giddysauce

Hey guys,

I know this question has been posed many times before but I gotta ask one more time. I'm mulling over the idea of keeping my 2000 M6 z28. Its got 89k miles and has developed a leaky rear main seal. I figure either I sell it as is or Fix the seal, add heads, and cam and drive it another 3 years or so. If I go the heads and cam route what the best value? Im mostly looking for area under the curve, reliability, driveabilty, and cost. It isnt my only car but I drive it 200 mile a week. I would like to maintain decent gas mileage and perhaps use factory lifters. Is that possible? I dont really rev it past 5500 rpm, and never launch or abuse it mostly just spirited driving through the foothills around here.

As the car is right now I have a fast toys ram air, pacesetter longtubes with true duals, and a tune by frost.

HCI2000SS

iTrader: (2)

Got an idea of how much you'd be willing to spend on the heads and cam?

giddysauce

I would like to keep it under $1500 for heads, cam, and ls6 intake. If ancillary parts push it above that mark so be it.

HCI2000SS

iTrader: (2)

Thats goung to be tough. In order to do that you'll need to buy used. With that said I'd consider having your stock heads worked over, and the cam and intake would have to be bought used

giddysauce

I dont mind being used one bit, $1500 was just an idea. Im cheap as hell, but I can loosen up the purse strings if need be. My heads are stock 853, you think it would be better to send those out for porting, rather then strap on some rebuilt 243 or 799's? What about cams? Id like to get somewhere close to or above 400whp while keeping stock lifters and driving manners. Is that entirely unrealistic.

HCI2000SS

iTrader: (2)

Not unrealistic at all, but I'd upgrade to at least a LS7 lifter. Of course the ported LS6 head will make a little more power, but it's going to cost more in your case. As far as cams go there are lots of choices. It just depends...do you want mostly top end power at the expense of power loss down low and drivability, or something in between, or what exactly?

giddysauce

I'm mostly concerned with mid range power and drivability. The car rarelly sees beyond 5000 to 5500 rpm. Not completely tanking the gas mileage is also a large priority. Im getting 18 mpg mixed, and would like it to stay above 15 mpg

HCI2000SS

iTrader: (2)

Based on what you are saying something like a 228r cam might suite you well

giddysauce

Sweet, What do people typically see with a cam like that and, say stock 799 heads and an ls6 intake plus long tubes. Obviously there are a ton of variables but ballpark it. Is that cam tough on the the valve train?

HCI2000SS

iTrader: (2)

In terms of power at least 400. Probably more like 420 or so. The lobes on that cam have recently been resigned and they are more valve train friendly

giddysauce

awesome thanks for pointing me in the right direction.

giddysauce

awesome, thanks for pointing me in the right direction.

soloman369

iTrader: (13)

Man I notice you are always dyno happy . I say if lucky on a happy dyno jet he's make close too 400.... Like if said in other threads were ppl ask for guesses and then go get in the dyno and come back and tell us what It made I'm always been with in at least 89% correct. Like if said before if kinda seen all the set ups on all the dynos. Mustangs ,dyno jet, Hub dyno, dyno packs.

TXZ28LS1

iTrader: (5)

PRC 5.3 or LS6 heads with TSP 228r..simple proven setup

HCI2000SS

iTrader: (2)

Having a little trouble deciphering your post lol, but are you saying you think he'll be lucky to make 400 rwhp? He may only make that number, or 420, or whatever. I'm just guessing around 420 based on the build and the average reading dynojet type dyno which seem to be most popular

soloman369

iTrader: (13)

Yes he will be lucky to make 400rwhp on that combo.

giddysauce

this is what I'm looking into now. probably get some 243 cores off to be rebuilt and cleaned up a little.

93Polo

iTrader: (5)

I wouldn't rule out something smaller like a 224 cam or the EPS 222/226. I also like the idea of doing of untouched 243/799s with of course the proper spring. The mid range will be great in the twisties. There is topic going on in the dyno section on the EPS 222/226. If you are not doing gears, I would not go larger than ~228. 3.73s (assuming 6 speed) and a ~228 cam are fun in the twisties. I certainly like EPS and CamMotion for keeping it easy on parts but still making power. I would and have called and talked to both.

Also don't settle for a head which doesn't make good torque, just to have heads. I would rather build the car in stages. My game plan would be to settle on a cam and 243s, then fast 90, and then port the 243s or upgrade to AFR/TFS etc.

Nick.H

My old 224r setup had stock 853's, stock LS1 intake, stock lifters and made 370whp on a mustang dyno. That's a pretty not optimal setup, and it still made decent numbers. It was really fun around the twisty areas. I have to drive up a pretty twisty windy road to get to my house, and it was a blast in that car.

gagliano7

Here you go 243 heads eps 222/226 cam https://ls1tech.com/forums/dynamomet...k-results.html

And while you have the heads off change the lifters because that will be the easiest time to change them.