mid 400s help
05-10-2010, 12:36 AM
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mid 400s help I just bought a 99 trans am 6 speed. Its completely stock. Its my daily driver so I dont wanna build it too crazy. I wanna get it in the mid or low 400rhwp. What should I do for that. I owned 3 mustang gt's in the past and this is my first ls1, so I have no idea what to do. I have a budget of around $2500 maybe $3000 is this possible with this budget. Thanks for any advice.
05-10-2010, 01:31 AM
#2
There are a couple different approaches that could be taken, depending on how mild/wild you're looking to go.
With that budget, a premium cyl head can't really be considered (AFR, Trickflow), but PRC, Patriot, and TEA have good entry-level heads. Depending on how deep into the 400's you want to go will determine your cam selection (plans for the car should also be considered, i.e. daily driver or track use).
Don't forget about supporting items, like valvesprings, pushrods, maybe replacement lifters (depending on mileage), a better clutch/master cyl, possibly gears (depending on cam size), full exhaust, oil pump, at LEAST an ls6 intake (98-00 ls1's came w/ the crappy ls1 intake), gaskets, and of course, a good tune.
A plethora of info can be found via the search^^, and that should help you narrow down exactly what route would suit your needs best.
With that budget, a premium cyl head can't really be considered (AFR, Trickflow), but PRC, Patriot, and TEA have good entry-level heads. Depending on how deep into the 400's you want to go will determine your cam selection (plans for the car should also be considered, i.e. daily driver or track use).
Don't forget about supporting items, like valvesprings, pushrods, maybe replacement lifters (depending on mileage), a better clutch/master cyl, possibly gears (depending on cam size), full exhaust, oil pump, at LEAST an ls6 intake (98-00 ls1's came w/ the crappy ls1 intake), gaskets, and of course, a good tune.
A plethora of info can be found via the search^^, and that should help you narrow down exactly what route would suit your needs best.
05-10-2010, 01:43 AM
#3
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You shouldn't need heads to get into the 400's. On my 99 stalled auto with the small tr224 .563/.563 lift i'm at almost 380 to the wheels, full boltons also too.
But squirts is right with the supporting items, i built mine for about 3500 but i also bought a nitrous setup and that price includes the fuel system stuff i upgraded etc. etc.. Alot of the parts were used too. The classified section here is pretty awesome
But squirts is right with the supporting items, i built mine for about 3500 but i also bought a nitrous setup and that price includes the fuel system stuff i upgraded etc. etc.. Alot of the parts were used too. The classified section here is pretty awesome
Last edited by 89tang; 05-10-2010 at 04:38 AM.
05-10-2010, 02:03 AM
#6
Go for used stock LS6/243 heads and small to mid size cam. I've spent $1500-1800 so far w/ new EPS cam/ls7 lifters/LS2 trays/ pushrods/ timing chain,gear/ comp com 918s/comp cam triunion stock rockers upgrade kit/LS6 oil pump/used 243 heads/gaskets-bolts/tools for this project. Just waiting for all of them to arrive.
And then you have to get it tuned.
And then you have to get it tuned.
05-10-2010, 02:09 AM
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Go for used stock LS6/243 heads and small to mid size cam. I've spent $1500-1800 so far w/ new EPS cam/ls7 lifters/LS2 trays/ pushrods/ timing chain,gear/ comp com 918s/comp cam triunion stock rockers upgrade kit/LS6 oil pump/used 243 heads/gaskets-bolts/tools for this project. Just waiting for all of them to arrive.
And then you have to get it tuned.
And then you have to get it tuned.
Well if you run into a deal like that it's doable
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There is a guy in the FS section selling his 243 heads for $400 right now. 
05-10-2010, 04:11 AM
#11
$180 SS headers
$30 manual 3.5" cutout
$300 Fast 78 intake ported to 85mm
$180 Professional products 85mm t/b
$400 243 heads (self 5 angle valve job)
$50 milled .020" for 11:1 compression
$700-900 Custom BRE cam kit
$210 powerbond underdrive pulley kit (not really needed kind of poor hp / $$ )
Spending $1000's less than most cnc ported head / cam setups and making more tq = priceless
444 rwhp / 414 rwtq with a 224 cam
$30 manual 3.5" cutout
$300 Fast 78 intake ported to 85mm
$180 Professional products 85mm t/b
$400 243 heads (self 5 angle valve job)
$50 milled .020" for 11:1 compression
$700-900 Custom BRE cam kit
$210 powerbond underdrive pulley kit (not really needed kind of poor hp / $$ )
Spending $1000's less than most cnc ported head / cam setups and making more tq = priceless
444 rwhp / 414 rwtq with a 224 cam
05-10-2010, 11:20 PM
#13
Be brutally honest with others when discussing exactly what you're looking for out of this setup, as you don't want to be tearing it apart a few months later to redo it...(Damn...that sounds familiar...
) 
05-11-2010, 12:06 AM
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Im not trying to build a drag car, I want this as my daily driver still want it to have pretty good drivability. I wanna hope to get around the same numbers as Nitroused383
05-12-2010, 03:50 PM
#20
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Ed8s0ovoQDU