Hi everyone I’m new to the ls1 world and I have a 99 firebird trans am. I’m looking to start building the engine nothing to extreme. Cam, heads, intake, header type stuff. I was hoping that some of you could shed some knowledge I think I have the cam spec picked that I want to run with duration 228/230 .585 in / .585 in lift with 112 lobe separation angle.

the part that I struggle with is picking valve train Components and either buying new heads or saving the little bit of money and having the stock head ported and polished. looking to run ls6 intake manifold as well.

also would I need to change anything with the fuel system or change my torque converter

please forgive me if I sound like I don’t know what I’m talking about I’m still learning as I go but any information and tips help a lot

thank you

 

Get a good set of springs, like PAC 1218 or similar
You will want a 3500+ converter
Hardened push rods if you want
If not wanting to go extreme I wouldn't worry with the heads
Not sure on your fuel system as im not familiar with the stock Fbody stuff.

 

You could probably get by on the current fuel system on 91-93 octane with those modifications. Upgrade to better wiring and a larger pump if making upwards of 550 rwhp.

 

What are your goals? I agree the stock fuel system is probably fine unless you do go with an aftermarket cylinder head, but if you're on the original fuel pump and you're doing a new "build" it couldn't hurt to perform a moderate upgrade like the racetronix kit w/ hotwire.

 

If your 99 TA is a M6 a good aftermarket shifter and set of 4.10 gears will add more fun to drive than about any other mod. If an auto a good aftermarket stall converter will do likewise.

The stock fuel system on a 99 TA can support up to 450 whp if its in good condition. The #26 pound injectors will be maxed out. My 99 TA made 418 whp with a H&C package and LS6 intake and no fuel system upgrades and was problem free for 125,000+ miles & 15 years.

Often used GTP #36 pound injectors show up for sale in Marketplace if your car needs an inexpensive upgrade to fuel system with the heads and cam.

The cam choice sounds good. There is a well proven 228/232 version that might be a hair better with a little more exhaust in most cases.

The 78mm snout LS6 intake is a good intake but has been surpassed by other choices. However a used Fast 90/92 is a good choice. A Dorman LS2 when well ported and cleaned up can work great with a cable throttle body bracket. The LS6 with a TPIS 90mm snout works well. The Fast 102 is also popular but often more challenging to tune well for good driveabilty.

WARR Performance makes excellent 92 mm and 102 mm TB's for a reasonable price.

Many excellent choices for heads exist. Many will suggest aftermarket market Trick Flow's as a great choice. Likewise, ported stock heads can work very well too. My pet favorites for porting stock heads are TEA aka Total Engine Airflow, Land Speed Cylinder Heads, FED aka Frankenstein & Lingenfelter. Advanced Induction does good work too but its all email and text for communication.

TEA has an excellent LS6/ 243/799 head porting program. Likewise TEA does a killer job with the 5.3 head and stage 2 porting.

Texas Speed has a good reputation with budget stock heads as well.

 

i was thinking 3.73 for the rear gear but if a 4.10 would be more beneficial i will consider it i just plan on doing a little bit of highway driving so that's why i was leaning towards a 3.73.
also ill deferentially look into those shops regarding porting the heads.

my goal. i'm thinking ill get somewhere in the low 400 hp range with the mods that i plan on doing. but also making it a reliable build.

thanks again for the info and tips

 

Just my .02 but with an overdrive transmission I wouldn’t worry about gear ratio too much. My car rolls down the highway just fine with 4.30s

 

whats the max lift i can get out of my stock heads?

 

more than you need

 

T56 with 4.10's in the S60 been working pretty good for the street and there's no reason to think 4.30's , 4.50's or even 4.80's wouldn't be bad, especially if your one who likes pulling from a dig at the drag strip.

 

ls7colorado, ok thank you for the help. just wanted to be sure this is like my first real build where im change internal engine parts and just want to do as much research as possible before i buy anything ive been looking at a couple different cams pretty close in specs max lift anywhere from .585 to .615

 

Yep your good, obviously you will need to get the recommended springs for whatever cam you decide to pick.