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Old Oct 18, 2014 | 02:22 PM
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Default ls1 upgrades checklist

Recently picked up a 2001 SS Camaro looking for a T56 trans, Low miles, Nice n clean interior and exterior. Motor toast.
Here's the plan.
Low mileage LS1 out of 99 vette all looks good.
Reuse oil pan if ok, Intake,front accessories,
I've got new 243 heads, cam and push rods off Z06
LS7 lifters,Trays,Double timing chain, Meiling oil pump, Rocker arm trunnion kit
I still need to get gaskets and seals,
Which head gasket should I get?
Here's a can of worms!!!! what Cam to get if any, nothing too radical don't want to have to change springs.
What am I missing, Comments welcome
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Old Oct 18, 2014 | 02:39 PM
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The 243 heads and Z06 cam will perform decently on the LS1, but you could get much better results with some CNC work done to those heads. Is there a budget for how much your willing to spend? If anything, you could keep the ZO6 cam, have the heads ported by a vendor, and have a stout setup that wont sound radical at all.
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Old Oct 18, 2014 | 03:07 PM
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Stock MLS head gaskets for cost, or Cometics .045" or .040" for a very slight bump in SCR and better quench.
With stock gm ls6 valve springs stick with a gm cam. The gm Hot cam (219/228 112lsa, lift.525"/.525" with -.5* overlap) would be a good option.
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Old Oct 18, 2014 | 09:22 PM
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I would change valve springs or leave the z06 cam in it.
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Old Oct 19, 2014 | 01:53 PM
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Thanks, I have a hot cam also, I didn't want to get all nuts trying to make more power, just wake it up a little. I'll also change the clutch,pressure plate and T.B to ls7. Just looking for Reliable DD,
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Old Nov 5, 2014 | 11:31 AM
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Contacted AI on head work on the 243's with shipping and head work looks like around $1400 w/spring upgrade BTR Springs $1700 is this a good bang for the buck????
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Old Nov 5, 2014 | 11:42 AM
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I'm running pretty much the same setup. 99 LS1 block, 243 heads, hardened push rods with the stock LS6 cam, the 02-04 though with .550 lift. The next cam I'm going to is a Comp Cam - 228/230 .571.573 112LSA - part # 54-428-11.

Z06 cam I feel should get me 360-380 and the comp cam has shown 400+
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Old Nov 5, 2014 | 11:52 AM
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First. Read the stickies abt modifyng your engine.all the info is on there.
Second, figure out your budget.if you have money ,the possibilities are endless.
3rd what is the function? DD,drag,autox. Just remember more power the less reliable it gonna get.
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Old Nov 5, 2014 | 12:13 PM
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Originally Posted by laurentj23
First. Read the stickies abt modifyng your engine.all the info is on there.
Second, figure out your budget.if you have money ,the possibilities are endless.
3rd what is the function? DD,drag,autox. Just remember more power the less reliable it gonna get.
I've read and done my home work, just looking for some of the guys that have done this mod if it really wakes up the engine, Already has long tube headers, If I get the heads to flow better the intake should be changed to a fast 92 or 102. Or scrap the LS1 and go with my LQ4
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Old Nov 9, 2014 | 11:26 AM
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Originally Posted by shoeboxvette
Contacted AI on head work on the 243's with shipping and head work looks like around $1400 w/spring upgrade BTR Springs $1700 is this a good bang for the buck????
I would add more cabbage and go with AFR or trickflow. I saw a few people selling one on here. But that's just me.
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Old Nov 9, 2014 | 01:09 PM
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Originally Posted by shoeboxvette
Contacted AI on head work on the 243's with shipping and head work looks like around $1400 w/spring upgrade BTR Springs $1700 is this a good bang for the buck????
I just don't see the point in spending that much money on stock heads. You could sell those 243's for $3-400 and then have the money to buy either PRC 225 as cast or TrickFlow 220 as cast with PM guides and hand blending from BTR or TEA. If your looking for a more budget option TSP will port your heads for $750 and install .625 lift beehives for $185 or .650 lift duals for $300. If your just going to run a LS6 cam might as well just run either run new stock LS6 springs or the .625 lift beehives.
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