LS1 to LS6 conversion kit - worth it?
Thread Starter
Racer
Joined: Mar 2003
Posts: 307
Likes: 0
From: Dover Oh
LS1 to LS6 conversion kit - worth it?
Sorry if this has been beat 
but I couldn't find much when searching.
Summit Racing (which is only 1 hour from my back door - he,he) has that GM Performance LS1 to LS6 conversion kit for 2001 to 2004 LS1 engines. You basically get all the little stuff, heads, and a cam to get you up to the 405HP (in theory). I have a perfect Ti ZO6 exhaust in my attic that would go on too (or be for-sale depending on the opinions). The cost for the LS1 to LS6 kit is about $1900 + tax.
Question - is this worth it for a reliable 55HP?
but I couldn't find much when searching.Summit Racing (which is only 1 hour from my back door - he,he) has that GM Performance LS1 to LS6 conversion kit for 2001 to 2004 LS1 engines. You basically get all the little stuff, heads, and a cam to get you up to the 405HP (in theory). I have a perfect Ti ZO6 exhaust in my attic that would go on too (or be for-sale depending on the opinions). The cost for the LS1 to LS6 kit is about $1900 + tax.
Question - is this worth it for a reliable 55HP?
Team Owner
Joined: Mar 2005
Posts: 32,264
Likes: 35
From: Somewhere between mild insanity and complete psychosis
NO!!!
From now on, any time you see the words "kit" or "pack" or "package" or "group," replace them in your head with "bend over."
You are much better off buying parts separately on your own, and can get a much better cam, as well as much better heads. If you're going to replace the cam and top end, you might as well make it worth your while.
For $1900 you can get a much better head/cam combo. Or you could spend $2,500-$2,700 for the absolute best heads and a cam.
From now on, any time you see the words "kit" or "pack" or "package" or "group," replace them in your head with "bend over."
You are much better off buying parts separately on your own, and can get a much better cam, as well as much better heads. If you're going to replace the cam and top end, you might as well make it worth your while.
For $1900 you can get a much better head/cam combo. Or you could spend $2,500-$2,700 for the absolute best heads and a cam.
Thread Starter
Racer
Joined: Mar 2003
Posts: 307
Likes: 0
From: Dover Oh
Do you have an opinion on what would be considered absolute best heads and cam?
NO!!!
From now on, any time you see the words "kit" or "pack" or "package" or "group," replace them in your head with "bend over."
You are much better off buying parts separately on your own, and can get a much better cam, as well as much better heads. If you're going to replace the cam and top end, you might as well make it worth your while.
For $1900 you can get a much better head/cam combo. Or you could spend $2,500-$2,700 for the absolute best heads and a cam.
From now on, any time you see the words "kit" or "pack" or "package" or "group," replace them in your head with "bend over."
You are much better off buying parts separately on your own, and can get a much better cam, as well as much better heads. If you're going to replace the cam and top end, you might as well make it worth your while.
For $1900 you can get a much better head/cam combo. Or you could spend $2,500-$2,700 for the absolute best heads and a cam.
Safety Car
Joined: Apr 2007
Posts: 3,586
Likes: 0
From: Lynn Haven, FL Sunshine State
St. Jude Donor '08
AFR 205's or Trick Flow heads. Cam selection is all subjective you your own personal taste. I put in a 224/228 114 LSA and am happy with it, but wish I would have gone bigger. I will probably be upgrading it shortly to something in the 23x/24x range. As long as your tuner is good, your "driveability" won't suffer too much. I think you would be happy with some Stage 2 LS6 heads, LS6 intake/tb and a decent sized cam. <--- would be right around $1900 installed/tuned. Good luck with your decision!
Safety Car
Joined: Apr 2007
Posts: 3,586
Likes: 0
From: Lynn Haven, FL Sunshine State
St. Jude Donor '08
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NO!!!
From now on, any time you see the words "kit" or "pack" or "package" or "group," replace them in your head with "bend over."
You are much better off buying parts separately on your own, and can get a much better cam, as well as much better heads. If you're going to replace the cam and top end, you might as well make it worth your while.
For $1900 you can get a much better head/cam combo. Or you could spend $2,500-$2,700 for the absolute best heads and a cam.
From now on, any time you see the words "kit" or "pack" or "package" or "group," replace them in your head with "bend over."
You are much better off buying parts separately on your own, and can get a much better cam, as well as much better heads. If you're going to replace the cam and top end, you might as well make it worth your while.
For $1900 you can get a much better head/cam combo. Or you could spend $2,500-$2,700 for the absolute best heads and a cam.
Team Owner
Joined: Sep 2003
Posts: 43,084
Likes: 33
From: Raleigh / Rolesville NC
:
Point being there is no definite answer. Most people would probably agree AFR's and Trick Flow are top runners. CompCams seem to be very popular too.
it all depends on what you want your car to do?? LG has some AFR and cam combination that are very good. TSP does as well.
