Saved for years, need opinions on what to build
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Car: '84 Z28/'82 Z28/'02 C5Z
Engine: 350 cam, boltons/350/cam boltons
Transmission: 700r4/700r4/M6
Axle/Gears: 3.73/3.43/3.43
Saved for years, need opinions on what to build
Been a long time since I've been on TGO on a serious note, glad to be back.
So here's the thing guys, bought a '84 Camaro Z28 when I was 16, and that was the beginning of me dumping money into going fast. Joined the military, modded a 99 Trans Am, she was beautiful and I regret selling her to this day. Sold her to buy a 02 Z06, she was fun. Traded her for a nice Duramax plus cash. Got out of the Army (6 years), and just now sold the truck and paid off all my debt. So after all that, putting a bunch in savings (married with a son now), buying a house (with a garage just for me ), getting the wife some nice things, I have approximately 6500 bucks that has been stamped APPROVED by the Mrs. for me to finally, finally, get around to rebuilding my high school car into the monster I've always dreamt it would be. AKA 400+ cube LS motor, T56 swap (its an auto), naturally aspirated, etc.
Now before everyone starts telling me 6.5k wont get me real far, I understand, it's just the beginning. I have time, and a dedicated area, I won't get the vehicle to me for a few months (away at the parents place), but I'm trying to start getting a build sheet together and something that resembles a plan. She needs some body work, and paint (I am hoping to get the equipment and do it myself), suspension work I'm sure, plus a rear end that will handle it etc.
After a few days of trying to figure out what size/type of motor I want to build I haven't made much head way. I know I want it NA, and over 400 cubes, somewhere around 550 to the groud. But I can't pin down a build that's the best bang for the buck. So I figured I'd open a thread, that's open to discussion. All opinions, biased or not, are welcome.
I don't have a bottomless pocket, but I am willing to do things slow, and correct.
Camaro will be driven 3-4 days a week, taken to the track a few times a year, I'd like her to be able to get up and move in a straight line, but also handle well on the street as well as make 1000 mile trips without blowing up. AC would be nice. As well as growing room in the future (boost).
... Damn I feel needy.
Thanks in advance guys
So here's the thing guys, bought a '84 Camaro Z28 when I was 16, and that was the beginning of me dumping money into going fast. Joined the military, modded a 99 Trans Am, she was beautiful and I regret selling her to this day. Sold her to buy a 02 Z06, she was fun. Traded her for a nice Duramax plus cash. Got out of the Army (6 years), and just now sold the truck and paid off all my debt. So after all that, putting a bunch in savings (married with a son now), buying a house (with a garage just for me ), getting the wife some nice things, I have approximately 6500 bucks that has been stamped APPROVED by the Mrs. for me to finally, finally, get around to rebuilding my high school car into the monster I've always dreamt it would be. AKA 400+ cube LS motor, T56 swap (its an auto), naturally aspirated, etc.
Now before everyone starts telling me 6.5k wont get me real far, I understand, it's just the beginning. I have time, and a dedicated area, I won't get the vehicle to me for a few months (away at the parents place), but I'm trying to start getting a build sheet together and something that resembles a plan. She needs some body work, and paint (I am hoping to get the equipment and do it myself), suspension work I'm sure, plus a rear end that will handle it etc.
After a few days of trying to figure out what size/type of motor I want to build I haven't made much head way. I know I want it NA, and over 400 cubes, somewhere around 550 to the groud. But I can't pin down a build that's the best bang for the buck. So I figured I'd open a thread, that's open to discussion. All opinions, biased or not, are welcome.
I don't have a bottomless pocket, but I am willing to do things slow, and correct.
Camaro will be driven 3-4 days a week, taken to the track a few times a year, I'd like her to be able to get up and move in a straight line, but also handle well on the street as well as make 1000 mile trips without blowing up. AC would be nice. As well as growing room in the future (boost).
... Damn I feel needy.
Thanks in advance guys
#2
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Car: 1989 GTA
Engine: LS coming soon
Transmission: 80E coming soon
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Re: Saved for years, need opinions on what to build
I'm at the same crossroad. I'm partial to the 6.2 do to having a L92 in a Sierra. Once tuned, and vvt tables adjusted it was amazing. I'm contemplating a 30over build with higher compression and a custom eps cam.
Please keep us updated.
Please keep us updated.
#3
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Car: 91 RS
Engine: LT1
Transmission: T56
Axle/Gears: 3.42 LSD
Re: Saved for years, need opinions on what to build
408 short blick:
http://www.summitracing.com/parts/hpe-sp37/overview/
GMPP CNC LS3 heads
http://www.summitracing.com/parts/nal-88958758
Add a decent cam and the parts to polish it off.
http://www.summitracing.com/parts/hpe-sp37/overview/
GMPP CNC LS3 heads
http://www.summitracing.com/parts/nal-88958758
Add a decent cam and the parts to polish it off.
#5
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Re: Saved for years, need opinions on what to build
Personally if I had the $6500 budget I would probably look for a crashed 99-02 firebird or camaro on co-part. The cars will have most of the items that you need. I picked one up for ~$3000 after all the fees and was able to sell off over $1000 worth of parts I didn't need.
