13thFlame

iTrader: (1)

Ok so basically I'm looking to build a nice high hp Car.

What I have to work with a 1999 Camaro RS/Z28 T-Top Car (LS1&T56) with 190k miles and some piston slap

Basically what I want is a nice DD I'd like to make something reliable and street-able that I can take to the track maybe once a month and put down a decent time.

I would like 600hp but maybe that's a bit much for dd so maybe 500.

I'd like to use and rebuild my stock ls1 and t56 but maybe that's not the way to go. for sure i don't want to use any spray. i'd really like to keep the car naturally aspirated but i may use a turbo or sc.

I have $4k cash to spend but I can add $1k a month.

What are some idea's for my build and should I start the build now wait till I have more saved up?

ckpitt55

iTrader: (4)

first, i'd spend a solid month or two researching different setups. determine what your plan is based on what you read / guys you talk to before you start spending any money. once you start ordering parts, stick to the plan. getting 500 hp out of a high-mileage ls1 will take you a lot more than $4k. every component needs to be right to get 500 out of it. look up Pat G.'s "recipe for 500 rwhp", should be a good primer on what it takes to get there N/A.

assuming your block has some wear:

machining - $1000-1500
new rods - $500
new pistons - $600-800
new bearings + assorted hardware - $200
all new gaskets - $300
cam - $400
intake / fuel setup - $2k
decent heads - $2-3k
rocker arms / pushrods / lifters - $1000-1100
clutch - $6-800

that's over 10k right there.

none of that includes time / cost of assembly if you're not going to be doing it yourself. nor does it include exhaust or any other supporting parts that I may be forgetting. it's not cheap man

13thFlame

iTrader: (1)

Wow I had no clue I needed to do all that to my LS1. Maybe i should get a different engine? I heard a Turbo 5.3 makes great power?

JakeFusion

iTrader: (7)

Turbo 5.3 will cost even more... And I wouldn't step down in engine size... if anything go with a 370 iron block and run boost.

But basically everything figured into the above + cost of the turbo setup will have to be factored in.

ckpitt55

iTrader: (4)

Well you don't have to, but it is strongly recommended if you want your engine to last. Building it right one time is cheaper than building is multiple times when things fail due to improper tolerances or component selection. Extracting serious power out of these motors n/a requires careful consideration and an understanding of how everything works together as a system. You're not going to bolt on a couple things and all of a sudden make 500 hp. As with a lot of things nowadays, you have to pay to play.

With engine building, you make choices based on 3 main parameters: affordability, reliability, and power. Unfortunately you can only have two.

1_MEANZ28

iTrader: (4)

Just run thicker oil,add a turbo kit.and youll see 500rwhp safe..dont be afraid of miles

13thFlame

iTrader: (1)

I do plan on rebuilding the motor even though it runs fine but maybe I'll go with an iron block LS but I really want to keep the light weight aluminum block but I'm still undecided. I'm just getting idea's so I know where to go rather than just jump into it. If I rebuild the motor will it get rid of the piston slap I'm having?

What about a 383 stroker kit during the time of a rebuild?

I'm located in Los Angeles, CA anybody know what the cost of parts and labor to rebuild an LS1 is?