1998 LS1 head/cam advice
Thread Starter
Teching In
Joined: Jun 2013
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1998 LS1 head/cam advice I'm trying to decide which cam/heads to use on my 1998 Camaro M6. Numbers aren't everything but I'm aiming for 400whp. It is my daily driver, and because I'm in Texas it needs to pass inspection. I'm also on a tight budget so price is obviously a concern for me. I've done some looking around, and I'm trying to decide between having the stock 806 heads ported (I've heard that ported 806 can be as good as ported 241's) and stock 243 heads (would not have them ported). Everyone seems to have different opinions on cams, so my question is which cam will I see the best results with these heads and a tune, and retain reasonable driveability on a M6 daily driver. The car currently has full exhaust with headers and a Y pipe, that is the only mod I know of besides a tune.
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Roller cams are best billet$$$$ then springs are critical, often stock cams benefit from new springs by this age.
Thread Starter
Teching In
Joined: Jun 2013
Posts: 6
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Well I'm here because I don't "have a clue." I've done some looking around already, there are several cams for $400 or a little less. I'll do some more looking around and probably talk to some local shops.
Strong stiffer valve spring are a must!
If you can't afford better valve spring, then you definitely can't afford to repair the damage cause by floating the valves.
Wait until you have saved enough to do it right!
This would be a nice combo for a very good price.
http://www.ws6project.com/user_stor/...valve-springs/
http://www.ws6project.com/user_stor/...-lift-228-230/
If you can't afford better valve spring, then you definitely can't afford to repair the damage cause by floating the valves.
Wait until you have saved enough to do it right!
This would be a nice combo for a very good price.
http://www.ws6project.com/user_stor/...valve-springs/
http://www.ws6project.com/user_stor/...-lift-228-230/
If you don't have a clue then I doubt you can install parts yourself so with parts and install for just the cam its about 2k . The heads to get worked over another 500 to 1k. These are rough numbers so don't quote me. Do some homework and save if this is what you want. Check the classifeds for deals.
Thread Starter
Teching In
Joined: Jun 2013
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There's no way I'd try swapping a cam myself right now. The most I've done was replacing the water pump and the timing cover gasket on a Ranger. Somewhere around $3k for everything is about what I've been thinking it will be, so that sounds good!
TECH Apprentice
Joined: Apr 2002
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From: Hickory, NC
A couple of photos of the ports. The chambers got trimmed as well however I don't have any photos to show. From what I understand, the valve job has everything to do with the improvement in performance.
TECH Enthusiast
Joined: Feb 2007
Posts: 625
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From: Raleigh, NC
I'm curious why anyone would have their non LS6 style head ported for $1000+ when you can go to Scoggin Dickey and buy brand new ported 799s the same price and they include the castings. Especially when you compare the numbers of the Scoggin Dickey head to the old (now discontinued?) Texas Speed stage 1 LS6 heads and realize all the numbers are exactly the same. I wonder who does the port work for Scoggin Dickey? Anybody know?
I'm curious why anyone would have their non LS6 style head ported for $1000+ when you can go to Scoggin Dickey and buy brand new ported 799s the same price and they include the castings. Especially when you compare the numbers of the Scoggin Dickey head to the old (now discontinued?) Texas Speed stage 1 LS6 heads and realize all the numbers are exactly the same. I wonder who does the port work for Scoggin Dickey? Anybody know?
For what it's worth though, they say that they CNC their heads in house.