Dynamometer Results & Comparisons - 2002 SS Heads & Cam

I just got my car back after a heads/ cam swap. I was hoping for a little above 400rwhp, but the torque really surprised me. I'm definitely happy with it. What do y'all think I could do to break 400?

The set up is:

224/224 .591 112+4 Comp Cam
Lingenfelter Ported 853's
BBK Lt's and Y pipe
SLP underdrive Pulley
Stock Dual/Dual muffler with CME tips

Not bad numbers but I would have expected that setup to make a bit higher numbers. There are cam only cars with bolts ons that make higher numbers. But I guess the important thing is how it drives. You can always take it to the track to see what it runs.

My thing with the cam was, I wanted a smaller DD friendly cam because I drive the car up to 70 miles a day. If I would have gone with a bigger cam, I'm sure I could have had 410-430 rwhp, but I wanted Hp all through the power band and torque also.

How does the car feel to you? I'm sure it's plenty fast.

With dyno numbers, you never know. You could go back another day and dyno over 400hp. There is always a little give or take on the numbers depending on conditions.

It feels good. It definitely pulls harder and feels faster. I haven't had a chance to really get on it yet, but im definitely satisfied with the couple of hard 1-3 gear pulls ive done. I have never had the car at the track, and probably won't take it, I just wanted a good street car that would be able to stand its own with most cars on the road. Mostly new camaros and mustangs. I hope its fast enough to do that.

What intake do you have? A fast may get you to your goal of 400.

Stock ls6 intake. Idk if I want to spend $1000 to gain 10 hp in all honesty. Haha

Stock ls6 intake. Idk if I want to spend $1000 to gain 10 hp in all honesty. Haha

Send your LS6 intake to LS2 portworks and let Cory port it. Ditch the BBK headers and Y and go with something better along with better muffler. Bet you would see at least 20-25 rwhp with those mods. Those are 1 5/8 and 2.5 in Y if I remember correctly.

Porting the ls6 sounds good. I would like to eventually go with a full kooks exhaust, including the true duals.

those are horrible numbers for whats done to it

I didn't think they were that bad. Where do you think I should be with those mods?

I only made 396 to the wheels with my combo and run mid 12's on shitty tires

Do you have a factory SLP lid? If not a lid would help. How about a ported TB? Have you done the free mods? Those are all super cheap and would be probably be worth an easy 15-20rwhp all together.

I didn't think they were that bad. Where do you think I should be with those mods?

I feel like 405-410 at least. Those headers/y-pipe combo are really restrictive though. Engine needs to breath more.

I didn't think they were that bad. Where do you think I should be with those mods?

I wouldn't say they are horrible, but definitely some power left with a few tweaks. Pacesetters and a Y with the flowmaster merge would be a not too pricey improvement and soemone would buy your BBK setup to recoupe some of your $$. Better muffler, ported LS6 and throttle body if you haven't done so along with ram air such as chris1313 should put you in the 415 range at least maybe a little better.

good numbers ,you mite benefit from a better cam.

good numbers ,you mite benefit from a better cam.

He is a convertible so heavy car. I would stick with the 224 cam and look for power elsewhere. He needs good low , midrange and avg power to move all that weight.

Who did the tune??

Wow, this took off last night. To answer the questions, the lid is a stock blackwing lid. I will look into some replacements. I'll check into headers soon, but I need a new rear right now, so that may be put in hold for a few months. The tune was done by Mike Bruce of B&B Corvette in Columbia, SC.

Get a cutout . You will be suprised at your gains.

I've thought about the cutout. Doing that would also allow me to keep my exhaust fairly quiet when cruising but still have bad ass sound when I wanted to.

I've thought about the cutout. Doing that would also allow me to keep my exhaust fairly quiet when cruising but still have bad ass sound when I wanted to.

Seen pretty good gains as far as stock vs cutout could yeild 15 to 25 to the wheels. Definitly be the cheapest way to get past 400 unless you go electric but still probably be cheaper.

A cut out really yields 15-20hp? That's insane. I never would have imagined that it would be that much.

What's the problem with the bbk LTs? Was just getting ready to spend the money for them but if they are bad I won't bother.

The bbk headers had smaller primaries and the y pipe is 2.5" instead of 3". I was told when I was researching mine that it really doesn't hurt power until after you are in the 500hp range. I jumped on the deal because for $399 for headers and y pipe I was willing to take the risk.

I just got my car back after a heads/ cam swap. I was hoping for a little above 400rwhp, but the torque really surprised me. I'm definitely happy with it. What do y'all think I could do to break 400?

