Blk_'01_Z06

I've spent a few months reading tons of posts and articles while trying to decide on a build for my 2001 Z06. While I haven't decided on a bunch of the particulars, I think I've got a general direction figured out.

Here's what I've got so far for bolt-ons:

American Racing 1 7/8" Headers w/ Hi-Flow cats
GHL Bullet exhaust
Halltech KBII C5 conversion kit
Ported LS2 Throttle Body
Fast 92mm Intake

Convert LS6 to 383:

Forged 4.000" Dragonslayer crankshaft
Callies Compstar 6.125" I-Beam rods
Wiseco or Diamond piston set
ECS Big Blower Cam
TEA stage 2 stock 243 heads (or aftermarket heads)
LS9 head gasket
ARP 2000 Head studs
Coated Main & Rod Bearings
Melling high volume oil pump
LS7 Lifters/Trays
C5R Timing Chain
Hardened Chromeoly Pushrods

Keep compression ratio around 9.0:1 or 9.5:1 for future S/C, probably an ECS SC2000 Supercharger kit.

Matching drivetrain upgrades to handle power:
RPM Level V T-56 Rebuild (or Tick Super T-56 Rebuild)
RPM Level IV Differential Rebuild

I had a couple of questions if anyone would like to chime in:

Will the LS9 head gasket work with a stock bore LS6 block and stock head bore? I've heard it will, but I'm not sure.

Will the ported 243 heads be sufficient, or would something like the AFR 210 or 230 heads be better?

I'm hoping for somewhere between 800-1000 rwhp for street only, it would pretty much never see a drag strip or autocross course. I do have fun with it, but I wouldn't qualify it as beating on it, and I wouldn't expect that to change in the future.

I am completely open to any comments/suggestions/criticisms. But go easy, I'm new to this.

2000PewterT/A

Personally if I was going for that power goal I would go with a iron block 408.

RTBenny

I probably agree. Lots of people like to go iron block for its strength and then never really need it but this build could legitimately use one. I wouldn't even bore it over, just build an iron 402. And the Novi 2000 in that kit would make 800whp easily, but 1000 would be working it hard.

garygnu

agreed ,a ls2 base stroker with ls3 heads.

ckpitt55

iTrader: (4)

in for progress, this is gonna be nasty

Blk_'01_Z06

I thought about doing that as well, going with the iron block for strength.

I talked to Seth @ ERL thru email after meeting him @ LS Fest this year, and the other option I was considering was pulling the LS6 block and sending it to ERL to have them install SD I iron sleeves. For FI later, he recommended going no bigger than a 4.125" bore w/ a 4.125" stroke to make a 441. Forging that bottom end and throwing an F1 Procharger or Novi on top should definitely get me to my hp goals, but those changes with the corresponding drivetrain upgrades bumps the cost up a good bit over the 383.

Oh well, nobody said this was a cheap hobby.

RTBenny

Please don't think I'm being a douche but have you ever driven or ridden in a 800+whp car? Really don't mean anything by that, it's just that a lot of people don't realize how much even 400whp really is (I didn't always know myself). You may have been in a lot of them or even owned them before and I may be wasting my breath. People just often get tied up in numbers so much they don't realize they can build a ground pounding car they'll enjoy for a lot less.

96capricemgr

iTrader: (1)

I think asking about how much power he has experienced is a legitimate question when he says street only. I have a car that in street trim trunk full of normal stuff is easily 43-4400lbs and maybe a little over 400rwhp and at 45mph the street tires break loose for a moment if you punch it. 1000lbs less weight and twice the HP I can't see being remotely useable on the street even with a DOT drag tire.

anthony soprano

iTrader: (1)

Are there any general boost limits that should be considered with the shorter compression height and/or tighter ring pack of the stroker piston?

Blk_'01_Z06

Absolutely no offense taken, it's a completely valid question.

I have been in several different cars with higher horsepower (500+), driving one or two and pulling shotgun in the rest, but nothing in the realm of the 800 range yet.

Although I got no driving time, I spent a season working on a Pro Mod Nitrous car pit crew, pushing around 2000+ hp with a Fulton 762 ci block, running high 3.8's @ 200 in the 1/8th. Father raced a 468 in a 68 Nova for many years, and brother is currently in progress with a LQ9 build with a 600 hp target in a slammed S-10. So I'm kind of the last one to the table in my family on this one, but this is my first LS motor.

And I need to confess, after I reread my original post, I did misstate myself on one major point. This car will be mostly street (DD if I feel like it, lifted Tundra if I don't), but I also plan on hitting the 1/8th several times each year, and the 1/4 if I can find time to make the 5 hour round trip to the nearest one. There are also 2-4 half mile runs within a few hours ride each year (wannagofast.com) that I will be attending, beginning in the spring.

I posted this same question on the CorvetteForum site, and got one answer, so I appreciate the questions and comments.

RTBenny

That's cool man. You've been around speed enough. When I was younger, I'd read about 1000 horsepower Supras and Vipers and thought that's what it took to be fast. I turned 16 and starting getting out on the scenes and to the track and realized those cars are few and far in between. Most are dynoqueens that sit in garages and never turn a wheel in anger. Sitting at 500whp now, I can honestly say 600whp is about as much as I'll ever need. Especially through an auto (also thought I'd never want), picking off rich ****** in their exotics gets easier everyday.

Blk_'01_Z06

Yeah, I've been around it a pretty good bit, but it's still a different animal planning for yourself than working on someone else's.

That's one reason I keep swinging back to the ERL 441, with a good set of heads and other upgrades, it should make around 550-600 rwhp naturally aspirated. I may get that far and say "Enough" for something that spends a good bit of time on the street.

We'll have to see, but either way, it's gonna be a ton of fun.

ls68firebird

I have personally been in a legit 700rwp, big cube 3,500# street car. All i can say is Worthless on the street. couldn't hook it up. Had to idle it off the start and hope the pavement held when you hit it. On the other hand, smoke shows were quick and awesome. Sounds cool when you're talking to your friends but when you go to pass some one on the highway and it "steps out", it will make you think twice. Buddy had a mid 90's stang with 520rwhp - that was a blast but almost too much too much too on anything but fresh pavement. Just my two cents worth. But if the track days (1/8 th, 1/4 and 1/2 miles) are what you want then 800 would be fun.

edit: yes the 3,500lb car had ladder bars and hooked like a freighttrain on the track. Too much dirt, gravel, oil etc. on the roads today. and if the road is even remotely wet from dew or frost, leave it in the garage.