LS1TORQ

iTrader: (1)

I'm doing a head and cam swap this winter on a BUDGET. I'm having trouble deciding which route to go.

1. Stock 243 heads, PP double valvesprings, Patrick G Custom cam (230/230 .600+ lift on 111 lsa) Cometics .040 gasket, 11.0-11.5:1 SCR and below 8.5 DCR.

2. The Patriot "Package", CNC'd 243 heads, 225/229 .580 .590 on 112 lsa. I would bump the compression up as well to around similar levels as above.

The problem is the Patriot package is only $145 dollars more. From what i can tell the two combos would make around the same power (But Im not too sure). The difference is the Patriot Package would be more docile and I could later swap to a bigger cam to make even more power. I have been researching and planning for the Patrick G combo and feel real strong about it while the Patriot Package I'm iffy.

If i used the Patriot CNC'd heads and a custom cam it would be 400 dollars more. The problem is then I would be really needing to upgrade my fuel system. Plus I need to do other supporting mods like headers and a intake manifold.

I'm looking for a great daily driver setup that makes great power from 2.5k-6.4k. I want to be shifting at 6400 to 6500 rpms (its a 98 and I want it to stay together).

LS1TORQ

iTrader: (1)

Im looking for around 420 rwhp or more with a strong curve (Good mid range).

418redz28

iTrader: (10)

i would go with the 2nd setup but with the cam on the first set up. if u look at some dyno graphs some cars are making just that with a cam. Thunder racing has the trex. so far the best they have got out of it was 451. its a very large cam but the power is awsome!

itsjustaSB

iTrader: (13)

go with the ported 243s and 40 mils their a great head for what you want and the 230 cam i run almost the same setup and am very pleased with it great mid range and a killer top end its even good down low but my car isnt down their much haha you will like it and youll meet your goal of 420 no problem with a good tune you wont have any drivability problems

LS1TORQ

iTrader: (1)

418Redz28,
I agree with you that I should really do a custom cam with the CNC'd heads but that would be more money. While this option isn't completely out of the question I need to figure out my budget and all.

ItsjustaSB,
Glad to hear, I have seen you around here and noticed your setup. Do you have a graph or any numbers. Your 11.8 you ran in your sig what tires where you on?

LS1TORQ

iTrader: (1)

I know my first post is long, but its complicated. advice please!!

PREDATOR-Z

First you might want to do a compression test and leakdown on your motor to find out its health status. Otherwise you might be spending all that money and have the block fail shortly afterwards.

Then if motor is healthy, I would do bolt ons first (unless you can afford all mods together), you allready have tranny and rear taken care of.

Shop around for packages, PP is one and there are some others that offer cam/heads packages at attractive prices.

Patrick G's cam is a good one

Bottom line having a 98 block, it is wise to determine if the block is in good status and a definite plus to change the rod bolts (Katech are my favorite) if you plan to spin reliably beyond 6200 rpm

itsjustaSB

iTrader: (13)

i was on et streets it made 430 hp 410 trq i have graphs and movies but cant figure out how to post them up on the site i asked awhile ago and got no help

Sigforty

I would stick with gm mls gaskets over the cometic ones and just mill the heads a little to bump compression. if you find a good gm deal their gaskets are 35 dollars a set compared to 160 for cometics.

LS1TORQ

iTrader: (1)

418redz28, wow that great power!! I always see such good numbers coming from stock 243 heads so that kinda why im going this route.

Predator i did do a compression test last night everything looked good, im not 100% though so ill post up my results soon (im at work and dont have time now). Also like i said i plan on setting the rev-limiter at 6.5k so I didn't think rods bolts were necessary. really i only need this engine to last 2 1/2 more years til im out of college. The motor does have 130k+ with the first 100k put on by a 40 year old women.

Sigforty, yes MLS gaskets would be cheaper but running the Cometics and unmilled heads will increase quench and help prevent detonation.

LS1TORQ

iTrader: (1)

Bump Bump

seawolf18

iTrader: (18)

For a street car, I love my head/cam setup(mods in sig). Lots of power under the curve due to the cam and good DCR.

LS1TORQ

iTrader: (1)

Predator, the reason why Im doing all this work before doing all the supporting mods is due to a ticking lifter (or something in the valvetrain). I will be doing headers and true duals.