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A 5k budget? Yeah, I'd stick with the LS1. You'd be surprised how quickly 5k can disappear when you start talking h/c/i. Especially since it's easy to forget to budget for the small stuff like springs, lifters, pushrods, trunion upgrade, gaskets, etc.
And that's assuming your current trans/rear won't need upgrades.
-730 bucks for a cam kit which includes pushrods, retainers, valvesprings.... (tick,btr,etc)
-140 bucks for oil pump
-100 bucks timing chain
-205 bucks for gaskets
- 300 bucks for headers.... I guess you plan on modifying some f body headers. They always in the classifieds for sale.
That leaves you with 3500 bucks for other go fast parts. I would suggest you pick up a set of 243 heads and send them out to a reasonable priced vendor such as advanced inductions... you'll still have some chump change in your pocket for a intake such as a LS6 intake and a aftermarket throttle body.
-730 bucks for a cam kit which includes pushrods, retainers, valvesprings.... (tick,btr,etc)
-140 bucks for oil pump
-100 bucks timing chain
-205 bucks for gaskets
- 300 bucks for headers.... I guess you plan on modifying some f body headers. They always in the classifieds for sale.
That leaves you with 3500 bucks for other go fast parts. I would suggest you pick up a set of 243 heads and send them out to a reasonable priced vendor such as advanced inductions... you'll still have some chump change in your pocket for a intake such as a LS6 intake and a aftermarket throttle body.
Another 100 for fluids. Additional money up front to rent or purchase tools as well:
-Valve spring compressor - don't waste time with the AZ/NAPA ones. Get the good kind that bolt to your rocker holes and compresses two springs at once.
-Damper puller/installer (3-jaw Chrysler works great)
-Power Steering pulley puller/installer (AZ one is fine)
-Torque wrench if you don't have one
-Angle gauge tool for TTY bolts
-Calipers capable of measuring 8" (for pushrods)
-Magnetic retriever tool (you'll see)
-two 24" 5/16" wooden dowels
-camshaft degree kit
Already have the valve spring tool, Balancer installer and remover tool. Plus I made in front cover center tool I made from a old balancer from a 04 CTSV I had.
Car has 1 3/4" headers and a custom 2 1/2" mandrel bent duel exhaust with X pipe and Borla mufflers.
I did the ported oil pump and double chain when I put the Z06 cam and springs in.
Stick with the LS1 and finish the other areas of the car like the suspension, driveline, etc. My 3300 lb car was a handful enough with street tires, let alone taking another 1k lbs off. When the ls1 blows and if you insist on an upgrade, sleeve it or another block and build a big bore screamer. The last higher $ build for a 2400lb car I'd do is a stroker.
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