Heads/Cam/Spray on a Budget
Thread Starter
Teching In
Joined: Apr 2007
Posts: 7
Likes: 0
From: Texas
Heads/Cam/Spray on a Budget Hello,
I am doing an LS1 Rx7, and I've got the roller and I'm about ready to buy an LS1/T56 combo. I have quite a few questions:
A) I want to spend under $6000 on the engine/transmission combo (including H/C). I know I want a '99+ engine, but does it make sense to spring for an 01-02 for the LS6 intake, or should I just plan to get the Fast90/90 combo, or buy an aftermarket LS6 intake?
B) Within that $6000 budget, what would you recommend for a budget heads/cam setup, considering I am going to spend $4000-4500 on the engine/tranny?
Here are my constraints:
The car will not be a daily driver, but it will be about 80% street driven. Mostly, I want the car to be a blast to drive, but I don't care if I have to sacrifice a little driveability at the expense of some power. If possible, I am shooting for high 10's on the motor (the car will weigh about 2700-2800lbs without driver).
C) Considering I will probably be running a 100-150 shot, does this affect the heads/cam selection?
D) Finally, heads are extremely expensive for what they provide. Would it make more sense just to do a big cam and nitrous?
Thanks for you help!
I am doing an LS1 Rx7, and I've got the roller and I'm about ready to buy an LS1/T56 combo. I have quite a few questions:
A) I want to spend under $6000 on the engine/transmission combo (including H/C). I know I want a '99+ engine, but does it make sense to spring for an 01-02 for the LS6 intake, or should I just plan to get the Fast90/90 combo, or buy an aftermarket LS6 intake?
B) Within that $6000 budget, what would you recommend for a budget heads/cam setup, considering I am going to spend $4000-4500 on the engine/tranny?
Here are my constraints:
The car will not be a daily driver, but it will be about 80% street driven. Mostly, I want the car to be a blast to drive, but I don't care if I have to sacrifice a little driveability at the expense of some power. If possible, I am shooting for high 10's on the motor (the car will weigh about 2700-2800lbs without driver).
C) Considering I will probably be running a 100-150 shot, does this affect the heads/cam selection?
D) Finally, heads are extremely expensive for what they provide. Would it make more sense just to do a big cam and nitrous?
Thanks for you help!
Launching!
Joined: Apr 2006
Posts: 216
Likes: 0
From: Maple Grove, MN
Since no ones biting, i recommend a 6.0 lq4 or lq9 and use the new l92 heads , intake and an agressive cam to match. The motors are abundant and the l92 heads an intake are cheaper than any ls1 package you'll find. As for the cam, that's up to you.
Thread Starter
Teching In
Joined: Apr 2007
Posts: 7
Likes: 0
From: Texas
Originally Posted by PaulC
Since no ones biting, i recommend a 6.0 lq4 or lq9 and use the new l92 heads , intake and an agressive cam to match. The motors are abundant and the l92 heads an intake are cheaper than any ls1 package you'll find. As for the cam, that's up to you.
Complete motor - $800
T56 Tranny - $1200
Flywheel, Clutch, Slave - $600 (ram hd)
Intake, Fuel Rails - $100
Oil Pan - $180
Manual Tranny Wiring Harness - $250
Accessories - $500
l92 heads - $900
cam setup - $500
Total = $5100
Am I missing something? Which setup would you recommend, the 6.0, or the 5.3 with higher compression? How much power would either make with the l92 heads and an aggressive cam?
Does this look like a preferably option over the LS1 (which would cost about $4500 with the T56...without the upgraded clutch, heads, and cam)?
I wouldn't use the iron block and pick up weight. I have an ls1 rx7 that I am going to run cam only with nitrous. Swapping the heads and cam isn't very hard with the engine in the car, so you could always wait on it until you get the car sorted out. A set of ported ls6 heads and a cam will probably do fine, if your on a tight budget I would just look in the for sale section for some used stuff.
Originally Posted by Gentle Rooster
This is a very interesting idea that I haven't priced out until now.
Complete motor - $800
T56 Tranny - $1200
Flywheel, Clutch, Slave - $600 (ram hd)
Intake, Fuel Rails - $100
Oil Pan - $180
Manual Tranny Wiring Harness - $250
Accessories - $500
l92 heads - $900
cam setup - $500
Total = $5100
Am I missing something? Which setup would you recommend, the 6.0, or the 5.3 with higher compression? How much power would either make with the l92 heads and an aggressive cam?