The set up is:

224/224 .591 112+4 Comp Cam
Lingenfelter Ported 853's
BBK Lt's and Y pipe
SLP underdrive Pulley
Stock Dual/Dual muffler with CME tips



1st better exhaust from front to back its too restrictive right now. Do you have any kind of cold air intake setup and lid? If its an 02 you have a ls6 intake so id have the stock tb ported. Why did you go with 853 heads?

The bbk headers had smaller primaries and the y pipe is 2.5" instead of 3". I was told when I was researching mine that it really doesn't hurt power until after you are in the 500hp range. I jumped on the deal because for $399 for headers and y pipe I was willing to take the risk.

Thanks, I wont be making more than 380 ever so it's probably not that bad. There is just a huge difference in price between 1 7/8 and the bbks as you know.

Appreciate it.

I only have the stock slp blackwing lid. Looking at the Chris 1313. I went with 853's becausethe tuner had them laying around and I got a good deal and was told they flow as well as ported 241's.

1st better exhaust from front to back its too restrictive right now. Do you have any kind of cold air intake setup and lid? If its an 02 you have a ls6 intake so id have the stock tb ported. Why did you go with 853 heads?

Once ported they as as good as ported 241's. Stock the 241 are a few ponies better. 224 cam is not going to make big peak dyno numbers, but his problem is in the exhaust selection. BBK headers are 1 5/8 primaries I believe. The Y merge isn't great and it's 2.5 in . If he made the changes suggested then he would probably see 410-420 and not lose the low midrange he needs with the heavy convertible.

Wow, I didn't think the headers would rob me of that much power. I guess it's time to start shopping.

The tune was done by Mike Bruce of B&B Corvette in Columbia, SC.

Didn't know you never posted if it was when you dynoed. I would look at some
1- 3/4 headers and hit the dyno again!!

Numbers are honest and fine IMO for stock intake, TB and restrictive exhaust. I bet there is 10-15hp in the headers setup and 15hp with a better intake/TB combo.

Dyno is a tool...some plp tend to forget it. Take it to the track or race real cars, you will know where you stand. This is internet, everyone is faster than you ;)

I was pushing 387rwhp at the time before my FAST, but I still outran a 500hp Viper 04' :)..and a 425rwhp H/C LS1 Camaro LOL

Good point. I just bought a new rear from a member here, so it'll be a few months before I buy new headers. I may also look into a new intake depending on how my wallet is looking. I also have to keep reminding myself that I chose the cam based on my needs and it definitely isn't a peak hp cam, but it has great power under normal driving.

nice looking car...and the numbers are not that bad....ive seen worse

Thank you. I'm pretty happy with it for now, but there is always room for more power Later on down the road.

Get a cutout . You will be suprised at your gains.

This! :judge: :judge: :judge:

A cut out really yields 15-20hp? That's insane. I never would have imagined that it would be that much.

A cutout vs your stock catback exhaust yes! But say magnaflow or other good name catback (exclude flowmaster) not much. Mainly on a heads cam cars you will see large gains with big exhaust, cutout just a simple way getting some quick power.

So if I were to install a magnaflow muffler in place of the dual/dual, it would take away a lot of the restriction? I was always told the dual/dual flowed very well. My only dilemma with switching to a different exhaust system is I want to keep the CME. The magnaflow would work perfectly.

So if I were to install a magnaflow muffler in place of the dual/dual, it would take away a lot of the restriction? I was always told the dual/dual flowed very well. My only dilemma with switching to a different exhaust system is I want to keep the CME. The magnaflow would work perfectly.

No, the Magnaflow isn't going to flow any better. You should see gains with a cutout.

Do not waste your time trying to port the LS6 intake. I guarantee a cutout will get you over 400. Your headers are fine, the ypipe and the cam are not optimal. That torque curve is great though, I'm sure it moves out regardless of its numbers.

Do not waste your time trying to port the LS6 intake. I guarantee a cutout will get you over 400. Your headers are fine, the ypipe and the cam are not optimal. That torque curve is great though, I'm sure it moves out regardless of its numbers.


Don't waste time? You do know that for quite a few years there were no Fast intakes and it was very common for shops to port the LS6 manifols? I am sure you would be one of the ones to recommend for him to drop $1000 + on a fast setup to pickup 10-15 hp when he could pick up 8-10 hp for a few hundred.. There is almost as much HP to be had with a ported tb & ported LS6 on his setup for a fraction of the cost of a fast setup which is not uncommon for people to drop $1200 -1300 on new.

