I have a 2002 camaro z28 that is completely stock except for the exhaust system, I'm looking to get it up to anywhere to 425 to 450 horses..
Any suggestions on where to start?

 

I was looking at changing the plugs and the wires to start, and then put a cold air intake in it but would it be logical to throw an upgraded camshaft in it from there or should I do more first?

 

Heads, cam, intake, headers and a tune.

 

Are you talking about being in the ballpark of 425-450 wheel horsepower or crank horsepower? If you answer that, it will make it easier for us to help you out.

 

Wheel horsepower

 

Well, full bolt-on's, aftermarket heads and a decent cam should get you in the ballpark for sure. Might want to spend some money on some suspension mods/sticky tires as well so you can at least put the power down.

 

Yeah I was definitely going to look into upgrading the suspension. And I appreciate your advice and input, thanks.

 

Like I said..."Heads, cam, intake, headers and a tune."

After that, you're gonna need to upgrade your trans and rear end along with your suspension.

 

What's the point in spending the money on another intake when he already has the LS6 on the car? I don't think a FAST would really be needed for a 420-450rwhp application.

 

It'll help him reach his goal easier.

FAST are overpriced imo, but they do offer a HP gain over the LS6, especially ported. Maybe he wants one. Just because you wouldn't spend the money doesn't mean someone else won't buy it.

Why do people replace their LS6 intakes with the FAST all the time on stock applications?

 

Yeah, it would be beneficial for sure. I'm not bashing the FAST intakes at all, they are great. I just said that it is not really needed for his specific application. The money that this guy would probably be spending on a FAST that he probably really wouldn't need could be put towards something more useful. Such as aftermarket suspension components to improve traction, or even tires.

If he wants to spend the money on it, more power to him but all I'm saying is that it's not needed to reach his power goal.

 

I agree 100%, I was just throwing it out there.

I wouldn't spend a grand on a FAST either.

 

Make sure you get all your supporting mods first... Longtubes, Injectors, Tune, Lid, the ignition is fine stock for your goals. go with some tr55 or tr6 plugs and that should cover you. Id also consider swapping to an LS7 clutch if its an M6. the stock one wont hold up to 425-500 wheel for long.

go with some 5.3 heads ported and polished like the TSP stage 2 or 2.5 heads. and a TV2 or MS3 cam should be a good combo to get you in that range. your LS6 intake isnt worth swapping untill around the 600 wheel range. your going to need at least 36# injectors but id go ahead and get 42+ just to be safe.

But for now Longtubes, Lid, Tune, Injectors and, LS7 clutch should be a good start

** also another good cam to go with and save some money would be the Lingenfelter GT1 cam. its not a radical cam but allows you to use LS9 springs and save 150-200 bucks and on a completely stock ls1 it made around 400 so with the other mods and ported heads should easily put you in your goal range

 

don't do injectors until you do a head/cam swap,your current injectors are good for 420 hp.a ls6 intake is good up to 450 hp.test and retain your stock plug wires if they are good.whats your budget ?look at some TSP head/cam combos.

 

there are plenty of us running 500-700rwhp with ls6 intakes. some even buy the fasts and go back with the ls6 later on. no time to tell those stories, if you wanna know search em up. .....however,,,,the answer has already been stated as far as what to do. Personally, An automatic guys first mod should be a stall, and the m6 guys should get a clutch and master cylinder. start off small like plugs and wires, then do the cam, heads, bolt ons and tune it. be sure you choose a cam that will meet your future goals. if you can decide now if you are going to go turbo or supercharged or n20 it will really help if you choose a cam that will benefit that later on while giving you the power your looking for now.

 

I appreciate all your guys info, my budget is around 3000-4000 and eventually I would like to throw a supercharger in it but not right away, so I will get a cam that will fit into my future goals. Thanks for all the advice!

 

Lid- $ 70
P&P Trottle Body- $125 - Shaner S2 (for an A4) S3 (for an M6)
TSP Headers- $499
TSP ORY- $139
Prothane Motor Mts- $59.99
Prothane Trans Mnt- $28.95
FROST mail order tune- $166 shipped

Sell your cats for $150

There's nothing I've listed that you cant install with basic tools, a jack, and jack stands.

I also vote for the Chrs1313 Ram Air. Speed Inc sells them.

 

If you have an automatic a 3200-3600 rpm stall converter should be top of your list.

 

Full built ons and heads/cam

 

DONT FORGET A CLUTCH!!!! if its an M6 theres no point in building up your motor only to fry a stock clutch because it cant hold up to the added power...

LS7 clutch and flywheel kits can be had for around $450 shipped and will give you plenty of room to grow.. thats what im going to be using with my motor when it goes in

370 forged, l92 ported heads, Ls3 intake, TSP longtubes, and a tsunami or HPE-megadeath cam. My setup will be roughly in the 450-500 range