It's only a start to your huge project but might save you some bucks in the long run.
It's only a start to your huge project but might save you some bucks in the long run.
Last edited by RamIt; 03-22-2016 at 02:04 PM.
#6
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Car: '84 Z28/'82 Z28/'02 C5Z
Engine: 350 cam, boltons/350/cam boltons
Transmission: 700r4/700r4/M6
Axle/Gears: 3.73/3.43/3.43
Re: Saved for years, need opinions on what to build
408 short blick:
http://www.summitracing.com/parts/hpe-sp37/overview/
GMPP CNC LS3 heads
http://www.summitracing.com/parts/nal-88958758
Add a decent cam and the parts to polish it off.
http://www.summitracing.com/parts/hpe-sp37/overview/
GMPP CNC LS3 heads
http://www.summitracing.com/parts/nal-88958758
Add a decent cam and the parts to polish it off.
Personally if I had the $6500 budget I would probably look for a crashed 99-02 firebird or camaro on co-part. The cars will have most of the items that you need. I picked one up for ~$3000 after all the fees and was able to sell off over $1000 worth of parts I didn't need.
It's only a start to your huge project but might save you some bucks in the long run.
It's only a start to your huge project but might save you some bucks in the long run.
Question for all: When it comes to a wiring harness, should I aim for a ls1 harness? or a truck harness? does it matter that much? I plan on rewiring it all myself.
Thanks
C.
#7
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Car: '89 Firebird
Engine: 7.0L
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Re: Saved for years, need opinions on what to build
The LS6 intake won't match up to LS3 heads because the port shapes are different. No loss to you really, because used LS6 intakes have gotten crazy expensive and they aren't even as good as an LS3 intake. The stock LS3 intake is so good that the aftermarket has a tough time doing better, and used intakes come with 42 lb/hr injectors. Easy choice for a guy on a budget, I think.
An iron block 6.0L truck Vortec engine is probably the most budget friendly engine to begin with. The iron block is really stout and you can add a stroker kit to it if you like. It will come with low compression cathedral port heads, similar to LS6 heads but larger combustion chamber. You can either keep those heads or slap on a set of LS3 heads. Turbo guys will be more than happy to buy your used heads.
You're going to have a really tough time building a 550 RWHP naturally aspirated engine + drivetrain + suspension for $6500. I'm looking at your screen name and it begs a question... would a 10.99 second time slip make you grin from ear to ear? If the answer is yes, then you can achieve that with a stock 6.0L block, good heads, and a good cam selection. Not everybody can do it but you can if you invest your time and think things through.
Just to put things in perspective, I have the engine you want and the engine alone was more than $6500 to complete. Things just add up that you didn't think about. For example, I bought a used FAST 102 for $800 (good deal at the time), but actually spent over $2000 by the time it had a throttle body, fuel rails, and injectors. I can give you more examples how things run into the multiple thousands that you didn't plan on. I would get a solid drivetrain and suspension under your car ($$$), and save money with a stockish 6.0L engine on this first round. Then you can always upgrade the engine later because you already have the building blocks for it.
An iron block 6.0L truck Vortec engine is probably the most budget friendly engine to begin with. The iron block is really stout and you can add a stroker kit to it if you like. It will come with low compression cathedral port heads, similar to LS6 heads but larger combustion chamber. You can either keep those heads or slap on a set of LS3 heads. Turbo guys will be more than happy to buy your used heads.
You're going to have a really tough time building a 550 RWHP naturally aspirated engine + drivetrain + suspension for $6500. I'm looking at your screen name and it begs a question... would a 10.99 second time slip make you grin from ear to ear? If the answer is yes, then you can achieve that with a stock 6.0L block, good heads, and a good cam selection. Not everybody can do it but you can if you invest your time and think things through.
Just to put things in perspective, I have the engine you want and the engine alone was more than $6500 to complete. Things just add up that you didn't think about. For example, I bought a used FAST 102 for $800 (good deal at the time), but actually spent over $2000 by the time it had a throttle body, fuel rails, and injectors. I can give you more examples how things run into the multiple thousands that you didn't plan on. I would get a solid drivetrain and suspension under your car ($$$), and save money with a stockish 6.0L engine on this first round. Then you can always upgrade the engine later because you already have the building blocks for it.
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#8
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Re: Saved for years, need opinions on what to build
My buddies 416 stroker made 509 whp thru a 6spd and 9" rear with bone stock ls3 heads and ls3 intake. Tooley stage 3 stroker cam i think. Very impressive and drives extremely well. A proper ported head likely could get nearer 550 whp and have manners. But it wont be cheap.
