Hey guys, I'm finding myself in the unpleasant position of being pulled in two different directions regarding what to do with my GTA - the first is to continue with the 383 Gen I build that was my original plan. The advantage to that is that I have already gotten many of the parts that I'd need:

a '91 L98 block in good shape;
a set of brand-new AFR 195s;
an HSR intake manifold;
as well as a double-roller chain & some of the other stuff needed to throw it all together.

The two biggest down-sides I can see to this are that you'd always be at a lower power level for the same mods, & the tuning seems to be a real PITA. (It seems that I've seen a LOT of guys absolutely beating their heads into the wall trying to get their L98s to run well once they depart significantly from stock.)

My other alternative is to go the route outlined in these two articles:

Link 1

Link 2

I'd actually decided to go the 2nd route (6.0 w/ L92 heads), but that presents a number of obstacles as well - headers (I'm not going to spend $800 on headers!), wire harness modding/fabrication (one person's said it's not that bad?), as well as the higher costs - I'd need a better radiator for the higher HP level, etc. Also, I haven't even heard of an EFI intake that'll fit those heads & still clear a stock hood. The ultimate plan is to have a T-56 behind whatever engine I choose.

I've drawn some inspiration from ghettocruiser's and 6.LIROC-Z's rides, & I was stoked about going in that direction - but I was planning on using this "off-season" to do that, & now it looks like I'll be going in for a 2nd abdominal surgery pretty soon, so I'm not sure how much fabbing I'll be up to.

BTW, my GTA isn't a daily driver, just my "warm-weather toy" so to speak. I do have an enclosed garage, as well as some of the basic tools I'd need for either job (welder, saws, etc.). I'll also have a budget of about $10k or so, maybe a little more if I were to sell the current L98, heads, intake, 700R4 etc. that are on the car now. (Although judging by the "For Sale" forum, heads aren't selling so well at the moment...)

I guess I'd just like to see some pro/con arguments for either side, and to find out if anyone has answers to the questions above.

Thanks guys, I appreciate your taking the time to read this, & any responses.

 

I like the 6.0l choice If I had it to do ALL over again I would have bought a GEN III motor. But no budget for it, with 10k that should get it done.

 

Thanks for the response. I'm a little bit surprised that no one else has chimed in, is there more info I should've given??

 

The L76 intake will fit those heads, and comes complete from GM with the injectors for about $500. I believe the new LS3 intake will fit also.

 

Yeah like Jim said Im pretty sure their are intake options for ya. Is there any reason you'd go with the 6.0L Iron block over an LS1 all alum set up? Or even an LS2?

Only reason I ask, is because for 10k, you could build one heck of an LS1. Or you could do 406... For your budget, if all you are doing is motor/trans/rear, you'd be in pretty good shape to put something nasty together.

Yeah...headers suck. I know 800 sounds like a lot for a set from Hawks, but honestly, if you want long tubes, its the way to go. You are getting a really nice set of headers for that price, and you dont have to worry about them rusting. You could build your own, but after you are done I have a feeling the 800 wouldnt seem so bad.

Wiring is cake man...Ide worry about that the least. There is plenty of support here and over on ls1tech for setting up the harness, as well as a few aftermarket pre-made harnesses that are available.

You could do a stroker with your current block, but you seem to know the downsides of that. Tuning is the biggest in my opinion. Especially after you build the stroker, go through all that tuning, have so-so driveabilty and mpg...then realize a stock LS1 with maybe a few add ons is at the same power level for the same amount of money or less...and its completely reliable, driveable, and gets some of the best MPG in the sports car industry. Atleast with a T-56 backing it up. Although, you mentioned that this isnt your daily driver, and is just a toy. So driveabilty and MPG might not be a concern for ya.

You mentioned that you might not be up to doing much fabbing. The only fabbing you really HAVE to do is a y-pipe. Mounts bolt in, trans crossmember bolts in. If you WANT a/c you can get brackets to make your stock compressor work. Or you have to do some fabbing on the stock k-member. So really, there isnt a ton of fab work at all. If you know a decent exhaust shop, they can whip you up a y-pipe easily I imagine.

My best advice to you, since you seem to be exploring other options then just the basic LS platform, is to spend some time over on ls1tech. Talk to some of the guys who have built the 6.0s or have used the combos that you are thinking of. Because either way...the actual swap is going to be basically the same.

Try to narrow down your engine choice and make your pick. Then we can help you and give you feed back for the motor build and for the actual swap.

Justin

 

Thanks for the feedback guys.

I've tried to do a little bit of research on the L76 intake, but so far haven't found anything (haven't had much time, actually). I'd guess that the LS3 intake should definitely flow enough for what I'm looking to do though! (If anyone happens to have part numbers, that'd be highly appreciated, but if not, I can dredge 'em up...)

Justin, the reason that I'm going with the iron block is that it has the larger bore than the LS1. Also, I'm old enough to remember the alum. engine blocks in the Vega, & although the LS1's been around for a decade now (& seems to be doing wonderfully!), that was enough to leave me just a bit uneasy w/ aluminum blocks. (Although I could probably find a way to get over that if someone were to give me an LS7! )

Basically, I'm trying to decide between the "new" 6L & the "classic" 383. I'd want some level of driveability, since my wife & I take part in cruises with our local F-body group, so that's had me leaning toward the 6L - that & the increased fuel efficiency.

I'm also not too sure about how to pick a cam for the new engine, which sucks because I'd educated myself on the Gen-I style, then picked out a set of characteristics that I figured would give me what I wanted. When I had someone "run the numbers" on their desktop dyno program, the torque curve came out looking just like I'd hoped it would!

I know that the new engines are more efficient, & flow noticeably better, but how does that affect cam selection? I'm thinking about a T-56 & 3.73s behind it, but the rear gear is open to a bit of debate...

Thanks again guys, any & all constructive feedback is much appreciated.

(BTW - I may not respond to this thread again for a couple days, going to be taking care of something that needs to be dealt with. But will respond ASAP when I get back. Thanks again.)