Nabbs

Hey All,

I'm looking for some feedback on what else I need or should add to my heads/cam combo.

Quick background, here are my objectives-

1- Spend no more then $3,500 (less is always better) on all parts
2- Use only GM/OEM or GM Perf parts
3- Hit roughly 370-380 rwhp/rwtq after all is said and done
4- Stock idle, driveability, and completely MA emmisions friendly.
5- The car will be set up primarily for roadracing (honestly 90% of my time is spend cruising, with like 10-15 roadracing track days per year), so it must be able to rev higher then the stock LS1 and produce good power up top as opposed to low end torque.

This is why I am going with the CNC 02 LS6 heads and 02 LS6 cam. Although I am firm about those two items, the rest is up for grabs.

So far with the heads and the cam from SDPC will cost me $2,155, leaving with me a little over a grand and a half for additional parts.

So what else do I need? Here's a quick list with some questions.

1- Gaskets/Head Studs: Should I just go with the ThunderRacing LS1 heads/cam gasket kit? Or do I need to order the GM LS6 head gaskets (same CR iirc of LS1/LS6)? Or is there an even better alternative? I take the ARP head studs are the way to go, and it is advisable to replace these during the swap?

2- Pushrods: I know there has been some debate here, but I am still not sure what size pr's I should be running since I will be using the stock 02 LS6 cam with CNC ported LS6 heads.

3- RollerRockers: Will stepping up to 1.8s be of any benefit whatsoever to my application? More importantly, will the even fit?

If there is anything else you think I should pick up please let me know. Depending on what I have left over for the core essentials (the basic stuff I need to get this to work), I would consider picking up a ported TB and maybe some small other stuff.

Current car background and mods

99 T/A Firehawk 19K miles
Engine mods --
02 LS6 Clutch and Flyhweel ~1K
LS6 Intake + !EGR mod
Lid
GMS MAF
FLP LTs + !cats/orp
~340rwhp/tq in current trim

Thanks in advance guys!

-N

Slowhawk

iTrader: (12)

I'd recommend the Head studs and a Head install kit from Thunder.That will provide all the gaskets you will need.Also this is a good time to get an underdrive pulley if you want one.

Nabbs

Thanks Don,

Yah, I'll do the ASP pullies as well.

Are you still selling your MAFT? I may be looking for one, otherwise I may head down for some custom tuning. Did that guy who was offering to to an LS1 edit day at Dean's ever pan out?

Anybody have any other suggestions? Still trying to figure out the pushrod length.

Jeff Ot, if you're out there...any werd and doing a ported tb with this? I hear your porting is quite good.

Thanks,

-N

Ragtop 99

iTrader: (7)

The few HP from rockers does not justify the big expense.

Just curious why the cam has to be GM, when you have other non-GM mods such as FLP L-Ts?

Nabbs

</font><blockquote><font size="1" face="Verdana, Helvetica, sans-serif">quote:</font><hr /><font size="2" face="Verdana, Helvetica, sans-serif">Originally posted by Ragtop 99:
<strong>The few HP from rockers does not justify the big expense.

Just curious why the cam has to be GM, when you have other non-GM mods such as FLP L-Ts?</strong></font><hr /></blockquote><font size="2" face="Verdana, Helvetica, sans-serif">Oh I plan to go back to stock manifolds...j/k

I know its not popular...but I was thinking that this might be interesting combo. Plus I mentioned it to some industry friends who were semi-interested in doing a write up.

The other choice besides the 02 LS6 cam would be the Hammer cam. The big reason for the GM cam is that I really want to have something with solid driveability, and I don't want to fiddle with things...just get in and drive.

Thanks on the advice on the rockers. Any thoughts on the pushrods?

-N

Slowhawk

iTrader: (12)

If your going 02 LS6 Heads and 02 LS6 Cam,then the logical pushrods are 02 LS6's <img border="0" title="" alt="[Big Grin]" src="gr_grin.gif" />

I agree with the above.There are better Cams out there than a LS6 with perfect drivability <img border="0" title="" alt="[Wink]" src="gr_images/icons/wink.gif" /> My Thunder 220 Cam and ported LS1 Heads made 380hp on a 12 bolt with 3.73 gears with stock idle and drivability.HMMMM these Heads will be for sale shortly for alot less than those LS6's <img border="0" title="" alt="[Wink]" src="gr_images/icons/wink.gif" />

You could also go for LS1 Edit for tuning if you wan't to sqeeze out more power..

HioSSilver

iTrader: (8)

SOUNDs like a good combo, but i would expect a little more power. My ls6 makes 405rwhp in my Camaro with bolt-ons.

