never planned to be the fastest around town. if i wanted more than 400whp id make it happen.. but since im trying to keep it tame with just a lil more punch how am I going wrong or trying to win drag races??

well i guess i can always build the ls1 im trying to sell, build a stroker 383 one and use those patriot heads and get around 450-500whp n/a and then sell my ls2... hmm... only if i wanted too...

just re-read what i wrote man. what i said i didnt say to sound bad like it does.. so im sorry i was just stating its def not my goals to be the fastest around.. i just want more pep and 400whp will be plenty for me.

well why ask for help if you already have a plan? you have 450 in a box you dont want to open, thats just crazy. but its your deal man good luck with it.

cause i wasnt sure if it would net me my goal of 400whp without opening it up, i was hoping just bolt ons would get me there.. and it seems they will without boost or nitrous.

Your best bet would be a cam.

thanks, on the note of the cam just to end my thought process :)

what is the largest camshaft you can install on a ls2 engine if you change the springs also.. meaning how much is too much before valve to piston clearance becomes an issue?

is a .600" lift cam with 1.7 rockers too much on a ls2 if you change the springs to match?

No .600" lift is not to much with a spring upgrade. Pac .600" behives, Comp 918's, etc (reuse the stock retainers and locks).

Just to give you an Idea.... I'm setting at .617" intake and exhaust (Voodoo 222/228 with comp 1.85" rockers) with Patriot heads that have 2.055" intake and 1.57" exhaust (64cc chamber size)

No PVT issues on my end with stock pistons and stock GM Gaskets.


If I could start all over again... I would have gone with the Voodoo 232/238 cam (Lunati 60512 - .599"/.601" lift with 1.7 rockers) + Pac or Comp .600" Springs and would have kept the stock gm 1.7" rockers and heads.

When I started I picked up the cam, along with a set of comp 918 springs and comp 1.85" rockers.
I noticed that the 1.85" rockers put the cam above the 918's recommend lift (which Comp lists at .600").
So I returned the springs then looked around and found the Patriot Stage 2's with .650" dual springs already installed.

Stock the Voodoo 222/228 cam has a lift of .567" intake and exhaust with 1.7 rockers (Lunati 60511). Changing the rocker arms out from 1.7" for longer 1.85" units put the lift up to .617".

I've got about 24,000 miles on the head/cam/rocker combo (I only put about 200 to 250 miles on her a week). I'm just wondering how long the Patriot .650's will last with this combo.

One thing I've been looking at recently is that 96mm aluminum manifold (satin finish with fuel rails is like $480, which is alot less then a fast 92 without rails). Some people Hate it some people don't.... I'm just not a big fan of spending $800 (on average) for a manifold then another $80 for a kit that allows me to reuse my LS2 fuel rails and injectors.

you know I have that exact camshaft already for a ls1 i was going to build... do you think i should just use it for my ls2? and as for rockers i have 1.75 ratios not much of a gain over stock but still a lil more.. prob would net me around .575 i would assume.. if i go with a cam that is..

Coming from a guy who says 853 castings, with STOCK VALVES will provide 100 hp increase :eyes:

Takes quite a skilled porter to take 243/317/799 castings using stock valves to produce a 100hp gain over stock but you can do it with 853 castings? Sorry man, but the stock 243's will put up a MUCH better fight than you think against a budget set of 5.3 heads, larger valves or not.

Op is better off not listening to you, that's for damned sure. Maybe you can fix him up with one of them "swirl port" jobs.... :ripped:




OP, good luck man. If you choose to stick to bolt ons, the list I provided works well. If you do a search, you'll find the same combo duplicated over on the GTO forums and it performs rather well. If you decide to go for a cam, be wise about it and don't go after a huge donkey dick cam and peak HP numbers. Your GTO is 3800lbs +/- and is going to need something with a very broad torque curve unless you're planning on gearing the car and gutting it.

I would check those springs ASAP if it were me. Can't ever be too safe with your valve train and considering you're using some 1.85 rockers with a cam, I'll bet those springs have taken a beating over the course of 24k miles.

Well essentially, you get what you pay for in terms of power between the two manifolds. The Typhoon has its place for being a nice budget intake but if you're looking for a solid, proven performer then the FAST is a no brainer. Especially if you're looking to upgrade to a stroker or want to revise your H/C setup later down the road.

thanks lilbuddy,

Im thinking ill stick to the bolt ons for now and see how well i like it.. If i feel i need more later on, I can then debate the camshaft issue and discuss it with you guys on here on what choice i should take.. I feel ill be happy tho but well you never know.. :)


also I was looking at the typhoon intake.. knowing its not the best out there however im sure its better than stock, id just need to find a nice place who can port one out.. plus on ebay it comes with nice fuel rails and it is a good looking peice from the pics ive seen..

It would be rediculous to put a cam into a stock engine without any other mods done. The power potential would greatly diminish without the use of LT headers, a good set of mufflers, a nice intake setup and a solid tune. Go with the bolt ons first, they are easy and if its not enough, then start looking at tearing apart your valvetrain.

Food for thought; you dont always need to add parts to make a car faster....

please read my posts.. i have long tubes and regular basic bolt ons.. i was debating wether a cam would even intrest me or not for what my goals are. but thanks for the insight your thoughts are mine too and have been.. im not intrested in being the fastest car on the block.

1 7/8 long tube headers, 2.5" Corsa performance exhaust, no cats. Add a cold air intake and a good tune and you have 379 RWHP and 380 TRWTQ. what my dyno read. Also if you have a T56 you definintely will fall in love with a short throw shifter. My next goal is to put in a nice cam in and head work to get 500 RWHP.