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How to build up the c5?...

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Old Jul 1, 2004 | 12:17 AM
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Default How to build up the c5?...

Alright,
My father and I have decided it's too damn slow... Even my 2 ton tank beat it at the track... ... His best was 13.2 at 108mph, while I pulled a 12.9. So he decided it's time to get this car like it should be.

I have a few questions. I'd like to do a heads and cam package, and don't know where to even begin to find the biggest power gainers.

1. Which heads & cam Pkg. ( Drivability for cruising... )
2. Do we need to beef anything up? Brand new clutch in it...
3. Rear end ok to handle the power?
4. Anything else I forgot...

It's 2003 50th AE, 6 SPD...



I love driving it a ton compared to my VR-4, but both cars are just insanely slow.... So It's time to make em faster..
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Old Jul 1, 2004 | 12:27 AM
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How fast does he want to go? How fast does he want to spend?
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Old Jul 1, 2004 | 12:35 AM
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We're talking mid - low 11's... As for cash, reasonable side.. 3k side about right?
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Old Jul 1, 2004 | 12:38 AM
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First mod - Nitto 555 Drag Radials on the back. Good street tires for a Vette.
Second mod - 3.73's, 3.90's or 4.10's.
Third - Hurst shifter
Fourth - Z06 style airbox, with Zip-tie mod. (works as well as $500 CAI's)
Fifth - Tune with LS1Edit. Zero IAT retard table, fans on early, 160 deg thermo, bump timing a couple of degrees on the top end. Set rev-limiter to 6500.
Sixth - Catback.

He will now easily be in the mid - 12's, and will not have affected mileage, streetability, and usually no warranty hassles. At that point, he can add engine parts to go faster if that is not quick enough for him.
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Old Jul 1, 2004 | 12:41 AM
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Originally Posted by StealthXtreme
We're talking mid - low 11's... As for cash, reasonable side.. 3k side about right?
$3,000? Doesn't go far with a Vette. A set of heads alone are >$2000 by the time you buy everything. If you do all your own work, and don't want headers, $3000 would be "entry level" H/C package.
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Old Jul 1, 2004 | 12:44 AM
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PS - Anything quicker than 11.50 requires a rollbar to run at the track. Does he REALLY want a caged car?
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Old Jul 1, 2004 | 12:55 AM
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Eh.. We'll get kicked off, but it's more for our own satisfaction on the street.. Because you have to admit, you floor it, and it ain't anything special... I love how silky smooth it is.. As for money I mean we could 5k or whatever... I was just guessing. I don't know the first thing about heads and cam. I just know the basics... I've been focusing on my 3.0TT, but I've always dreamed of owning a LS1, and after driving my fathers, it's what I want for sure now.. I just want to get a good start on his, so I know what to do better or the same on mine.
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Old Jul 1, 2004 | 02:33 AM
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I saw a C5 that sounded stock that had AFR heads and a 224/228 cam that put down 459 rwhp uncorrected on a 95 deg day at altitude. Earlier dyno's showed 480rwhp SAE. That's more HP than a bolt-on Viper puts out.

This had all the bolt-on's and H/C though. Costs? $$$ You'd be surprised how quickly things add up.

If I were him (and I'm not), I'd do my list above and put in a medium cam, say 224/224 112 LSA. He will notice the difference without going broke. And probably still pass smog. But if he wants to get serious, go with the AFR setup, 224/228 and 1 3/4" longtubes.
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Old Jul 1, 2004 | 09:20 AM
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Hmmm Lets see. You like me are trapping at 108mph and turning 13.1 to 12.9 times and your 60' times are likely to be in the low 2.0 the high 1.9 times. So its easy to identify that traction in the first part of the track is an issue. Go with Nitto 555r's, BFG drag radials (I am putting the BFG on if two weeks) or some other good griiping tire. Then see were you stand at this point. Likely 12.7's to 12.6's with a good driver. Now add headers a cat back this should put you in the 12.4's. Guy at the local track is running headers and a blackwing with DR's and turns 12.5's all day with the occasional 12.4. Now with the above, headers (LT's not Shorties) Cat back, sticky tires change out the rear gears to 4:10's and opt to replace the out-put shafts with the hardened units. This is the week link in the C5 drive train. This should put you close to your goal and you have not opened the motor at all.

Alternate solutiuon Bypass all the above with the exclusion of sticky tires and strap on a Procharger and enjoy the instant gratifiaction. Or people say that the LS1 when treated correctley responds very well to nitrous.

Good luck and keeps us posted.
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Old Jul 1, 2004 | 09:41 AM
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224 "cam only" package w/ LT headers....$1400 for entry level package deals
TNT wet kit....$500 used
labor+tuning....$1500

400-(NA)HP/TQ to 550 HP/TQ depending on shot size!

Total.........$3400 at least w/ very good pricing from vendors and buying some used
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