I currently have an 02 SS. The car has a forged 383 bottom end (~9.5:1), cammed, Vortech G-trim with meth injection, 1 3/4 LTs. It recently laid down 506/454 at 6 psi and a safe tune. That's through a stalled 4l60 and 10 bolt with 3.73 gears. The car runs well and I'm happy with it. But I'm looking to the future.

I'm being told I'm nearing the limits of the G-trim. Vortech rates it at 600 crank shaft horsepower and I'm sure I'm at or a little over that. I'm torn on what I want to do next. My top end is completely stock. 241s, Ls6 intake, stock TB. I would like to upgrade but need to know what would be best. I have a couple of ideas.

My first idea is just get some ported 243s, port match the ls6 intake and TB and see what it makes. Maybe try to turn of the boost a little but I was told not to unless I intercooled it. I don't want to put much money into this Vortech as its an older, unsupported design. That's my problem with this idea.

Second, pull the G-trim, put on a D1 or YSI and crank it up. Only thing is the stock topend would be leaving a lot on the table and I couldn't afford to change the blower and change the topend at the same time.

Finally, and my favorite idea (if its possible) is to pull the G-trim and meth off the car and sell it. Build a topend kit and go NA. Good heads (AFR or TFS), bigger cam, Fast intake and TB. My goal would be to match the performance I already have with no boost. Then I could add a 150 shot later since 600rwhp is where I eventually want to be.

So, what would be the best bet? I really like the third idea but can I make 500rwhp NA? The second is the best on paper and has the most potential but would also take the longest and cost the most. The first one is almost a no brainer but not if the G-trim won't support it. So I'm open to suggestions. Thanks.

 

Anyone?

 

A cam swap might make a big difference w/the G-Trim?
I don't know much about boost cams though.

If you go NA 383 then you might check out the below.
https://ls1tech.com/forums/dynamomet...-included.html

 

Thanks, awesome link. The car does have a boost friendly cam. Never can remember the exact specs though. It's like a 238/242 .610/.610 115 LSA I think. I'll find my cam card. Anyone got any suggestions?

 

First things that came to mind are fast intake/tb, 243s, and 1 7/8 headers.

 

Yep, that's my first option I have above. It does seem like a no brainer but it all come back around to the g-trim becoming too small. When the car was first cammed while on the stock short block, it picked up about 30rwhp but lost 3 psi of boost. The car is still down 2 psi, to 6 from the original 8 psi it was running when I bought it. (Stock other than the S/C and LTs). Out of the options I named, which would y'all say is the best or is there another one I'm missing entirely? Thanks.

 

Sorry, my cam is a 234/242 .601/.601 115 LSA.