Originally Posted by rickJames

Heads & Cam

Not sure what to go with here. I left that up to the shop to put together a package. I
have been shopping around some of the sponsors sites but I am ignorant when it
comes to flow numbers, cam profiles, etc…. so here is what i am looking for.

1. A combo that will not require me to fly cut the pistons.

2. A med/aggressive cam (if there is such a thing lol). Would like it to bump but have a
streetable powerband. I know streetable is defined by people differently. I would like
the power lower in the band if that makes any sense.


Look into the Dart 225's from summitracing. They have 62cc chambers will is good for a 346 setup. I'd also look into a TR224 on a 114 LSA from thunder racing to help with tuning for passing emissions.


Studs – Bolts

No clue. Suggestion?
ARP Main Studs, it'll save you a lot of time and headache down the road if you plan to pull the heads again, on top of the fact it's added safety.


Gaskets

No clue as well lol. Suggestions?
You can prob just use the GM MLS gaskets since you won't be pumping out huge hp.


Springs, Rockers and pushrods

Suggestions?

Keep the stock rockers if nothing is wrong with them. If it's a high mileage motor, just replace them with new stockers, no need to upgrade to a bunch of headaches. For the TR224 cam you'll want Comp 918 springs and some hardened 7.400" pushrods.

Timing chain

Is a double roller preferred?

Double roller is my preference as it's added safety and ridiculously beefy. You can also go with an LS2 chain from GM which is also quite beefy but is a single roller, but should be plenty fine for your setup (and cheaper).


Oil Pump

Ported LS6 oil pump

Ported LS6 would work nicely and be plenty for you.


Intake

LS6 or FAST 90/90 – If the performance gains make up for the price diff I will go
with the FAST. Thoughts on this?

I'd just go LS6 intake at this point. The 90/90 will net you prob 10-15 more hp on your application, so it's up to you to justify the $800+ difference between that setup and an LS6/ported TB setup.



Throttle Body

Ported or other? I know there is a FAST 90/90 – Nick Williams’s package. What
would you suggest?

Ported TB for an LS6 setup, or go FAST/Nick Williams TB setup.


Larger Maf

SLP 85mm. Thoughts on this and what is the advantage of de-screening it?

No need to upgrade the MAF at all, stay with the stock one, and descreen it at most if you feel a ridiculous itch to modify it for whatever reason.


Lid

SLP Cold air pac. Do I need the full cold air pac? Are there noticeable gains with this
compared to the lid alone? Is the Texas Speed lid better?

Lid will net you the most gains in this area. I have the SLP cold pac and it certainly helps on top of having the lid with a few extra hp.


Filter

K&N

Go with the K&N. It flows real well and make sure not to oil it too much that it bleeds onto your MAF and kills it. They last a real long time.

Smooth Bellows

SLP

Smooth bellows doesn't really gain anything, I'd be surprised if 1hp was gained. But it's up to you. A lot of people have it.



Plugs

NGK TR55 Spark Plugs. Do I need the Iridium?

TR55's should be perfect for you. Don't go with iridium, they're just a waste.


Wires

Taylor Spiro-Pro 8mm Spark Plug Wires

If you feel the itch for these, any set of aftermarket ones like MSD, NGK, Taylor should be fine.


Headers & Y-Pipe

Pacesetter Headers Long Tube & TSP Cat Y Pipe Combo. How is the fit and finish
on these? Does anyone know if the package sold by Texas Speed is coated? The web
site does not say.

Pacesetters and TSP catted Y are certainly a great bang for the buck. Do a search on these.

Header install kits

Do you normally have to purchase these separately or should they come with the
above package?

I'd personally just buy the install package from TSP if you're buying from them and be done with it unless there is crap in it you don't need.


Thermostat

Do I need to change?

No NEED to change it, but if you do go to a 180 or 160 you'll need to set your fans to come on earlier for the thermostat to do any good at keeping things cooler.

Cat Back System

Either Magnaflow or SLP Loudmouth II. Any thoughts or problems with these? I am
trying to keep my costs under $1200 for full exhaust system (with headers & Y-Pipe).

