Rebuilding/Upgrading LS1
Thread Starter
Burning Brakes
Joined: Feb 2013
Posts: 871
Likes: 41
From: Ontario
Rebuilding/Upgrading LS1
I will need to plan out a rebuild on my LS1 and I might as well upgrade as my goal has always been 450whp with this car.
The lifters are so noisy that it's time to replace them. I know it's not an LS6, but while I'm at it and need to rebuild the engine, I might as well upgrade things.
This will mean I will want a different cam and as such different springs, lifters, retainers? If I am aiming for 450whp what path should i take?
I need it to be reliable under harsh driving, road racing.
I would like to keep it low on $$$
These engines have been around so I'm sure people can chime in with the typical builds.
LS6 heads or something better? What do heads come with? What cam would you guys suggest? What lifters/retainers/valves? Do these come with some head packages?
LS6 intake or Fast Intake? Fast is obviously more $$$
The lifters are so noisy that it's time to replace them. I know it's not an LS6, but while I'm at it and need to rebuild the engine, I might as well upgrade things.
This will mean I will want a different cam and as such different springs, lifters, retainers? If I am aiming for 450whp what path should i take?
I need it to be reliable under harsh driving, road racing.
I would like to keep it low on $$$
These engines have been around so I'm sure people can chime in with the typical builds.LS6 heads or something better? What do heads come with? What cam would you guys suggest? What lifters/retainers/valves? Do these come with some head packages?
LS6 intake or Fast Intake? Fast is obviously more $$$
Last edited by a_ahmed; Oct 27, 2016 at 12:58 PM.
Le Mans Master
Joined: Sep 2014
Posts: 5,278
Likes: 539
From: Kelowna BC
450whp = around 520 at the motor for a manual, or 540 for an auto.
That's a fairly high number, I think a fairly simple build with a SC would be best/easiest.
So I'd say talk to a cam company (Tooley for example), tell them your goal and what your motor consists of. Other than that pick a good SC, headers, eliminating the cats is often advised with FI, CAI, Fast intake, 243 heads at minimum and a good motor once over by somebody who knows their crap.
Going to somebody like Texas Speed, Tooley etc. and buying a supercharger package might even be your best bet.
How many miles on the motor?
That's a fairly high number, I think a fairly simple build with a SC would be best/easiest.
So I'd say talk to a cam company (Tooley for example), tell them your goal and what your motor consists of. Other than that pick a good SC, headers, eliminating the cats is often advised with FI, CAI, Fast intake, 243 heads at minimum and a good motor once over by somebody who knows their crap.
Going to somebody like Texas Speed, Tooley etc. and buying a supercharger package might even be your best bet.
How many miles on the motor?
Thread Starter
Burning Brakes
Joined: Feb 2013
Posts: 871
Likes: 41
From: Ontario
I wanted to stay NA... supercharger is a whole different ball game..
I bought the car with 139,000, now at 156,500. Summer car, driven hard
The lifters sound horrible, so I want to upgrade these components, put in a cam and any supporting mods to get there.
I bought the car with 139,000, now at 156,500. Summer car, driven hard
The lifters sound horrible, so I want to upgrade these components, put in a cam and any supporting mods to get there.
Pro
Joined: Apr 2013
Posts: 749
Likes: 56
From: Northern VA
The only real difference from 2001 thru 2004 on the LS1 and LS6 was the cam and intake. When I had a built LS6 in my car we were able to put down 485/430rw. On a friend's C5 using his LS1 block we added a cam, ported LS6 heads, ported LS2 intake and TB. We were able to get 460/421rw from his combo. The power you're looking for is definitely achievable with the right components and tune.
Thread Starter
Burning Brakes
Joined: Feb 2013
Posts: 871
Likes: 41
From: Ontario
CP_Charlie I have a 2000 LS1, I definitively would love to make it happen
Is this the head you used http://www.jegs.com/i/AFR-Airflow-Re.../1530/10002/-1
The spec sheet is confusing, does it come with arp studs, felpro gaskets, or are those all suggestions?
