Going fast in California...
Thread Starter
Staging Lane
Joined: May 2014
Posts: 64
Likes: 0
Going fast in California... Hello LS1 tech! I am a long time reader and first time poster. I have owned 10 firebirds and 6 camaro's. I love love love the ls1+t56 combo. Anyways, I am running slightly low compression at the moment. Time to sell the car, I will probably get more money than I paid for it. This is how I live my car life.
HOWEVER. There is a problem. This car is almost exactly how I would have ordered it if I could have when it was new. I love the options. First of all, it is a hardtop ls1 ws6... It is real, and I have never seen another one. I owned a formula hardtop that I put a ws6 hood on. But being a real ws6 hardtop satisfies the firebird nerd in me.
So I am actually considering rebuilding the top end. I like to go fast. I have had stall converters and 4.11's in an a4 ws6 etc. This car is a driver, but that doesn't mean I couldn't use 400ish horse power. The bird only has 108 on the clock so I am considering leaving the bottom end as-is.
I want a noticeable increase in power but I need to pass CA smog =/
Can I pass smog with aftermarket heads?
Can I pass smog with an aftermarket intake manifold? Are there any that retain EGR / AIR?
Can I pass smog with an aftermarket cam? Or am I getting greedy now
Can I pass smog with an upgraded valve-train? higher ratio RR's etc.
Thank you in advance for your advice. I can't be the first LS1 owner that wants to go faster in California.
: drive:
HOWEVER. There is a problem. This car is almost exactly how I would have ordered it if I could have when it was new. I love the options. First of all, it is a hardtop ls1 ws6... It is real, and I have never seen another one. I owned a formula hardtop that I put a ws6 hood on. But being a real ws6 hardtop satisfies the firebird nerd in me.
So I am actually considering rebuilding the top end. I like to go fast. I have had stall converters and 4.11's in an a4 ws6 etc. This car is a driver, but that doesn't mean I couldn't use 400ish horse power. The bird only has 108 on the clock so I am considering leaving the bottom end as-is.
I want a noticeable increase in power but I need to pass CA smog =/
Can I pass smog with aftermarket heads?
Can I pass smog with an aftermarket intake manifold? Are there any that retain EGR / AIR?
Can I pass smog with an aftermarket cam? Or am I getting greedy now
Can I pass smog with an upgraded valve-train? higher ratio RR's etc.
Thank you in advance for your advice. I can't be the first LS1 owner that wants to go faster in California.
: drive: If i lived in Cali, i would just slap on a procharger and call it a day.
Im pretty sure you can pass smog easuer with a blower instead if a cam.
I spent so much on my head n cam that i could have spent exact same on a blower And probably make a bit more power.
Im pretty sure you can pass smog easuer with a blower instead if a cam.
I spent so much on my head n cam that i could have spent exact same on a blower And probably make a bit more power.
Thread Starter
Staging Lane
Joined: May 2014
Posts: 64
Likes: 0
Thanks for the idea, but I am pretty sure I roasted a valve and need to rebuild the top end anyway.
I like naturally asperated motors, but I could see where forced induction would make smoggable power.
I like naturally asperated motors, but I could see where forced induction would make smoggable power.
TECH Fanatic
Joined: Aug 2009
Posts: 1,845
Likes: 255
From: Coast of San Mateo County Between Pacifica & HMB
AFR heads are CA smog legal 210,215s
FAST 92 is smog legal not sure about 102.
Cam while technically not legal if you had some one that knows
What there doing it is possible to pass with an aftermarket cam if
Specced correctly. Something like 223*/229* LSA 115*+3* .600"/.580"
I would talk to Tony Mamo.
Possible to pick up 60+ RWHP,appear legal, and pass sniffer.
FAST 92 is smog legal not sure about 102.
Cam while technically not legal if you had some one that knows
What there doing it is possible to pass with an aftermarket cam if
Specced correctly. Something like 223*/229* LSA 115*+3* .600"/.580"
I would talk to Tony Mamo.
