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How good are LS6 heads out of the box?

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Old Mar 2, 2005 | 05:27 PM
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Default How good are LS6 heads out of the box?

I'm looking to drop an LS6 into my Blazer X. What I'm looking to get about 500hp/500ftlbs out of the motor. What I'm figuring is that I can do that with an LS6 with just an upgraded valve train, cam, intake, and a throttle body. But I wonder if the heads would be a restriction or a limiting factor. Am I right that the heads are good enough?
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Old Mar 2, 2005 | 06:10 PM
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r u doing all that HP with a stock bottom????
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Old Mar 2, 2005 | 06:17 PM
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Some of the better cam-only setups approach 500hp at the crank. A set of stock ls6 heads is worth roughly 15rwhp more than a set of stock ls1 heads.
You'll need to add long tube (or at least mid lengths) headers and an underdrive pulley to your list to make the power your looking for.
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Old Mar 2, 2005 | 06:29 PM
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Be very clear in your tune so u dont get any affordable 1 hp loss
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Old Mar 2, 2005 | 07:28 PM
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Shouldn't a LS6 bottom end be able to handle another 100hp? And also are these "better" cam-only swaps streetable or are they really rowdy?
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Old Mar 2, 2005 | 07:58 PM
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you're talking about flywheel horsepower, and yes it should. that would be right along many of the top end heads/cam packages.....if you want 500 crank, you'll be makin close to 435 at the rear wheels.
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Old Mar 2, 2005 | 08:49 PM
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Originally Posted by firefighter
Shouldn't a LS6 bottom end be able to handle another 100hp? And also are these "better" cam-only swaps streetable or are they really rowdy?
Try a Futral F14 or a Texas Speed MS3 or a Thunder Racing TRex or an MTI Y1 for a high hp cam-only setup (all sponsors over here------>). With proper tuning, all of these cams are very streetable.
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Old Mar 3, 2005 | 01:51 AM
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I run the HPE S-cam and i'm a cam only car that runs 7.03 in the eighth at 98.6mph, but i'll be running it in the 1/4 this weekend and i'll let you know how it does. I'd go with the same cam it makes 426hp to the wheels, and i drive the car everyday. good luck
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Old Mar 3, 2005 | 08:18 AM
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So am I right in thinking just get the LS6 and throw a cam and intake at it with a bigger TB, the swap requires headers. Instead of buying an LS1 and then doing the same plus after market heads.
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Old Mar 3, 2005 | 10:26 AM
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There is no bigger TB option (the BBK is larger, but the intake's opening limits the diameter) unless you purchase a FAST 90mm intake.
A stock LS6 intake (came on all '01 and '02 ls1's in Fbods and Vettes) is a good intake.
LS6 intake + ported stock TB is good.
90mm intake + 90mm TB is better.

Last edited by SouthFL.02.SS; Mar 3, 2005 at 10:46 AM.
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Old Mar 3, 2005 | 11:52 AM
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i dont know man if you can get an 01, or 02 ls1 cheap go for it, you'll need to get heads and cam to make that power even with an ls6, and don't expect to get a whole lot out of the ls6 with a tune if you dont add headers, head, cam, throtle body, plus the ls6 is already more expensive.
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Old Mar 3, 2005 | 01:32 PM
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I seen somewere a dyno graph of a car that had stock LS6 heads and a 228 cam with bolt ons that put down like 418-420, dont remember where though.
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Old Mar 3, 2005 | 03:57 PM
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Thats about what I'm lookin to do. But if I run into a low, low mileage LS1 for cheap I would take it but if I buy a NEW crate engine I'm gonna buy the LS6.
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Old Mar 3, 2005 | 04:06 PM
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Originally Posted by firefighter
Thats about what I'm lookin to do. But if I run into a low, low mileage LS1 for cheap I would take it but if I buy a NEW crate engine I'm gonna buy the LS6.
chec kout ebay
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Old Mar 3, 2005 | 04:12 PM
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Alright now things might be changing I just went to SDPC and saw that what I thought was gonna only be a grand more is gonna be more than that the LS6 doesn't include the "electronics" first time I noticed that That changes the shitoutta everything. Because I can definatley get a set of heads and intake for what the difference in price is gonna be. So now back to the drawing board.
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Old Mar 3, 2005 | 07:25 PM
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Originally Posted by firefighter
Alright now things might be changing I just went to SDPC and saw that what I thought was gonna only be a grand more is gonna be more than that the LS6 doesn't include the "electronics" first time I noticed that That changes the shitoutta everything. Because I can definatley get a set of heads and intake for what the difference in price is gonna be. So now back to the drawing board.
look man if you gona mod the engine go with the ls1 sure stock for stock the ls6 got more power but it cost more, and you gona need to add cam and heads to hit the number you want wich pretty much cancels out any advantage the ls6 had. Well exept for the better block passages but that don't make a big diff power wise.
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