Hi guys. I just recently moved up from my Camaro to a 1999 Corvette Non-z06.

It's a 6-speed, 90k miles, runs perfect besides the typical Chevy clutch master issue they all have. That will be remedied with a Tick unit

Anyway, I need to make a SMOG LEGAL 400whp car, meaning I can't have too aggressive of a cam, and I pretty much have to stick with factory heads like the PRC heads Texas-Speed offers. I also can't have headers on my car...I was hoping I could get a catless mid pipe since it's easy to remove and replace when smog time comes around, and maybe a cutout.

Gary over at Texas speed recommended their 224r cam, which is 224/224 .581/.581 114lsa paired with their 5.3 PRC heads, this will supposedly give me around an 80whp gain. That would put me at around 380whp. Then I was thinking maybe an LS6 manifold and ported throttle body to push me around 395whp or so - which would be perfect for me.

Is there a better solution that will make more power, or a better cam for California smog? I would like a slight cam lope...I don't want a cheater cam.

 

Would it not be easier to buy a nice used blower, not worry about the emission stuff, and make a lot more power? Just a thought.

 

I still wouldn't pass smog with a procharger..i'm assuming that's the setup you are talking about. I'd have to remove the whole system every single time.

 

Ok ok i thought those things were smog legal. My bad lol

 

I believe the older Magnachargers MP112s do have the CARB certification, and I thought I read somewhere about the newer TVSs also waiting on those. Might be a worth a look.

If money is not really an object, you should be able to do a little better on the heads (like say AFR 205s or TFS 215s). Besides the marking on the side of the head, there's no real tell tell sign those are aftermarket. I really doubt an inspector will notice those. If anything, you can probably do ported 243s which are definitely not going to be noticed and will gain you power over the 5.3s.

Also, you can get shorty headers which have CARB certifications and just fab up a custom catless Y pipe that you can then swap out when it comes time for inspection. You should easily be able to get to your goal with some nice heads, compression and that size cam.

 

A&A's Vortech kit is smog legal, but likely far more expensive.

 

The Magnuson kits are CARB legal, but I'd have to make or buy a new raised hood, and they are 8,000 dollars.. :O

I'll check out the A&A kit.

Money is definitely an issue but I can save for it. Doesn't have to be done immediately.

 

I would go with PRC 227 and that 224 cam. Also slap a fast 92 and you should be good.

 

FAST 92 isn't carb legal so he would have to remove it or disguise it..... I agree I would look into fi. The high rise hood for the c5 that I've seen is around 900 bucks. Probably find one cheaper used or just searching.

The initialy cost is more but you will make more power and the install should actually be easier....Even if you had to remove the Head unit every year its pretty easy to just take it off and hide the plumbing....Far easier than to do H/C swap and then find out it wont pass. A 224 h/c setup SHOULD pass but its never a guarantee

 

The FAST 92, p/n 54039B is indeed CARB approved. It has EO number D-279-9.

It is, however, $900 that could go towards a blower....

 

Will the stock bottom end hold up to boost, though? I was looking at the A&A kit, it's nice and not that expensive. (I mean it is but not compared to others)

It claims to provide 170 more hp over stock. That would put me at around 470 hp give or take. Will my bottom end be able to take that? If I had that much power I'd be in the throttle quite often.

 

With the low comp of the LS1 and keeping it on low boost it should last a very long time given you have the right tune and fueling.

 

I have a friend with a procharged c5z that has been pushed hard that makes 550+ hp and it runs great.

I agree that FI is the way to go. Not much options when you have to abide our smog **** laws here in Kalifornia. Thank God I just switched my registration to a smog exempt county.

 

Alright guys. I have decided I want to stay N/A. FI seems really great and I do miss my old 240SX that was FI, but I don't need it. I just want a streetable low 12's car, which I'm sure H/C can get me.

I've chose the stage 2.5 5.3 heads, and a 224/224 .581 114lsa cam from Texas-Speed. Do you think I would pass with a 112lsa, or any cam that is more aggressive, or am I pretty much stuck with the 224/224 .581 114 lsa cam?

I'll pair it with an LS6 intake, Vararam or Callaway intake, and maybe, just MAYBE longtubes if I can find a smog guy here in California.

Thoughts?

 

You'll want a cam with a wider I/E split with running the stock exhaust manifolds and cats..
I'd run something like Crane 1449091 (222/228 115lsa+4, lift .551"/.551")
http://www.ws6project.com/user_stor/...oducts_id=4928
a EPS TT2
http://www.engpwrsys.com/index.php?a...od&productId=5

or....
Cam Motion LS 5.7 Stage 3
http://store.cammotion.com/57-ls1-34...-compression-3

The 224/224 114lsa is pushing it, and a singe pattern cam is less than ideal with stock exhaust manifolds and cats.

 

Damnit...I've been talking with Andy from A&A Corvette and he is swinging me back into the FI direction...

He verified that his kit is SMOG/CARB legal and will make 400+ whp no problem. He told me that the H/C setup I chose wont make good power without headers and just *might* pass smog - all while making less power than his supercharger kit.

So many decisions!

 

Does texas speed offer the heads without engraving? because if not the smog tech is going to notice that.

 

You can still fail the visual check with gm heads if the model# isn't the same as what comes on the factory engine. That's why I recommend going with having your stock heads cnc ported or if your budget permits buying aftermarket heads with a CARB EO # like AFR's heads have.

 

Don't the texas speed heads only engrave on top, near the valve cover? I could always use JB weld and flatten it smooth, and you'd never know. Or I could just grind off the 2.5 logo.

As for the heads failing for not being factory model#, do they REALLY go that far!? You live right next to me I'm guessing that C.V. means Central Valley? I'm in Fresno.

 

The 224 224 114 cam has to much overlap and wouldn't pass emissions most likely.
I would send the stock heads to Ai and use the Ai 214 224 .600".583" 117 LSA with an LS6 manifold and ported TB.