Since my wife won't let me go turbo I'm going to go for a good n/a setup on a relatively small budget. My car had been a blast to drive, and the current setup has yielded me generous numbers on the dyno, but I'm really getting the itch.


I have a friend that is selling me his 5.3L heads for $50. I'm going to have them ported and milled and get the CR up to 11.5-12. It's currently 10.6:1. I have forged pistons in it already with valve reliefs so I won't need to worry about PTV clearance with the MS4 cam.

I'm also going to get a ported TB for now until I can scrape together the funds for FAST intake/TB combo. I'd also like to do a make-your-own 4" MAF using the LS7 MAF and the Spectre MAF housing.


Current numbers are 420/407. With the above mods I'd like to be closer to 475/450. After I get the intake and tb combo I'd really like to see 500 at the wheels.

Next winter I'll start looking at wet nitrous kits. This stuff should hold me over for a summer anyways

Oh and the car will be getting painted over the winter too, otherwise I'd have a lot more money to play around with lol

 

Sounds like a pretty stout set up! good thing you have that 8.8 u are putting in your car. i dont see my 10 bolt going to last since i am putting my procharger on next month!

 

Way to make a sick car even better!

I have always LOVED your 'vert and its part of the reason im in the middle of trying to get an '89 Vert. Its got the 305 and an auto in it right now but ill be saving my pennies for an LQ4/4L60 swap.

Cant wait to see what it puts down after the new mods!

 

You wont see over 500 rwhp on stock heads staying at 364ci. Aftermarket heads will be a must to reach 500. 475 is a good attainable number with the 5.3's ported by t.e.a. Or advance induction. A 243 would be the best head for your 6.0 imo. Im making 463 with the stage 3 shaved .040 317's. And a 243 head of the same port job would make 10ish more hp because of the better designed combustion chamber. Ive looked into this alot!

 

If I don't hit 500 on stock ported heads, that's what nitrous is for


Oh and I already have the 8.8 in, it's broken in and everything. I love it!

 

Love my 8.8 also. Id go with a nitrous outlet kit! Very nice stuff! Fast 90/92, ur cam, and the 2.5 5.3 heads will get you in the 460-470 range. And hit it with a 100/125/150. Im gonna put a 125 back on mine when I grow a set and finally decide to spray it... 2 kits and the soleniods never even saw voltage.

 

Just don't look at the numbers on the new Camaro ZL1 Nick... you might decide to up your goals

 

The new ZL1 has a much bigger displacement


My long term goal is the 454 LSX block, but I'm taking baby steps here.

 

LS3 or L92 heads (cost as must as the fast intake) get a LS3 intake and a cam and you will put some power down the 5.3 heads will work on the 6.0 but remember they are not full 4 inch bore they work good on the LS1 motors but I dont know with the LQ motors

if anything dont get the fast get a LS6 intake the fast is not worth the money when the cash can go elsewhere.

L92 heads get them milled if needed
LS3 intake
GM showroom stock cam
I bet you get close to 500 hp NA

 

I have seen TONS of threads of fast 90/92 intakes making 10-20 more hp through the entire rpm range. As for heads... A ls3/L92 head will work but you will have to change cams as you are limited by the 2.16 intake valve. my opinion is stated above... As it takes more than alot of people think to make 500 rwhp. Money being the biggest thing... And as you stated nitrous works wonders! Id bet it makes close to 600 ftlb on the bottle on even a 100.

 

Lq4 l92 heads show room stock cam edelbrock intake with a 750 carb made 505 hp 3700 total cost including buying all new parts for the lq4 and gaskets where he is at right now he just needs the head 1000 dollars assembled and cam 360 ls3 intake ? dont know the price

Im not saying the fast makes power its just not worth the price and they have done comparisons where the fast was just barely over the stock LS6 intake not 1200 dollers worth of a difference

 

That crank hp or rwhp? Im referring to rwhp.

 

http://m.ls1tech.com/forums/showthread.php?t=1463669

 

http://www.carcraft.com/techarticles...s/viewall.html

http://www.gmhightechperformance.com...s/viewall.html

and its not a 2.16 intake valve size its 2.20/1.61

hands down they are out performing every head out there 50 more hp than the ls2 and they are working great on the 6.0s

 

I think I'd go for LS3/L92 head conversion as well simply for the major savings on the FAST and TB. The stock LS3 intake will outperform a FAST and they come 90mm. The head conversion is a bit pricier due to the rocker arm swap etc but even unported they outflow the all but the BEST of the best in cathedral heads. The downside is you will probably have to re-cam to make the most out of them as Im not sure how well the MS4 will work on the square port LS3 heads. There are a LOT of 6.0L builds running the LS3 head conversion that are in the 475whp range though. IIRC PatG did one recently that was cam only and just crested 500 with all the correct supporting mods though.

Either way its going to be a tallllll order to hit 500whp with only 6.0L of displacement.... Speaking of which you could get an Eagle stroker kit and do a 414 cid pretty reasonably.... Blah where does it end....

