masti04

Just wanted to get people's opinions about which direction to go with my 01Z, regarding a modest power bump (like to see 430-440 whp/wtq). It's a daily driver and I do about 6-8 HPDE's and about a dozen autox's a year. I've had the car for about 3 years and am comfortable with the suspension mods and set-up I currently have.............so the next mod will be a modest power bump. (currently have 379 whp/394wtq)

Option 1: I've looked into a Trick Flow 215 heads & cam package, which looks very attractive, and will certainly put me in the power range that I'm interested in. I'm just concerned about the drivability of a low 23x/23x cam that would get me in the power range I am looking for. The kit alone would be in the $3000 range.

Option 2: I've also looked into rebuilding my ls6 with a 383 stroker kit from Texas Speed. With a low 22x/22x cam, I should still be able to meet my overall power goals, with more of an emphasis on low-end power and torque. Again, the price is in the $3000 range for the kit.

FYI, I have build engines in the past (non-Corvette) so I am comfortable with the labor........so that's a wash. I'd also replace the wear items with both options (lifters, oil pump, valvesprings, timing chain, etc.), so it's somewhat a wash again.

I'd like to hear from people that have done 1 or the other (or both) to see what the overall costs associated were and what advantages/disadvantages of each option are.

Please advise.

bosco022

FWIW (not exactly what you were looking for but similar)

I have road raced an LS6 with CNC 243 heads, ASA type cam, stock compression with LS6 efi. Very stout, but not close to a match of our team car that had 383 with same heads and Holley carb. Cam was 580 ish/ 240 something duration. A 383 with a cam similar to the ASA would be very streetable yet torquey. The LS3 Trans Am 2 motors use the ASA cam, unported heads, stock compression and yet make 525 flywheel HP with a restrictor.

The carb 383 made almost 500 lbs ft torque while the 346 made about 440 torque.

These were installed in tube frame road race cars weighing about 2800 # with driver.

I would go with the 383 with an ASA cam or similar.

FASTFATBOY

Advanced induction CNC 243 head and cam package. Your done.

EDIT

You don't need the 383 in my opinion.

Katech timing chain

Decent forged rod(Compstar or the like)

Mahle forged piston

Balance it

Good 5/8 pushrod

LS7 lifter

Drill the lifter buckets

427ZM

I agree w/ all the above, but I'd go w/ TFS as cast 220's w/ Brian Tooley hand finishing (buy them from Brian and ask him for his hand port finishing, it's an extra $220). Also, option the heads out w/ turned down LS3 intake valves, and powdered metal guides. Also, mill them to bump static CR. The LS3's turned down to 2.04 will be ultra light (like 80g a piece)m and the powdered metal guides will allow you to run stock rockers w/ trunnion upgrades. This is by far the stoutest rocker available IMO short of shaft mount rockers.

Top this off w/ a Tooley spec'd cam to match your desired power output. A friend recently went w/ this combo, (Tooley spec'd 231/241 cam on LSL/XE lobes) and a Fast 92 /LS2 TB; and put down 460/425. This is on a stock LS1 bottom.

This combo is by far the best bang for the buck, and the parts, since matched by Tooley, will work, and work dang well. IMO, the TFS 215's won't get you anymore power than the 220's spec'd as stated above and w/ Tooley's finish work. Just my .02.

bosco022

I am thinking that if I am gonna spend money on forged rods and pistons I might as well go with the TSP stroker kit with forged crank and ARP rod bolts for 1795. Add the Advanced Induction 995 CNC work and the other reliabilty pieces (better timing chain, push rods, comp trunion upgrade, maybe some ISKY 165 A valve springs).

Going with the TFS heads and cam package without upgrading the bottom end (option 1) might be a recipe for disaster.

I have driven both types and in a road race application where you often pull off slower corners at 3500-3800... it ain't close.

If you are just trying to make your 430/440 number you can do it with the head/cam package.

427ZM

If you're going to go stroker, you mine as well go w/ a bigger bore block w/ better heads, period. I just did this myself and the difference between a 383, and say a 402 or 416, is minuscule. Also, both will out perform a 383 all day every day. The biggest reason I'd suggest this is being over square. If you can, you ALWAYS want to be over square on a motor build. It's a stronger, and more reliable setup bottom end than a motor that is not over square.

bosco022

The 402/416 would be better, but he did not have that in his options.

We also dyno'd a nearly identical 402 to our 383, it made about 25 more HP and 30 more torque, about what we expected. 383's have been maligned, but by my experience they are still good performers.

I agree if you are starting from scratch the 402/415 would be the way to go.. In fact, I am probably gonna go 402 in the Corvette in my avatar vs the current LS6 346.

427ZM

Yep, it want in the OP options, but, for the difference in performance v. price, the 402/416 are much better bang for the buck. When I figured it up before my motor swap, the difference was less than 1k.

OP, the thing is, the internal cost once you go stroker are basically the same! The 4" crank, 6.125 rods, and forged pistons are all the same across any of the listed engine sizes! The difference is block cost. A 383, you won't have a block cost, the 402/416, you will. The thing to look for if going this route, is a decent core block at a good price. I found an LS2 block for $500.

Hi Volts Z06

I swapped my LS6 for an LS3 stroker and kept the LS6 heads since my intention was to make torque. (I am limited on HP since I run ST-2 in NASA). With the same MTI X1 cam that made 387 rwhp in the LS-6 (specs of 230/227 .591/.571 lsa 112) I made 420rwhp and 450 rwhp.

For a mostly street application with some track use I think you can't beat a stroker motor. For the track my only gripe is that rpm range is going to come down and find yourself shifting more than you like as opposed to the higher revs of the LS6.

masti04

I appreciate all of the input. Definitely food for thought......

FASTFATBOY

Rods are what $300?

Pistons are $500?

$1000 for a crank? Any machine work to get it to swing?

I would have a hard time justifying that , just me yapping.

Here is you a good example, buddy built a stock cube LS1 with Compstar rods, Mahle pistons, stock crank.

TFS 215 as cast with a small amount of cleanup work by hand. Cam I cant remember, 236/238@.050 on a 112 LSA I think. FAST 92/90.

Made 465rwhp/425 tq. In a 3200lb Z28 on track it was fast for sure.

93Polo

If I were going to build a stroker, I'd go 402 or bigger. The bigger motor would also like bigger heads than a 215 port. 383s run great but for the expense, the extra cubes are not a big jump.

With a 430rwhp goal, I would start out with a cam only, maybe a FAST intake and see how you like the power. You may fall a little short but if you decide to go for a stroker you're not buying a 2nd set of heads or settling for less than the best option for the motor.

NemesisC5

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