Does this look like a preferably option over the LS1 (which would cost about $4500 with the T56...without the upgraded clutch, heads, and cam)?
Complete motor - $800
T56 Tranny - $1200
Flywheel, Clutch, Slave - $600 (ram hd)
Intake, Fuel Rails - $100
Oil Pan - $180
Manual Tranny Wiring Harness - $250
Accessories - $500
l92 heads - $900
cam setup - $500
Total = $5100
Am I missing something? Which setup would you recommend, the 6.0, or the 5.3 with higher compression? How much power would either make with the l92 heads and an aggressive cam?
Does this look like a preferably option over the LS1 (which would cost about $4500 with the T56...without the upgraded clutch, heads, and cam)?
looks pretty good but i would say more for a cam set up. w/ retainer and push rods and springs and cam i would say sround 700 or 800... i know its not a big difference but still
jus my 2 cents
Trending Topics
also with 150 shot you really should worry about heads n cam b/c its not a big enough shot to really affect it.. one more thing, if 6k is the most ur spendin dont forget about tax on the items, tune, and labor but if your doin the work urself then ur good. good luck and let us no!!
LS1 Tech Stories
The Best V8 Stories One Small Block at Time
6 Common C5 Corvette Failures and What's Involved In Repairing Them
Pouria Savadkouei
Retro Modern Bandit Pontiac Trans AM Comes With Burt Reynolds' Autograph
Verdad Gallardo
Top 10 Greatest Cadillac V Series Performance Models Ever, Ranked
Pouria Savadkouei
Top 10 Most Powerful Chevy Trucks Ever Made!
Hennessey's New Supercharged Silverado ZR2 Has 700 HP
Verdad Gallardo
Coachbuilt N2A Anteros Is an LS2-Powered C6 Corvette In Italian Clothes
Verdad Gallardo
Awesome K5 Blazer Restomod Comes With C7 Corvette Power
Verdad Gallardo
10 Camaros You Should Never Buy
10 LS Engine Myths That Refuse to Die
Verdad Gallardo
I would also stick with a aluminum block to keep weight down.Have you ever ported heads before yourself.Since your on a budget that could be a option to try.Your option D. is the best bang for the buck.Just make sure you have a spot on tune with no detination with nitrous or else you pistons will be gone in no time.Also when doing a swap like you are always have a few thousand dollars extra because you will be nickled and dimed thoughout the whole process and will most likely underbudget.
Originally Posted by Gentle Rooster
This is a very interesting idea that I haven't priced out until now.
Complete motor - $800
T56 Tranny - $1200
Flywheel, Clutch, Slave - $600 (ram hd)
Intake, Fuel Rails - $100
Oil Pan - $180
Manual Tranny Wiring Harness - $250
Accessories - $500
l92 heads - $900
cam setup - $500
Total = $5100
Am I missing something? Which setup would you recommend, the 6.0, or the 5.3 with higher compression? How much power would either make with the l92 heads and an aggressive cam?
Does this look like a preferably option over the LS1 (which would cost about $4500 with the T56...without the upgraded clutch, heads, and cam)?
Complete motor - $800
T56 Tranny - $1200
Flywheel, Clutch, Slave - $600 (ram hd)
Intake, Fuel Rails - $100
Oil Pan - $180
Manual Tranny Wiring Harness - $250
Accessories - $500
l92 heads - $900
cam setup - $500
Total = $5100
Am I missing something? Which setup would you recommend, the 6.0, or the 5.3 with higher compression? How much power would either make with the l92 heads and an aggressive cam?
Does this look like a preferably option over the LS1 (which would cost about $4500 with the T56...without the upgraded clutch, heads, and cam)?
Thread Starter
Teching In
Joined: Apr 2007
Posts: 7
Likes: 0
From: Texas
Originally Posted by Studytime
You didn't take into account that L92 heads will not fit a convetional LS1- they are for bigger bore motors. Also, the LQ4 or LQ9 heads will kill compression and power on a LS1.
Originally Posted by Gentle Rooster
The L92 heads were for the LQ4 if I decided to go that route. That list was what I would need to go with the LQ4.