help me make a CA legal 400 rwhp on a budget..
11-07-2010, 10:39 AM
#22
I personally can't justify spending AFR money for just about 450hp. I wouldn't want to "waste" a set of aftermarket heads and or the money to pass smog laws. The 243/LS6 heads will flow enough to produce 450+ hp. Spend 600 bucks and get the 243's CNC ported. Way cheaper than the AFR's, looks like "stock" and still kick a**. The determining factors and issues will be camshaft selection and tune. These things help to dictate smog legal hp MORE than aftermarket cylinder heads. I'm saying that the cost would out weigh the horse-power gains...about 50 hp more with the aftermarket heads.
12-10-2010, 09:46 AM
#27
Quick update. Moneys hard to save up around this time especially as you all know,but have been getting a list of things I need to finish this up and recently got a set of 706 heads and are at the shop now to get 3 angle valve job aswell as bowl porting. After I get those done will be getting everthing I need then get a eps cam made last. So hopefully by march ill be ready to install 
12-10-2010, 03:39 PM
#29
I don't know why there are so many suggestions that are single pattern cams... You need something with a bit more exhaust duration for stock style manifolds. The CheaTR was a very good recommendation for a shelf grind.
I don't live in CA but I doubt they would be savvy enough to figure out the cat is shifted slightly. However, I don't think the Vette manifolds have AIR provisions do they?
I don't live in CA but I doubt they would be savvy enough to figure out the cat is shifted slightly. However, I don't think the Vette manifolds have AIR provisions do they?
12-20-2010, 10:46 AM
#30
The Vette manifolds won't work for CA smog laws. It's shifted (which means you'd have to hack together some piping and put aftermarket cats on to get everything to fit right, which will look very obvious)... Also if you get a smog tech that is **** (or have to go to a Referee and he/she checks the head casting number), any heads other than 241/853 (whatever came on your car) will not pass, unless you are one of the few who has a record that the motor was replaced with an LS6 under warranty.
That said, most smog techs don't check the head casting number and cross-reference it in their database, as long as it looks factory.
You can spend money on shorty headers if you want - there are shorty headers with CARB numbers, and they bolt to the stock cats. They do not make much more power than stock, and I have seen mention that they have a poor scavenging effect compared to stock.
That said, most smog techs don't check the head casting number and cross-reference it in their database, as long as it looks factory.
You can spend money on shorty headers if you want - there are shorty headers with CARB numbers, and they bolt to the stock cats. They do not make much more power than stock, and I have seen mention that they have a poor scavenging effect compared to stock.
Last edited by ZexGX; 12-20-2010 at 11:04 AM.
02-11-2011, 07:58 PM
#33
-120k mile '02 z28 ls1 block
-T56 is stock with new ls7 clutch, slave cylinder, and pilot bearing
-micropolished crank
-new rods, rings, and pistons (ls1 OEM GM)
-katech rod bolts
-improved racing oil pan baffle
-new cometic gasket set
-all new clevite bearings
-new ls7 lifters and trays
-new ls2 chain, new ls6 oil pump
-ls6 intake
-arp head bolts
-cnc ported and polished 5.3 heads with larger valves and double valve springs. similar to the tsp stage 2.5 heads
-TSP hardened chromoly pushrods
-comp cams trunion rocker arm upgrade
-comp cam 224*/228*, 0.568"/0.588"
-NGK TR55 plugs
-NAPA plug wires (new)
-4.10 final drive (mazda rx7 rear end)
-f-body cat converters & stock exhaust manifolds
-custom exhaust after cats... to y pipe to 3" muffler
-ls6 intake
-ls6 PCV system
-stock 28ish lb/hr injectors @ stock fuel pressure (58 psi)
-power steering, no A/C
Good luck with ur setup and please let us know how it turns out!
02-11-2011, 09:52 PM
#35
a 220/220 or 224/224 would be a good cam choice but you are going to want more of a split biased on the exhaust. The air is getting in just fine but it needs to have more exhaust duration because of the stock manifolds.
This cam http://www.engpwrsys.com/index.php?a...od&productId=9
or the cheatr v3 would be ideal imo
Another thing to consider would be an ORY for stock manifolds, it would be an easy 30min swap to get it back to smog legal status and you should see an easy 10rwhp gain.
As for heads i would get a set of 799 or ls6 heads and have them milled .030, i think you will end up regretting porting your 241's if you end up wanting more power down the road. Ls6 or aftermarket style castings would work best when combined with a smaller cam, at least more so then 5.3's or 241's.
This cam http://www.engpwrsys.com/index.php?a...od&productId=9
or the cheatr v3 would be ideal imo
Another thing to consider would be an ORY for stock manifolds, it would be an easy 30min swap to get it back to smog legal status and you should see an easy 10rwhp gain.
As for heads i would get a set of 799 or ls6 heads and have them milled .030, i think you will end up regretting porting your 241's if you end up wanting more power down the road. Ls6 or aftermarket style castings would work best when combined with a smaller cam, at least more so then 5.3's or 241's.
02-11-2011, 10:35 PM
#38
Have some 03 C5 manifolds (gasket matched) if you're interested...........
Also waiting on a custom EPS sleeper stick 218/226-.595/.598-117 lsa +3
Probably gonna mill my 241's and clean up the bowls..........
going mild like yourself..........keep us updated
Also waiting on a custom EPS sleeper stick 218/226-.595/.598-117 lsa +3
Probably gonna mill my 241's and clean up the bowls..........
going mild like yourself..........keep us updated
02-11-2011, 10:48 PM
#39
Staging Lane
Join Date: Sep 2010
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I passed about 2 months ago with my mods in the signature below other than a cold air intake and mabe an underdrive pully i'm out of ideas but I got 2 years to mess around so I got some plans for headers and shady smog shop later!