What is the difference between zr6 390hp and the zr6 409hp please ?

[waz480]

I am the very proud owner of a 2008 Super Air 210 Team zr6 390hp,
I would like to know if i can upgrade my engine the the 409hp spec,
Anyone know whats involved please,
Thanks for reading ,
cheers,
waz

[DanielC]

Short answer, 19 HP. Sorry.
I do not know for sure, but it could be just a change in the programming of the engine's computer, or a slight camshaft change, or maybe both.

Engines have one speed that is the most efficient. This speed is dependent on the camshaft, intake and exhaust port sizes and length, and many other factors. The speed that an engine is most efficient is the speed that the torque is at the maximum, is the speed the engine is able to inhale the most air, per engine revolution. Above that speed, there is not enough time for the cylinders to completely fill. Below that speed, they actually fill, and then the air starts coming back out of them again.

Horse power is a product of both the torque and RPM of the engine. Because of that, an engine usually has the most HP at its maximum safe RPM, even though the torque is less than the maximum amount of torque available at a lower RPM.

To increase the HP of an engine without increasing the displacement, you shift the speed the engine produces maximum torque higher. This robs torque from the lower RPM range. You cannot get something for nothing.

I would suggest that since you have a wakeboard boat, you are not really interested in the maximum amount of HP you can get at 5000 RPM. How often do you run your boat at that speed?
The 390 hp ZR-6 might actually be a better engine for you.

Now, if you has a Ski Nautique 200, and you likes to barefoot, the 409 hp ZR-6 might be the better engine choice.

There is an old saying among hot rod people. "Horsepower sells cars, torque wins races."

[DanielC]

One other consideration. The higher HP engine almost always uses more fuel.

[robertsmcfarland]

I have had both, when the newer model year came out there was a increase in hp its the same motor used in the Cadillac Escallade . I guess the engineers did some fine tuning.

[waz480]

Thanks for the detailed reply

Short answer, 19 HP. Sorry.
I do not know for sure, but it could be just a change in the programming of the engine's computer, or a slight camshaft change, or maybe both.

Engines have one speed that is the most efficient. This speed is dependent on the camshaft, intake and exhaust port sizes and length, and many other factors. The speed that an engine is most efficient is the speed that the torque is at the maximum, is the speed the engine is able to inhale the most air, per engine revolution. Above that speed, there is not enough time for the cylinders to completely fill. Below that speed, they actually fill, and then the air starts coming back out of them again.

Horse power is a product of both the torque and RPM of the engine. Because of that, an engine usually has the most HP at its maximum safe RPM, even though the torque is less than the maximum amount of torque available at a lower RPM.

To increase the HP of an engine without increasing the displacement, you shift the speed the engine produces maximum torque higher. This robs torque from the lower RPM range. You cannot get something for nothing.

I would suggest that since you have a wakeboard boat, you are not really interested in the maximum amount of HP you can get at 5000 RPM. How often do you run your boat at that speed?
The 390 hp ZR-6 might actually be a better engine for you.

Now, if you has a Ski Nautique 200, and you likes to barefoot, the 409 hp ZR-6 might be the better engine choice.

There is an old saying among hot rod people. "Horsepower sells cars, torque wins races."

I agree with what you say ,
I just thought it would be nice to have the extra hp if it was i simple remap,.
I have found though when my Porsche 911 997 turbo was remaped it went from 480hp to 515hp and drove so much better at all engine speeds , smother running , more hp , more torque and the same if not better mpg,
Like wise with my land rover dicovery td5 ,
And other cars and many bikes i have owned over the years,
Most manufactuers tend to tune i little on the consevrtive side to allow for low garde fuel and other factors,
I am and allways will be petrol head :]
Also by the way i like short line barefooting off the boom the extra 19 hp would come in handy
In the uk 100 octane petrol is at every gas station which is nice lol
cheers Daniel
waz

[scuff97]

The 390 engine is based on the LQ4 block and the 409 uses the LY6 block.

[teamseal]

Scuff where did you get that information?

Physically the 390 and the 409 are identical except for the 409 runs a 4 bolt throttle body and the 390 ran a 3. Cam shafts are of a different profile between the two also. Most all the 390's were MEFI where as the 409 are all E-control except in 07.
Could you change your motor over to a 409? Yes you could but the cost will out weigh the benifits, Got that straight from PCM in 07 when I wanted to change my 196 over to a 409

[waz480]

Thanks for letting me know

Well atlest i know ,
I dont think i would be able to tell the difference anyway,
cheers,
waz,

[scuff97]

Acually if you look back at the 6.0L engines, they started in 2002. The original engines used the MEFI system and rated at 375 horse power. The same base was used in 2007 but the controller changed to Econtols and allowed fo the additonal horse power. Those were all LQ4 bases and used the three bolt throttle body. When the LY6 engine came about the throttle body did change to four bolt. The engine block itself looks the same but the intake, cam and heads have many differences and allowed for more horse power.