Mighty expensive yikes, I am assuming it came with everything included lifters, springs, valves, etc... and was just a drop in job?
Is this the head you used http://www.jegs.com/i/AFR-Airflow-Re.../1530/10002/-1
The spec sheet is confusing, does it come with arp studs, felpro gaskets, or are those all suggestions?
Mighty expensive yikes, I am assuming it came with everything included lifters, springs, valves, etc... and was just a drop in job?
Last edited by a_ahmed; Oct 27, 2016 at 01:32 PM.
Drifting
Joined: Aug 2014
Posts: 1,399
Likes: 391
From: Virginia
St. Jude Donor '18
Have you considered having a shop in the US do the work for you?
I don't know how importing stuff across the border works, but do you have a friend here in the US who can receive all of your goods; and you can go and retrieve them?
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Le Mans Master
Joined: Sep 2014
Posts: 5,278
Likes: 539
From: Kelowna BC
And if they catch you trying to bring stuff across without paying duty & taxes... big fine, and of course duty and taxes.
Racer
Joined: Jan 2012
Posts: 398
Likes: 22
From: Las Vegas NV
I will need to plan out a rebuild on my LS1 and I might as well upgrade as my goal has always been 450whp with this car.
The lifters are so noisy that it's time to replace them. I know it's not an LS6, but while I'm at it and need to rebuild the engine, I might as well upgrade things.
This will mean I will want a different cam and as such different springs, lifters, retainers? If I am aiming for 450whp what path should i take?
I need it to be reliable under harsh driving, road racing.
I would like to keep it low on $$$ These engines have been around so I'm sure people can chime in with the typical builds.
LS6 heads or something better? What do heads come with? What cam would you guys suggest? What lifters/retainers/valves? Do these come with some head packages?
LS6 intake or Fast Intake? Fast is obviously more $$$
The lifters are so noisy that it's time to replace them. I know it's not an LS6, but while I'm at it and need to rebuild the engine, I might as well upgrade things.
This will mean I will want a different cam and as such different springs, lifters, retainers? If I am aiming for 450whp what path should i take?
I need it to be reliable under harsh driving, road racing.
I would like to keep it low on $$$
These engines have been around so I'm sure people can chime in with the typical builds.LS6 heads or something better? What do heads come with? What cam would you guys suggest? What lifters/retainers/valves? Do these come with some head packages?
LS6 intake or Fast Intake? Fast is obviously more $$$
FTI streetsweeper
FAST 92(Mamo ported)
LS2 TB(Mamo ported)
Netted me 488rwhp/430ft lbs.
Not the cheapest route but for sure not the most expensive(I couldn't swing big dog heads that were twice the cost of the trick flows for a few more hp).
What really kicks you in the weiner moneywise... is setting up all the little things right. BTR platinums w/ Ti retainers, C5R chain, Johnson 2110 lifters, Manton pushrods, cometic .040 head gaskets etc etc etc. Don't skimp on your valvetrain. You see people paying that price on here everyday from using cheap lifters, flimsy pushrods and the wrong springs.
BUT you do it right once instead of cheap twice. IMO doing the best heads and intake you can afford will get you the best results. You can do great heads/intake with a **** cam and still get good numbers. Don't work the other way around.
Last edited by Cheesecake 07; Oct 27, 2016 at 02:28 PM.
Pro
Joined: Apr 2013
Posts: 749
Likes: 56
From: Northern VA
CP_Charlie I have a 2000 LS1, I definitively would love to make it happen
Is this the head you used http://www.jegs.com/i/AFR-Airflow-Re.../1530/10002/-1
The spec sheet is confusing, does it come with arp studs, felpro gaskets, or are those all suggestions?
Mighty expensive yikes, I am assuming it came with everything included lifters, springs, valves, etc... and was just a drop in job?