Possible to pick up 60+ RWHP,appear legal, and pass sniffer.
TECH Fanatic
Joined: Sep 2003
Posts: 1,058
Likes: 1
AFR heads are CA smog legal 210,215s
FAST 92 is smog legal not sure about 102.
Cam while technically not legal if you had some one that knows
What there doing it is possible to pass with an aftermarket cam if
Specced correctly. Something like 223*/229* LSA 115*+3* .600"/.580"
I would talk to Tony Mamo.
Possible to pick up 60+ RWHP,appear legal, and pass sniffer.
FAST 92 is smog legal not sure about 102.
Cam while technically not legal if you had some one that knows
What there doing it is possible to pass with an aftermarket cam if
Specced correctly. Something like 223*/229* LSA 115*+3* .600"/.580"
I would talk to Tony Mamo.
Possible to pick up 60+ RWHP,appear legal, and pass sniffer.
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On The Tree
Joined: Jul 2014
Posts: 143
Likes: 0
From: Lincoln, CA
Another option if budget is a factor would be to have some oem parts worked over. A set of 243 heads, LS6 intake, and throttle body ported and polished by AI, TEA, WCCH, or Tony Mamo will all look factory but have a ton of power potential.
On The Tree
Joined: Sep 2009
Posts: 179
Likes: 2
FAST intake is legal. AFR heads are smog legal. The only deal I see is you have to chose the right cam. As it's a 2000 you're stuck with EGR. That means no LS6 intake. And that just means more money out of your pocket.
TECH Fanatic
Joined: Aug 2009
Posts: 1,845
Likes: 255
From: Coast of San Mateo County Between Pacifica & HMB
I believe that there are some shorty headers that are smog legal,
Only worth like 5 hp on stock maybe 8+ with HCI, not worth it
New IMHO but maybe if you can find a set used for a good deal.
With your goals I would go AFR 210s, Tony Mamo Ported Fast 102/92 &
90/92 MM TB, (W/V-Max velocity ring W/ 102) a ram air system that I
Could change for smog test, and a CAMMOTION spec HR
something like 223*/229* LSA 115*+3* ADV .600"/.580" Lift
Gentle lobes for long valvetrain life/stability up to 6500 RPM
wont be breathing to high RPM without LTs which is an auto Fail
Visually. I think you need -3 valve overlap or greater negative
To pass as well with an aftermarket cam.
I would also go with stock rockers W/ CHE Bushing trunion replacement
Quality PAC Beehive Springs & some good pushrods something like
5/16 W/ .105, food food for thought just my .02
Only worth like 5 hp on stock maybe 8+ with HCI, not worth it
New IMHO but maybe if you can find a set used for a good deal.
With your goals I would go AFR 210s, Tony Mamo Ported Fast 102/92 &
90/92 MM TB, (W/V-Max velocity ring W/ 102) a ram air system that I
Could change for smog test, and a CAMMOTION spec HR
something like 223*/229* LSA 115*+3* ADV .600"/.580" Lift
Gentle lobes for long valvetrain life/stability up to 6500 RPM
wont be breathing to high RPM without LTs which is an auto Fail
Visually. I think you need -3 valve overlap or greater negative
To pass as well with an aftermarket cam.
I would also go with stock rockers W/ CHE Bushing trunion replacement
Quality PAC Beehive Springs & some good pushrods something like
5/16 W/ .105, food food for thought just my .02
Staging Lane
Joined: Sep 2007
Posts: 71
Likes: 0
From: Sacramento, CA
We were just discussing this in another thread and for a "Max" CA legal build this is about as far as you can take an LS1 in California - https://ls1tech.com/forums/western-m...l#post18747703
Since its a 2000 car you still have the sniffer test, us 01+ guys don't sniffer anymore..
Heads/cam with a fast 102 and shorty headers w/high flow cats and a cutout with stock exhaust..
