njm12333

Car is a 2001 z28 ls1 T56 with ss hood and slp intake, ls6 manifold, true dual exhaust with headers, and factory 241 heads. I want to upgrade the top end and get the most amount of power I can but keep it a daily driver. I like a nice choppy idle but nothing too ridiculous where it sounds like it will die or surges real bad. 3 options I have been considering from cheapest to most expensive are: first I picked up a set of 243 heads and could send them to Texas speed for stage 2.5 porting and get a cam. I have no idea on what cam to choose or anything. This is like 2,400 total with upgraded trunion, pushrods, oil pump, and timing set. Also I will be getting these professionally installed. 2nd I looked at the 500hp trickflow kit with 220cc heads. About 3,200 for everything. 3rd from Texas speed 247cc PRC heads and cam package but is 3,600. So those are what I have kind of been looking at so far. Any other suggestions are appreciated. Also I would assume I should upgrade the lifters and rocker arms for the kits that don’t come with them. I want this to be a solid build that will last and I can build upon. In a few years I would like to build the engine from bottom up and eventually do forced induction but that’s far off. Any questions please ask and thank you for reading and any help you can offer. It’s greatly appreciated as I am new to the LS scene but life long 2nd and 3rd gen owner. First 4th gen Camaro.

Treburkulosis

IMO it comes down to how much can you afford? Mileage of the motor would also play into effect for me. I dont think I would dump a ton of money into a higher mileage engine. You also need to take into account you will lose roughly 12.5% of your total HP through the drivetrain. So if you did actually see 515 to the flywheel you would be right around 450. My car with a 408 lost a lot with the auto. I am at 495 and I really wish I had a 6 speed as to have not lost 18% give or take. The 243 heads are a great choice. TSP is a great company. I have used them for years. My LQ9 has their 408 stroker kit and I am running their Texas Giant Cam. If the motor can handle the upgrades, and you plan on building it, save the extra money and go 243s and get something like the magic stick 3 for now. Thats at least what I would do.

njm12333

I do plan in the next few years to completely build the motor. Was thinking of doing a 383 stroker setup. After that I will eventually go to forced induction probably a turbo. The suspension has already been upgraded. Coil overs, strut tower brace, traction bars, upgraded sway bars, the whole UMI setup. Also will upgrade to brembo brakes and build the trans and rear end. Just want to start for now with a top end upgrade. Heads, cam, and 102 intake. Motor has just broken 100k miles but runs very strong. After the heads and cam I’m going to have it professionally dyno tuned by a high end shop.

Treburkulosis

If that is your end goal start saving now. Do a 243 and cam swap work on the free mods. I dont know if you have exhaust headers etc. Gears? You have the suspension under control. What intake do you have? LS1 or LS6? All of this stuff is cheap to add power to the car for right now and then you can use the money you saved and put it towards that motor build. Ive been in your shoes and I wished I had listened to people when I was told the same thing as they were right lol.

01CamaroSSTx

iTrader: (3)

My advice would be to either sell or hang onto your existing LS1 and focus your attention towards a different foundation for the turbo build. Maybe get ahold of a Gen IV 6.0 or 5.3 long block. The 243/799's are mostly found on the Gen IV 5.3's and work well on the 6.0 block also. If you plan on boring and stroking then consider looking at the 6.0 iron block for a turbo application.

Treburkulosis

You are correct. The iron block 6.0 is a better choicer boost then LQ9 408 that is in my car. I do plan on boosting it, I just need to figure out what is a safe boost psi.

01CamaroSSTx

iTrader: (3)

I have an LQ9 in the 99 car and was planning on boosting it at some point and keeping the 3.622 throw but stroking it may be the WTG.. The idea that it will spool up quicker with the shorter stroke and that I didn't want to spend for the 4.00 inch crank was my reason for not. I think the ECU is what limits me to only be able to run about 16PSI but more so than that is the -12cc dome pistons residing in the holes..

Treburkulosis

I will just talk to the builder of the motor. The older gentleman "83" I got it from had just finished it and it was the next thing, but his wife was done with him street racing. He was a big racer his whole life and she finally put her foot down and made him sell his LS trucks and the Camaro... The ECU does limit it a lot. I was looking at the Holley system. The price isn't that bad. Im kind of at that age where I still want to hot rod around, but then I just enjoy its current power level and car showing. I mean the turbo would draw more people to it at a show lol.

njm12333

Right now the car is as follows. Original ls1 just over 100k miles and a t56 6 speed and factory rear end but not sure on gearing. Has ss hood with slp intake and ls6 manifold. 241 heads and true dual exhaust with headers but no cats with tiny mufflers. Always full synthetic oil and has a new clutch. Just did ngk plugs and wires then fuel filter and differential oil with royal purple. Has full umi suspension upgrades including strut tower brace, coil overs, traction bars, sway bars, and frame connectors. That’s how it sits currently. I purchased a cheap set of bare 243’s because why not. Just figuring how to proceed. Wanted to do something to get some real power out of it until I decide to go crazy with a built motor and forced induction. Whether to have the 243’s ported and completely done up with a cam or purchase some sort of aftermarket heads and cam kit like TSP or the trick flow kit.

01CamaroSSTx

iTrader: (3)

Sounds like a solid car with a lot of upgrades. I venture to say the rear end has a 3.42. It's easy to determine just get the rear end off the ground amd put a mark on the yoke and on the diff and another one on the outside of the tire and on the fender. Rotate the tire one revolution and count haw many times the mark on the yoke passes the mark on the diff housing. Almost 3.5 would be 3.42 and almost 3 75 means 3.73 gears.

SoCalDave

I have an 01 Camaro. I went with a ported set of 243 heads and a small cam with a tighter than stock 112 LSA and I haven't been disappointed with the performance.

Htech

I support this

G Atsma

Why?? You've trolled on 10 different threads just today...
Knock it off...

coryds07,

You are correct

G Atsma

And YOU are full of crap, trolling everywhere on this forum.
Are you Htech, reincarnated?
MODS??

Biebs

Dyno it as is to get a baseline. Spending $3000 on the Current low mileage LS1 might be a mistake with future plans.

Get your current setup tuned.

Save the money for a full engine swap. The stock LS1 will be easy to sell or keep as a spare.

Y2K_Frenzy

Was he the one selling the hookers in the General LSX sub forum?

njm12333

I want this car to be fun fast and last. I do not intend on doing anything crazy for probably at least 5 years at which point I will swap motors with something boosted or maybe a high powered crate motor. I like the ls1 and want to keep it but build it to its potential for the coming years. After this build I will most likely be done with performance mods except for probably some big brakes maybe brembo. It will be years before I look at going crazy but in these years I will probably do the whole interior and have all the body and paintwork all redone.