Slow50h

changed this up after a little more looking around this afternoon... re read please
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I'm getting ready to start an SN95 (98 Mustang GT) LS2/T56 project and I'm trying to decide on how to do it.

I want to keep the engine reliable but still make good power. Drivability doesnt bother me, If i want that, i'll drive my other cars.

My ultimate goal is 500whp

LS6 intake manifold and MS4 cam upgrade with supporting valvetrain.

the other options I have been looking at are a little more costly, but im more than sure I can get 450+ out of them.

Option 1 - would be LS2 with P&P LS2 heads, LS6 intake manifold, MS4 cam PRC Valve SPrings, Harland Sharp Rockers and proper pushrods

Option 2 - would be LS2 with LS6 intake manifold, MS4 camshaft, new timing chain, PRC Valve springs, Harland sharp rockers, PRC Stage 1 LS6 Heads 64cc CNC Ported w/ 2.00" and 1.55" valves and proper length pushrods, for maybe $400 more


I think the local running rate for HAND porting and polishing a set of LS2 heads is gonna be right around 700 bux and what im thinking is that i could take my stock LS2 heads and sell them to the LS1 crowd and make up that extra bit that the CNC heads cost me in the long run.

Option 2 kit you can add on the timing chain and better valve springs are available, plus your choice of LSA on the camshaft...

Let me know what you all think... The project is probably going to take me some time, so i dont mind spending money, but i want to keep the cost down as much as possible right now.

Option 2 tho would probably make 500+ which would be great and would allow me to never think about a bottle =P

G Engines

you should have no problem getting up to 475rwhp with a set of handed ported stock heads but your going to run out of head around 5800 rpm. with a good tune up drivability should be no problem at all.

Slow50h

edited OP.... did some math and thinking.

I honestly think the PRC heads etc in option 2 may come out about equal (or maybe cheaper if i sell stock heads) if my thoughts on P&P cost for stock heads is correct.

G Engines

P&P on stock heads shouldn't run near as much as cnc heads. But if you were to go with a cnc head than your motor should make 550 to the wheels with the right cam

Slow50h

the 2 people i talked to locally said 700 for stock heads P&P

G Engines

That sounds about rite i just built on last mo it made 475hp 472 ft of tq but ran out of air around 5800. he is thinking about upgrading his heads this winter.

Slow50h

if the stock hand ported heads run out at 5800, where do the CNC Ported LS6 heads run out? i want the best bang for the buck, this isnt a dedicated track car, just really a street/strip type deal. But the more power the better always lol If im gonna spend the extra few bux on the CNC heads, id like to at least be able to use around 6200rpm worth of the motor lol

G Engines

That would all depend on your cam and valve train selection. With the hyd. roller cam it would be around 6300 to 6500. there isn't much need to turn a street engine any harder than that.

Slow50h

no definitely don't need to turn it that high, i was just thinking set my rev limit at about 6300 and shift around 6200 in "spirited" driving haha

do you think a TSP MS4 camshaft with that setup would work well?

Magic Stick V.4 239/242, .649"/.609" Camshaft With Your Choice of Lobe Seperation (111 LSA Standard)

The Magic Stick V4 camshaft is Texas Speed's premier LS1 camshaft!

The MS4 camshaft is the result of extensive engine dyno testing & research! Engine dyno results have shown over 80 horsepower gains with no other changes on a stock 2001 LS1 engine!!

2300-6800 RPM Power Band with a peak around 6400rpm; This is an excellent performance camshaft with a rough idle! Custom tuning and PRC dual valve spring kit required

This camshaft typically gains approximately 60+rwhp!

I have seen great results with just cam and intake with this cam locally. which is why im so after it

G Engines

that cans looks ok for a car that is heaver. What your nissan weight ? If it not real heavy you can up the lsa to have a wider power band.

99blancoSS

iTrader: (115)

Welcome to the board where street engines get turned to 7200 rpms and cams are thought to only be good if they're to big.


To the OP .. set a budget now that you have a power goal in mind. Then you can look at your options.

G Engines

From all the engines i LS engines i have built the power seams to peak around 6000 to 6500 and if thats the peak than the rest is wasted rpm. I have built engines that make power up to10,200 but it wasn't an ls

99blancoSS

iTrader: (115)

Well you can make power with an LS beyond 6500 certainly with the correct top end, but for some reason kids always want the biggest cam they can stuff in and dont care about low and mid range, only a peak number on a dyno.

G Engines

Thats a fact every one thinks bigger is better,But not always. I shouldn't say i haven't seen it because i have built a solid roller ls and it turns some rpm. So i know it can be done but more often people stay with the hyd roller

Slow50h

I know the whole car is going to end up costing nearly $15000 to build the way I'll be happy, and Ive given myself a 3 year time line to complete, so a budget is really not a HUGE deal but i cant be blowing huge chunks of money.

The motor is actually going in a 98 Mustang GT. so its roughly a 3200lb car from what Ive seen with he LSx engines in it. I know bigger isnt always better which is one of the reasons I posted up.

Got a bunch of friends locally who have made good power on the MS3 and MS4 but its all up top, I dont want a huge peak i want a smooth climb honestly, its a street car, but i DO like the big cam sound (who doesn't) so id still like to go as aggressive as possible and still have a nice power band.

formula17

iTrader: (4)

Why not do an Ls2 with Ls3 top end? Cheap and the heads un-ported will get you the numbers you want.

Slow50h

i was unaware of this. how hard are LS3 heads to attain and how much do they cost?

formula17

iTrader: (4)

brand new LS3 heads are $213 bare per head from scoggin dickey. I got mine brand new pair bare for $200 from someone on here.

Slow50h

for roughly the same price it will cost to buy the valves, springs, retainers, etc etc etc, I can get the pre assembled PRC heads with the camshaft etc. I think im really leaning in towards the PRC combo, just need to decide on the proper camshaft to make the setup work and maximize power output

Fbodyjunkie06

iTrader: (10)

Defineately look into the L92/L76 combo's they make huge power for cheap. I think with a set of CNC'd L92's and a ported L76 intake with a 230/236 duration cam on a 111 or 112 lsa to get that choppy big cam sound you want would make 500rwhp.