I have the LS6 combo But GM put it in for me... after 4 years w/ 380+ rwhp w/ boltons it's time for more. So... I got a G5-X2 114 cam and all the goodies that go with it.

Sould make 430 rwhp when all done.

I would waste the labor putting such mild parts in. I'd go w/ better heads and a little bigger cam... at least 224/228.

 

All those stock Z06 Vettes are like really slow 'n all, so no, you shouldn't use those parts.

Sheesh.

For a STREET CAR there's nothing wrong with using Z06 parts. Yes, you could make more power with other parts. That will ALWAYS be true no matter what parts you choose, unless you buy the same stuff John Force does. There are costs other than money with going bigger and if you don't want to incur those costs, nothing wrong with that. There's something to be said for putting together an all-GM package. GM parts last longer and are better engineered than any aftermarket part if you consider everything, and not just power production.

A Z06 with headers and CAI will run easy 11s all day long, and do it for 150-200k miles. And get over 25 mpg average. Show me the aftermarket-based engines with similar performance. You won't find many, if any. And no, the ones that were modded at 100k miles and now have 110 don't count. Practically every OEM engine goes those kind of miles. Practically no engine-builder engines do. Gee, I wonder why?

These various el-cheapo aftermarket head packages don't come with lightweight valves. You can get GMPP CNC-ported LS6 heads, with full LS6 valves and springs, for about $2000 from SDPC. Forego the CNC porting for $500 less. Maybe run an .040 gasket to pull the SCR up to about 11, if you live in a part of the country that gets 93 octane. Add in a new LS6 cam for $300+ and good to go, very nice, very refined, very reliable package that'll make close to 400 at the wheels with headers. cold air, and a decent tune, and do it for a long, long time.

If you want a real sleeper get some ported cast exhaust manifolds.

Go read those recent threads on de-modding. Then give your original plan serious consideration. There's a LOT to be said for it. More cars have been ruined by peer pressure than maybe any other factor.

Just imo.

 

I agree with making sure you have reliability and doing your research to find a good vendor but Texas Speed has done some amazing work from what I can tell and has some great customer service with quality parts. The camshaft that I am recommending is one that is just slightly more aggressive than the LS6 so you should still get several thousand miles out of it, even if you rag on it all the time (assuming you have the 918 valvesprings and maybe hardened pushrods to go with it).

I really think you'd be happier getting a little bit more power and torque everywhere with the same reliability and the same, if not cheaper, cost with an awesome curve. I cant really knock on GM OEM parts though, they will last along time, but from what I have researched so will Texas Speed's. Good luck with whatever you do and keep us informed!

 

so does anyone know what the blurLS1 was talking about when he said I've got the 241's and they are the best LS1 heads, what do they compare to or what advantages do they have, i'm clueless so please help out

 

Here is my scenerio:

Buy LS6 heads new from Patriot $350
Buy their gold Springs $220 (come with retainers, valve seats and springs)
Buy a custom Comp cam $400
Felpro Head gaskets $24ea ($48)
Rollmaster double adjustable timing chain $92
Meling oil pump $105
Hardened push rods $115
----------------------------------------
$1330 with out shipping


Sell stock 243 heads for $200

$1130 total in parts

Local tune $300-$500

Your in it $1,450-$1,650



With the custom cam you can tailor it to your wants and wishes about drivability and get much more out of it than a LS6 "kit" will give you. More under the curve and more up top too. Plus it's cheaper..




As far as 241's being the best ls1 head they are just that. They were the final ls1 head produced. Their casting process help end CFM helping them to produce a little more power then the early ls1 heads.

 

X2 on dat....

 

I had this setup on my stock Z06 and ugraded to a HC setup, not enough power IMO especially when incurring the same labor costs as a regular HC setup. There's a lot of sleeper cams out there that will perform better than the stock LS6 and for what a set of ported LS6 or 5.3 heads go for now, it's a no brainer to pass on an $1800 LS6 setup.

