I am having a long block built and would like to get your opinions on the parts that I am thinking about using.

1999 Camaro SS
T56

Will be mostly street duty (probably 90% or more) with of course some spirited driving here and there. I don't know the exact name of the events that I would like to participate in, but what I can picture in my mind is driving on the Circuit of the Americas. Obviously I wont be road racing (street car) and I doubt I will be doing auto crossing, but MAYBE that will change after a LOT of seat time.

I also doubt that I will put a nitrous kit on the car, but I MIGHT a long way down the road.

I want the engine to be tough, long lasting, low maintenance (especially the valve train), durable, reliable. I don't want it to smoke, and I don't want the valvetrain to be very noisy. When I "beat on it" maturely, I want to be confident that my engine can withstand what I am putting it through.

I don't know if I really have a power goal, but I would guess that this combo would make about 375 - 400 whp and I would be happy with that.

With that being said, I plan on using...

LS6 Block
Factory Crank
Eagle H Beams with ARP 2000 bolts
Probe 14963 pistons
I need a recommendation on a good set of rings. (Should I use a steel top ring set?)
I also need a recommendation on a good set of bearings (Main, rod and cam)
ARP Main Studs (Already have them)
ARP Head Bolts
Melling 10295
GM ASA Cam
918 Springs
243 Cylinder Heads
Factory Rocker Arms with the Comp Cams Trunion Upgrade
Rollmaster double roller timing set
ls6 timing chain damper (will this work with the double roller?)
factory crank damper
comp 850-16 lifters
ls2 lifter trays (do you guys drill these?)
thicker pushrods to reduce deflection (i heard something about restricted pushrods to minimize oil build up in the upper engine area. thoughts?)
head gaskets?
ls6 valley cover
ARP crank bolt
ls6 intake
factory oil pan
improved racing oil pan baffle

From that, my questions are:

1. What are your thoughts on using a fel pro master gasket/seal set over a GM set?
2. What rings would you recommend?
3. Would you use a steel top ring?
4. What bearings would you recommend?
5. Would you use 918s with an ASA cam? If so, when would you change the springs, 80-90K miles?
6. Is there a better trunion upgrade out there than the Comp kit?
7. Should I use an IWIS c5r timing chain and factory sprockets over my adjustable rollmaster double (rollmaster too heavy,etc.)?
8. Do you guys run timing chain dampers? I believe I have a GM LS6 damper.
9. Anyone know if a GM LS6 damper is compatible with a rollmaster double roller?
10. Is it smart to drill the ls2 lifter trays?
11. Is it smart to run a restricted pushrod to minimize oil build up in the upper engine area?
12. Is tough, long lasting, low maintenance, durable, reliable engine built with nitrous in mind an oxymoron?

Thank you in advance for your input. I appreciate it.

 

i went with the eagle h beams with the arp 200 bolts. got a good deal on them.

Now i need pistons. As mentioned before, I have had my eye on probe 14963 with hellfire rings. It has a 3.902 bore. I'd like to keep my bore size around 3.902 or 3.903 to keep as much meat in the block as possible.

I am not one to leave a stone unturned. I'd like to get a list of all automotive forged piston manufacturers so that I can be fully aware of what my options are. I'd hate to buy something and then figure out later that I should have gone with something else.

Does anyone have a list of all automotive forged piston manufacturers?

So far I have:

Ross
Diamond
K1
Wiseco
Lunati
SRP
Arias
RaceTec
CP-Carillo
Manley
Probe (3.902)
Mahle

Thanks

 

We use Wiseco on almost every build with great success. Your list looks good, but I would probably opt for some dual valve springs.

 

Thank you for the input Steve.

You're right about the dual springs, i dont foresee myself running an ASA cam.

 

bump for more ideas.

 

who has good prices on pistons?

ive found merchants such as:

summit
autoplicity
mudflaps
th motorsports

has anyone used raceeng.com or barkerracingservice.net?

anyone know of any other merchants that have low piston prices?

thanks

 

bump.

 

Another vote for wiseco call texas speed or speed in. And i would use a set of brain tooley springs.

 

wiseco is getting a lot of votes. I plan on using BTR springs.

thanks

 

What about a built long block. Check out Thompson motorsports

 

Thanks, but I already have most of the parts gathered, just not the pistons or the cam.

 

We can still help you with your piston and cam choice if you would like.

 

that would be great. PM sent.

 

Sent back the pricing, We have most of the options you are looking for in stock. We can get your order out to you ASAP. We look forward to the opportunity to work with you.

 

bump for more ideas.

 

bump for more piston and ring ideas.

 

Are you looking for something different than what we sent or just more ideas? Let us know if we can help you in any way.
Thank you,

 

I am looking for more ideas. I have piston brands and part numbers, I just dont know what to do with them. I made a table with part numbers and prices to compare. The diamonds are about $200 more than the probes. The probes are 16% heavier than the diamonds. The probes are the bore that I want to use but the bore of the diamonds is acceptable. The compression distance/height are within .006 of each other. The diamonds are -2cc where the probes are -3cc. The compression ratios look to be preferred with the diamond but all they say is XX.X:1 @ XXcc which to me, doesnt give all of the information needed to truly determine which piston is better for me.

 

I don't know what you're spending or what you're budget it is but for your goals a crate LS3 would probably fit your needs and run for 200k miles. They sell them with different power levels. If my LS1 ever lets go that is probably the route I would go.

 

I'd consider buying a crate if I didn't have so many reusable parts. Thank you for replying though.