heads & cam 1st timer
Thread Starter
Staging Lane
Joined: Aug 2002
Posts: 83
Likes: 0
From: NY
heads & cam 1st timer I have a bone stock 2002 z with (laugh if you must) 5500 miles. It’s a 6spd. I would like to see 400 plus at the wheels and remain 100% emissions legal no if ands or buts. I have $3000 to make this happen. I bought this car back when times where good for me then I had some bad times and the car sat in storage for 4 years now I have a good looking future and would like to do now what I thought I was going to do then.
I did my H/C/I swap with Texas Speed; they were helpful so give them a shout. Your power goal is achievable, but you may find your budget is going to run dry pretty quick. The heads and cam packages may get to be around $2200 or so, with or without the recommended upgrades, like timing chain and oil pump. The swap is not worth much gain if you don't have an upgraded intake manifold, but since yours is a 2002, it should have the LS6 intake on it. Maybe while the engine is torn apart you can get someone to port it for you and save some major coin over getting a FAST setup like I went with. The tune is important afterward, which around here averages about $400, NY may be different. Also you'll want some sort of upgraded exhaust, as in longtube headers (maybe not emissions legal enough for you) but those can run around $400 too at the cheap end. Factor in some new plugs, wires, oil, extra oil, seals, gaskets, rods, miscellaneous replacement bolts you may break and tools you may need, and I'd guess you to be over $3,000. I'm sure SOMEONE on here has done the whole process for that budget or less, but its not the average setup from what I've heard. Its a lot of work, and you'd be holding it up quite a bit by having a completely emissions legal exhaust. Its hard to get around NY inspections though I'm assuming... Good luck with it though, and come back to us for any help you may need, lots of knowledgeable people as I'm sure you know already.
P.S. SWEET, clean cut car in those pictures; then again if its been in storage for that long and has 5500 miles it should be in good shape. Its nice to see a showroom car 
P.P.S. maybe try getting a mod to move this to the Gen III section, where LS1 and LS6 talk happens...
P.P.S. maybe try getting a mod to move this to the Gen III section, where LS1 and LS6 talk happens...
We've sent the 224/228 camshaft & milled Stage 2.5 5.3l to customers that easily passed emissions tests & broke the 400rwhp number without any problems. The mods around the h/c will determine a lot of what the combo can produce, but here's the link to our heads/cam combo. The combo is around $1650 or under $2000 with oil pump, timing chain & gasket/bolt kit!! I have some engine dyno data from a very similar combo where it gained over 100 flywheel horsepower on a stock ls1 short-block.
http://www.texas-speed.com/shop/item...d=203&catid=47
http://www.texas-speed.com/shop/item...d=203&catid=47
__________________
Largest Stocking Distributor of LS-x Engines / CHECK OUT OUR NEW WEBSITE!
COMP - FAST - PACESETTER - DIAMOND RACING - EAGLE SPECIALTY PRODUCTS - CALLIES - COMETIC GASKETS
RAM CLUTCHES - MOSER ENGINEERING - KOOK'S HEADERS - ARP - GM BOLTS AND GASKETS - MSD - NGK
POWERBOND - ASP - AND MORE!
Largest Stocking Distributor of LS-x Engines / CHECK OUT OUR NEW WEBSITE!
COMP - FAST - PACESETTER - DIAMOND RACING - EAGLE SPECIALTY PRODUCTS - CALLIES - COMETIC GASKETS
RAM CLUTCHES - MOSER ENGINEERING - KOOK'S HEADERS - ARP - GM BOLTS AND GASKETS - MSD - NGK
POWERBOND - ASP - AND MORE!
We've sent the 224/228 camshaft & milled Stage 2.5 5.3l to customers that easily passed emissions tests & broke the 400rwhp number without any problems. The mods around the h/c will determine a lot of what the combo can produce, but here's the link to our heads/cam combo. The combo is around $1650 or under $2000 with oil pump, timing chain & gasket/bolt kit!! I have some engine dyno data from a very similar combo where it gained over 100 flywheel horsepower on a stock ls1 short-block.
http://www.texas-speed.com/shop/item...d=203&catid=47
http://www.texas-speed.com/shop/item...d=203&catid=47
But OP, you'd definitely have to do the work yourself to squeeze it into that budget when you factor in a ~$400 tune and any other problems you may encounter, but its worth it in my opinion!
Don't forget we offer mail order tunes for $200 custom configured for the heads cam combo! I think you can stay within the budget if your careful how you spend the $$$$.
__________________
Jason
Co-Owner, Texas Speed & Performance, Ltd.
2005 Twin Turbo C6
404cid Stroker, 67mm Twins
994rwhp/902lb ft @ 22 psi (mustang dyno) www.Texas-Speed.com
Jason
Co-Owner, Texas Speed & Performance, Ltd.
2005 Twin Turbo C6
404cid Stroker, 67mm Twins
994rwhp/902lb ft @ 22 psi (mustang dyno) www.Texas-Speed.com
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If you're looking for a shop to do this work for you, let us know. I can give you some recommendations in our area. However, I don't think any of them will get you where you want to be and stay within your budget. For that, I think you're wrenchin' yourself.
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