spikeyoda

Whats up everyone,

I have banked some cash for some top end mods. I have about 1600 in the bank. I am looking to freshen up the the top end of my 99 LS1. I don't need a track car, but i would like a streetable cam and some head work. I will need a set of heads as mine aren't in good enough shape to work with once the are removed.

I have looked at head and cam packages, and I just don't have the money. I would like to take a set of stock heads and work with them. Wondering what I can do to make some power with new springs, lifters and cam.

This is the first time I have done anything like this with an LS motor. I currently have basic bolt on mods, LID, Long Tubes, ORY, and cat back.

I am open to all advice and keep in mind the budget. If you think i'm on the wrong path let me know. Money is tight right now so I feel like my choices are very limited. I am willing to stock pile parts for a later install too.

conan

iTrader: (5)

Keep saving, you'll need to get the car tuned when it's all done as well, 400-500 $$$ right there. Then you'll have another 300+ for coolant, oil, oil filter, gaskets and replacing TTY hardware. That leaves you in the 800 dollar range. Cam, push rods, LS2 timing chain, new lifters / trays, oil pump puts you at that $800 mark. So there's your 1,600 and you haven't touched the heads or valve springs.

spikeyoda

Ouch! Reality bites.

Lets say tune doesn't matter and neither do the fluids and since im new to this lets make the budget and even 2k. I just want a path to start on. I am willing to wait for all installs and tuning, I really want to know what parts I should gather and what work would need to be done to "said" stock heads to make a new cam work.

I will be sure to sock away more cash when its possible!

Thanks

conan

iTrader: (5)

What heads do you have on your motor currently ? Why do you feel your current heads cant be worked and refreshed ?

spikeyoda

Currently I have stock heads and the motor has some miles on it,140k. The car has been a work in progress, and none of the previous owners changed the rear passenger spark plug. So when it was finally removed it pulled all the threads with is. It is now Hilacoiled (sp) and I don't think its a great idea to work with that head.

The car is a 99 LS1 with just the bolt on mods listed above.

black sky

iTrader: (3)

I think Conan gave a pretty good list of parts needed. You just have to prioritize which parts you can afford at the moment. Are you looking to work or machine your existing heads? Or just the upgrades needed for a cam swap.? Either way, depending on your cam selection.......double valve springs, lifters, lifter trays, hardened pushrods, tri-union kit, are a good start. Considering the miles, an oil pump and timing chain might not be a bad idea.

MonmouthCtyLS7

iTrader: (6)

1600 bucks isn't a lot of money when talking about head work and cams. Especially when most cams go for 300-400 bucks alone and you can double that when you include the tune..Keep saving there's a lot of options out there.

redtan

iTrader: (5)

For a 2k budget (just on parts) you can get:

cam package - 700
heads ported - 1000
lifters - 125
chain - 45
head gaskets - 75
bolts - 50
oil pump - 100

blackandgold

iTrader: (2)

+ Tune $500ish I count that as a part since it's prettymuch unavoidable unless you have your own Dyno.

OP, I'm assuming you're doing the labor right?

redtan

iTrader: (5)

Well he did say just parts only, which probably means he wants to buy the hard parts now and then keep saving for a tune and other misc things down the road.

Or he can just get a basic porting (or stock 243 heads) for $500 and use the other $500 on the tune.