Nabbs

</font><blockquote><font size="1" face="Verdana, Helvetica, sans-serif">quote:</font><hr /><font size="2" face="Verdana, Helvetica, sans-serif">Originally posted by HioSSilver:
<strong>SOUNDs like a good combo, but i would expect a little more power. My ls6 makes 405rwhp in my Camaro with bolt-ons.</strong></font><hr /></blockquote><font size="2" face="Verdana, Helvetica, sans-serif">Whoa! Thanks for chiming in...I was just about to fold and go another route. IIRC you purchased your 02 LS6 from Phoenix and dropped the entire complet motor in, correct? Did you do any tuning or are you running the stock 99 program (I imagine you raised the limiter)?

Thanks, I am curious to hear any details you might be able to share.

Thanks,

-N

Nabbs

</font><blockquote><font size="1" face="Verdana, Helvetica, sans-serif">quote:</font><hr /><font size="2" face="Verdana, Helvetica, sans-serif">Originally posted by Slowhawk:
<strong>If your going 02 LS6 Heads and 02 LS6 Cam,then the logical pushrods are 02 LS6's <img border="0" title="" alt="[Big Grin]" src="gr_grin.gif" />
</strong></font><hr /></blockquote><font size="2" face="Verdana, Helvetica, sans-serif">Here's the thing that is confusing me...the heads from Scoggin Dickey are milled, albeit slightly. Here's the description:

These heads will flow over 200cfm at 0.300" lift and 290+ at 0.500". Fully assembled with the 2002 Z06 light-weight valves and the new '02 valve springs. These heads have been milled 0.055" to bring the combustion chambers back down to approximately 60cc.

Does this slight mill mean that stock 02 Z06 pushrods will work? Same with the gaskets.

Sorry for the basic questions, this is all new to me.

-N

Zeta

</font><blockquote><font size="1" face="Verdana, Helvetica, sans-serif">quote:</font><hr /><font size="2" face="Verdana, Helvetica, sans-serif">Originally posted by Nabbs:
<strong>[QUOTE].

Does this slight mill mean that stock 02 Z06 pushrods will work? Same with the gaskets.

Sorry for the basic questions, this is all new to me.

-N</strong></font><hr /></blockquote><font size="2" face="Verdana, Helvetica, sans-serif">You will need 7.350" and stock gaskets. Stock is 7.40" - head mill = 7.345".

I found this helpful in understanding the virtues of the 02 ls6 assembly:
http://www.idavette.net/hib/02ls6/page2.htm

J-Rod

The stock Z06 head is about 66-67cc. After the CNC work it is much bigger. The .055 cut brings it back to 60 - 61cc which is what most shops shoot for. As for 1.8 or 1.85 rockers. You can't run them unless you upgrade the springs.

Also the CNC heads go turbulent right after .590 lift, so you need to be below that.

There are several threads on those heads in this section right now.

<small>[ December 16, 2002, 11:21 AM: Message edited by: J-Rod ]</small>

Nabbs

Thanks for all the help guys! I think I have everything I need, save one thing. There are 2 sets of gaskets listed, one for 98-01's and the other for 02-04s...do I go by the year of head I'm using or the year of the block.

Thanks again.

-N

HioSSilver

iTrader: (8)

yes I had the rev-limiter raised and 2 degrees of timing added above 4000 rpm. The engine did come from Pheonix in longblock form.

HioSSilver

iTrader: (8)

yes I had the rev-limiter raised and 2 degrees of timing added above 4000 rpm. The engine did come from Pheonix in longblock form.

Pro Stock John

iTrader: (34)

Stock 02 LS6 heads have 64cc chambers.

Milling down to 60cc would yield like a ~.4 increase in compression maybe a bit more.

Keep the stock rockers.

Hawkn01

iTrader: (1)

I was told it brouht it up to 11.1 To 1

Nabbs

</font><blockquote><font size="1" face="Verdana, Helvetica, sans-serif">quote:</font><hr /><font size="2" face="Verdana, Helvetica, sans-serif">Originally posted by hawkn01:
<strong>I was told it brouht it up to 11.1 To 1</strong></font><hr /></blockquote><font size="2" face="Verdana, Helvetica, sans-serif">That was my understanding as well (re:11.1 CR).
Either way such a slight increase would have little gains from what I understand.

Can anybody clarify the head gasket question? There are two different GM part #s, one for 98-01 and the other for 02-04. Any thoughts on which one is appropriate for my app?

Thanks,

-Naveed

LS1 Brent

what do the gaskets do? i know that the are around the heads but what do they do?

LS1 Brent

thanx man, i thought that question was never gonna get answered. <img border="0" alt="[cheers]" title="" src="graemlins/gr_cheers.gif" />

Nabbs

</font><blockquote><font size="1" face="Verdana, Helvetica, sans-serif">quote:</font><hr /><font size="2" face="Verdana, Helvetica, sans-serif">Originally posted by LS1 Brent:
<strong>what do the gaskets do? i know that the are around the heads but what do they do?</strong></font><hr /></blockquote><font size="2" face="Verdana, Helvetica, sans-serif">Head gaskets? They help form a seal between the head and the block, depending on thickness you can raise lower Compression Ratio.

hth,

-N