FirebirdCam

Okay, i have 3500 here to spend...

I am stuck between cam/heads
or forged and high compression pistions/crank + cam

im going to turbo it later, but probably not for a few years because i cant aford much to break right now with college comming up.

i know i will have to change to low compression pistons and preferably a diff cam when i change to a turbo, but would i be able to leave the heads on and still have them actually helping me? Not sure...

What do you guys think i should do?

EDIT: Motor is a ls1/t56

Pesticide

iTrader: (8)

I would look at the basics first: Headers, good ypipe and a cutout or high flowing cat back, LS6 intake (if applicable).

Presuming you have all those I would call up a couple reputable shops (sponsors) and ask what they recommend. Futral, LG etc. All can get you to around 450 rwhp that should feed your need for speed for awhile. I would suggest a nice head and cam package and worry about building the bottom end when it goes.

napoleon

iTrader: (3)

i would say that if your not going to turbo it right now to get a nice heads/cam combo for that cash.

98transguy

iTrader: (7)

i know its not what u want to here but if u are planning on making a lot of horsepower down the line maybe now would be the time to build up the rear end , u are 6 speed so i would go with a 9" , and get a few suspension parts now because that would just about wipe out your cash. just remember sooner or later u will need those parts anyway.

99blancoSS

iTrader: (115)

wow, no fun! Your right that he'll need those parts later though.
I kind of already did what your looking at doing. I want to go turbo and need a forged bottom end but I already went heads and cam. Forged bottom ends are so cheap right now that it makes me think I made a mistake but when I started modding they werent that cheap. You need all the blot-on in between as well. The thing about the forged bottom end is you need a top end to compliment it or power adder right away to feel SOP the money you just put into it. Turbo kits are anywhere from 4k-7k and you'll need a bunch of other upgrades as well to feel that power. Your really talking about 10k when all is said and done and thats conservative. Then you'll need the 9" rear as well... But right now at 3500 you can do heads and cam and feel the power. Providing you already have an intake and longtubes. Yoiu can pro'lly get headers for that 3500 as well. You'll need to be doing all your own work. Not sure if you'll fit a dyno tune in there. It could be close. Thats just MO.

CaptUSA

iTrader: (5)

Heads and cam, or headers and cam and tune. You're car will be so much faster, you'll forget all about wanting a turbo later. I've got a 224, and Mac headers, and my tires can't hold the ground for crap anywhere in 1st gear.

Good luck.

99blancoSS

iTrader: (115)

pair of nitto rII's will take care of your traction problems, love mine. Before that it was smoke central on GY f1's.

CaptUSA

iTrader: (5)

*** Sorry for the hyjack ***

Thanks for the tip man. I'll have to get a set of those.

*** End of hyjack ***

cowboysfan

check it out dude,this is what I have come up with so far.
patriot heads, ls6, st2, 59cc . $1195.00
roller lifters. $ 206.99
push rods. 7.400 $ 119.99
cam 231/237 .598/.595 $ 369.99
ls6 oil pump $ 99.99
ls6 chain $ 36.00
kook lt $ 808.99
ory $ 250.00
equals to about $3087.00 . thats about $413.00 left for gaskets, head bolts. tune well you will have to save for it .

just an idea of cost here. hope this helps.


fuerzaws6

99blancoSS

iTrader: (115)

Well you can do a little better if you go with Texas Speed for everything there I think. Get their 2.5 heads and you dont need Kooks, you can save $200 on them if you get S.W. instead and put that towards your tune.

FirebirdCam

well, i allready have money put away for suspension. I am building this car from a 78 camaro. I havent done anything yet and i am pricing everything out and have 3500 in the budget for performance parts just for the motor; everything else is taken care of including the tune, suspension, intake, headers and all that.

Heads/cam are kinda what i was leaning toward right now to though. The powers going to feel insane comming from driving a stock 98 v6 for 2 years.. Cant wait!!! Gotta be real carefull tho.. haha

Thanks for the help guys.