blindboyth

iTrader: (4)

So I am now bored with my car. Its a 99 Camaro with 243s milled to produce 11:1 comp, 230/234 with 613/698 lift at 112+4 LSA, and full bolt ons. Yank SS3600 and mild built 4L60 and a 9 inch with 4.11s. Not an ideal setup but I figure to go much further it is time to spend quite a bit of money.

So I am basically thinking of the On3 kit of Huron Speed truck manifold hot side and piece it all together.

As far as fuel system goes I only have a racetronix pump and hotwire kit with ford red top injectors. I know I will need to go up to atleast 60lb injectors but I want to get this rolling with the single pump for the time being.

Big Questions:
1. Will 11:1 be alright on a stock bottom end and 93? I have upgraded valvetrain for the cam and ARP head bolts but that is it. Bottom end only has a few thousand miles on it so I kinda wanna keep it for a little while.
2. Will the cam be alright?
3. Will the SS3600 be alright or atleast until I go with a th400 or 4L80?
4. Obviously the 4.11s have to go, what would you recommend? I am thinking 3.25s to load the car and it would be nice on the highway.
5. Would I be better off just selling my long block and picking up a used 5.3 and tossing springs, push rods, LS6 cam, and head studs in it?

Thanks a lot for the help. If I missed anything or you have a good suggestion feel free. I have done lots of research but I am still afraid to make the jump.

Mean87SS

iTrader: (21)

I would just buy a nitrous kit if I were you...

blindboyth

iTrader: (4)

Well yea that would be easier and cheaper up front but Ive done nitrous on mustangs and it gets real old getting refills and the power isnt always there.

TheBlack99ss

iTrader: (1)

Sell the 243s and cam and buy some 317s and a ls6 cam would be a good start for you.

SPRAYED 01

iTrader: (22)

Get 80lbs injectors, same price as 60s. You are not going to get much past 550whp on one pump. Get rid of that cam, sell it get a boost cam. Out of pocket won't be that much

325 gear with a 4l60 is what i run and its great

blindboyth

iTrader: (4)

Would you think its a good idea to just sell my long block or stick with the ls1 over 5.3? I mean if I could get a lq4 with 317s for around the same price as my engine seems like I would be way ahead.

blindboyth

iTrader: (4)

The fuel pump is obviously gonna be a limiting factor but i really wanna get the engine ready to handle around 600-650rwhp then i can go back and address the fuel system. Good point on 80lb injectors over 60s.

maxpower_454

iTrader: (7)

You're in the same exact boat as me. The problem with going over 550whp is the stock bottom end. I'm planning on ditching the milled 243's and cam, putting my stock 241's on, and installing a blower cam. TheBLack99SS is right, I did the numbers and it really isn't much out of pocket once I sell the heads and cam.

If you're shooting for 600-650, you might as well just shoot for 800 because you're going to need a forged bottom end and upgraded drivetrain ---- if you want it reliable.

SPRAYED 01

iTrader: (22)

If you could sell the ls1 and get an iron 6.0 or 5.3 Id do that. There are guys using e85 or meth with those in the 7 800hp range stock. If you don't have a ton of room for a large turbo go 5.3. it will work more efficiently with a smaller turbo

SPRAYED 01

iTrader: (22)

Might want to send the converter back to yank and tell them you went turbo. They can put in a "turbo stator" not sure exactly what the part is in the verter but it helps get into boost easier

blindboyth

iTrader: (4)

Seems like it would be cheaper in the long run to just sell my engine and pick up a 5.3 and add the smaller bits to get it ready for boost instead of destroying my ls1. After selling my long block the 5.3 should cost about the same. Im on a pretty tight budget. That is probably a good idea about the converter but I will probably just wait for the right deal on a th400 or 4l80e and do it all at once. I just dont think the 4l60 will last very long with 600 hp.

ibex37

iTrader: (6)

take it from me, im going through the same build, i had a car set up for nitrous and decided to go turbo, i've spent so much more on redoing the ls1(cam change, 317 head swap, stock manifolds, and more) i should have just picked up a 5.3 and called it a day, ive spend almost as much on replacement parts, gaskets, timing chain, then i would have for a 5.3. I know in the long run ill have a car that can handle more boost then im going to throw at it but the 5.3 is also capable motor on boost in stock trim.

