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Car is a 2002 Base with stock LS1, CAI, borla stingers, and MN12 transmission. I recently picked up a pair of 243 heads off a 2002 Z06 along with a matching cam. Im looking to swap these on to my base model and I just wanted someone to check my work that to ensure im not forgetting anything. My car currently has about 90k on it, new heads and cam have roughly 15k
On my to-do list
Send heads to shop for clean, deck, valve seals, newer style ls6 springs
Purchase head and cam bolt and gasket kit
New OEM oil pump
LS2 Timing chain
LS2 P/S Pulley
Things im not sure of
LS7 Lifters and or trays
Push rods
Water pump replacement
Any other odds and ends that I should replace while im down there?
Thank you in advance for any advice. This is my first swap on an LS style engine
Also it may sound weird, but im not looking to do long tubes and a larger cam at this time
When I rebuilt my LS1 in 2015 I had the heads done at a machine shop also.
I did use new lifter buckets, new LS7 lifters and new pushrods. Have about 5000 miles on rebuild now and everything is running great.
I also replaced the water pump with new. Car had 144,000 at time of repair. Water pump had about 60,000 miles on it at the time of rebuild.
I would replace the balancer with a aftermarket one while I had it off.
I replaced mine with a OEM new balancer and it started wobbling in 2500 miles after the rebuild and then had to replace it with a Power Bond aftermarket unit.
You may want a new tune. I used ECS's mail order tune.
I did the same engine mod. It sounds like you are on track. I didn't need push-rods but I do like the idea of using LS7 lifters and trays. I used a LS3 chain (little thicker) but I didn't really need to. It seemed like cheep insurance.
What are your goals with the car? If your going to put a big cam in later, I'd wait. Have those 243s ported, bigger cam, and long tubes. But if your after a littler better performance, you will be happy with those mods. I don't see the point in doing all the work for minimal gains. Either way, you will need a tune, a mail order one will do just fine.
Also I see your in NC, check out PCMofNC for a mail order tune. They did the cam, header and dyno tune on my C5. And they provided the parts and mail order tune for my wife's Envoy when we did the cam swap on that. Both cars are running great! There located in Mooresville.
Make or buy or rent the correct tool for harmonic damper removal and installation.
Before buying timing chain, check wear on the sprockets and make sure they are OK. Then get the chain of the sprockets check out, otherwise buy a new timing set.
You may want to buy a new cam plate seal. Don't buy GM, they went to a countersunk bolt assembly and it uses different torque values than your original. GM no longer sells the original version as it was superseded by the countersunk version. I think I have read that O'Reilly's sells a plate that is like the original that is on the 2002.
I second the later LS6 valley cover. There were two so make sure you get the later version.
If you have stock manifolds, don't be surprised by broken bolts or especially the studs where the exhaust bolts into place.
I would also upgrade the rocker arms since the 02 has the original bearing assembly. Maybe the new Straub version to eliminate the needle bearings.
Finally, the PSI 1511ML is an excellent spring but is more costly than the GM version.
Not sure what the advantage of the LS7 lifter tray is over the original unless the original is no longer available. But I would definitely change the trays.
Might be a good time to send the original injectors out for cleaning. I sent mine to New Era Performance in Rochester, NY for cleaning and testing.
Not a typo, it is in fact a MN12 out of a 2002. I had it installed just a few months ago.
As far as goals, I'm interested in having a reliable vehicle that I can use for track days. Something I can drive to the track, race for the weekend, and drive home. I would be spending this money on tires and seat time instead of heads and cam. But it's not everyday you come across a pair of sodium valve 243s with low miles.
I'm currently looking into the LS6 valley, so far I'm reading a lot of mixed reviews. Altough my engine does consume quit a bit of oil. Probably 1 qt every 3k miles or so
Another upgrade to consider is the less restrictive 02+ Z06 H pipe / cats.
Google: " Ruthless Pursuit of Power" by Hib Haversham. Part 1 covers the 01 Z06 and Part 2 the 20 Z06.
The H pipes are often on CL at very reasonable cost. My 02 Vert came stock with the non-pup H Pipe but I think that was not common.
You will want to raise your fuel cut-off to 6600 RPM.
I converted my 02 LS1 into an LS6 clone in 05. I now have 130K miles on the conversion. I have only touched the engine once: at 100K miles to swap plugs, wires, and the oil pressure sender.
For an additional 55 HP with stock idle, drive-ability, reliability, and for those of us who do not care for headers, it is a fantastic mod. GM should have made that the stock Vette engine in 02.
There is a procedure for cleaning out pup/pre-cats. If you do remove cat material, I would treat it as if it were serious hazmat (unless you are a lab rat). And vacuum or blow the rest of the material out. It may be good for 3-10 HP but it is free. The people that have that I have read about doing this, (on this forum) say that it made the exhaust sound a little bit more aggressive.
Car is a 2002 Base with stock LS1, CAI, borla stingers, and MN12 transmission. I recently picked up a pair of 243 heads off a 2002 Z06 along with a matching cam. Im looking to swap these on to my base model and I just wanted someone to check my work that to ensure im not forgetting anything. My car currently has about 90k on it, new heads and cam have roughly 15k
On my to-do list
Send heads to shop for clean, deck, valve seals, newer style ls6 springs
Purchase head and cam bolt and gasket kit
New OEM oil pump
LS2 Timing chain
LS2 P/S Pulley
Things im not sure of
LS7 Lifters and or trays
Push rods
Water pump replacement
Any other odds and ends that I should replace while im down there?
Thank you in advance for any advice. This is my first swap on an LS style engine
Also it may sound weird, but im not looking to do long tubes and a larger cam at this time
Sounds like you are on the right track here but do it right the 1st time or do it right multiple times
When you do heads and cam, obviously you buy all new gaskets, also I recommend using ARP head bolts and not torque to yield stockers or even stretch to yields. but even though we use roller lifters for every cam it still will have wear from your 90K miles on the rollers. So replace the lifters. Have them check the cam for runout and also visually inspect for any burrs, or any signs of scuffing on the lobes as well as the Also for added protection replace the cups and the pushrods. Replace the oil pump. Replace the water pump ONLY if you need to. Replace the balancer and while you are there make sure you use new seals for the timing cover as well. You said your car burns oil? Now is a good time to see if you have excessive clearance at the pistons while the heads are off too. For the money you will spend for this project, just make sure it is worth it in the end, the heads and cam will only net you an additional 25-35 horse because the 2002 C5 has 350 and the Z06 has 385 horses so its not much of a difference you are going to feel to be honest. 243 heads and Z06 cams are starting to be a dime a dozen at least here in Florida I can pick up both for under 400.00.
Last edited by midnight01; 08-24-2016 at 09:29 PM.
The 2002-2004 Z06 had 405Hp and many say that it was underrated (more like 416-425Hp arguably).
The 2001 Z06 had 385Hp had a milder cam intake pup cats...
The 2002-2004 Z06 had 404Hp and many say that it was underrated (more like 416-425Hp arguably).
The 2001 Z06 had 385Hp had a milder cam intake pup cats...
retracted, I was wrong, cam was different by .551 lift versus .525 for the 01. BUT it still only added 20 horses if you dont include the revised intake, MAF, exhaust. It was an entire package to create 405 horses.
You put those heads and cam on a stock LS1 you will not get 405 horse
Last edited by midnight01; 08-24-2016 at 09:45 PM.
08-23-2016, 08:03 AM
Head & Cam swap, double check my home work
Excellent choice.
