Generation III Internal Engine 1997-2006 LS1 | LS6
Sponsored by:
Sponsored by:

Internal Engine Newb!

Thread Tools
 
Search this Thread
 
Old Feb 7, 2007 | 05:30 AM
  #1  
Splitz's Avatar
Thread Starter
TECH Fanatic
iTrader: (1)
 
Joined: Apr 2006
Posts: 1,097
Likes: 0
From: Fort Worth / Crowley / Burleson, Texas
Default Internal Engine Newb!

Ok, I'm not trying to sound stupid, I've read the stickies.

1. What are the advantages of Swapping out the LS1 heads to something "better". I'm looking at Precision Race Component Stage 2.5 Heads. Basically, what are the differences between the set of heads?

2. Cam Choice: This seems the be the age old question on this forum. I'm not going to ask "Which Cam?". What I'm going to ask is.....I want a cam that is inbetween killing my neighbors and NOT killing my gas mileage because it is a daily driver at the moment. The all around daily driver cam...looking @ 232/234 .595/.598 114(degree).

3. If I buy the parts above (not bad prices I guess ~$1,600 includes pushrods) what else would I need to purchase?

4. Support Mods are upcoming. I'm doing rear suspension so the frame/rear end can handle the added HP/TQR. (Stall and Gears after Head/Cam).

5. With the mod already listed in my sig and going to do the above head/cam package, what would be a good number to shoot for above the 339HP that I'm getting now?

Of course, this is all funds permitting and can only do things a little at a time.
Reply
Old Feb 7, 2007 | 06:19 AM
  #2  
brad8266's Avatar
TECH Senior Member
iTrader: (23)
 
Joined: Aug 2005
Posts: 8,797
Likes: 0
From: Watertown, NY
Default

Originally Posted by Splitz
Ok, I'm not trying to sound stupid, I've read the stickies.

1. What are the advantages of Swapping out the LS1 heads to something "better". I'm looking at Precision Race Component Stage 2.5 Heads. Basically, what are the differences between the set of heads?

2. Cam Choice: This seems the be the age old question on this forum. I'm not going to ask "Which Cam?". What I'm going to ask is.....I want a cam that is inbetween killing my neighbors and NOT killing my gas mileage because it is a daily driver at the moment. The all around daily driver cam...looking @ 232/234 .595/.598 114(degree).

3. If I buy the parts above (not bad prices I guess ~$1,600 includes pushrods) what else would I need to purchase?

4. Support Mods are upcoming. I'm doing rear suspension so the frame/rear end can handle the added HP/TQR. (Stall and Gears after Head/Cam).

5. With the mod already listed in my sig and going to do the above head/cam package, what would be a good number to shoot for above the 339HP that I'm getting now?

Of course, this is all funds permitting and can only do things a little at a time.
1. Aftermarket ported/polished heads flow more air and flow it smoother, resulting in good power gains.

2. 228'ish size cam, give or take some duration, use the DCR calculator thats in this forum to check the valve events of the different cams in this size range.

3. You will want a new crank bolt, head bolts, head gaskets, front cover seal, and a new timing chain.

4. No question was asked.

5. Should be well over 400 with a well matched set of heads and cam.


Keep searching around here for cam selection advice, its all over the place. There are about 50 threads a week with peope asking "what cam to go with". Your best bet is to learn what valve events do and the effects they have on the engine and then use a DCR/valve event calculator to help spec out the cam that you want based on your needs.
Reply
Old Feb 7, 2007 | 07:33 AM
  #3  
Bader-X's Avatar
TECH Apprentice
iTrader: (2)
 
Joined: Apr 2006
Posts: 386
Likes: 0
From: Kuwait
Default

I`ll answer what I know ... why the ported heads (the stock castings meaning factory heads not aftermarket designed heads) are *Better*

1-I think what you mean by better heads is ported heads (such as prc stage 2.5 5.3 heads or ported ls1 or ls6 heads) .....
they are better because the flow better (meaning they`ll allow more air in with the same camshaft valve motion) air into the engine wich will allow more fuel and that will give a more exploding mixture of fuel and air resulting in more power Hp and Tq. . and that`s because they are ported (material removal inside the intake and/or the exhaust port) increasing the inside volume of the port and the shape of it for smoother unrestricted path for the air to flow in or the exhaust to flow out .... stock heads can have much more flow if ported good and the restrictions removed.

another thing that makes more power in the combustion chamber size wich will mostly be smaller wich in turns will make less space for the cumbusting mixture of fuel and air wich will raise the pressure .... resulting again in more power.

