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need some help..

Old Mar 3, 2006 | 04:46 PM
  #1  
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Default need some help..

I have about $2100 right now.. money is hard for me to save, so i am getting close to buying something.. I have been looking around for what to buy, its looking like :

LS6 Intake Manifold - 475.00
MTI Valvetrain Package - 375.00
(for perf cam on stock head- manley springs, titanium retainers, MTI hardened pushrods)
MTI Custom Cam - 399.00
(could use help picking one for street,cause i don't know about lift or duration,just amount of time valves are open)
Pacesetter Coated
Headers & ORY-pipe - 500.00

this comes out to $1749.00. if i order these, how much i need for install and probably tune for sensors and such. also, how long should i expect my car to be out of action, as i need it for work.. could possible take off a few days one week.

I am completely open to suggestions, in fact i really want them.. i can use so much help cause i don't have any idea what i am doing.. If this were the set up, how much power should i expect to see over my current one? I am trying to find 400rwhp and have little money.. please help me out guys.. THANKS ALOT

(and i hope i posted this in the right forum)
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Old Mar 4, 2006 | 01:07 AM
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if you want 400 rwhp then you can duplicate mine. i have the ls6 intake, patriot duel spring package, t-rex cam, and custom headers that work just as good as pacesetter. however the install for the cam is $300 and the only other things is assembling the springs on the heads and i would change lifters to comp R lifters and trick flow 7.400 pushrods. this is my setup exactly and i ran 410 rwhp. downside, will need fuel upgrade soon along with the fact that you need a good tune and the t-rex is violent to some people. i am use to it but it is a fun ride. to make 400rwhp without head and cam is hard so a big cam like the t-rex or the magic stick is really the only way all motor. if you want reliable and everyday driver, get exhaust, intake, spark plugs, and NOS new tb kit. whatever you do have fun driving it because you dont want to build it to sit there and look pretty.
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Old Mar 4, 2006 | 01:20 AM
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Well from what I've read, it seems a tune will be in the $300-$500 range, then add the labor to change the cam, remove and install the heads (not to mention assembling the heads) then the header y pipe install, you're looking at about $1k in labor (your actual price may be a little more or a little less depending on where you go)
If it were me, I'd think about doing the install myself, there are enough sites/posts about installing cams heads and headers, that you should be able to do it yourself without alot of problems.
FWIW I'd go with the thunder racing cheatr cam and head package, proven 395 hp through stock manifolds, add some extra for the headers ORY, do a search on cheatr cam, and you'll see what you can get from it (goes for around $2k)
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Old Mar 4, 2006 | 03:08 PM
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Is your car an auto or stick?If its an auto I'd make a torque convertor at the top of the list.If its a stick,with all the extra power I would look into a clutch that can handle it.Whats the use of having the power if you cant get it to the wheels.

Then I would do headers,then the cam/valvetrain if there's enough money left.
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Old Mar 4, 2006 | 03:45 PM
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it is a stick.. i guess eventually i will need it, maybe a clutch will even make me feel more power now.. my car just feels like its slowing down and i need more POWER!!
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Old Mar 4, 2006 | 04:35 PM
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Originally Posted by LoSTRaMaiR
it is a stick.. i guess eventually i will need it, maybe a clutch will even make me feel more power now.. my car just feels like its slowing down and i need more POWER!!
This will happen again after you do hit 400rwhp.

Check out the for sale section or post a thread in the parts wanted section and get yourself a USED LS6 intake manifold, should be able to pick one up from $300-330.

That puts you to $830 with $1270 left over. I spent about that much for my cam, pulley, belts, bolts, gaskets, and tune. This did not include the valvesprings or install which i did myself. The pulley and the valvesprings cost me about the same as i have the PRC dual valvespring kit from TSP.

So, if you don't get a pulley, and install it yourself, you could probably do it for 2100.

If it was ME, i'd get the exhaust/intake and install it. These mods should hold you over for a while. Save up some more money, buy the pulley/belts, and have someone else install it if you don't feel comfortable.


PS - i would HIGHLY recommend getting a ported LS6 oil pump to replace your stocker, and i would also shim the spring for a bit more pressure. Do a title search for "oil pump mod" or "oil pump mods" and you'll find a thread i posted lots of info/pictures in.
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Old Mar 4, 2006 | 07:42 PM
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Headers, cam, oil pump, timing chain should be your 1st mods. You can always add a ls6 intake later with ease.

Just my .02
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Old Mar 5, 2006 | 10:02 PM
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im liking your ideas i might consider changing my plan. is the cheatr cam gonna screw up my engine because its so "big"
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Old Mar 5, 2006 | 10:07 PM
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Originally Posted by 98a4z28-410rwhp
im liking your ideas i might consider changing my plan. is the cheatr cam gonna screw up my engine because its so "big"
No but from what I understand it has aggresive ramp rates, and a fairly good amount of lift, so you need some good springs to handle that, plus you need to be able to check the springs every so often to make sure none of them are getting weak and getting ready to break (that'll ruin your day)
So before getting a cam like that make sure you are willing (and able) to do the required preventive maintenance
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Old Mar 6, 2006 | 11:24 PM
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thanks everybody for your help.. i don't feel comfortable doing everything myself, although if i have the tools and good directions i could probably handle it.. just sometimes there aren't directions, or they are vague.. i know there are many sites with directions on how to do installs, but i'd be scared to mess it up..

i was thinking about a cam but was curious about something.. if i keep the stock heads, and get a cam, then in the future if i get better heads will i need another cam also?

and the ORY was only to fit in my budget, i think i'd rather have a catted Y after reading about how many people don't like the sound of an ORY with LTs and such..

thanks again errbody
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