Hey guys, first off I would like to give you my goals for a build. I don't currently have a car, but would be purchasing a 98-2002 Camaro/Trans Am M6. I would like 450-500RWHP N/A. The car will not be a DD, just a weekend car with trips to the track and Sunday drives. My budget would be around 15k-18k

This will be my first build, and I have been doing a lot of research. I also have read Joseph Potak's book "How to Build and Modify GM LS-Series Engines" from front to back, so I have a decent knowledge of the engine.

I have three options I am contemplating right now and would like to run the options by you all and see what you think.

Option 1: I have a friend with a 1200 mile LS1 for $2000 that I could buy along with a LS1 Camaro, pull the engine out of the Camaro and sell it to put in the newer engine. Regardless, with this route I would be dropping in a forged rotating assembly on the stock bore and stroke. Then going with a set of stage 2.5 LS6 heads from TSP with a Valve-train to match the heads. LS6 intake and ported TB

Option 2: Have the LS1 block cleared for a 383 forged rotating assembly, or purchase a 383 short block from TSP. Put on a set of AFR 215s and a valve-train to match with a FAST 92 intake and TB.

Option 3: Find a LQ9 block, leave it stock bore and stroke. Forged internals with a cam and LS3 top end.

I would like to have my mind set so I can just focus on one route. I have never owned a car like this before. I have been around plenty but this will be my first muscle car. I am leaning toward option #3 and #1. My biggest concern would be getting everything to work electronically and accessary-wise on the year car I will be buying since that motor and top end was not originally in the car on option #3. Also will a stock T56 hold up to these setups? Would 42# injectors be needed on all as well a larger volume fuel pump? I greatly appreciate all your advice.

 

Also, another option would be to just put a H/C/I combo on the 1200 mile LS1 my friend has and forget the internals. Really the only reason I was wanting to change internals was to learn the motor inside and out. I like doing things myself and take pride in it. Thanks

 

Have you considered getting a LS2 shortblock and doing something like a 408. It would be much easier to get the power you want with that. Either way you go, make sure you put the best heads you can afford on it and get the cam and valvetrain to match. Also, you said something about your budget being around $18,000 so I'm assuming that includes the cost of the car too?

 

I know it's not one of the options you put up, but my question is if you're willing to pay for the stroker rotating assembly on the LS1 to make it a 383, why not make the LQ4 a 408?

 

Do yourself a favor and make sure you buy 99 and up because the computer is much better....I have a 98 and I'm not complaining but if I buy another I def want 99 and up they just seem faster stock for stock...heads and cam any ls1 though and you will unleash the beast!

 

Yes 18k would include the price of the car. I wouldn't be against a stroked 6.0 at all. Looking on eBay it seems I can get a bare LQ4/9 for around $400. If you went the LQ route would you go with LS3 top end or AFR/FAST top end? And how hard would it be to put a LQ in a 98-02 fbody? Thanks for the fast replies

 

Lots of people have gone the LQ4/9 route in a F-Body, so that shouldn't be an issue. As for going with LS3 top end or going with AFR/FAST combo, that is a great question. Can't say I've done much research on that topic. I do know that an AFR/FAST combo, with the right cam and valvetrain will far exceed your goals.

 

LS3 top end will be cheaper, and will make nearly the same peak power, while the AFR/FAST combo will usually make more under the curve and more average torque while still making the same or a little more peak power.

This is taking into consideration that the camshafts are the same in each combo or at least comparable.

 

I vote for a ls2/lq9 stroker with some l92 heads .get a custom cam .maybe consider a engine from Tony Mamo .