Don't waste time? You do know that for quite a few years there were no Fast intakes and it was very common for shops to port the LS6 manifols? I am sure you would be one of the ones to recommend for him to drop $1000 + on a fast setup to pickup 10-15 hp when he could pick up 8-10 hp for a few hundred.. There is almost as much HP to be had with a ported tb & ported LS6 on his setup for a fraction of the cost of a fast setup which is not uncommon for people to drop $1200 -1300 on new.

Actually I am NOT going to recommend he get a FAST because I believe it is far from necessary for what he is trying to do. He can obtain his goals in many other ways. The thing about the LS6 intake is the low HP gained (if any) from portwork is not worth its price unless you are experienced with porting. Opening up the inlet and port matching is the best most average people will/need to/should do. I have not seen anyone gain 10hp from porting one, except the 90mm inlet mod. A ported throttle body, however, is a good idea!

The important things in this thread were already said, in scattered bits, before I got here. To organize the important info:

The dyno is just a tool.
Your torque curve is great for a DD; 350ftlbs at 3000rpm, with street manners. Afterall, you're running a 224 cam, not a donkey dick. You're happy with how it runs, don't chase a number.
If you're going to throw any more money at this thing, in search of a few more cheap ponies, it should be an electric cutout ($150 in the classifieds) and Chris1313RA ($200 new).
Your butt-dyno will be happy, street manners won't be affected, and staying cost efficient. Balance; that's the key with a DD.

I couldn't agree more with you JerseyMike. So even with the smaller primaries on the bbk's, I would be ok adding a cutout in the y pipe before the merge correct? I would much rather spend $500 on ram air and a cutout or two than spend $1000+ on an intake that will only gain me 10-15 hp. Its better to have a cut out in both sides of the Y right?

I couldn't agree more with you JerseyMike. So even with the smaller primaries on the bbk's, I would be ok adding a cutout in the y pipe before the merge correct? I would much rather spend $500 on ram air and a cutout or two than spend $1000+ on an intake that will only gain me 10-15 hp. Its better to have a cut out in both sides of the Y right?

If you go before the y merge, then you need 2 cutouts right behind the headers. If you only want 1, then place it somewhere on your y pipe. Are you running an ory or catted y?

It's an ORY. I figured since the Y is 2.5" until the merge, the higher up the Y pipe input the cut outs there will be less restriction which would free up a bit more power. Even if it's only another 1-2 hp over having the cutout in the merge. Am I thinking correctly here?

It's an ORY. I figured since the Y is 2.5" until the merge, the higher up the Y pipe i put the cut outs there will be less restriction which would free up a bit more power. Even if it's only another 1-2 hp over having the cutout in the merge. Am I thinking correctly here?

Yes, that's called "Open Headers," and it will net a little more than 1-2hp versus a cutout in the mid-pipe.
However, there are so many cons to doing that in your case. This is a daily-driven car. The sound of open-headers isn't all that pleasant. You don't want THAT much attention on the street when going WOT. The cost would be like $300, and "manners" completely go out the window.

Stick to one cut-out, put it after the merge. Most people put it up right before the rear axle, for clearance, but there are a few more horses to be had if you want to throw it up closer to the engine.



As far as a FAST, there are deals popping up on the internet all the time. You can pick one up used for like $700, sell your LS6 intake for $300, and the upgrade is only $400 and driving manners aren't touched at all. I'd much rather buy a used FAST than port a LS6 manifold.


Just keep in mind, it's your DD, and it's plenty healthy as-is.
Good luck.

I'm puting my cutout about an inch after the merge, but I haven't looked at the clearance yet. Hopefully I will be ok. Anyone have any input on this...?

And I agree 110% on getting one versus 2. Its a dd and it will be way too loud for street manners...

Sounds like I'll be doing one cutout then. Clearance will be a big determining factor when it comes to where in the I pipe to put it. It seems like DMH is the favorite from searches. How hard are they to wire up?

There is nothing wrong with bbk headers/y pipe. I think a cut out is def what you need.

Tyler...dont put so much emphasis on the dyno numbers. Take it to the track and see what MPH it produces. That's the true test of performance. Always has, always will be.

After the 12 bolt goes in this week, I will try to get to the track before I ship out.

those are horrible numbers for whats done to it
i agree , and it was on a dynojet

op, dyno numbers are not everything, , there are some good ideas in this thread and some bad ones, if it runs good than you should be happy, i didnt read the 2nd page but what injectors are you running?

It's the stock injectors. I know at WOT they are at 96%. They'll be changed out before power gets too much higher.