C5 Tech Corvette Tech/Performance: LS1 Corvette Technical Info, Internal Engine, External Engine, Tech Topics, Basic Tech, Maintenance, How to Remove & Replace
Sponsored by:
Sponsored by:

Heads / Cam build question

Thread Tools
 
Search this Thread
 
Old May 16, 2008 | 10:44 PM
  #1  
maniac719's Avatar
maniac719
Thread Starter
Instructor
10 Year Member
 
Joined: May 2008
Posts: 204
Likes: 4
From: Branchburg NJ
Default Heads / Cam build question

Ok. I've had the car a total of two weeks, but I really think I need to wake it up a bit. I'm coming from an mid-high 11 second GTO.

What do you guys think about this build?

PRC Stage 2.5 5.3 heads
TSP Torquer V.2 cam ( 232/234 .595/.598 )
TSP Long tubes

Any ideas on what to expect with regards to power output, quarter mile times, and streetability?

I'll have to have a shop spin the wrenches on this one, since I cant tune the thing and I also know that I'd never finish it! Texas speed has awesome prices on all of this stuff, any ideas on what it will run me to get this mess installed and tuned? (Vendors feel free to PM me with an estimate).

I'm not sure what it is about me, but I just cant seem to leave my cars alone......
Reply
Old May 17, 2008 | 03:01 AM
  #2  
Mopar Jimmy's Avatar
Mopar Jimmy
Team Owner
25 Year Member
Liked
Loved
Community Favorite
 
Joined: Apr 2001
Posts: 26,794
Likes: 614
From: Elmhurst, IL (West Suburb of Chicago) & Home of MEGA Horsepower
St. Jude Donor '06
Default

Sounds like a great plan and also include a cold air intake (I recommend Vararam) and a tune on a dyno by a reputable LS tuner, and your car will be a whole new BEAST, and should easily run with your old GTO and be a bit quicker down the 1320. Throw on a fast 90 intake while you are at it and your powergains should be 100 rwhp increase and I think that choice of cam is great also for the street/strip! If your a manual tranny I would epect around 440rwhp and if your an A4 around 410rwhp.

Also, if you have a manual tranny 4.10 gears will also REALLY Wake up the car and if your an A4 a Yank 3600 stall and 3.90 gears will turn your car into a new animal. Do as much as you can afford in one sitting so you don't pay for labor twice. If you did everything referenced in this post with drag radials and practice your car should run in the mid to low 11s (but same $ for a new tranny (if A4) or clutch (if manual) as the the power level will easily kill the oem A4 tranny and oem clutch, if you flog the car often with sticky tires!
Reply
Old May 17, 2008 | 07:52 AM
  #3  
maniac719's Avatar
maniac719
Thread Starter
Instructor
10 Year Member
 
Joined: May 2008
Posts: 204
Likes: 4
From: Branchburg NJ
Default

Thanks. I was hoping to hear that my estimates weren't too far out of line. Not sure if I'm going to be spending much time at the track with the C5, but its always nice to have the option. A mid 11's street car is what I was hoping for.

TSP really has some awesome prices on those heads. I know I could probably put out a few more ponies with the ETP or AFR castings, but my money tree is a little bare.

Good call on the clutch, can anyone recommend one that feels fairly stockish?
Reply
Old May 17, 2008 | 04:56 PM
  #4  
mdhmi's Avatar
mdhmi
Team Owner
 
Joined: Jul 2003
Posts: 20,474
Likes: 2
From: Detroit
Default

I'd go with CNC'd LS6 heads. That along with a set of long tube headers and a cam will get you in the 11's.
Reply
Old May 17, 2008 | 05:10 PM
  #5  
2GOFAST's Avatar
2GOFAST
Racer
15 Year Member
 
Joined: Jan 2005
Posts: 283
Likes: 2
From: Troy MI
Default

Do a search on the TSP headers. Some people have had some fitment issues.

I also prefer LS6/2 cnc'd heads.

