Good morning all. So I finally completed my head and cam swap on my 98 C5 A4. A couple of good friends of mine came over and we did the swap in a couple of days. I bought of set of 243 heads, Comp cams 224/224 .564/.564 114 LSA., LS6 intake manifold, LS6 oil pump, comp cam adjustable dual timing chain, LS7 lifters, comp cam push rods and a few other goodies needed to complete the swap. I figured might as well change out everything else while things were taken apart. The car current has 90K on the clock so it seemed like a good time to do what I wanted.

I have yet to have it dyno tuned, but a buddy of mine Matt ( aka madmatt9471) hooked me up with a tune from his HP tuners since the setup I have is close to a set up he once had a while ago.

We are estimating approximately 420 RWHP which is where I want to be. For now anyways. It's real easy to get bit by the power mods. If it turns out to be less, that's OK. I am happy with the results thus far. Future plans included dyno tune, 3:42 rear gears, 2800-3000 stall converter and a couple other things.

I can't say enough on how impressed I am with the changes. The car feels completely different. My 05 GTO that I recently sold didn't even come close to feeling this strong and responsive. I thought the GTO was fast, at least in stock form anyway.

Thank you for viewing and here are a few pics of the build.

 

Seems like a good "build," what about headers, and what CAT back are you running? I know in CA, smog usually keeps you guys from LT, but are you running "shorty's?"

420RWHP could be a lil optimistic? I don't know, that's why I'm asking.

 

You are correct. It's tough here in CA. I wish I could run long tubes, but at the moment I am running the stock exhaust manifolds. I have read that going with "shorties" is really not worth it. I also read though that LS7 Z06 manifolds run well and it wont tip off the smog police. As far as catback goes, After the manifolds I am running the stock cats, with an x pipe going to Billy Boat Bullet system. I also have the Callaway Cold Air Honker air intake system.

I was told by a few reputable tuners that with a proper tune, 420 RWHP give or take is not uncommon for my setup. I can't wait to get her tuned just to confirm. If it's a little less, I still will be happy.

 

I love the Bucket-O-Parts!
Sent you a PM
Ron

 

 

your still running stock torque converter? my guess would be around 380rwhp

 

Lol. Yeah that is a great pic.

Thanks.

Yup still running the stock converter, for now anyway. I honestly thought the same as you. Around 380-390. I spoke with some of the reputable tuners here in Southern California and 420 was the number I got from them. Maybe they assumed I am running Long tube headers? I don't know. I gave them all the specs and also listed everything I have on the car. If I had to put money on it, I would have to agree with you, but if It turns out to be like they say, then I will be very happy. I'll make sure to post numbers once I get a proper tune.

 

well you didnt give any cam specs and given stock torque converter i assumed a mild cam. i would imagine the car is alot faster with the ls6 intake heads and cam. i would love to see the look on your face once you do a stall and 342's also i cant remember where i saw this but in your case i read an article about using c6 zr1 manifolds over the zo6 ones. might be something to look into

 

me 2 - just hope they are old and not left over

 

Thank you! I appreciate the info. I definitely will look into that. I'll see if I can get a pic once the stall and gears are done, but I am sure it will look some like this...

Sorry I forgot to list the cam specs. Nothing to crazy. Smog friendly for CA. Comp cams 224/224 .564/.564 114 LSA.

 

lol. You can rest assured they are old.

 

My brother is in Northern California, so I know about the LT headers being a "no-no," although lots of guys he runs with have them up there. Some people honestly believe "shorties" are a waste of money, but that's not my comment. Hope everything turns out well on your upcoming work, .

My setup is similar to yours, except for a few changes, you can see what they are below:

==Stock Bottom, LS6 Heads 243-Gen-III, comp.cam (921) dual springs/titanium retainers, 7.400chm pro pushrods, LS6 Intake, 2004-Z06Cam, 160TS, LS2Timing chain, Ported LS6 oil pump, 25%UD Pulley, BlackWing, LG LT Street Headers, with Hi Flow Cats, X-Pipe, Z06-TI‘s, 3:15gears, 30lb-SVO Fuel Injectors. They say I have a conservative "tune," at 389RWHP, 383RWTQ.==

I did this work at probably 40k+ miles, I now have 80300 miles on it, a 00-C5 Coupe.

 

OBX LT Headers W/High flow cat/ Xpipe, Caspers electronic 12" o2 extentions, Magna Flow axle back exhaust, TSP Cam 233/239 - 112 LSA - .595/.602, PAC Racing .650" valve springs, Manley Push rods 7.400", GM LS7 Lifters W/Trays, Comp Cams rocker arm bearing kit, LS2 Heads - Milled for clean up, GM Center bolt valve covers and GM Coil pack brackets, N Motion Single roller timing chain, Melling high volume Oil pump, LS6 Intake / TPIS TB, 85 mm Mass Air Flow Sensor, Vararam power duct - crome twin tube CAI, Powerbond 25% Underdrive pully / Overdrive pully for Alt., Circle D Billet 3200 Stall TC, NGK TR6 Plugs, MSD 8.5 mm Wires, 160 deg. Thermostat, DeWitts aluminum radiator/with TOC, EOC /oil cooler hose kit, B&M trans cooler, Dyno Jet Tune (411 WHP) Smoothing2 Stock - 2.73 rear gear (Next project 3.42 or 3.73) Stock LS1 346 C.I. bottom end engine.

 

Nice

It's more near 380 - 400 RWHP, but the Dyno will tell and the 3.42's and Stall will really make it come alive

LT's will go a long way as well!

Thanks,Matt

 

Nice job on the install. When you do get it tuned, post up the results.

 

Nice work on the install. Should make for a nice power gain.

420RW my be a reach though. I only got 417rw and that was with a bigger cam, LTs, catless X and underdrive on a Z06(less drivetrain loss). I would guess you'll be just a bit under 400rw, which shouldnt be disappointing at all

 

Nice set up. Yup very close setups. I wanted to stay conservative with the build just to stay withing smog compliance.
I know my setup is nothing new to most, but for those that have the same concerns as I did. This IMO is the way to go. Thanks again for the positive feedback.

Very Nice! Thanks for posting. This helps me get a better idea of what to expect.

Thanks Matt. I definitely agree with you. When I spoke to these tuners and they told me approximately 420, It sounded a bit unbelievable. I really think 380-400 is more reasonable.

Thanks again for your help! I really appreciate it brother! 3:42s and a stall is definitely going to have to be a must. I drove the car today and I kid you not, the rears broke loose at the light. The car has never done that especially since I installed the 315s in the rear.

Thanks, Jorge

Thank you! I most definitely will.

 

Thank you. I definitely agree. 380-400 sounds to be more realistic to me. I was surprised to hear 420. Now I really need to get it dynoed.

Jorge

 

Thats not true about the shorties, I have stock heads and cam and picked up 6/11 peak and also picked up 12lbs I think it was from 3000-4500

 

For comparison, I think I have where you are heading. (see profile for complete list) but basically...

243 stock heads
LS6 intake
224/230 .581/.588 113 LSA
AR LT headers
Yank 2800 stall
3:42 gears

I netted 416 rwhp and 392 rwtq (Mustang Dyno)

FYI it freakin' screams.