Power Port

597 HP From A Street Friendly LS3 Stroker

- Steven Rupp and Richard Holdener

THE SUCCESS OF ANY LS BUILD is determined by the combination of the components used. You can have the best flowing heads, the wildest cam profile, or even the hottest intake, but unless all of these work together in harmony, the best parts are just a conglomeration of individuals working against each other. Truth be told, whether or not success is achieved comes even before the choosing of the parts. You must first determine the specific needs or usage for the engine. The buildup of a dedicated drag-race engine will certainly be different than that for a daily driver. A careful examination of the requirements for the build will help greatly when it comes to component selection.

Asking yourself how much power you want should actually be one of the last questions asked. By the same token, “as much as possible” should never be the answer. Who really wants (or can afford) a Top Fuel engine in their daily? Only with an honest appraisal of your needs (and financial restraints) can you start down the path to success. This 415 LS stroker was a perfect example of a successful build.