasional drag strip or red like race, what are common failures. And when I say building things up I mean finally doing the big HP jump that most of us wish we could afford.
#5
My truck breaks nothing, since it can't hook. I've kept it that way so that I can be a dyno hero on a budget. Lockup trans on the way though, so look out! I know on the 727's a ripped-up planetary is the most common unintentional mod, but it usually doesn't happen till around 500hp.
#6
Registered User
Join Date: Aug 2008
Location: West Palm Beach, Florida
Posts: 1,450
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
I guess what I was getting at is maybe taking the figures folks give you, and average them out. If the build is going to be over several years, (like mine ) then some parts may become obsolete, new parts available etc. altering the costs somewhat.
#7
Registered User
Join Date: Aug 2008
Location: West Palm Beach, Florida
Posts: 1,450
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
My truck breaks nothing, since it can't hook. I've kept it that way so that I can be a dyno hero on a budget. Lockup trans on the way though, so look out! I know on the 727's a ripped-up planetary is the most common unintentional mod, but it usually doesn't happen till around 500hp.
Trending Topics
#9
Registered User
Join Date: Aug 2008
Location: West Palm Beach, Florida
Posts: 1,450
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
You put, what, $10k in to Rust Bucket?
#10
Registered User
My truck breaks nothing, since it can't hook. I've kept it that way so that I can be a dyno hero on a budget. Lockup trans on the way though, so look out! I know on the 727's a ripped-up planetary is the most common unintentional mod, but it usually doesn't happen till around 500hp.
#11
Registered User
Join Date: Jan 2005
Location: Yuba city Kalifornia
Posts: 3,899
Likes: 0
Received 3 Likes
on
2 Posts
400 hp not to bad we built a set of twins for my sons truck last dyno pull was 407/900 he tows with it all the time and its held together very well its the life expectancy that shortens up a bit .his getrag it making lots of noise now so that will need a rebuild soon, but the rest of the truck is still doing good
#12
Registered User
Join Date: Nov 2007
Location: Spokane WA, Family Farm
Posts: 618
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
my current setup has egt problems and i think a fair amount of money could be spent trying to keep those cool, intercooler, pipes(exhaust and intake), correct turbo for your application, you could make 400 on fuel but your driveabilty is going to suck without these mods, and the getrag will hold, for awile
#13
It all depends on what you're willing to live with, and whether you want to do it right, or cobble it together. I made 448 on spray with just a compressor upgrade and converter and big injectors, but who knows how long it would have lived like that. With VE trucks, it's stupid easy to hit 250-300 on fuel...a lot harder to hit 400-450 and by the time your 550-600 you're in for a lot of work. I would like to see more people invest in 14mm heads, I think they're reliable as long as plenty of fuel is run to them, and the rpms are kept under 3,300.
#14
#15
I'd go with at least an AirDog or something like that...the stock filters are also a restriction.
That being said, if memory serves, I think KTA once told me a lot of 1st gen guys in his area were just running the 94 and up high pressure pump at like 20psi.
That being said, if memory serves, I think KTA once told me a lot of 1st gen guys in his area were just running the 94 and up high pressure pump at like 20psi.