Been out of it a while...
Been out of it a while... Well, I have been out of the LS scene (or car scene in general) for quite a while - but I finally thinned my fleet out enough to where I am concentrating on my LS1 swapped 300zx. I drive it every other day, pretty much. It's a stock all Aluminum LS1 and 6 speed. It does have an LS6 intake. Although it is fun...I am ready for more power. Bet no one has heard that before.
I have thought about turbo, but honestly - I have had forced inducted cars before and a nice NA build for this car is alluring to me. Maybe some spray down the road.
Now, to my question. I have been searching quite of bit - and it is now 2018 and there is a lot more experience out there. Most threads are getting pretty old now and I am just looking for updated info. I am contemplating doing a high compression, forged rods and pistons, nice heads and cam combo with the stock displacement. I plan to run E85 as it is everywhere around here. Is anyone running something like this and what kind of power are they seeing? At this point, is it worth it to do a 383 stroker or stick with stock cubes. Monetary wise, I know this is getting up there with a turbo build, but I honestly still think it is a cheaper route to go. FI gets expensive and I've been there. Plus, everything fits in there nicely as it is and I am going install all AC components.
Looking forward to the feedback!
I have thought about turbo, but honestly - I have had forced inducted cars before and a nice NA build for this car is alluring to me. Maybe some spray down the road.Now, to my question. I have been searching quite of bit - and it is now 2018 and there is a lot more experience out there. Most threads are getting pretty old now and I am just looking for updated info. I am contemplating doing a high compression, forged rods and pistons, nice heads and cam combo with the stock displacement. I plan to run E85 as it is everywhere around here. Is anyone running something like this and what kind of power are they seeing? At this point, is it worth it to do a 383 stroker or stick with stock cubes. Monetary wise, I know this is getting up there with a turbo build, but I honestly still think it is a cheaper route to go. FI gets expensive and I've been there. Plus, everything fits in there nicely as it is and I am going install all AC components.
Looking forward to the feedback!
It's always worth it to stroke it out because there is no replacement for displacement. It depends on your budget though. If you just want a little more power, you can port and mill your heads and throw in a cam. Heads and cam with a good tune will get you in the low 400rwhp range.
Not sure how long is "a while", but I'll take a stab. For E85, you can probably get away with 13:1 compression. Maybe more.
Probably one of the bigger things to come out in the last few years is Low Lash Solid Roller from cam motion. It's worth looking into that. Depending on your budget, TFS220 as-cast heads are about the best bang for buck on a 5.7 you will find. For about the best head you can get for a 5.7, mamo 220 is top notch. Mast small bore rectangles are interesting as well, since they allow you to run LS3 intake, etc.
Quick cheap dual exhaust is speed engineering duals. there's a monster thread in the external section on those.
Personally, I'd take the money you would put into a 383 and put it in the heads and valvetrain instead, but if you are more into low and mid range grunt on the street, the 383 makes better torque for sure. With identical heads and cam, a 383 will drive nicer, so that might be a consideration for you as well.
I too prefer NA for the simplicity. It's less to break.
Probably one of the bigger things to come out in the last few years is Low Lash Solid Roller from cam motion. It's worth looking into that. Depending on your budget, TFS220 as-cast heads are about the best bang for buck on a 5.7 you will find. For about the best head you can get for a 5.7, mamo 220 is top notch. Mast small bore rectangles are interesting as well, since they allow you to run LS3 intake, etc.
Quick cheap dual exhaust is speed engineering duals. there's a monster thread in the external section on those.
Personally, I'd take the money you would put into a 383 and put it in the heads and valvetrain instead, but if you are more into low and mid range grunt on the street, the 383 makes better torque for sure. With identical heads and cam, a 383 will drive nicer, so that might be a consideration for you as well.
I too prefer NA for the simplicity. It's less to break.
I'd suggest the GM short block with some small chamber TFS 205 heads and a Tooley stage 3 stick.....with .040" gaskets you'll see the 12:1 compression that E85 likes and it'll be way wicked enough to not really miss the additional 37 inches that a stroker kit would get you....IMO you would struggle to hook all that 4.00" crank torque in such a light weight car
Not sure how long is "a while", but I'll take a stab. For E85, you can probably get away with 13:1 compression. Maybe more.
Probably one of the bigger things to come out in the last few years is Low Lash Solid Roller from cam motion. It's worth looking into that. Depending on your budget, TFS220 as-cast heads are about the best bang for buck on a 5.7 you will find. For about the best head you can get for a 5.7, mamo 220 is top notch. Mast small bore rectangles are interesting as well, since they allow you to run LS3 intake, etc.
Quick cheap dual exhaust is speed engineering duals. there's a monster thread in the external section on those.
Personally, I'd take the money you would put into a 383 and put it in the heads and valvetrain instead, but if you are more into low and mid range grunt on the street, the 383 makes better torque for sure. With identical heads and cam, a 383 will drive nicer, so that might be a consideration for you as well.
I too prefer NA for the simplicity. It's less to break.
Probably one of the bigger things to come out in the last few years is Low Lash Solid Roller from cam motion. It's worth looking into that. Depending on your budget, TFS220 as-cast heads are about the best bang for buck on a 5.7 you will find. For about the best head you can get for a 5.7, mamo 220 is top notch. Mast small bore rectangles are interesting as well, since they allow you to run LS3 intake, etc.
Quick cheap dual exhaust is speed engineering duals. there's a monster thread in the external section on those.
Personally, I'd take the money you would put into a 383 and put it in the heads and valvetrain instead, but if you are more into low and mid range grunt on the street, the 383 makes better torque for sure. With identical heads and cam, a 383 will drive nicer, so that might be a consideration for you as well.
I too prefer NA for the simplicity. It's less to break.
I'd suggest the GM short block with some small chamber TFS 205 heads and a Tooley stage 3 stick.....with .040" gaskets you'll see the 12:1 compression that E85 likes and it'll be way wicked enough to not really miss the additional 37 inches that a stroker kit would get you....IMO you would struggle to hook all that 4.00" crank torque in such a light weight car