 

and if you have the 317s on it now you can get a couple hundred for them so thats a plus

 

Just a couple of quick notes:


- I'm already running an LS6 intake
- I haven't checked in the price of the LS3/L92 combo, but would be willing to check into it if you guys think it would be better
- My reasoning for the 5.3 heads is because I'm getting them for $50 and know a guy that ports heads and could get it done very cheaply
- No showroom stock cam is going in my car, not now, not ever. I like the bumpity-bump

-Does anyone know what cubic inch I'd be at if I left the bore alone and just threw in a stroker crank? I've got a lot of money invested in my rotating assembly (forged stuff) but with a stock crank. I'd hate to go through another $4,000 rebuild if I can avoid it.

 

stock bore with a 4.000 stroke crankshaft makes a 402. .030 over wit hthe 4.000 crank makes a 408. if you went the 402 route id do the ls3 heads... the valves are easier to control being they are lighter than l92 valves(ls2 heads vs. ls6 heads)... you still have my statements above...

 

How can your wife have say over what you do to your car? Just wondering.

 

lol you'd be amazed what the wife's have control over ....

you do this...

she does this

 

Hard to say if you could stroke those rods and pistons much. Usually its a complete rotating assembly but it really depends on what rods and pistons you have in there already and I cant tell you what fits what off the top of my head that would be a question for the manufacturer me thinks.

The LS3 heads are pretty tough to beat imo. They are tricky to cam vs cathedrals though so if you go this route make sure you get a cam thats proven for them. Texas Speed, Vengeance, or my pick EPS would be the way to go for a cam. The 5.3 heads ( depending on year ) are really only advantageous for the compression bump you get. The 243 heads ( which come on later 5.3's anyways ) are the best factory cathedral casting to start with. 799 is also the same as 243 fyi if your shopping. They can usually be bought for around 300 for a pr new unported. The LS3 head has come up in price somewhat over what they used to go for. Its been a while since I checked and im too lazy to search right now but they are around 5-600 pr complete with valves and springs or thereabouts.

I think the biggest issue is that your already in the magic zone for power levels out of the 6.0L so each HP you chase now will start to cost considerably more. Although boosting it will cost quite a bit more the return on power levels would be FAR greater in terms of hp per buck. If you do a stroker kit maybe you want to start fresh and selll your set up? Im sure it would bring good coin and you could step into a 414 or bigger LS3 that will make 500 whp with ease. 550 at the extreme. Or if you go all out a local guy just did 704 whp NA on a 455 LSX with Harrop etc. I'd hate to guess what he spent but there was no expense spared

 

lol someone doesnt have a lady in their life that controls the bank account.

My fiance says i can buy what i want but in turn have to buy her something.

Might be trading her DD for an 89 'vert and it will get the lq4 treatment just as Bluezee's car. Ill have to buy her a DSLR camera then ill be free and clear to do the swap lol

 

I'm a merchant marine so I spend months on a boat with no where to spend the money. Just sits in the bank pretty much. My dad is one too and every now and again packages will show up from UPS for his truck or new stuff for the house. Mom doesn't care since money is always in the bank to pay for the bills.

I have a lady but she doesnt control the bank. If and when we do have a joint account I will always have a side one for me. Main one will be for bills and such. I have always told her I will buy all the toys I want as long as the bills are paid for. I just can't imagine not being able to buy what I want if I have the money for it. Just my own opinion.

 

Let's try to keep this focused on the car and not women. I respect my wife and she has been supportive of everything I've done with the car including the very large sum of money that came out of our savings account the last two years for my swap. I'm not going to do anything she doesn't want me to do and cause problems with us over a car. She could have asked me to sell it like a lot of other married couples that are just getting started on their own but she let me keep it and throw a crap ton of money at it.


Back on topic please, thanks

 

2.5 5.3 heads, ms4 cam, fast 90/92/102

 

Have you seen this thread?:
http://ls1tech.com/forums/generation...heads-cam.html

I was amazed at your combo, and to be honest I wouldn't screw with what you already have going unless you plan to throw some serious cash in it. But if I were you, ported 243's(lighter valves) and some lighter weight rockers. Reduced valvetrain weight is always good for a few extra rpm and ponies.

But the extra torque from a stroker kit would get that heavy little sucker moving a bit quicker.

Or you could wait until we see some numbers from 1ADan's swap?

 

I'd love to have the 102, but that's a lot of $ that I have right now, but is dedicated to the paint job so it's off limits. Maybe after the car is painted I will get one.

I forget what Dan's setup is going to be. I'll check back into it.

I hadn't read that thread before fwiw.

I'm starting to like the idea of just doing a stroker crank with my rods and pistons.

 

Your pistons should come out of the holes with trying to do a stock height piston with a stroker crankshaft. You'd need a 4in stroke piston. port the heads and get a nice intake and make up the other hp with a 100 shot

 

Good to know, thanks. Someone else mentioned selling the whole long block and picking up a 408 that's already done, but that's a bit drastic (at this moment anyway). I think if I can get 475rwhp out of her it will keep me satisfied for another year after the car gets painted, then I can see about switching out blocks for something bigger.

