Help upgrading my 97 LS1
Help upgrading my 97 LS1 I've been able to save some $$ to finally put some HP in my 97 Corvette. Budget for parts is >$2000. Install will be done by Frank's Vettes. (i don't mind using pre-owned parts) As it stands, I currently have
97 LS1 stock heads/bottom end.
1.8 YT rockers
Vararam CAI intake w/ LS6 manifold
SSAC mid-length headers and Borla stinger exhaust
Ford SVO 30lb lucas injectors
This resulted in 328rwhp/327rwtq on the last test (dynojet). Got some valve float on the stock springs above 5000rpm, but I will address that below.
Planned list:
- 243 heads (will still use the YT 1.8 rockers)
- upgraded pushrods
- upgraded springs
- ASP underdrive pulley
- Cam
- double roller timing chain
I'd like to get most of my gains in the bottom end starting at 2500rpm. My car is a daily driver street car and i'm not looking to set any strip or autocross records. just get some more umph. I'd like the car to have a stealthy smooth idle if possible.
What cam specs should I be looking for? What pushrod length to match the cam with the 1.8 rockers?
I figure swapping the Heads and Cam for the 02+ ZO6 parts i would get at least 405hp at the crank for a decent price. I figured that while i'm having this done, any tinkering to make the system work better would be easy to do.
97 LS1 stock heads/bottom end.
1.8 YT rockers
Vararam CAI intake w/ LS6 manifold
SSAC mid-length headers and Borla stinger exhaust
Ford SVO 30lb lucas injectors
This resulted in 328rwhp/327rwtq on the last test (dynojet). Got some valve float on the stock springs above 5000rpm, but I will address that below.
Planned list:
- 243 heads (will still use the YT 1.8 rockers)
- upgraded pushrods
- upgraded springs
- ASP underdrive pulley
- Cam
- double roller timing chain
I'd like to get most of my gains in the bottom end starting at 2500rpm. My car is a daily driver street car and i'm not looking to set any strip or autocross records. just get some more umph. I'd like the car to have a stealthy smooth idle if possible.
What cam specs should I be looking for? What pushrod length to match the cam with the 1.8 rockers?
I figure swapping the Heads and Cam for the 02+ ZO6 parts i would get at least 405hp at the crank for a decent price. I figured that while i'm having this done, any tinkering to make the system work better would be easy to do.
Thunder Racing makes a sleeper cam good for these engines. They are a sponsor for the site. There are a few cam guys on this site that can spec you a cam just the way you;d like it. "Patrick G" can def help you there or even talking a shop who can ground you a cam too works. You could stick with the z06 stuff but there is better cams out there that will meet your goals much more efficiently.
I'm talking to a the following shops about custom grind cams for my application:
SDPC, Texas Speed and Thunder racing.
Hoping to get a package deal on a kit if i can.
Update:
SDPC suggested this guy:
221/226 .565/.560 114
http://sdparts.com/details/scoggin-d...-center/sd0067
More lift and longer duration than the LS6 but with a 114 LSA vs a 117 LSA would make me think it idles smooth with good low/mid power.
What say ye?
SDPC, Texas Speed and Thunder racing.
Hoping to get a package deal on a kit if i can.
Update:
SDPC suggested this guy:
221/226 .565/.560 114
http://sdparts.com/details/scoggin-d...-center/sd0067
More lift and longer duration than the LS6 but with a 114 LSA vs a 117 LSA would make me think it idles smooth with good low/mid power.
What say ye?
Last edited by radioflyer86; May 24, 2010 at 07:20 PM.
You had a bad experience with Frank? How so? I've heard nothing but high praise from everyone who's ever had work done there.
If by stealthy you mean near stock idle, then you need something that is gonna be about -16° overlap at the highest. Just to compare: The LS6 camshaft has either -20° or -23° depending on the year.
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The 02+ LS6 cam has an acceptable idle sound for my tastes. Smooth is what i'm looking for or at least harmonically balanced vibration. I'm trying to avoid shaking the car like what happens with monster cams.
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My thoughts:
-Unless you're going to run a GM cam, ditch the YT rockers.
-Why a double roller? An LS2 timing chain is more than plenty for what you're doing and doesn't require replacing the crank gear.
-If in fact you do decide to use 243's and an 02+ Z06 cam, cut the heads .020 or so. It'll give you almost a full point in compression. Compression is free HP that doesn't affect driveability.
Lastly, there's quite a few cam combination's that'll work great with 243's, make a ton of power under the curve, and drive very smooth. But you will not be able to run any of them with 1.8 rockers.
Good luck.
-Unless you're going to run a GM cam, ditch the YT rockers.
-Why a double roller? An LS2 timing chain is more than plenty for what you're doing and doesn't require replacing the crank gear.
-If in fact you do decide to use 243's and an 02+ Z06 cam, cut the heads .020 or so. It'll give you almost a full point in compression. Compression is free HP that doesn't affect driveability.
Lastly, there's quite a few cam combination's that'll work great with 243's, make a ton of power under the curve, and drive very smooth. But you will not be able to run any of them with 1.8 rockers.
Good luck.
