Generation IV Internal Engine - help me build a nice 6.0

Hi there. New guy here.

I've aquired an 07 ly6 as the basis for an upgrade for a 71 chevelle.
I need advice and council regarding choosing a suitable combination.

Heres what I want.
1. a daily driver that will support power brakes.
2. greater than 400 hp at the wheels (the more, the better)
3. Reasonably tuneable. want a smooth driving engine with out any major holes in the tune.

Here's what i have.
1. iron 6.0 block, stock crank, rods and pistons (ly6 with 108,000 miles in great shape, no cylinder ridge, no bad bearing wear).
2. stock lifters, and rockers (both appear to be in good shape)
3. stock l92 heads.
4. stock ls3 intake with ly6 MAF and throttle body
5. engine will be powering a 3800 pound chevelle through a t56 and a 3.36 rear end

Here's what I dont want to spend money on to change.
1. I want to keep the block and I dont want to bore it more than absolutely necessary. (I want the option to do another rebuild later)
2. I'd rather not change the rods but recognize that piston selection is limited for stock rods (why is this??)
3. I think I can be happy with the power availible from the stock stroke, so I would rather not change the crank.

Help me select the following
1. Cam, standard or VVT.
2. Head milling? if so how much?
3. valve springs
4. pistons, keep the small dish stock pistons or bump up compression for a more radical cam.
5. fuel injectors. what will stock ls3 injectors handle?

Help me build this thing, what would you do and why? all ideas welcome.


Clark

I did over 400 rwhp with just cam/springs, corvette intake and tune. My heads have never been off. If you decide to bore and not stroke why not just use stock L92, L99 or LS3 pistons? For pretty cheap you go to 6.2L and get a compression bump.

I don't think the current vvt is ideal for performance applications in current LS motors. There are many who would argue otherwise, but there is no proof. I used a Veangence Racing (comp) stage 2 LS3 cam and had wonderful results which are posted in my thread. I used a C5R timing chain and good dual valve springs for reliability.

Without the pistons, and a nice valvetrain upgrade and tune you could see over 400 rwhp. With LS3 pistons or mill, even more.

thank you sir for your reply.

I read through your build thread, nice job. I like the idea of bumping up the compression a little but im hesitant to bore it out far enough for the ls3 pistons. I'd like to keep the option to rebuild it again in the future. Who makes a piston for a 4.005 or 4.030 bore and stock 6.098 rods?

I hear ya on the VVT. It seems a shame to not make use of VVT but the most common "expert" opinion is that VVT has little or no utility above 2500 rpm and ends up creating piston to valve clearance issues at high lift numbers. Since I'm running a t56, VVT seems like more of a limit than an advantage. But I would love to hear some disenting opinion.

Clark

Mahle makes a -4cc stock rod piston in a 4.005 bore for around 550 with rings whivh is a damn good deal, reuse your stock rods and crank but have it rebalanced... Use the L92 heads and have them milled possibly .020 or whatever would have good ptv clearance yet have great compression, as for a cam the tsp 229/236 Ls3/L92 cam looks really nice for a 6.0 build with ls3/l92 heads and just use your ls3 intake... Should make good numbers.

You COULD bore it to 4.030 gor now and if anyrhing happens you have the option to bore it to 4.065 and use some ls3 stuff... the bigger bore would unshroud the trash can lid valve that head has