Hey guys, I am rebuilding my '04 ls6 with forged internals, and I have the vortech supercharger kit on it running 6.5 psi. What cam would you recommend me swapping in....or is the stock cam fine? Also, if I was to go a step further what heads would be good, I have been looking at patriot heads and I would like some feedback. Thanks alot!

Dustin

 

Honestly, the guys in FI would probably be more helpful, but.... Since you're building a boost friendly motor, I assume you're lowering compression? A mild cam like 224/228@114 should give you a nice power boost, but if it's power you're after, it's easier to just increase the amount of boost, and add methanol injection to control detonation.

 

Well....how would I lower the compression? Different rods? I hadnt planned on it but is that a good way to go?

 

Generally I think you want the longest rod that is feasible to prevent side loading of the cylinders and use a different piston. But I'm no expert

 

Posting the question in the FI section would probably be best. Those guys are a wealth of FI knowledge.

Having said that, it really depends on what you are after.

I prefer a little higher compression so the off boost performance is still good. My car is a daily driver so peek numbers are less important to me (I'm making 587 RWHP with torque in the high 400's).

When it comes to heads that means I wanted something that had a stock cc'ed combustion chamber. Going larger meant losing compression that would allow me to turn up the boost. The real question is how often are you in boost. I don't enjoy the feeling of a low compression high boost engine although some do.
Andy at A&A uses Edelbrock castings and then machines them to his specs and sees very good gains with them.

As for the cam, both A&A and ECS have good blower cams and I'm certainly no expert but Andy from A&A informed me that on the stock bottom end, the stock Z06 cam is very good.

Meth injection and a good fuel system (I just installed Andy's) are good places to start after the initial kit. That will make it easier and safer for you to grow in the future (more boost, better breathing heads, headers, blower cam).

Hope this helped.

Brian-

 

Could you post some pics of your car? Sweet lookin ride

 

Sure no prob!

 

Since you are building the bottom end of a motor, and planning on FI, the easiest way to reduce compression is selecting dished pistons that come in various sizes.(cc's) The amount of dish, along with the combustion chamber volume, and head gasket, etc. will determine final compression ratio. I think a well built motor with compression reduced to around 9:1 will give you a reasonable compromise between throttle response, and ability to withstand higher boost.

 

Hey Boosted,
How do you like those doors?
How hard were they to hang on the new hinges?
How much easier are they to get in and out of in tight places?

 

Well first of all, they were fairly easy to install, there are some minor modifications required but nothing you couldnt handle. I like the doors very much, mostly because you can get in and out of the car without smashing the car door on the curb because I am soo low, lol. But I also like them in tight spaces, parking lots etc. The only neg. I have is that they are a pain if you are getting in and out continuously....as a daily driver, hmm...I dont think I would recommend them. One thing for sure is they do attract attention =)

Also, the stock compression is 11 something to 1 right? So I should get diff. pistons that will reduce that to 9:1?

Dustin

 

Stock compression is 10.5:1. In your first post you said you were rebuilding your motor with forged internals. All you need to do is select the proper dished pistons when you buy your components. Also, if you're planning on running only 6.5 psi, you might want to keep the comp ratio a little higher. Lowering compression slows throttle response, and reduces gas mileage, so only do it for a motor that's going to see alot of boost.

 

Ok thanks! Thats great advice. I am actually planning on keeping the boost at 6.5, but if I decided to up it to like....7 or 7.5 would that be a point at which a lower compression would be good, or are we talking like 10psi or over.


Dustin

 

I'd suggest the lowered compression only if you're going above 10psi, or so. If you use meth, and have a quality forged engine, you should be able to keep the CR up about 10:1, and still be pretty safe. Of course, this assumes adequate fuel, and conservative timing.

 

Dustin,
What brand is your door kit? Thanks