*porting has limits (not the bigger the port the better or the smoother the better search or read somewhere else for better details)

*for the intended usage and the fuel octan used pressure of an engine is also limited.

hope it helps and not complicated ....
Reply
Old Feb 7, 2007 | 11:39 AM
  #4  
lt1formula2000's Avatar
TECH Regular
iTrader: (10)
 
Joined: Dec 2004
Posts: 479
Likes: 0
From: oklahoma
Default

you are also going to want to match the stall to the cam once you get it selected. Are you looking at the PRC LS6 based heads or the 5.3 based heads. with a smaller cam I would go with the 5.3's
Reply
Old Feb 7, 2007 | 12:12 PM
  #5  
brad8266's Avatar
TECH Senior Member
iTrader: (23)
 
Joined: Aug 2005
Posts: 8,797
Likes: 0
From: Watertown, NY
Default

Originally Posted by lt1formula2000
you are also going to want to match the stall to the cam once you get it selected. Are you looking at the PRC LS6 based heads or the 5.3 based heads. with a smaller cam I would go with the 5.3's
i would go with the LS6 heads and mill them down as needed, forget the 5.3's.
Reply




All times are GMT -5. The time now is 12:41 AM.

story-0
Amazing '71 Camaro Restomod Is Modern Muscle Car Under the Skin

Slideshow: This heavily modified 1971 Camaro mixes classic muscle car styling with a fifth-generation Camaro interior and modern LS3 power.

By Verdad Gallardo | 2026-05-12 18:06:42


VIEW MORE
story-1
6 Common C5 Corvette Failures and What's Involved In Repairing Them

Slideshow: From wobbling harmonic balancers to failed EBCMs, these are the issues that define long-term C5 ownership and what repairs typically involve.

By Pouria Savadkouei | 2026-05-07 18:44:57


VIEW MORE
story-2
Retro Modern Bandit Pontiac Trans AM Comes With Burt Reynolds' Autograph

Slideshow: A modern Camaro transformed into a retro icon, this limited-run "Bandit" build blends nostalgia with brute force in a way few revivals manage.

By Verdad Gallardo | 2026-04-21 13:57:02


VIEW MORE
story-3
Top 10 Greatest Cadillac V Series Performance Models Ever, Ranked

Slideshow: Cadillac didn't just crash the high-performance luxury vehicle party, it showed up loud, supercharged, and occasionally a little unhinged...

By Pouria Savadkouei | 2026-04-16 10:05:15


VIEW MORE
story-4
Top 10 Most Powerful Chevy Trucks Ever Made!

Slideshow: Top ten most powerful Chevy trucks ever made

By | 2026-03-25 09:22:26


VIEW MORE
story-5
Hennessey's New Supercharged Silverado ZR2 Has 700 HP

Slideshow: Hennessey has turned the Silverado ZR2 into a 700-hp off-road monster with supercharged V8 power and a limited production run.

By Verdad Gallardo | 2026-03-24 18:57:52


VIEW MORE
story-6
Coachbuilt N2A Anteros Is an LS2-Powered C6 Corvette In Italian Clothes

Slideshow: A one-off sports car that looks like a vintage Italian exotic-but hides a C6 Corvette underneath-just sold for the price of a new mid-engine Corvette.

By Verdad Gallardo | 2026-03-23 18:53:41


VIEW MORE
story-7
Awesome K5 Blazer Restomod Comes With C7 Corvette Power

Slideshow: A heavily reworked 1972 K5 Blazer swaps its off-road roots for a low-slung street-focused build with modern V8 power.

By Verdad Gallardo | 2026-03-09 18:08:45


VIEW MORE
story-8
10 Camaros You Should Never Buy

Slideshow: There are thousands of used Camaros on the market but we think you should avoid these 10

By | 2026-02-17 17:09:30


VIEW MORE
story-9
10 LS Engine Myths That Refuse to Die

Slideshows: Which one of these myths do you believe?

By Verdad Gallardo | 2026-01-28 18:10:11


VIEW MORE