Alroght.. so I've searched and searched for countless days an night and read countless pages on the Internet. I've seen all the specs and companies (figuratively speaking). I have an all stock 2002 LS1 Trans Am M6. What is the nessesary methods/ways to get 400+rwhp from an ls1 using Heads and Cam build? I'm curious to see what set ups people have and what works for them. I'm trying my best to keep the car as daily driveable as possible without sacrificing power. It's not my only vehicle and I'd like to do something to give it the Terminator, Coyote 5.0, Hellcat, butt woopping style. Thanks in advance!

 

You can hit 400whp cam only if you do all the necessary bolt ons.

Are you set on heads and cam?

 

What's your budget? 400 rwhp is not too difficult. Daily drive able isn't even too tall an order, but it is a relative term.

If you want powerful but easy to drive, you will want a moderate cam and excellent heads. At the minimum pick up a set of AI ported 243. If you want the best call tony at mamo motor sports. Those heads will run you 2600 or so. Tony could spec you a matching cam as well If you decide to go with ported 243 heads I would suggest calling Martin at tick performance or kip at cam motion to discuss what you want.

 

Yes let's start with a budget

 

Cam + nitrous - done.

 

Being a part time student, my budget is a little on the low side. But that's why we have saving accounts right?? all in all I wanted to go no more than 4000. For more than that I would invest in a Turbo setup instead. Granted budget is limited but considering how many combos there are, somethings gotta be out there right?

 

Well since you wants both heads and cam but are on a budget is consider something like a PRC 5.3 head and maybe something like a 228r cam. Would be very drivable

 

I'm not completly into heads and cam. if I could do the same with less it'd be fantastic!

 

That's good to know. I've heard the 228r cam is great for daily driving. have you had any experience with that cam and heads combo? How was your gas mileage? Thanks for the reply

 

Trust me, considered. Hahaha. With my dumb luck it'd end up being this: Gas+Shift+Misshift= No mas LSJuan

 

I never ran the 228r but I have driven several cars with cams ranging from 224-231, and to me they all feel street able. A lot depends on overlap as well. More overlap will chop harder at idle and buck more at low speeds from cam surge but make more power. Mine has 2 degrees and it is not enough to me but it still bucks at 15mph in gear.

I have run various stock heads and ported stock heads. One time I drove a car with mamofied AFR215 and I've been jealous ever since. I felt that car with a 227 cam made the smoothest, easiest to drive but very powerful ride I ever drove.

As to fuel economy on mine I get 18 around town and 25

 

That's really awesome!! Literally this was the answer I was looking for. Thank you so much. Time for me to do more research and find the right set up. I'll post what I've come up with soon to ask your guy's opinion. Thanks again for everyone's responses. Everyone has helped so much. thank you!!

 

I agree with everything said, 400whp through and m6 with a good exhaust and cam is very possible and fairly easy. However if you have the extra money I would get the best set of heads you can afford. The classifieds here is a great place to start to find a decent deal on a set if you dont mind buying used. By doing a good set of heads you can go with a tiny cam and keep all the driveability of stock.

Mamo's combo of afr 205/210 with his 224/230 cam makes roughly 450whp with the proper bolt ons and drives like a cadillac.lol

 

Agree with above, watch and wait for used AFR 205/210 to be available
With people upgrading to MMS220s shouldn't have to wait to long.
Then get CAM MOTION 223*-227* Intake duration, add 4* to the exhaust
With 115*+3* LSA with .600"/.590" lift, Get used FAST 90-92 Intake
With LS2 TB. Easy 450+ RWHP and drive like a stocker!

 

That sounds like exactly what I'm looking for! Thanks very much! Now for some research!

 

Niceness! I'll definatly look into Mamo's builds. Seems like he knows whats up! Hahah. Thanks for the tips!

 

Mines really drive able I have the MS4 and 225 heads and 410's out the rear (l

 

Thanks to my tuner for doing a great job

 

I would like to mention, I am getting a set of Mamo 220cc heads and a cam with some very nice valves and I'm under 4k. But I had a bunch of supporting mods already. Intake, rockers and lifters.

I second the used AFR 205/210's and a a small-medium cam. I had the PRC 5.3L heads and 228r 114 LSA combo and did NOT like it. MPG was 18 at BEST and anything under 3000 felt soggy? Poor throttle response and just not enough low end tq for 6th gear cruising if a hill cam up. Keep in mind I have a 3000lb can and 4.10 rear.

The port design on the 205/210's have GREAT low end and carry up top like most 225+cc cnc'd gm casting heads.

Used 205/210's with springs ~$1600-1800
Cam $400 low to mid 220*'s on the cam.
Head bolts $50 or GM $200 of ARP reusable
Cometic .040" head gaskets $180
LS7 lifters $130 (suggest Johnson or morel if you can manage $400)
FAST 102 & 92mm TB $1200 (if you can manage)
LS3 injectors $130
1/2" injector spacer $40 (for using LS3 shorty injectors on an LS2 setup like the FAST)
EV1 to EV6 adapters $20
Trunioned rockers $150 (I have some for sale btw)

That's $4400 for the highest of everything I listed. ~$2800 for cheaper lifters and no FAST intake and TB.

That's a great setup that will net you awesome tq and probably pull 430-450rwhp.

 

You will not want to drive the car daily with the size of cam it will take to make 400whp to the tires with stock heads. The heads are the best place to invest the most money your budget will allow. Great heads and mild cam will make for a enjoyable setup. Donkey ******* cam and stock heads will suck. Prc 5.3's are a great budget head...something around the 224-228 range on the cam duration would work excellent and will make more then 400 whp.