Is this the head you used http://www.jegs.com/i/AFR-Airflow-Re.../1530/10002/-1
The spec sheet is confusing, does it come with arp studs, felpro gaskets, or are those all suggestions?
Mighty expensive yikes, I am assuming it came with everything included lifters, springs, valves, etc... and was just a drop in job?
Pro
Joined: Apr 2013
Posts: 749
Likes: 56
From: Northern VA
BTR Trickflow 220's
FTI streetsweeper
FAST 92(Mamo ported)
LS2 TB(Mamo ported
Netted me 488rwhp/430ft lbs.
Not the cheapest route but for sure not the most expensive. What really kicks you in the weiner price wise is setting up all the little things right. BTR platinums w/ Ti retainers, C5R chain, Johnson 2110 lifters, Manton pushrods, cometic .040 head gaskets etc etc etc.
BUT you do it right once instead of cheap twice.
FTI streetsweeper
FAST 92(Mamo ported)
LS2 TB(Mamo ported
Netted me 488rwhp/430ft lbs.
Not the cheapest route but for sure not the most expensive. What really kicks you in the weiner price wise is setting up all the little things right. BTR platinums w/ Ti retainers, C5R chain, Johnson 2110 lifters, Manton pushrods, cometic .040 head gaskets etc etc etc.
BUT you do it right once instead of cheap twice.
I had BTR .660 dual springs, dual chain, LS7 lifters...heads milled to .59cc, cometic .040 head gaskets....etc...
Nice results, Cheesecake
Racer
Joined: Jan 2012
Posts: 398
Likes: 22
From: Las Vegas NV
Drifting
Joined: Aug 2014
Posts: 1,399
Likes: 391
From: Virginia
St. Jude Donor '18
-Kooks 1 7/8s JetHot coated headers
-Kooks High flow cats & mids
-SLP tails, mufflers, and custom painted Powerflow cast single tip
-Vararam full intake
-FAST LSX intake
-Nick Williams 102mm throttlebody
-FAST fuel rails
-FAST Precision Flow Fuel Injector 36 lb/hr
-Texas Speed Torquer V2 232/234 .595"/.598" Camshaft @ 113 LSA
-AFR - Airflow Research 1530 - AFR LS Chevy 215cc LSX Mongoose Street/Strip Aluminum Cylinder Heads
https://www.corvetteforum.com/forums...d-started.html
-Kooks High flow cats & mids
-SLP tails, mufflers, and custom painted Powerflow cast single tip
-Vararam full intake
-FAST LSX intake
-Nick Williams 102mm throttlebody
-FAST fuel rails
-FAST Precision Flow Fuel Injector 36 lb/hr
-Texas Speed Torquer V2 232/234 .595"/.598" Camshaft @ 113 LSA
-AFR - Airflow Research 1530 - AFR LS Chevy 215cc LSX Mongoose Street/Strip Aluminum Cylinder Heads
https://www.corvetteforum.com/forums...d-started.html
Drifting
Joined: Apr 2015
Posts: 1,893
Likes: 295
From: Buffalo NY
If you're looking for cheap and easy:
Replace the lifters, refresh the heads while they're out, and slap a 100 shot on it. Follow up with LS6 intake, longtubes, etc.
The "right" way to do it is spend a lot more money, on a properly spec'd system - cam, heads, valvetrain that will all work together.
Replace the lifters, refresh the heads while they're out, and slap a 100 shot on it. Follow up with LS6 intake, longtubes, etc.
The "right" way to do it is spend a lot more money, on a properly spec'd system - cam, heads, valvetrain that will all work together.
Thread Starter
Burning Brakes
Joined: Feb 2013
Posts: 871
Likes: 41
From: Ontario
I was recommended a shop called Champion Motors, so I may have to get in toucfh with them its just that its winter... i will be putting the car away...
So lets say my concern is to have something rebuilt/strong/reliable that can be ripped on at redline regularly...summer daily driven on highway, heel&toe through corners, track days.
