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Ok Ive been out of the game a while and was wondering if Im going about this wrong. I have a 2002 vette bone stock 10k miles 6speed and Im wanting to get up to the power of my old ls3 c6. I was thinking long tubes, 224/224 .600/.600 cam with CNC ported stock heads, Ls2 throttle body. Stock LS6 intake?
Want to keep it as stock as possible, clutch, driving characteristics, etc. Is there a better way to achieve my goal? Not looking for forced induction. Thanks all!
You'll probably need a slightly bigger cam like a TSP 228/232 or Cam Motion Titan 4 along with ported heads, headers and a fast intake to match the LS3.
2002 vette bone stock 10k miles 6speed. & wanting the power of you old ls3 c6.
I'd pass on the classic 224/224 .600/.600 cam, it was great back in the day but with today's better tuning you can go bigger with good driveablity in a C5. Roughly in the ~228/232 ~.600 lift range like a Cam Motion Titan IV 227/232
CNC ported stock heads? 241 heads or 243's? I'd want the 243's if using stock heads in most cases when paying for porting stock cathedral heads.
Ls2 throttle body, sure. It's worth getting it ported
Stock LS6 intake? No 👎 👎 👎.
If you have a 90mm throttle body you want a 90mm snout intake manifold. LPE or TPIS can do a 90mm snout modification on your LS6 intake. That works pretty well. However, a ported Fast 90/92 intake manifold will have more potential. Better would a Mamo ported 102 Fast with your 90mm LS2 TB etc.
You'll also want the standard vette bolt ones like cold air, at least 1 3/4 long tube headers, etc
Cam technology has come along way. Definitely go bigger cam. 227-234 ish range for duration and .600-.612 ish for lift. A lot of off the shelf options. Go 243 heads minium. .660 lift springs. Definitely upgraded lifters. Ls6 intake would be minimal. Fast 92 if it's in your budget.
Thanks for all the advice! I havent built an LS in 7ish years. Just wanted to make sure I wasnt missing any new tech that has came out!
In the last 7 years, cylinder head tech has evolved immensely, as well as intake design and as mentioned already, cam lobe design. Youll be able to put together a nice combo with your 5.7, but the off idle torque from your previous LS3 will be tough to emulate due to the cubic inch difference. Make a call to Tony Mamo, and discuss your goals. He will give you direct no-nonsense advice on whats required and the avenues involved to get there. His advice is free. Youll learn 500% more from talking with Tony for 20 minutes, than you ever will here on a forum. Whatever road you choose, keep us posted here please.
I'd run the Cam Motion Titan 4, only 3.5 degrees of overlap so it'll drive extremely well. Get the Livernois 243s or TSP Brawler 243s. Either of those heads you can get outright. Livernois flows a little better on average, TSP has better peak flow. Fast 92 on top, or if you want a more stock appearing intake, get a Dorman LS2.
It's unfortunate you're not looking for force induction as a roots/twin screw style blower will give you exactly what you want and more. Stock cam and heads can be used and it will drive like OEM quality as long as your foot is out of it. You'll have to upgrade the clutch regardless of the decision, but the blower would give you low end torque that would simulate (and exceed) the stock LS3. To reproduce that NA without adding cubes or boost, you'll want a smallish cam and alot of compression to try to bump the low end.
I'd run the Cam Motion Titan 4, only 3.5 degrees of overlap so it'll drive extremely well. Get the Livernois 243s or TSP Brawler 243s. Either of those heads you can get outright. Livernois flows a little better on average, TSP has better peak flow. Fast 92 on top, or if you want a more stock appearing intake, get a Dorman LS2.
I thought I read somewhere that the Ls6 intake flows better than an LS2 intake, regardless of TB size. Am I mistaken?
It's unfortunate you're not looking for force induction as a roots/twin screw style blower will give you exactly what you want and more. Stock cam and heads can be used and it will drive like OEM quality as long as your foot is out of it. You'll have to upgrade the clutch regardless of the decision, but the blower would give you low end torque that would simulate (and exceed) the stock LS3. To reproduce that NA without adding cubes or boost, you'll want a smallish cam and alot of compression to try to bump the low end.
If Magnunson still made a C5 kit it would already be on the car and I wouldnt have made this post! I dont like the procharger style kits, having all that weight high and in front just doesnt do it for me. I have a 05 Escalade that had a Magnuson kit on it new and its at 130k miles with zero issues. Drives like stock but like you said put your foot it in and she moves!
If Magnunson still made a C5 kit it would already be on the car and I wouldnt have made this post! I dont like the procharger style kits, having all that weight high and in front just doesnt do it for me. I have a 05 Escalade that had a Magnuson kit on it new and its at 130k miles with zero issues. Drives like stock but like you said put your foot it in and she moves!
check out boost district or the Edelbrock e force.
Don't waste time or money on porting the throttlebody...you are just asking for tuning issues. Waste of money. Won't gain any power. Use that money for a nice intake and a Nick Williams.