Your cam is not well suited for turbo, the high compression heads are far from ideal, by time you swap out both of them you can have a 5.3 and possibly the 4l80 as well.

good luck with your build

Forcefed86

iTrader: (4)

Never said how much power you wanted to make.

blindboyth

iTrader: (4)

Thanks a lot guys. It looks like the easy decision will be to just pull atleast the engine and sell it for a 5.3. Im just going for a fast street car that will see the track some. I would be crazy happy at 600 rwhp and 5.3s have proven they can do it over and over. Ahh how I hate having to redo stuff. I just put this engine together in July and had the car like totally torn down.

On a side note anybody wanna trade my engine for a 5.3 boost engine or my 9 inch with 4.11s for a 9 or 12 bolt with 3.25s or something similar. Doubt it haha

blindboyth

iTrader: (4)

In the mean time I have a stupid fox body project going that I just have to finish up and sell. Im tired of those **** boxes. When i have the cash from that I need to pick up a beater and get back to work on the camaro.

Forcefed86

iTrader: (4)

IMO it would be easier to throw a baby cam and 317 heads in what you have. If you installed some thick (.070 or more) cometic head gaskets when you swapped heads, it would get the compression to a more pump gas friendly zone. Then install a alky/meth kit and be done with it. Should make 600hp pretty easily on 93 octane.

blindboyth

iTrader: (4)

A buddy of mine actually has a 224 cam and 317s. I could see if he would be interested in a trade.

ibex37

iTrader: (6)

baby cam, mama cam, or papa cam, they all cost $350-400. I had BTR spec me a custom cam for $400 shipped. 317 heads are going for atleast $100 plus shipping, cleaning, and if your going to do a cam your going to need valve springs $60-300 depending on which ones you get. and if you're like me you'll do new gaskets, so front timing cover, valve cover, exhaust manifold, intake manifold, head gaskets, and if you need drop the pan for new timing chain, you'll need a oil pan gasket. Hopefully when you pull the cam thats in there you dont get the surprise i got that my lifters were scaring the cam lobes, so new lifters. i've spent more on gaskets, chain, lifters, lifter trays, new bolts then i would if i just picked up a 5.3 and threw it in the car. People are making 500 plus on stock 4.8/5.3s and 600 is not unheard of.

lol maybe im just sour that i should have gone 5.3 from the start but now that im so far into this ls1 im just going to complete...

Forcefed86

iTrader: (4)

I don’t agree… With the OP’s power goal cheap OEM (baby) cams will work great. LS6-LS1-LS9 (ZR1) are all great options that can be had for under $100. I used the zr1 cam in my JY 2001 5.3 and made upwards of 800hp pretty easily. Custom cam is NOT needed for 600hp. The beauty of the GEN3+ stuff is that all the gaskets are reusable. OP should not have to replace them if the motor was put together recently.(same with the timing chain set.)

I have run across some crusty seals in the old JY motors however. Would prob have to replace most of them if he picked up a 5.3.

Custom cometic gaskets would be the big expense. I’ve seen the .060 for $230. (thicker than that may cost slightly more)
Cam - Free-$100 (got my LS1 cam for free)
Springs – $60
317 heads - $75-200 (paid 100 for mine)

Going this route would be half the work. OP would also have larger bore and lighter motor.

Finding a nice gen4 5.3 motor and converting it to work with the current ECM wouldn’t be cheap. After removal/install of the motor/trans ETC it would twice the work as well.

ibex37

iTrader: (6)

theres more then one way to skin a cat for sure. if my ls1 craps out i'll be getting a 5.3 or 4.8 and shoving it in, if it blows ill get another