Hey all,
Ok I am sure that this has been asked a million different ways, but I am sure not exactly like this. Ok here we go....

I am looking to get my car finished. I need a clutch because the stock z06 clutch I have is gumming up. I need a tune because I am being beaten by 300hp Civics though I am running a 3.1 pullied Maggie. Now I am also thinking a cam, maybe a smaller pully, and maybe some heads and definitely a professional tune. I figure I should be putting down 500-600 hp with my mods.

Ok, what you need to know is that this isnt a money is no object game. I am trying to get the best I can for the least I spend. I know it doesnt work like that in horsepower, but thats what I am looking for. What great items I can get for the smallest price.

Now, understand I have a 99 c5 with an ls1. This car has been modded with a maggie polished s/c that is magnacooled, intake, fuel injectors, modded ls1 heads, long tube headers, full exhaust, and i am sure a few other small things I am forgetting.

So, I am trying to find out the best clutch for the money. Originally I was budgetted for a ls7 clutch kit, but I am hearing alot of people tell me it might slip and I would hate to spend the money only to have to spend more because the clutch isnt working right. So what would you recommend to hold 600+ hp for the budget I have alotted.

Next I am trying to see if the stock bottom end can take the boost of a maggie with a 2.8 pully. Do you think it could do it? Know that my car only has 44,000 original miles on it. There is nothing modified on the bottom end, so do you think that the bottom end can hold the 10 or so pounds of boost I should get from a 2.8 pulley. Also, if you think it can do you know anyone who has this setup with a stock bottom end. Also, i would prefer not to run meth. do you think it is still possible to run a 2.8 pulley. Also, if all this checks out, where is the best place to get a 2.8 pulley?

Now, i am curious if heads are a good idea. i ave heard they are a waste at this point. just want to confirm it. if they arent a waste, please explain why and provide proof. please know i have modded ls1 heads.

Lastly, I would like to get a cam that will optimize the setup i am looking to have. I want something that will be easy to drive and maintain. It has to work well with everythign I am going to do (if that means a 2.8 pulley or my modified heads or the long tube headers). i want to push the cam as far as i can with the s/c without making it obnoxious or hard to drive or anything. just looking for something smooth and that pushes it a good bit. now i am not looking to spend big bucks, i think i saw a cam for 250, but maybe i was wrong. so i am looking in that range. the other thing is if you do bring up a cam to purchase, please have some numbers or proof to back things up.

Also, please answer me with answers, not sales pitches or comments that arent useful. i mean it makes no sense for you to post "call me and we can talk" since if i wanted to do that i would have. also, it is senseless to tell me hey get this or do that, unless you can back it up. tell me the real world experiences not things you would like to see me do. And please dont post anything like "wow that sounds stupid" or "you should do nitrous or do meth or whatever". I want a gas an go car, so unless it is a comment that specifically fits that..... (and i dont consider meth or nitrous gas and go because even though it might take alot to empty a meth or nitrous bottle, you still have to fill it back up)

I really hope all you can help me out. I am getting ready to move on this car quickly. i wanna get her done and this way i can then move on to finishing up my other car.

Thanks in advance

(ps this car is nothing more then a weekend toy - if that. it would just mostly be cruising around town, but once in a while i wanna blast the light to light, or hit the interstate as hard and fast as i can)

 

That's a lot of questions.

In terms of cams, I would think the ECS blower cam would help out nicely. Lots of success stories. Very driveable too.

You'll need the kit because you will need better valve springs, etc. I would put in some LS7 lifters while you are at it.

Clutch - Textralia OZ 700 or maybe a monster clutch. If you change clutches make sure to also replace master, slave, and throw out bearing.

In terms of how much power these motors can handle I have heard around 500-550rwhp.

The weak point on the early LS1 motors are the rod bolts. For $200 you can buy Katech replacement bolts, which are much stronger. It a simple swap out.

I think your HP estimates are a bit high with a maggie. They have a tendency to run out of breath at the higher rpms unlike the centrifugal SCs. I would venture to guess that your actual numbers would be about 100 rwhp lower.

A couple of other suggestions. Put a better timing chain on and if possible install a timing chain tensioner. Might also want a ported oil pump.

I am sure you will get a lot of other opinions.

 

- well true but there is also alot of modding about to happen :-p

- more then what I have done. I mean I have already modified the head with springs and porting and such. remember i didnt want blow by when i boosted it. do you not think the modded heads will work?

- are these clutches in the same price range as i am looking for? i heard they are expensive!!!

- so that would strengthen my bottom end to take the boost that i would be putting down with a 2.8 pulley??

- so you are saying that with all that I have done I only gained maybe 100 hp over stock? I have heard intake cams and exhaust doing at least just that without FI

- well thats what i am hoping for. i appreciate all that is said. i just wanna make sure i do these mods right the first time.

btw, what does the tensioner and a ported oil pump do?

 

The tensioner helps take up the slack in the stock timing chain. Bill Curlee can you you more. My own personal experience is the chains are pretty loose.

Ported oil pump gives more oil pressure than stock. Pretty common to do and cheap insurance policy.

 

As for the clutch, it isnt that I am going cheap, I am just looking for the best function for the money. Most people recommend these high end clutches for cars that are made to race and such, meanwhile they get put into cars that barely see a race. This is why I am looking for the best for the money. I want something that will hold hard when I need it too but isnt a pricey race clutch (this is why i was looking at the stock ls7 clutch). So what do you think would be the best clutch in that ls7 clutch kit price range?

as for the weakest link in the chain, I understand that, but with this done, do you think the bottom end would hold up? like i said 3.1 i think is 8psi of boost, 2.8 is 10 psi of boost. do you think the extra psi i will get from the 2.8 pulley (i have the 3.1 now) will make enough pressure to hurt the engine? or hurt the engine after the weakest leak is taken care of?

then the cam issue.
I have seen many cars stating 400+ hp with a cam, intake, headers, heads and tune. So what i am trying to understand from your comment is that you are saying that i should only be making 400+ rwhp with all that done AND a s/c pushing 10 psi?
most that I have seen with my setup look to be in the 500hp range at least (or maybe i am just reading and seeing all these number incorrectly - hey its possible thats why i am asking people in this post)

Thanks again for you answers. I anticipate your response.

 

^^Not to beat a dead horse but speed costs $$$. If you want an expensive clutch just look at what the twins are going for. Makes the tex and monster clutches seem like bargains.

What you are looking for with a clutch is something to handle the torque. That's what rips drive lines apart.

You might find the following link helpful about SC.

http://www.custom-car.us/supercharge...ercharger.aspx

BTW, google is your friend. There is also a lot of good info over in the FI section. Worth taking a look at before rushing into things.

In terms of your bottom end right now your weakest link is the rod bolts. If you fix that issue, then weakest link is the pistons. They are very brittle. The key to making these motors live is to avoid detonation. That's how to blow up one of these motors real fast!

 

Did not read whole thread, but i would suggest big cam on maggie, on LS1tech it proved by camaro as maggie intake stop breathing at around 5000 rpm and a big cam will take over from there and pull pull pulll, check the thunder racing website and they listed pretty big cam for maggie SC only and diffent cam for centri SC.