Have fun with your build
Reply
Old May 18, 2008 | 02:01 AM
  #6  
rikhek's Avatar
rikhek
Safety Car
20 Year Member
Liked
Loved
Community Favorite
 
Joined: Aug 2005
Posts: 3,968
Likes: 867
From: Tulsa Oklahoma
Default

I just installed those heads and a similar cam on a 2001 coupe:

- TSP Stage 2.5 5.3L heads
- TSP 228R (228/228 on 112 LSA)
- 25% Powerbond underdrive pulley
- TPIS Headers w/Random Tech high flow cats
- K&N FIPK

I'm glad I didn't go with the bigger V2 cam. The 228R doesn't come on till about 3300 - 3500 RPM and pulls to 6700RPM. Any higher would be no good for my road course (i.e., track) usage. I do no drag racing.

I didn't go with the LS6 Stage 2 heads based on my usage. The shorter runners on the 5.3 gives me more usable power under the curve and at lower RPMs. Good for coming out of corners on a track.

My car goes on the dyno Wednesday. I'm going to post the results in a thread. PM me if you want me to email you the graph.

Rick

Last edited by rikhek; May 18, 2008 at 02:25 AM.
Reply
Old May 18, 2008 | 02:18 AM
  #7  
rikhek's Avatar
rikhek
Safety Car
20 Year Member
Liked
Loved
Community Favorite
 
Joined: Aug 2005
Posts: 3,968
Likes: 867
From: Tulsa Oklahoma
Default

Here's a link to the exact package you're looking for plus the underdrive pully. Parts AND installation AND dyno tuned for $3,550:

http://forums.corvetteforum.com/show...ht=tax+special

Rick

P.S. Too bad he's in Houston.......
Reply
Old May 18, 2008 | 11:47 AM
  #8  
maniac719's Avatar
maniac719
Thread Starter
Instructor
10 Year Member
 
Joined: May 2008
Posts: 204
Likes: 4
From: Branchburg NJ
Default

Wow! Now thats what I'm talking about. Let me know your dyno numbers. I think I might go with the 228 cam as well. I know I'll lose a little up top, but this is mainly a street car.

Any vendors in NJ want to take on this build? I know most shops prefer to work with combinations that they have done before, but I'm pretty sold on this solid budget build.
Reply
Corvette Stories

The Best of Corvette for Corvette Enthusiasts

story-0

Top 10 Most Explosive Corvettes Ever Made: Power-to-Weight Ratio Ranked!

 Joe Kucinski
story-1

150 hp to 1,250 hp: Every Corvette Generation Compared by the Specs That Matter

 Joe Kucinski
story-2

8 Coolest Corvette Pace Cars (and Replicas) of All Time

 Verdad Gallardo
story-3

Top 10 Corvette Engines RANKED by Peak Torque (70+ Years of Muscle!)

 Joe Kucinski
story-4

Corvette ZR1X Will Be Pacing the Indy 500, And Could Probably Race, Too!

 Verdad Gallardo
story-5

Top 10 Corvettes Coming to Mecum Indy 2026!

 Brett Foote
story-6

Top 10 C9 Corvette MUST-HAVES to Fix These C8 Generation Flaws!

 Michael S. Palmer
story-7

10 Revolutionary 'Corvette Firsts' Most People Don't Know

 Joe Kucinski
story-8

5 Reasons to Upgrade to an LS6-Powered Corvette; 5 Reasons to Stay LT2

 Michael S. Palmer
story-9

2027 Corvette vs The World: Every C8 vs Its Closest Competitor

 Joe Kucinski
Old May 18, 2008 | 06:56 PM
  #9  
Redvette_22's Avatar
Redvette_22
Le Mans Master
25 Year Member
All Eyes On Me
Photogenic
Liked
 
Joined: Jul 1999
Posts: 5,005
Likes: 38
From: jackson nj
Default

maniac719, PM sent
Reply
Old May 23, 2008 | 05:03 PM
  #10  
SBCGENII's Avatar
SBCGENII
Melting Slicks
20 Year Member
Liked
Loved
Community Favorite
 
Joined: Mar 2005
Posts: 2,225
Likes: 42
From: Okinawa
Default

heard that yellow car put down 425 and 390 with stock mufflers.
Reply
Old May 23, 2008 | 09:14 PM
  #11  
txFRC's Avatar
txFRC
Racer
10 Year Member
 
