Bang for your buck HP help!
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Joined: Apr 2014
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Bang for your buck HP help! Hi guys, I have an ls6, out of an '01 or '02 covette (trying to figure out any way to determine the year without pulling the rear cover) with 241 heads. The motor will be living in my '74 260z.
Anyways, I am quite familiar with the old school carbureted small block chevy's, but this is my first LS. While I don't want to get into building the bottom end, I would like to get some more hp/tq out of the ls6 via bolt ons, so my question is, what is your guys' recommendation for the best bang for your buck, hp vs. money spent bolt ons. My plan is to put a healthy cam in it, thats pretty much my only commitment so far. I'd love to see 450rwhp out of it through my t56, and after searching and reading through the forum I'm sure it can be done. I know hp isn't cheap, but I figured I'd ask what the basic order of purchases are on these motors before I go wasting money on thing's I don't need just yet haha.
Thanks for the help!
-Riley
Anyways, I am quite familiar with the old school carbureted small block chevy's, but this is my first LS. While I don't want to get into building the bottom end, I would like to get some more hp/tq out of the ls6 via bolt ons, so my question is, what is your guys' recommendation for the best bang for your buck, hp vs. money spent bolt ons. My plan is to put a healthy cam in it, thats pretty much my only commitment so far. I'd love to see 450rwhp out of it through my t56, and after searching and reading through the forum I'm sure it can be done. I know hp isn't cheap, but I figured I'd ask what the basic order of purchases are on these motors before I go wasting money on thing's I don't need just yet haha.
Thanks for the help!
-Riley
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Joined: Apr 2014
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Thank you though about the cam, springs, and headers though! Those are first on the list.
Thank you guys for the quick responses!
get some 243/799 heads Have them ported.
Get someone to spec you a cam for your application
Headers
fast 92 and up Intake plus a throttle body
Good lifters
Good timing chain
new oil pump
electric water pump
good lid
upgrade the rockers
im sure others will chime in with things im forgetting
Get someone to spec you a cam for your application
Headers
fast 92 and up Intake plus a throttle body
Good lifters
Good timing chain
new oil pump
electric water pump
good lid
upgrade the rockers
im sure others will chime in with things im forgetting
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get some 243/799 heads Have them ported.
Get someone to spec you a cam for your application
Headers
fast 92 and up Intake plus a throttle body
Good lifters
Good timing chain
new oil pump
electric water pump
good lid
upgrade the rockers
im sure others will chime in with things im forgetting
Get someone to spec you a cam for your application
Headers
fast 92 and up Intake plus a throttle body
Good lifters
Good timing chain
new oil pump
electric water pump
good lid
upgrade the rockers
im sure others will chime in with things im forgetting
Agreed with headers. 1 7/8" primaries, preferably stainless if you want them to last
Fast 92 will allow you to use your stock fuel rails and injectors, but you'll need at least 36# injectors for the power you're shooting for. Stocks are 28.8#
LS7 lifters are fine. Couple them with LS2 lifter trays (thicker and stronger)
LS2 timing chain
Either a Hubbard Racing Oil Pump, TSP LS6 ported pump, or a Melling High Pressure
No need for an electric water pump. At all
Obviously no need for a lid as this is going into a different vehicle
I'm partial to Comp Trunion Upgraded rockers. It's a 135 dollar kit that takes out the uncaged needle bearings in the rocker arms which are known to dump into the engine when they fail... 66 bearings per rocker arm I believe? Anyway, upgrades them to a fully caged system.
Hardened pushrods and all associated gaskets.
I'd recommend getting everything from either Texas Speed or BrianTooleyRacing. It's a one-stop-shop for either one, and I can vouch for them both.
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Joined: May 2009
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From: over dere
I ran the serial number on the back of the block, its an ls6. From what I've read some cars (some c5's) and some f-bodies came with an ls6 with the 241 heads? casting number on the back of the block (12561168), under the drivers side head, confirms its an ls6. Idk whats up with the heads though, worth doing some 243's? or nah?
Thank you though about the cam, springs, and headers though! Those are first on the list.
Thanks for the response. 243 heads or an aftermarket? Also, is the ls6 intake sufficient, or should I need a fast 92/92 or something of that fashion?
Thank you guys for the quick responses!
Thank you though about the cam, springs, and headers though! Those are first on the list.
Thanks for the response. 243 heads or an aftermarket? Also, is the ls6 intake sufficient, or should I need a fast 92/92 or something of that fashion?
Thank you guys for the quick responses!
it's an LS6 block. yes a good amount of fbodies cam with that block, but had the 241 heads and small ls1 cam, but it should have the ls6 intake.
a good set of ported stocker heads, a healthy cam, and all the other nick nacks will get you there.
just don't forget to top off a good cam and heads with all the proper accessories. this is where the difference is made. a ported fast 92 will give you another 10ish rwhp, 1-7\8 headers could make another 10ish in the high rpm's, an underdrive pulley is dyno proven for another 7-8 rwhp. this all adds up to a good performing package, money permitting.
also, don't restrict the exhaust. 3" duals is where it's at.