I've nearly lost track of how much money is just in my engine, I wonder what it would sell for with only 2,000-3,000 miles on it.

 

what are the specs on the rods and pistons im in the market but im building a turbo motor so if anything just the rods

 

My tuners old ls1 corvette, 230/236 cam, stage 2 243 tea ported heads and a ported fast 90 made 476 in the flordia heat... So it can be done. His (no money pinching) Ls1 camaro made 497 through a 9' and slicks. If your pinching about money id get some heads and an intake and spray it. You have forged pistons so a 150 would be whatd id go with. I have set my goal at 500 rwhp n/a but I plan on going with tfs 225 heads, my 230/238 eps cam and have my 102 ported. 500 is attainable with cathedral port heads but they are gonna have to be aftermarket castings.

 

has this car been down the 1/4 yet?

 

Yea, only one run. 25mph @ 32 seconds or something like that. The only run I got in was the one that broke the axle in my 10 bolt.

 

Am i the only one curious what bluezee is doing for paint? I Know your car looks good already but whacha got in mind for her? I Dont know anything about lsx other than I Want one and cant offord it.

 

I'll have a nice tease preview for everyone in a month. My dads using the same paint scheme but on a purple haze convertible. We dropped it off with the painter last weekend.

Imagine the look of brushed steel, and that's what the 25th anniversary heritage stripes will look like. There's a little more to it than this, but it gets your imagination going.

 

You can spend money on heads and intake but you already make decent power. What you really need to make your car haul is change those gears and work on the suspension to improve your launch. Races are won at the line and not on the dyno. The new cars coming out these days are not shy on HP. You've got to focus on your 60' time if you want to stay ahead of the pack.

 

truer words were never spoken. i'll take my sub-400rwhp numbers any day knowing i have 1.4x 60' potential!

 

I have a solid rear end with 4.10 gears, rod ended adjustable lca's, rod ended adjustable phb, rod ended adjustable torque arm, and two sets of sfc's. The only thing I haven't done is coil overs.

I've done my homework and built the car from the ground up

 

8.8 in a third gen for the win! Im thinking of doing a 4.10 in my junk.. why not just keep your 317's on the car and add a fast intake and spray it.. 420 on a basic cam only 6.0 is impressive.

 

The reason for ditching the 317's is because the Magic Stick cams really like compression, and they work very well with spray. I want to bump the compression from 10.6 to 11.5-ish. I think the best way to bump the compression would be to swap for a smaller bore head and port them out to get max flow out of them.

I am thrilled that it put down 420 cam-only, but it needs more. This car is heavy...I'm trying to take out small things here and there, starting with the subwoofers and amp in the trunk. I'm not going to get crazy and toss the bumper supports and crap like that, that's just not safe. That's how my friend got his '96 SS down to 3,020 lbs.

 

just tell the wife that you wil piece together a turbo kit and it will take longer but its what you want in the end

worked with mine

 

I'm actually more excited about this paint job than I was planning a turbo build. I'll mak it wicked fast it's just going to take a little longer.

A friend of mine has an '02 SS with a 408 stroker, AFR 225 heads, a big cam and a fast intake. Naturally aspirated it put down 535rwhp.

 

putting these things on the car doesn't magically make it 60'. go talk to the guys on the drag racing board who have done nothing but throw parts at the cars and are still not 60' right.

i'm not implying that you're not doing your homework, nor that you've built the car from the ground up. i've read most all of your posts. just cause i don't post a lot in your threads doesn't mean i don't read them.

i'm just saying, that if you get a sticky tire on the car, and go make some hits with what you have, you might be suprised of some stuff. one is that it's not quite setup right and could use some adjustment, the other is that you can go pretty dang fast with the hp you have. you have the advantage of a 6spd, so you can get pretty crazy with it before it isn't streetable. put a good clutch in it and a 2step and HOLD THE EFF ON!!! lol!

 

Why no turbo?

 

I had a t56 383 lt4 it made 550 to the rear with a spec stage 3 clutch I had 0 yes zero dollars in my suspension with nitto 555 dr 315 35 17 I cut 1.6 60' all day at the track no 2 step nothing just my right foot and I mean my suspension was stock like 8 years old oem replacement stock

all those guys that throw money forget its the driver too that makes a car I know one of those guys I raced his 700hp cobra and beat him because he cant shift and is an idget so he sells it and gets a z06 throws another 40k at it gets 800plus hp still gets beat by lesser cars

 

550 to the ground with a clutch car should go bottom 1.4x's...you were no where near optimized.

 

Wife put the foot down lol. Id like to go back turbo.. But probably never will.

 

The local 1/4 mile track closed last year but is supposed to be getting opened up again next year. I don't really dig race much if you catch my drift. 60' times wouldn't mean a whole lot to me.

 

roll racing is for folks who can't make their car work if you get my drift

have your car reach for the sky once, and you'll never want to do roll racing again.

 

I get your drift, but I'm a little gun-shy with my stock driveshaft still