I would be looking at upgraded trays, lifters, pushrods, valves, springs. I am pretty sure my lifters and springs are garbage by the sound being made.... and so if i am doing that and i consider some head package... it would be ideal for me to get something high end in terms of lifters and trays.... get a head package..
Fix PCV oil burning issue (I read about that something LS6 have resolved), and relocate oil pressure sensor (its gone bad too... i hate that...), i was told there is some kind of relocation kit since its hard to reach wit hthe intake needing to be taken off.
oil pump would be smart to do too..
What else?
So lets say my concern is to have something rebuilt/strong/reliable that can be ripped on at redline regularly...summer daily driven on highway, heel&toe through corners, track days.
I would be looking at upgraded trays, lifters, pushrods, valves, springs. I am pretty sure my lifters and springs are garbage by the sound being made.... and so if i am doing that and i consider some head package... it would be ideal for me to get something high end in terms of lifters and trays.... get a head package..
Fix PCV oil burning issue (I read about that something LS6 have resolved), and relocate oil pressure sensor (its gone bad too... i hate that...), i was told there is some kind of relocation kit since its hard to reach wit hthe intake needing to be taken off.
oil pump would be smart to do too..
What else?
Instructor
Joined: May 2015
Posts: 129
Likes: 3
Timing Chain while you're there.
Something I'm thinking about, as I want to do about the same (98 LS1):
LS7 cam
LS2 or LS6 complete heads
LS6 complete Intake manifold modified to fit 90mm throttle body
LSA oil pump
C5R Timing Chain
and all the little stuff around. oil sender relocation, new belts, tensioners&pulleys,...
cheap and reliable makeover and some HP gain...
Something I'm thinking about, as I want to do about the same (98 LS1):
LS7 cam
LS2 or LS6 complete heads
LS6 complete Intake manifold modified to fit 90mm throttle body
LSA oil pump
C5R Timing Chain
and all the little stuff around. oil sender relocation, new belts, tensioners&pulleys,...
cheap and reliable makeover and some HP gain...
Last edited by Frame77; Nov 2, 2016 at 10:51 AM.
Drifting
Joined: Feb 2010
Posts: 1,923
Likes: 427
From: Dunedin Florida
...Fix PCV oil burning issue (I read about that something LS6 have resolved), and relocate oil pressure sensor (its gone bad too... i hate that...), i was told there is some kind of relocation kit since its hard to reach wit hthe intake needing to be taken off.
oil pump would be smart to do too..
What else?
oil pump would be smart to do too..
What else?
Thread Starter
Burning Brakes
Joined: Feb 2013
Posts: 871
Likes: 41
From: Ontario
I was looking at this head.
Does it come with pushrods and rockers? Comes with what looks like upgraded valves, dual springs, TI retainers, obviously all the tiny valvetrain stuff like stems etc... What about rockers? Anything else?
Anyone got input on it.
https://www.texas-speed.com/p-4-prc-...ted-heads.aspx
As far as lifters I was looking at these:
http://www.briantooleyracing.com/joh...ters-2110.html
Not sure what the dif is between this one:
http://www.briantooleyracing.com/joh...s-2116lsr.html
Appears to have that linked bar thingamajig. I heard these link bars make noise. However I was told these slow leakdown lifters are very quiet.
Does it come with pushrods and rockers? Comes with what looks like upgraded valves, dual springs, TI retainers, obviously all the tiny valvetrain stuff like stems etc... What about rockers? Anything else?
Anyone got input on it.
https://www.texas-speed.com/p-4-prc-...ted-heads.aspx
As far as lifters I was looking at these:
http://www.briantooleyracing.com/joh...ters-2110.html
Not sure what the dif is between this one:
http://www.briantooleyracing.com/joh...s-2116lsr.html
Appears to have that linked bar thingamajig. I heard these link bars make noise. However I was told these slow leakdown lifters are very quiet.