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Joined: Oct 2008
Posts: 332
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From: North Carolina
I would look into some cast aftermarket heads leave more room to grow in the future, and can be bought for what most CNC shops charge for the gm 243s. Just make sure to get PM guides so you can run stock rockers.
Thread Starter
Registered User
Joined: Apr 2014
Posts: 6
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Advanced Induction or TEA for the 243's, or search the classifieds here for some used AFR's or Trick Flows.
Agreed with headers. 1 7/8" primaries, preferably stainless if you want them to last
Fast 92 will allow you to use your stock fuel rails and injectors, but you'll need at least 36# injectors for the power you're shooting for. Stocks are 28.8#
LS7 lifters are fine. Couple them with LS2 lifter trays (thicker and stronger)
LS2 timing chain
Either a Hubbard Racing Oil Pump, TSP LS6 ported pump, or a Melling High Pressure
No need for an electric water pump. At all
Obviously no need for a lid as this is going into a different vehicle
I'm partial to Comp Trunion Upgraded rockers. It's a 135 dollar kit that takes out the uncaged needle bearings in the rocker arms which are known to dump into the engine when they fail... 66 bearings per rocker arm I believe? Anyway, upgrades them to a fully caged system.
Hardened pushrods and all associated gaskets.
I'd recommend getting everything from either Texas Speed or BrianTooleyRacing. It's a one-stop-shop for either one, and I can vouch for them both.
Agreed with headers. 1 7/8" primaries, preferably stainless if you want them to last
Fast 92 will allow you to use your stock fuel rails and injectors, but you'll need at least 36# injectors for the power you're shooting for. Stocks are 28.8#
LS7 lifters are fine. Couple them with LS2 lifter trays (thicker and stronger)
LS2 timing chain
Either a Hubbard Racing Oil Pump, TSP LS6 ported pump, or a Melling High Pressure
No need for an electric water pump. At all
Obviously no need for a lid as this is going into a different vehicle
I'm partial to Comp Trunion Upgraded rockers. It's a 135 dollar kit that takes out the uncaged needle bearings in the rocker arms which are known to dump into the engine when they fail... 66 bearings per rocker arm I believe? Anyway, upgrades them to a fully caged system.
Hardened pushrods and all associated gaskets.
I'd recommend getting everything from either Texas Speed or BrianTooleyRacing. It's a one-stop-shop for either one, and I can vouch for them both.
Sound okay?
Thanks for the help!
Thread Starter
Registered User
Joined: Apr 2014
Posts: 6
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it's an LS6 block. yes a good amount of fbodies cam with that block, but had the 241 heads and small ls1 cam, but it should have the ls6 intake.
a good set of ported stocker heads, a healthy cam, and all the other nick nacks will get you there.
just don't forget to top off a good cam and heads with all the proper accessories. this is where the difference is made. a ported fast 92 will give you another 10ish rwhp, 1-7\8 headers could make another 10ish in the high rpm's, an underdrive pulley is dyno proven for another 7-8 rwhp. this all adds up to a good performing package, money permitting.
also, don't restrict the exhaust. 3" duals is where it's at.
a good set of ported stocker heads, a healthy cam, and all the other nick nacks will get you there.
just don't forget to top off a good cam and heads with all the proper accessories. this is where the difference is made. a ported fast 92 will give you another 10ish rwhp, 1-7\8 headers could make another 10ish in the high rpm's, an underdrive pulley is dyno proven for another 7-8 rwhp. this all adds up to a good performing package, money permitting.
also, don't restrict the exhaust. 3" duals is where it's at.
And Thanks for the advice, I'm definitely going to go with some 3" true duals with and x pipe to clean up the sound mainly
I'm going to have to interject and say a good long tube/ORY setup will make just as much power as the dual setup if it's done right, and it will be cheaper. As far as sound the duals usually sound better from what i've personally heard. Just something to consider
Thread Starter
Registered User
Joined: Apr 2014
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There are definitely better cam options out there. As everyone has been saying, you'll definitely need to spend some money either having your 243s ported, or go with an aftermarket casting to hit that 450rwhp mark. You can come close with stock casting 243s, a good cam and a FAST intake though.
We have help tons of people on this forum with specing cams, if you need any help with anything at all feel free to shoot me a PM and I will help you any way I can! We also offer discounts exclusive to LS1Tech members!
Ethan
We have help tons of people on this forum with specing cams, if you need any help with anything at all feel free to shoot me a PM and I will help you any way I can! We also offer discounts exclusive to LS1Tech members!
Ethan