Hey LS1tech, first I'd like to say a big thank you to everyone that contributes to this site. I rarely need to ask questions because there is so much solid info here.

Slightly long explanation of what I'm starting with and my plans

I have an LS1 / T56 pulled from a salvage title 99 z28 camaro going into my 240sx. It has 171,xxx miles. It didn't rattle / smoke / stumble / knock or anything when I started it. No CEL's. The trans went into every gear the car was able to move forward in every gear, unfortunately the rear suspension was damaged so I couldn't get the car over about 5 mph. Shifter was a bit sloppy but it didn't bind / grind in any gear. 3rd was a little "crunchy". I have a complete sikky swap kit. Like, everything that they offer. I have all the other odds / ends to get the motor in the car. For this year, I'd like to keep the motor basically stock or as close to I can make it to learn the car with this new setup.

The plan.... budget is (9,500$)
-Send the trans to Tick performance for a stage 1 rebuild
-pro 5.0 shifter
-Monster stage one clutch / 18 lb flywheel
-melling oil pump ( not sure which to get, leaning towards high pressure)
-C5-R chain / cloyes cam gear / trick flow chain damper
-trunion upgrade
-LS6 valley cover
-replacing any gaskets that are leaking
-new water pump / 180 T stat
-Mocal oil cooler with inline thermostat (185F) tied into my sikky oil filter relocation setup

I do have a set of nice 799 heads that I wanted to put on, but I think I'm going wait till next year for cam/ springs/ pushrods / intake mani / lifters / trays / headgaskets / etc etc etc and just do all that stuff in one big group so I only have to tune it once.

Are there any other external maintenance things I should do? I'd like to get in a few track days this year and have it be reliable as possible. Next year I can go nuts and get into the block / top end for more power.

 

i'd do the asa cam im it will use ls6 springs 60$ it has a very soft lobe profile should pick up 30hp and it will keep the oem reliablity while sounding good as well, i'd do a hone and arp rod bolts to the next oversize 3.905 texas speed 750$ porting and maybe mill the heads depending on what fuel you want to run

 

Hi mate done a lot of these setups
Go for the clutch, shifter and cold air intake
Clean up those heads and shave then 15 thou
Find a nice cam around 228-232 on 112 lsa
I like the howards cams very drivable and better valve lift then most cams unless custom, crane grinds are also really good tested quite a few
Use dual valve springs and steel retainers, trunion upgrade and good Molly pushrods, mellings high pressure pump
New lifter trays and ls7 lifters
Set them up with .40thou preload
Will go hard and sound great
Port match the intake with a 90mm throttle body preferably
Stock injectors can be run but 32lb ls2 work better for top end
You will end up with a great ride