I wouldnt let a semi lopey cam shy you away from the power it can bring you though. I really think you should sell the YT's and pickup a set of stockers with the trunion upgrade and run a larger cam. Depending on who tunes your car they may be able to hide a mild cam pretty well and still give you great driveability.
I'm not sure what the 97 LS1 Vettes had stock, but I would think it would either be 202/210 .496/.496 116 LSA or extremely similar.
Personally, I wouldn't shoot for 405 at the crank. You can easily get leaps and bounds over that for the same amount of labor and basically the same cost. Unless for some reason the 97 PCM is as big of a pile as the ones in the 98 fbodies. Essentially you will be swapping stock for stock with a larger rocker as it stands.
Also Josh is right. As soon as you are done putting a 5pt harness on your lazy-boy start on the install of the double roller.
It really is in excess of what your goals are power wise by a LOOOONNNGGGG shot. People that say they break their single chains usually have a balancing problem that just raped the harmonics and forked the chain. Pick up an LS2 timing set and move on. Its about the best reassurance you can get at literally 1/4 of the cost of a DR.
I'm not sure what the 97 LS1 Vettes had stock, but I would think it would either be 202/210 .496/.496 116 LSA or extremely similar.
Personally, I wouldn't shoot for 405 at the crank. You can easily get leaps and bounds over that for the same amount of labor and basically the same cost. Unless for some reason the 97 PCM is as big of a pile as the ones in the 98 fbodies. Essentially you will be swapping stock for stock with a larger rocker as it stands.
Also Josh is right. As soon as you are done putting a 5pt harness on your lazy-boy start on the install of the double roller.
It really is in excess of what your goals are power wise by a LOOOONNNGGGG shot. People that say they break their single chains usually have a balancing problem that just raped the harmonics and forked the chain. Pick up an LS2 timing set and move on. Its about the best reassurance you can get at literally 1/4 of the cost of a DR. I'm talking to a the following shops about custom grind cams for my application:
SDPC, Texas Speed and Thunder racing.
Hoping to get a package deal on a kit if i can.
Update:
SDPC suggested this guy:
221/226 .565/.560 114
http://sdparts.com/details/scoggin-d...-center/sd0067
More lift and longer duration than the LS6 but with a 114 LSA vs a 117 LSA would make me think it idles smooth with good low/mid power.
What say ye?
SDPC, Texas Speed and Thunder racing.
Hoping to get a package deal on a kit if i can.
Update:
SDPC suggested this guy:
221/226 .565/.560 114
http://sdparts.com/details/scoggin-d...-center/sd0067
More lift and longer duration than the LS6 but with a 114 LSA vs a 117 LSA would make me think it idles smooth with good low/mid power.
What say ye?
How does 430 REAR WHEEL hp and 415 REAR WHEEL tq with STOCK 243's and a BABY CAM sound? The guy's wife drives the car and didn't even notice it has a cam in it.
https://ls1tech.com/forums/dynamomet...k-results.html
My thoughts:
-Unless you're going to run a GM cam, ditch the YT rockers.
-Why a double roller? An LS2 timing chain is more than plenty for what you're doing and doesn't require replacing the crank gear.
-If in fact you do decide to use 243's and an 02+ Z06 cam, cut the heads .020 or so. It'll give you almost a full point in compression. Compression is free HP that doesn't affect driveability.
Lastly, there's quite a few cam combination's that'll work great with 243's, make a ton of power under the curve, and drive very smooth. But you will not be able to run any of them with 1.8 rockers.
Good luck.
-Unless you're going to run a GM cam, ditch the YT rockers.
-Why a double roller? An LS2 timing chain is more than plenty for what you're doing and doesn't require replacing the crank gear.
-If in fact you do decide to use 243's and an 02+ Z06 cam, cut the heads .020 or so. It'll give you almost a full point in compression. Compression is free HP that doesn't affect driveability.
Lastly, there's quite a few cam combination's that'll work great with 243's, make a ton of power under the curve, and drive very smooth. But you will not be able to run any of them with 1.8 rockers.
Good luck.
What do you mean by "cutting the heads 020"? Is this porting or something different?
Personally, I wouldn't shoot for 405 at the crank. You can easily get leaps and bounds over that for the same amount of labor and basically the same cost. Unless for some reason the 97 PCM is as big of a pile as the ones in the 98 fbodies. Essentially you will be swapping stock for stock with a larger rocker as it stands.
Originally i was under the impression that a double roller was the ONLY upgrade to a single roller. I didn't know they made Heavy duty singles.
What do you mean by "cutting the heads 020"? Is this porting or something different?
What do you mean by "cutting the heads 020"? Is this porting or something different?
What I meant by cutting the heads is milling the deck .020. It will make the chamber smaller, and build compression. Compression = free HP/TQ.
There are tons of single options including LS2, C5R, etc etc. The LS2 is a cheap replacement, and strong enough for any heads/cam application.
What I meant by cutting the heads is milling the deck .020. It will make the chamber smaller, and build compression. Compression = free HP/TQ.
What I meant by cutting the heads is milling the deck .020. It will make the chamber smaller, and build compression. Compression = free HP/TQ.
The only "downside" would be having to run premium gas. You can't run cheap gas with high compression. But hopefully you're not running cheap gas in a modded Vette anyway.