Le Mans Master
Joined: Nov 2005
Posts: 5,451
Likes: 2
From: East Peoria Illinois
Tech Contributor
Joined: Dec 1999
Posts: 32,910
Likes: 2,402
From: Anthony TX
CI 6,7,8,9,11 Vet
St. Jude Donor '08
Don't leave Patriot Performance Stage II heads off the table! Low cost and excellent upgrade! What year C5 do you have? You may already have an LS6 intake manifold if it is a newer C5.
Don't forget that you will also need some headers!
BC
Don't forget that you will also need some headers!
BC
Former Vendor
Joined: Apr 2007
Posts: 1,331
Likes: 4
From: Jacksonville Florida
AFR 205's or Trick Flow heads. Cam selection is all subjective you your own personal taste. I put in a 224/228 114 LSA and am happy with it, but wish I would have gone bigger. I will probably be upgrading it shortly to something in the 23x/24x range. As long as your tuner is good, your "driveability" won't suffer too much. I think you would be happy with some Stage 2 LS6 heads, LS6 intake/tb and a decent sized cam. <--- would be right around $1900 installed/tuned. Good luck with your decision!
If im reading this corectly your saying he could get head/cam/intake/TB and Cam and have it installed and tuned for 1900$? No way, unless Walmart has started selling parts and tuning Corvettes...
Le Mans Master
Joined: Feb 2002
Posts: 5,970
Likes: 20
From: San Marcos Texas
Maybe $1900 in parts and then installed...Texas speed CNC LS6 heads are $1050, cam and pushrods $500, LS6 intake $325 used..Stick with the stock throttle body ported and get a 25% underdrive pulley..Will put you right at $2K uninstalled...I have the Texas speed PRC Stage 2.5 LS6 heads. Bought them used off the forum for $975 shipped with comp 921 valve springs($500 springs). Came off a 2002 Z06 making 463rwhp with a GX3 cam...
Former Vendor
Joined: Apr 2007
Posts: 1,331
Likes: 4
From: Jacksonville Florida
Maybe $1900 in parts and then installed...Texas speed CNC LS6 heads are $1050, cam and pushrods $500, LS6 intake $325 used..Stick with the stock throttle body ported and get a 25% underdrive pulley..Will put you right at $2K uninstalled...I have the Texas speed PRC Stage 2.5 LS6 heads. Bought them used off the forum for $975 shipped with comp 921 valve springs($500 springs). Came off a 2002 Z06 making 463rwhp with a GX3 cam...2k for a C5
2nd Gear
Joined: Sep 2007
Posts: 2
Likes: 0
To barge in here if I could.....I've got a tired LS1 that's had a lot of hot suppers over the past few years. Would I better off to buy an LS1 crate motor and give it some nice treats, or just buy an LS6 crate motor and be done with it? Say I bought the LS6 motor, what else needs to be done to the car? Computer, exhaust, anything???
-adam
-adam
Burning Brakes
Joined: Jan 2005
Posts: 776
Likes: 0
From: Mount Juliet Tennessee
Ta hell with all the H/C and all that mess take the money you were going to use on all that and get a SC from one of the guys on here and install it yourself 500 to the tires no problem with the right tune anyway. I have went the All motor route 413CI just to be in those same levels and now realize I should have kept my turbos.......But that all motor power on a 350 shot is quite nice 
Racer
Joined: Mar 2006
Posts: 420
Likes: 0
From: Orange Park (Jacksonville) FL
Ta hell with all the H/C and all that mess take the money you were going to use on all that and get a SC from one of the guys on here and install it yourself 500 to the tires no problem with the right tune anyway. I have went the All motor route 413CI just to be in those same levels and now realize I should have kept my turbos.......But that all motor power on a 350 shot is quite nice
Take the $1900 and put it toward a Turbo or Supercharger set up. It will be less expensive and give you lots of power.
I went the route of building a normally aspirated engine with rebuilding the engine, heads, cam etc. For the power I gained, it would have been easier to install Turbos or a Supercharger.
Everyone does what he wants in terms of "modding" their car, Good Luck. Have fun deciding.
Racer
Joined: Mar 2005
Posts: 475
Likes: 0
From: Euless TX
That package is a waste. 1900 for 50 hp are you kidding me. You should definately look around and build you a package with what your goals are. There are so many options.
Personally, If I could do it over again, I would buy a supercharger first. I could have bougth a new supercharger or 2 used ones with how much I spent on bolt ons. The car can easily handle it on the stock internals with a good tune.
You will definately want to get some long tubes to get the most out of your heads/cam.
Personally, If I could do it over again, I would buy a supercharger first. I could have bougth a new supercharger or 2 used ones with how much I spent on bolt ons. The car can easily handle it on the stock internals with a good tune.
You will definately want to get some long tubes to get the most out of your heads/cam.