I loved my LM setup with cats and shorties. When I moved to long tubes without cats, it sounds like absolute crap. The SLP LMII should be a bit quieter though and will probably sound great since you will still have cats. A lot of people like Magnaflow's sound better as it's a bit quieter and tends to have a bit less rasp. It's up to you though. Go to www.ls1sounds.com and listen to all the sound clips so you can make a decision.


Clutch

LS6 Package. Will this hold the desired power? Again price was a determining factor
on this selection.

If you're gonna hit mid 400's I'd go beefier than an LS6. I personally have a single disk McLeod clutch and it holds real well at the low to mid 400 rwhp. I think the LS6 may be a bit too weak if you're looking to hit those kind of numbers. Just remember, the stronger the clutch, the harder it'll be to drive in stop and go traffic. I think mine is a perfect balance thus far, but it's up to you. Again, ask around on the forum.


Shifter

PRO-5.0 Short throw. How is this compared to the Hurst package? Is one better?

I moved from the stock Hurst to the Pro 5.0 with a Lou's short stick and it feels like the perfect combo to me. It's just notchy enough to let you know when you're in gear (which some people dislike) but it feels great to me.


What’s missing and am I on the right track?
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Originally Posted by ArcticZ28

Oh really, FFX changed the standards? They ONLY use OBDII connection now and no sniffer? That'd surely make my day Do they still have the visual? I've been wondering about this for a while as my emissions is coming up in Feb and I'm nowhere near stock anymore. I figured I'd just have to get a waiver somehow.

Originally Posted by 99T/A

First question is that you said (All of the supporting bolt-ons and mods you could afford). What does you budget look like and how much do you want to spend? Is there a $ amount that you don't want to exceed? How radical of a setup can you handle everyday if this is going to be a DD?

Originally Posted by Doomsday

HPE's big box of goodies.

Originally Posted by ArcticZ28

All of my comments are incorporated above in your original quote.

I think u're pretty much on the right track of the list of things you need. If your motor is high mileage, I'd get a set of Comp OE replacement lifters to be safe. Other than that, I think you're set. All of my advice is assuming you're staying with a 346 and not going to a stroker setup. If you are going stroker, some of it would change.

Originally Posted by Ksett

I just wanted to let you know that you are not limited to a smog friendly cam in Fairfax County and I'm pretty sure the whole state. They have changed all their emissions testing to hooking up a computer to see if you have any codes thrown on 96 or newer cars. They changed this last summer.

As far as all the other questions my advice is to go with a budget HC setup for your HP criteria.

Heads: LS6 ported heads milled to 62cc
Gasket: Use a stock gasket, cometics may leak like mine did.
Cam:I would do something around 224\228 581\581 on 112 (this will be nice for low and midrange)
Clutch:LS7 clutch (best bargain out there for your power)

If you want to do this cheap use the above for reference and don't get the 90\90 unless you don't have an LS6 intake. For the rest of your questions I'm sure others will chime in.

Originally Posted by 99T/A

I kinda have to agree with doomsday on this. A 475HP package for $3,350. Then you still have money left for susp., ect, ect.

Originally Posted by rickJames

I heard about that in another post. Whats in that package? I went to check it out on the web site but could not find any info on it. Would that be 475 rwhp with the package alone and no other supporting mods? If so it might be

Thanks

Originally Posted by rickJames

I heard about that in another post. Whats in that package? I went to check it out on the web site but could not find any info on it. Would that be 475 rwhp with the package alone and no other supporting mods? If so it might be

Thanks

Originally Posted by ArcticZ28

Remember, that's 475 flywheel hp, not to the rear wheels. It'll be more like 400-425 rwhp depending on your drivetrain. HPE doesn't have much up on the site so the best bet is always to call them. They will help you out with anything you want and give you more info than you could ask for.

And by the way, the 224/228 is considered quite mild these days.

Originally Posted by rickJames

I thought that was a little high after seeing the package's contents. They are claiming rwhp in the package details. Is the HPE "S" or "R" cam a monster? Would that explain their numbers or is it a misprint?

Originally Posted by 99T/A

As far as I know yes. I only live 8 minutes from them and I am off tomorrow so if you would like me to find out I can do so.