I'm upgrading my 2002 Z06 and I'm undecided about which engine package to go with. The car is used for weekend driving on the street and about 4-5 DE days at a road course per year. I'm an advanced novice/intermediate level driver.

I realize that at my skill level I probably don't need more HP but now that the new 505 HP Z06 is out I feel the NEED to upgrade. I considered getting a new Z06 but I prefer my body style and I've already got a roll bar, harness, Sparco seats and bigger brakes on the current car. Suffice it to say that for the sake of argument I'm committed to upgrading the engine.

I'm considering the Lingenfelter 403 LS2 stroker (approx $18K) vs. the Lingenfelter 550 HP TT (approx $19K) vs. the Lingenfelter 600 HP TT (approx $24K). Everything considered, I think that the 550 HP TT gives most bang for the buck, but I've got some concerns.

I've only driven 4 cylinder and rotary engine turbo cars and I've really hated the turbo lag. Will an LS6 turbo have the same phenomenon? Having a big rush of power come on when exiting a corner is a surefire way to lose traction in a big way. I had a 500crank HP 408 stroker in a Mustang and I really loved the smooth power curve.

Will the added weight of the turbos/intecoolers/ducting upfront have a SIGNIFICANT negative effect on the handling of the car on a road course? I had enough of severe understeer with the Mustang!

Is the stock bottom end of an LS6 motor strong enough to handle the 550 HP TT package in the LONG run? I don't want to have a grenaded motor after a year or two. Lingenfelter doesn't warranty the short block in the 550 HP TT package because they didn't build it.

With the above in mind, if I get a TT package is it a better investment to buy the 600 HP TT with the beefed up bottom end?

Thanks in advance for any comments!!

Mike Bishop

 

 

I'm no expert and just a lowly autocrosser but I voted for the 403. Turbos will add weight and generate a lot of heat in your engine compartment. Chances are they will be less reliable and have a powerband that is less linear.

You are one lucky dude to be able to consider options like this!

 

Mike,
Nothing against turbo charging, because many turbo systems have won 24 hour races. The tourqe will come on hard, which will be hard to control coming out of a corner. The added weight could hurt you also, 100 pounds is worth about 1 second or maybe 2 depending on the track. But the added power will help lap times also. Good luck on the "right" thing to do.

Randy

 

Less moving parts is mo' better.

 

NA is the way to go for road racing but I would go to driving school first to enjoy your car more and to lower lap times signifigantly. Out of those 3 choices i wouldnt't do any of them. There is more power to be had at other tuners for less money.


Hell, an LG H/C is an extremely fast package for under 10k installed and the cams are designed from data they get in road racing, I think that the G5-X2 is the roadrace cam of choice, with great low end torque and good top end. Before commiting to ligenfelter and dropping lots o dough. I would definatley give LG Motorsports a call and tell them what you want to do, you wont be sadd no matter what you do at Ligenfelter or LG. But do research and ask questions.

 

Depends on the most important thing you want is. Four or five track days is not many so I wouldn't think it is the main objective. I had a ride in LPE TT and it is wild. Take it to the track and you will probably get in trouble with it anyway. Unless you have the suspension, brakes, rims, tires, and coolers you won't be that fast because you won't get the power to the ground. Where a normal Z hits 150 on the track you will be near 180 I guess and that could be big trouble. You can make a great track car for the price of a forged TT LPE car. They are two different cars for sure. My heart is shown below

 

Get a fully forged LS2 402 long block with AFR 225's from SDPC and a twin turbo from PTK or TTi plus a few odds and ends and you have the capability of 800 to 1000 hp for $25K installed

 

Check your rule book. The TT might put you in a super competitive class, but the stroker may as well. Not a big fan of heat soaking turbos, I'd go with a stroker.

 

I havent seen a TT setup yet that could run a 30-40min session without building up dangerous levels of heat. However, I dont think its impossible to build and insulate a TT setup to run consitently cool. It'll just cost you a couple front-loaders full of cash.

The 402/408 LS2 is an awesome setup.

 

How about 427 crate motor and a cam witht the dry sump.

 

Get the TT... as you will enjoy all that power all year round. You will learn how to put that power down on the race track with some practice.

VR

 

Thanks to everyone for the comments. I had selected Lingenfelter because of their reputation. I had used a smaller tuner for a Mustang build in the past and was sorely disappointed. But I'm not averse to considering other options that will cost less and give me the same or more performance. I'll check out a few more options. Someone on Z06 vette.com recommended Rapid Motorsports in PA. Any comments?

I would love to get the LS7 crate motor but from everything that I've read, the installation in a 2002 is cost prohibitive.

I'm never going to truly race the car so rules are irrelevant for me.
But nonetheless very important to those who do have the skill and guts to race heads up!!!

I agree with the comment about seat time and driving schools being the best bang for the buck by far. As I admitted up front some of my impetus for the mods is purely ego and bragging rights in the light of the new 505 HP Z06.

I think I'm going to go with the N/A motor for long term reliability and linear power delivery.

Thanks again for all the help!!

Mike

 

I understand you rconcern with going to a tuner that is not in Motortrend or magazine proven. But LG is One of the best, if not the best tuner you can find. They are a sponsered tuner on the left side of the page and i have not heard one bad comment about them.

 

If you do track event i don't need to tell you that the faster car is the lightter one. Then come in #2 a car that stay 100% flat with race suspension. Then we can say that powerfull engine with a lot of torque come 3rd and then powerfull brakes is for me the 4th.
I will ask you where do you stand on weigh and suspension.
This is the 1st thing to do. Upgarde your car for a T1 suspension huge sway bars the big leaf spring and racing schocks. Lower your car that will help to.
Go with wider tire. 285 work on the front. 315 is the max for the rear without modifs but LGM sell a kit to go even wider.
Also upgrade the brakes.
Then you can add HP but this is the most expensive and it is not the best way to go faster.
Personnaly I did as much as I could on suspension and braking.
Last week end at PPIR I had the fastest car versus some Z, Vipers and others.
No body believed my engine is nearly stock (LGM headers and Vararam)

Thus say spend the minimum to upgrade the engine and keep money for the rest.

 

TT Vette on the ROAD COARSE is big trouble.....

Get yourseldf a LS2 402 and be happy with it, 500 RWHP is more than plenty for the track and street

 

675 RWHP does feel MUCH better than 500 RWHP...

VR

 

i didnt say it was BETTER... I said it was plenty

 

I know what you said... Just saying more is better!! And too much is just right!!

VR

 

NA is much more reliable on a road course and generates much less heat. The 3 things that made the biggest difference in allowing me to run faster an the race track are rims/slicks, racing seat, T1 bars. If you are definitely going to go with a new motor, a forged LS2 motor bored out to bigger cubes, AFR 225's and a cam of your choice will definitely get your performance level at or above the new Z06 but you pay a premium for the Lingenfelter name. There are several big name tuners offering incredible "proven" LS2 packages for good prices. You definitely need to add an oil cooler (the combo rad/oil cooler is a nice package). I really also like the ACP widebody kit which will allow you to run 315 tires up front and 345's in back. Traction for your 500+ rwhp car will definitely benefit from more rubber in back. Have fun.