Joined: Jul 2007
Posts: 254
Likes: 3
From: the woodlands texas
Default

you know theres a new Torquer V3 out right?

to help us find you a cam, whats your powerband range going to be like, are you a4/m6?

clutch wise, spec stage3's sell like hotcakes in the fbody world and some on here too. but i've seen alot of customer service issues and a couple vette guys have had spec clutches come apart on them and tear up drivetrain stuff. not good.

textralia clutches are good, and would definately be in your power range. clutch swap aint to cheap, so keep that in mind so your not suprised!
Reply
Old May 28, 2008 | 02:46 PM
  #12  
rikhek's Avatar
rikhek
Safety Car
20 Year Member
Liked
Loved
Community Favorite
 
Joined: Aug 2005
Posts: 3,968
Likes: 867
From: Tulsa Oklahoma
Default

The dyno graph after tuning my 2001 Coupe with the following mods is provided below. Results were 414 hp and 384 ft.-lbs.

TSP Stage 2.5 5.3L heads;
TSP 228R cam (228/228 .588/.588 on 112 LSA);
TPIS longtube headers, X-pipe & Random Tech high flow cats;
K&N FIPK;
Powerbond 25% underdrive pulley

Comments are welcomed.
Rick


Last edited by rikhek; May 28, 2008 at 02:48 PM.
Reply

Get notified of new replies

To Heads / Cam build question





All times are GMT -4. The time now is 08:28 PM.

story-0
Top 10 Most Explosive Corvettes Ever Made: Power-to-Weight Ratio Ranked!

Slideshow: The 10 most explosive Corvettes ever built based on power-to-weight ratio.

By Joe Kucinski | 2026-05-20 07:23:03


VIEW MORE
story-1
150 hp to 1,250 hp: Every Corvette Generation Compared by the Specs That Matter

Slideshow: From C1 to C8 we compare every Corvette generation by the numbers.

By Joe Kucinski | 2026-05-12 16:54:12


VIEW MORE
story-2
8 Coolest Corvette Pace Cars (and Replicas) of All Time

Slideshow: Some Corvette pace cars became collectible legends, while others perfectly captured the look and attitude of their era.

By Verdad Gallardo | 2026-05-11 09:50:51


VIEW MORE
story-3
Top 10 Corvette Engines RANKED by Peak Torque (70+ Years of Muscle!)

Slideshow: Ranking the top 10 Corvette engines by torque output.

By Joe Kucinski | 2026-05-05 11:58:09


VIEW MORE
story-4
Corvette ZR1X Will Be Pacing the Indy 500, And Could Probably Race, Too!

Slideshow: A Corvette pace car nearly matching IndyCar speeds sounds exaggerated, until you look at the numbers.

By Verdad Gallardo | 2026-05-04 20:03:36


VIEW MORE
story-5
Top 10 Corvettes Coming to Mecum Indy 2026!

Among a rather large group of them.

By Brett Foote | 2026-05-04 13:56:44


VIEW MORE
story-6
Top 10 C9 Corvette MUST-HAVES to Fix These C8 Generation Flaws!

Slideshow: the top 10 things Corvette owners want in the C9 Corvette

By Michael S. Palmer | 2026-04-30 12:41:15


VIEW MORE
story-7
10 Revolutionary 'Corvette Firsts' Most People Don't Know

Slideshow: 10 Important Corvette 'firsts' that every fan should know.

By Joe Kucinski | 2026-04-29 17:02:16


VIEW MORE
story-8
5 Reasons to Upgrade to an LS6-Powered Corvette; 5 Reasons to Stay LT2

Slideshow: Should you buy a 2020-2026 Corvette or wait for 2027?

By Michael S. Palmer | 2026-04-22 10:08:58


VIEW MORE
story-9
2027 Corvette vs The World: Every C8 vs Its Closest Competitor

Slideshow: 2027 Corvette lineup vs the world.

By Joe Kucinski | 2026-04-24 16:12:42


VIEW MORE