 

shopping around online and finding much better prices right now

 

i vote for MTI Stealth II camshaft & Patriot CNC-ed LS6 heads (243 castings - not the older "ls6 style")

where are you finding better prices?

 

ok just found this on SDPC $729

LS6 Z06 Camshaft Kit, for 1999-02 LS1 Engines

The SDPC LS6 Camshaft Kit makes your cam swap easy and painless. We include the GM LS6 camshaft (204/218 dur @ 0.050 and 0.550/0.550 lift), SD1423 valve spring kit with titanium retainers, Manley pushrods (7.450), Rollmaster double roller timing set plus all necessary gasket and seals and a new balancer bolt.

If 241 heads are as good as talked about, then this would be a pretty nice upgrade right? Just keep stock heads but upgrade them just a bit

 

no response?

 

That is more than you want to spend for the power you will receive in return. Honestly I would go with a 224 cam and some used LS6 heads with a port/valve job done on them.

 

If you are not planning on FI then I would look for a different cam in all honesty.

 

241's are decent heads.. But a 243 is going to net you 15-20rwhp over the 241's with any decent cam. For $200 (You need springs anyway and the sale of the 241's) they are a nice upgrade. The heads are not going to make it more/less driveable.

As for a cam, the 02+ Z06 cam is 204/218 duration .551/.541 lift on a 117.5icl/lsa.. That puts your valve events at .050:

Intake valve open 15.5 ATDC
Intake valve closing 39.5 ABDC
Exhaust valve opening 46.5 BBDC
Exhaust valve closing 8.5 BTDC
ICL/LSA 117.5
Overlap -24 degrees

This is a very mild cam.


If you still want a mild cam but that makes good bottom end power, doesn't peak real high but a touch higher what about something like a LSK 219/219 on a 111icl/lsa

Still has 8.04 DCR which is fairly good for bottom end torque
Valve events at .050 are:

Intake valve open 1.5 ATDC
Intake valve closing 40.5 ABDC
Exhaust valve opening 40.5 BBDC
Exhaust valve closing 1.5 BTDC
ICL/LSA 111
Overlap -3 degrees

It's going to be a little more "lumpy" than a Z06 cam, but with -3* overlap at .050 it won't be chunky by any means. This cam would kill a Z06 cam and be vary tame.

 

i got a quote of $5300 for a brand new LS6 crate minus all manifolds and acc. but the water pump. comes with both f-body and corvette oil pans. not bad and a 1 year 12K mile replacement. i'm about ready to take a personal loan for that myself and upgrade to comp cams pushrods and rocker arms.

 

i think i am gonna do the cam kit i found and upgrade rocker arms on my heads, maybe 1.85's

 

i have a nice 232/234 cam with untouched 243s (& a 90/90)... but feels real nice . lol 5gs for a ls6 crate? id spend 5gs on the stock ls1 and have a screamer

 

if you want good reliability i have 02 241 heads fresh mill port 918 springs and titanium retainers good tsp 241-583-112 cam (very good reliable cam) and a rollmaster double roller ill sell for 800 this stuff hasent evan been ran trust me thats to much for that cam kit you mentioned and as soon as you do it you will want more you can trust that

 

I did'nt bye the ls6 kit, I bout the 405 hp ls6 longblock in 2002. Check the sig for results, your results may very. The ls6 rocks, I now have 45,000 miles on it with just normal maitenance. I don't know how many can say they have put 45,000 miles on their 11 sec. car that gets 28-a little over 29 mpg hway and 20-22 town. Is it the fastest?- nope but its durable and it will outrun alot of h/c cars and even those pesky pullied cobras. I've never even had a drag radial on the car yet, I run it as I drive it to work everyday. I'd buy one again execpt now I would want the ls7.

 

I am like HioSILVER here and I have the 2002 LS6 Long Block and I went 11.77 on mickey thompson drag radials and MTI mail order tune and 4.10 gears in my 12 bolt. But like a lot of the guys are saying you will want more if you are like me, a NUT for racing. GOOD LUCK