Pass smog all day where I go, all they do is plug in and make sure all the readiness codes are set and that the vin# of the car matches the ecu
Heads/cam with a fast 102 and shorty headers w/high flow cats and a cutout with stock exhaust..
Pass smog all day where I go, all they do is plug in and make sure all the readiness codes are set and that the vin# of the car matches the ecu
TECH Fanatic
Joined: Sep 2003
Posts: 1,058
Likes: 1
and throw in a wide lobe solid cam. talk about sleeper.
I believe that there are some shorty headers that are smog legal,
Only worth like 5 hp on stock maybe 8+ with HCI, not worth it
New IMHO but maybe if you can find a set used for a good deal.
With your goals I would go AFR 210s, Tony Mamo Ported Fast 102/92 &
90/92 MM TB, (W/V-Max velocity ring W/ 102) a ram air system that I
Could change for smog test, and a CAMMOTION spec HR
something like 223*/229* LSA 115*+3* ADV .600"/.580" Lift
Gentle lobes for long valvetrain life/stability up to 6500 RPM
wont be breathing to high RPM without LTs which is an auto Fail
Visually. I think you need -3 valve overlap or greater negative
To pass as well with an aftermarket cam.
I would also go with stock rockers W/ CHE Bushing trunion replacement
Quality PAC Beehive Springs & some good pushrods something like
5/16 W/ .105, food food for thought just my .02
Only worth like 5 hp on stock maybe 8+ with HCI, not worth it
New IMHO but maybe if you can find a set used for a good deal.
With your goals I would go AFR 210s, Tony Mamo Ported Fast 102/92 &
90/92 MM TB, (W/V-Max velocity ring W/ 102) a ram air system that I
Could change for smog test, and a CAMMOTION spec HR
something like 223*/229* LSA 115*+3* ADV .600"/.580" Lift
Gentle lobes for long valvetrain life/stability up to 6500 RPM
wont be breathing to high RPM without LTs which is an auto Fail
Visually. I think you need -3 valve overlap or greater negative
To pass as well with an aftermarket cam.
I would also go with stock rockers W/ CHE Bushing trunion replacement
Quality PAC Beehive Springs & some good pushrods something like
5/16 W/ .105, food food for thought just my .02
As for the heads either fuly CNC ported stock heads milled for around a 11:1 scr or a set of AFR 210 heads with the same scr. For Cams I'd go with at least a 8* I/E duration split, and at least -6* of valve overlap. I'd go with a cam within this range: 218/226 114lsa on up to a 222/230 116lsa, an both have -6* overlap. For the exhaust just stick with a good Cat-back exhaust and leave the rest of the exhaust alone.
If I ever do a smog build again I will copy the exact build I did last time with maybe a bit more compression. But the car ran great. T56/ LS1 combo. Advanced Induction 226cc ported 799 castings, EPS cam (smog legal) was designed to get max performance from exhaust manifolds, PAC 1218 springs, and an LS6 intake. Of course all the supporting mods like a lid, underdrive pulley, ported tb, ram air ect. Pulled great up top, had tons of torque. Was tons of fun to drive. Can't get any better other than getting a car that does not need to be smogged and building it to not jump through hoops.
If I ever do a smog build again I will copy the exact build I did last time with maybe a bit more compression. But the car ran great. T56/ LS1 combo. Advanced Induction 226cc ported 799 castings, EPS cam (smog legal) was designed to get max performance from exhaust manifolds, PAC 1218 springs, and an LS6 intake. Of course all the supporting mods like a lid, underdrive pulley, ported tb, ram air ect. Pulled great up top, had tons of torque. Was tons of fun to drive. Can't get any better other than getting a car that does not need to be smogged and building it to not jump through hoops.
You can do JBA CARB shorty headers but 01-02 manifolds are just as good. 2000 and newer only need visual and computer scan, no tail pipe sniffer. A good tuner will take care of that.