GO WITH “FULL BOLT ONS” TO ADD BIG POWER TO YOUR LS VEHICLE
INTRODUCTION
If you’re looking to add around 100 (CRANK) horsepower to your LS-powered vehicle, the right combination of bolt-ons and tuning can deliver impressive gains. If you buy the parts and install them yourself, then add a dyno tune, you can keep your budget around $2,350. If you pay a shop for the installation labor, your total is closer to $4,870. Focus on upgrades that improve airflow in and out of the engine and finish with a proper calibration.
1. Cold Air Intake ($300–$400)
A cold air intake is a great starting point for any LS build; they look good and sound good. Choose a well-insulated intake that keeps hot under-hood air out.
- Cost: $300–$400 (aFe, JLT, Holley)
- Gains: ~10 hp at high RPM (≈6,000+)
- Benefit: Better sound and a slight top-end increase; heat shielding helps maintain cooler IAT.
- Install time: 1–2 hours
2. Long Tube Headers ($700–$900)
Long tubes are one of the highest-value LS upgrades. The primary lengths/diameters are tuned for the scavenging effect: as exhaust leaves one cylinder it helps pull gases from the next, improving cylinder filling.
- Cost: $700–$900 (Speed Engineering, etc.)
- Gains: 20–30 hp
- Benefit: Stronger mid-to-top power, better tone, reduced backpressure.
- Install time: 4–8 hours
3. Cat-Back Exhaust ($400–$800)
Pair headers with a high-flow cat-back to reduce restrictions and complement the scavenging effect.
- Cost: $400–$800 (Magnaflow, Speed Engineering, Texas-Speed)
- Gains: 10–15 hp when paired with headers
- Benefit: Deeper sound, lower backpressure, a bit more power.
- Install time: 2–4 hours
4. Dyno Tune
After intake/headers/exhaust, a calibration ties it all together—optimizing AFR, ignition, torque management, and throttle behavior for safe, repeatable gains.
- Typical cost used in this example: $650
- Gains: 25–35 hp from the tune alone, plus “stacked” gains by optimizing all mods
- Benefit: Maximum performance with reliability and drivability
Installation Time and Service
Installing the full package (intake + long tubes + cat-back) typically takes 7–14 hours.
Labor rate: $180/hr
- Estimated labor range: $1,260–$2,520 (7–14 hours × $180/hr)
- Full-day example: $2,520 (14 hours × $180/hr)
Time varies by model, hardware, and corrosion/fasteners. Headers are the biggest variable.
Budget Breakdown
| Item | Cost (example) |
|---|---|
| Cold Air Intake | $300 |
| Long Tube Headers | $800 |
| Exhaust System | $600 |
| Dyno Tune (example) | $650 |
| Parts + Tune Subtotal | $2,350 |
| Labor (7–14 hrs @ $180/hr) | $1,260–$2,520 |
| Turnkey Total (parts + tune + labor) | $3,610–$4,870 |
Power Gains Summary
- Cold Air Intake: ~+10 hp (top end)
- Long Tube Headers: +20–30 hp (scavenging)
- Cat-Back Exhaust: +10–15 hp
- Tune: +25–35 hp (+ stacked optimization)
Conclusion
Adding ~100 horsepower to your LS is realistic with the right bolt-ons and a proper calibration. We can supply, install, and tune the complete package so everything works together—and sounds the part.
Pricing shown is for planning. Parts brands/options vary. If you’d like this tailored to your vehicle and goals, reach out—we’ll quote the combo that fits.