#9
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Car: 91 RS
Engine: LT1
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Re: Saved for years, need opinions on what to build
I second the idea of getting it running with a stock 6.0L, then going bigger later. (it is what I am currently doing)
#10
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Car: '84 Z28/'82 Z28/'02 C5Z
Engine: 350 cam, boltons/350/cam boltons
Transmission: 700r4/700r4/M6
Axle/Gears: 3.73/3.43/3.43
Re: Saved for years, need opinions on what to build
The LS6 intake won't match up to LS3 heads because the port shapes are different. No loss to you really, because used LS6 intakes have gotten crazy expensive and they aren't even as good as an LS3 intake. The stock LS3 intake is so good that the aftermarket has a tough time doing better, and used intakes come with 42 lb/hr injectors. Easy choice for a guy on a budget, I think.
An iron block 6.0L truck Vortec engine is probably the most budget friendly engine to begin with. The iron block is really stout and you can add a stroker kit to it if you like. It will come with low compression cathedral port heads, similar to LS6 heads but larger combustion chamber. You can either keep those heads or slap on a set of LS3 heads. Turbo guys will be more than happy to buy your used heads.
You're going to have a really tough time building a 550 RWHP naturally aspirated engine + drivetrain + suspension for $6500. I'm looking at your screen name and it begs a question... would a 10.99 second time slip make you grin from ear to ear? If the answer is yes, then you can achieve that with a stock 6.0L block, good heads, and a good cam selection. Not everybody can do it but you can if you invest your time and think things through.
Just to put things in perspective, I have the engine you want and the engine alone was more than $6500 to complete. Things just add up that you didn't think about. For example, I bought a used FAST 102 for $800 (good deal at the time), but actually spent over $2000 by the time it had a throttle body, fuel rails, and injectors. I can give you more examples how things run into the multiple thousands that you didn't plan on. I would get a solid drivetrain and suspension under your car ($$$), and save money with a stockish 6.0L engine on this first round. Then you can always upgrade the engine later because you already have the building blocks for it.
An iron block 6.0L truck Vortec engine is probably the most budget friendly engine to begin with. The iron block is really stout and you can add a stroker kit to it if you like. It will come with low compression cathedral port heads, similar to LS6 heads but larger combustion chamber. You can either keep those heads or slap on a set of LS3 heads. Turbo guys will be more than happy to buy your used heads.
You're going to have a really tough time building a 550 RWHP naturally aspirated engine + drivetrain + suspension for $6500. I'm looking at your screen name and it begs a question... would a 10.99 second time slip make you grin from ear to ear? If the answer is yes, then you can achieve that with a stock 6.0L block, good heads, and a good cam selection. Not everybody can do it but you can if you invest your time and think things through.
Just to put things in perspective, I have the engine you want and the engine alone was more than $6500 to complete. Things just add up that you didn't think about. For example, I bought a used FAST 102 for $800 (good deal at the time), but actually spent over $2000 by the time it had a throttle body, fuel rails, and injectors. I can give you more examples how things run into the multiple thousands that you didn't plan on. I would get a solid drivetrain and suspension under your car ($$$), and save money with a stockish 6.0L engine on this first round. Then you can always upgrade the engine later because you already have the building blocks for it.
My user name was created when I was 16, before I even purchased the Camaro haha. I don't want to get a new one because I figure one day, one day, I'll do what my juvenile self thought was a lot easier/cheaper than it is.
My buddies 416 stroker made 509 whp thru a 6spd and 9" rear with bone stock ls3 heads and ls3 intake. Tooley stage 3 stroker cam i think. Very impressive and drives extremely well. A proper ported head likely could get nearer 550 whp and have manners. But it wont be cheap.
The cheapest 400+ rotating assembly is $2500 once you add bearings and balancing, add another 3-500 for machine work, and you could save a little by doing the assembly by yourself, if not you're right back to the $3800.
I second the idea of getting it running with a stock 6.0L, then going bigger later. (it is what I am currently doing)
I second the idea of getting it running with a stock 6.0L, then going bigger later. (it is what I am currently doing)
$1975.00 for a basic forged assembly. Balanced. I plan on doing all maintenance myself, I have plenty of engine building experience. Mostly all GEN I SBC buy still haha. Definitely got me thinking about just doing 6.0 for starters though. It might be worth it to wait the extra 5-6 months it'd take me to save up the money and just do it right off the bat. Avoid pulling the engine (or car off the engine) and accompanying work. Care to tell me some about your build? details appreciated. or a thread link.
C.
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Car: 91 RS
Engine: LT1
Transmission: T56
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Re: Saved for years, need opinions on what to build
Check your link closely balancing is extra, and requires rod and main bearings. (I know, I've been eyeing the same one)
My build thread:
https://www.thirdgen.org/forums/ltx-...89-rs-lsx.html
My build thread:
https://www.thirdgen.org/forums/ltx-...89-rs-lsx.html
#12
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Car: '84 Z28/'82 Z28/'02 C5Z
Engine: 350 cam, boltons/350/cam boltons
Transmission: 700r4/700r4/M6
Axle/Gears: 3.73/3.43/3.43
Re: Saved for years, need opinions on what to build
Check your link closely balancing is extra, and requires rod and main bearings. (I know, I've been eyeing the same one)
My build thread:
https://www.thirdgen.org/forums/ltx-...89-rs-lsx.html
My build thread:
https://www.thirdgen.org/forums/ltx-...89-rs-lsx.html
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