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Open Discussion : Cam & Build Up the LS2, or throw an LS3 top end on the LS2.

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Old 01-25-2013, 05:38 PM
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huggerorange73
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St. Jude Donor '12-'13

Default Open Discussion : Cam & Build Up the LS2, or throw an LS3 top end on the LS2.

So I've got a 2006 A6 Z51 with the following mods already in place :
Kooks LT Headers & catted X-Pipe
Corsa Sport Axle-Back
Vararam Intake
Dyno tuned 384 WHP & 387 WTQ SAE Corrected. Went 12.012 @ 118 MPH w/1.911 60'

I've got a few months to go before I tear into the car....I plan on adding either a 3200 or 3600 stall.

What I'm really wrestling with is if I want to build with the LS2 heads and intake, or take those off and build the LS2 with a complete LS3 top end.

I do know LS3 heads flow very well....but I also know the small bore of the LS2 is a power sapper for the LS3 heads.

The goal is to put the car into the 10's and still have decent street manners.

I know there's plenty of knowledge here on the forum, so let's hear the pros and cons.
Old 01-25-2013, 05:47 PM
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jon6.0
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Your first mod should be the torque converter. My personal preference is FTI. Drives like stock at light throttle and hits hard at WOT. Even my 5200rpm stall from them was docile unless provoked. I would probably just cam your current setup and port your intake. That would be the least money. An A&A or ECS kit would also be a real good option if budget allows. You already have the headers taken car of.

Best street manners would be a blower and still get decent mpg's. A nasty cam will get you 12-14mpg in town and barely 20-22 hwy.
Old 01-25-2013, 05:54 PM
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huggerorange73
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Originally Posted by jon6.0
Your first mod should be the torque converter. My personal preference is FTI. Drives like stock at light throttle and hits hard at WOT. Even my 5200rpm stall from them was docile unless provoked. I would probably just cam your current setup and port your intake. That would be the least money. An A&A or ECS kit would also be a real good option if budget allows. You already have the headers taken car of.

Best street manners would be a blower and still get decent mpg's. A nasty cam will get you 12-14mpg in town and barely 20-22 hwy.
No doubt a converter is going in, no matter what.

I'm just curious if I can reach the 10's with the LS2 top end, or if the LS3 parts are required.

No blower on this car....this time around I want to do it N/A.
Old 01-25-2013, 06:00 PM
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V8ANGER
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Originally Posted by huggerorange73
No doubt a converter is going in, no matter what.

I'm just curious if I can reach the 10's with the LS2 top end, or if the LS3 parts are required.

No blower on this car....this time around I want to do it N/A.
Just curious why N/A this time around?
Old 01-25-2013, 06:30 PM
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huggerorange73
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Originally Posted by V8ANGER
Just curious why N/A this time around?
To do boost correctly you gotta forge....and I'm not looking to sink that kind of cash into the build.
Old 01-25-2013, 06:35 PM
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Originally Posted by huggerorange73
To do boost correctly you gotta forge....and I'm not looking to sink that kind of cash into the build.
IC I was thinking charged too but wondered how long the stock bottom would last. I'm for N/A as well now but still want to experience a charger
Old 01-25-2013, 08:20 PM
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huggerorange73
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Originally Posted by V8ANGER
IC I was thinking charged too but wondered how long the stock bottom would last. I'm for N/A as well now but still want to experience a charger
They're both a ton of fun...but N/A seems the safer route to go for the long term.
Old 01-25-2013, 08:29 PM
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Originally Posted by huggerorange73
They're both a ton of fun...but N/A seems the safer route to go for the long term.
The only thing I'm concerned about N/A is the stress on the valve train from the higher lift cam. Stiffer valve springs also must give a beating. I think supercharging vs. N/A is about the same risk.
Old 01-25-2013, 09:43 PM
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There are several 1/4 mile times posted here and on ls1 tech that show times and the setups on each car. ls2 with ls3 topends are very fast cars. I just had a new motor dropped in mine and it is an ls2 with ls3 heads/intake. Cam is a 235/239 .641/.615 through a vigilante 3200 stall. Very fun and VERY fast. With 1300 miles on the new motor im getting 19 mpg in town.
Old 01-25-2013, 09:58 PM
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Originally Posted by VETTEPLAY
There are several 1/4 mile times posted here and on ls1 tech that show times and the setups on each car. ls2 with ls3 topends are very fast cars. I just had a new motor dropped in mine and it is an ls2 with ls3 heads/intake. Cam is a 235/239 .641/.615 through a vigilante 3200 stall. Very fun and VERY fast. With 1300 miles on the new motor im getting 19 mpg in town.
What LSA?
Old 01-25-2013, 10:11 PM
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112
Old 01-25-2013, 10:30 PM
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Originally Posted by VETTEPLAY
112
Nice. You're getting excellent fuel mileage.
Old 01-25-2013, 11:17 PM
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dennis50nj
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I have a CARTEK cam and CARTEK LS2 ported heads and CARTEK tuning , 3800 YANK converter and all the bolt/ons 373 gears i get 20-25 mpg 35-45 mph city and 24-19 mpg highway 50-80 mph the higher mph the lower gas mpg ran a 10.201@129.99 with a 1.34 60ft almost 106 in the 1/8 it hangs both front wheels and great street manors I weighed 293lbs
Old 01-26-2013, 01:15 AM
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dennis you have a great setup. Run 10s AND great gas mileage. Congrats.
Old 01-26-2013, 01:48 AM
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It's all about the combo. Having a good plan with everything complimenting each mod will yield dividends in the end.
Old 01-26-2013, 02:06 AM
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Keep the info rolling...all good stuff
Old 01-26-2013, 07:50 AM
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My .02

3600 stall, great agressive blower cam, fast 102 and an ECS / AA kit...


If n/a ... stall/TFS/Fast/large cam ...since stalled..

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Old 01-26-2013, 09:51 AM
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Modding cars is all about the correct setup, high quality parts, good installation, and good maintenance.
Old 01-26-2013, 10:04 PM
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I have an 05 (A4) with a 2800 FTI converter, KOOKS HEADERS, Vararam CAI, and a Tune by Cartek...so far I've run a best of 11.73 @ 117 mph...

Since my last run I have had the stock intake ported, & plan to run as soon as the track opens here in NY (March) I'm hoping to get close to 11.5 as I plan on racing the 11.5 Index class..

I "Think" I will need more than just porting the intake, so I'm doing some research on a cam that will run OK with the 2800 converter, be driver friendly around town, and ALSO GET ME INTO THE 11.50 ZONE

I most likely will have Cartek pick out the cam...
Old 01-26-2013, 10:37 PM
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huggerorange73
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More research is showing the LS2 intake sucks horribly...which means for what I'd spend for a complete LS3 top end would buy me just a Fast intake for my LS2.

I'm thinking at this point throwing a 3600 stall in it like it sits and see what it runs.

Camming the LS2 oem heads and intake seems like its pissing in the wind.


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