Chris Pilie

Just joined the forum. This is my first thread. I have been doing a lot of research and thought the people in this forum were the best to pose some questions. I have learned a lot so far from you guys. So here is my question.

I have a 2004 GTO with the stock LS1 under the hood. The car has 180k miles on it and is actually in really good condition outside of the front end damage. Recently my wife pushed in the front end to the radiator in a minor accident. It was unfortunate but... well... I now get to tear into it.

I am trying to get 500hp with natural aspiration. I think I am on the right track. Before I go and spend a bunch of money, I wanted to see what you guys think about my choice. Any other recommendations for the rebuild would be helpful.

My Plans:

• LOWER END - Considering the TSP 383 stroker kit on the following link
  https://www.texas-speed.com/p-787-ts...-assembly.aspx
• LOWER END - Not sure on the cam yet
• UPPER END - I have the 241 heads. Wish I had 243. I am considering doing a polish and bigger valves. Is it worth it on the 241s?
• UPPER END - Considering the following headers
  http://www.kooksheaders.com/exhaust-header-26972.html

What do you guys think?

Blackpanther99

iTrader: (8)

For stroker kit get some good heads or have some porting work done to your 241 heads for your setup, you will need them. Kooks long tubes are a great investement soo you wont be dissapointed, but give Maryland Speed a call first, they tend to have the best prices around on Kooks headers all the time.

For cam contact Martin @ Tick Performance.

What intake manifold will you be running?

Id also look into upgrading oil pump.

Chris Pilie

Thanks Black Panther99.

I am looking at going with a Fast Intake.

I will defintely replace the oil pump... made that rookie mistake before.

ULTIMATEORANGESS

iTrader: (4)

looks like a lot of work but itll pay off.


I would get some nicer heads myself.

Midnight02

iTrader: (8)

A couple thoughts:

The Kooks headers are top of the line (and well worth it), however if you're trying to work it all into a tight budget, I'd recommend you get coated Pacesetters at roughly 40% of the cost of the Kooks and put the extra cash towards a set of good heads. Wouldn't make much sense to get the best exhaust and intake money can buy and limit your power potential with heads that aren't optimized for your setup.

As noted above, Martin at Tick would be a great place to start for the cam recommendation.

Chris Pilie

Midnight02, I think what I might do is port and polish the 241s myself, get som bigger valves, and save up for some other heads. Of course... if it is more cost effective to buy heads off the shelf... I may rather do that. This a project car for my son and I so I do plan on gradually putting better components.

Any recommendations on heads?

I want to try and get around rewiring a bunch of stuff as much as possible.

ULTIMATEORANGESS

iTrader: (4)

trick flows are nice. MAST TOO. as you know neither is budget friendly.

Chris Pilie

I have been looking at the trick flows. Will that pose a problem for wiring?

MonmouthCtyLS7

iTrader: (6)

It won't be easy seeing 500 rw with a 383..If that's the goal your shooting for grab a 6.0 bottom and do a budget 408..that way you can run some Ls3 heads that flow much more cfm. 500 will be cake with a nice cam.

Blackpanther99

iTrader: (8)

That is true^

garygnu

a 383 with the right heads and cam will make 500 rwhp.ported AFR ,tfs,even some TSP prc heads will work .a custom cam is needed .a ls1 346 with the right stuff can do it .

MikeWS6

LS3 swap + Spin Monster cam would be around 500rwhp.

Joey@Tick

iTrader: (20)

If you would like some help with your build give us a call.

BLOWNZZILLA

Ya Know if you battleaxx that crank you can pick up quite abit of hp!
if you want to see some pics pm me!