looking for some opinions
Thread Starter
Instructor
Joined: Jul 2012
Posts: 222
Likes: 0
From: Salisbury Maryland
looking for some opinions
i have a bone stock 1998 c5 ls1. i have the 803 heads. i want to get to 450 hp. also i want my car to be streetable. whats the best head and cam package i would need to get me to those numbers. i have vararan cai,a ls6 intake, and 3.15 rear. i know with bigger heads and came i might want to step up to a fast intake and some lt headers ... or will the ls6 support 450 hp. Was looking at a set of ported 243's but want to make sure with the 243's and a good solid streetable cam i get to 450hp or above. i dont know much about the ls1 engines and trying to learn but alot of you guys blow me away with your knowledge!!! i want to make some good hp without going broke lol and i dont want to use nitrous which i purchased a kit but have decided not to run it on my engine. its actually up for sale. What would be the best bang for the buck???
Melting Slicks
Joined: Jun 2012
Posts: 3,163
Likes: 6
From: Oceanside California
The heads are a must along with a good cam for that kind of power at the wheels. The LS6 intake will support 450 to 500 from what Ive seen and been told by the shop I go to. 243 heads and a cam in the area of 224/228, a variety of available lifts, and 114lsa will make the 400 mark. I would consider aftermarket heads and a larger cam than that to achieve 450whp.
What are your restrictions? Any need to worry about emissions? A FAST intake may be something you need too. Just because the LS6 will support that amount doesn't mean a FAST wont add more. If you dont have to worry about emissions, a cam with 112 or even 110 lsa and closer to 230/234 duration should get you there.
The thing is, your budget will be higher to do aftermarket heads, a FAST intake, and a large cam. If you can be satisfied with 400whp, you will find it much cheaper because 243 heads are cheap, the LS6 intake is good for it, and the cams are available from many manufacturers at a cheaper price.
What are your restrictions? Any need to worry about emissions? A FAST intake may be something you need too. Just because the LS6 will support that amount doesn't mean a FAST wont add more. If you dont have to worry about emissions, a cam with 112 or even 110 lsa and closer to 230/234 duration should get you there.
The thing is, your budget will be higher to do aftermarket heads, a FAST intake, and a large cam. If you can be satisfied with 400whp, you will find it much cheaper because 243 heads are cheap, the LS6 intake is good for it, and the cams are available from many manufacturers at a cheaper price.
Last edited by NukeC5; Aug 28, 2012 at 10:21 PM.
Thread Starter
Instructor
Joined: Jul 2012
Posts: 222
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From: Salisbury Maryland
i live in maryland so i dont have to go thru emmisions every year. i seen a trick flow head and cam package for 3300.00 on ebay which claims to put out 515 hp when added to a stock bottom end. do you think thats realistic numbers or just a sales pitch. i thought about just adding a fi system but i dont know if i should do that or try to get hp from head and cam swap. Fi on my stock poopy 803 heads and stock cam probably would hurt the engine more then if i get a good head and cam package. am i thinking right
Thread Starter
Instructor
Joined: Jul 2012
Posts: 222
Likes: 0
From: Salisbury Maryland
400rwhp i could deal with. if i do that with heads and cam i should be set up if i decide to go fi shouldnt i. well better then if i go fi on my stock 806 heads and stock cam
Melting Slicks
Joined: Jun 2012
Posts: 3,163
Likes: 6
From: Oceanside California
If you want the best bang for the buck and your planning to go forced induction anyway, just buy a supercharger kit and throw it on the stock engine. That will get you 450 to 500 at the wheels no problem.
Cruising
Joined: May 2012
Posts: 14
Likes: 1
From: Normal IL
I definitely agree with above post and a supercharged 450hp is gonna feel a like a whole lot more than a N/A 450hp and be able to pass smog, as long as supercharger is smog legal kit and be tons more streetable besides the spinning tires.
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Thread Starter
Instructor
Joined: Jul 2012
Posts: 222
Likes: 0
From: Salisbury Maryland
These superchargers that are out wont hurt stock engines?? its wild you can add something that will give you that much hp without having to change internal parts to be able to deal with the fi. have there been any disastors from adding a supercharger vs say add a 200 shot of nitrous to a stock engine. i am slowly leaning hear. kinda feel dumb asking these questions but i guess if you dont ask you dont learn. My engine only has 38000 miles on it so its still in very good shape. for a stock ls1 based engine what would be the best supercharger kit to go with that will give me the most hp without going overboard. I do know with a maggie i would have to change my hood but are those kind of fi systems better then the procharger style systems? also with a supercharger would i need to change my stall converter or anything else or just bolt it on and ride? i have a 3.15 rear so its alittle beeter then the 2.73
Race Director
Joined: Apr 2007
Posts: 11,150
Likes: 890
From: South Western Ontario
450rwhp is somewhat tough to kit with top end work. You're looking at aftermarket heads, a fairly big cam and a FAST intake would help too. You'll need a higher stall converter too.
Even with heads and cam the bottom end of your engine is still stock and that's the part which is stressed by the supercharger or nitrous kit.
Do expect to be upgrading your transmission with that kind of power. Upgrading the diff and a trans brace is a good idea too. Stuffing a C6 trans and diff under it isn't a bad option either.
Even with heads and cam the bottom end of your engine is still stock and that's the part which is stressed by the supercharger or nitrous kit.
Do expect to be upgrading your transmission with that kind of power. Upgrading the diff and a trans brace is a good idea too. Stuffing a C6 trans and diff under it isn't a bad option either.
Melting Slicks
Joined: Jun 2012
Posts: 3,163
Likes: 6
From: Oceanside California
Its good to strengthen stuff up if you are going to be pushing the car allot. But The kits are made for stock cars and only push 7 or 8 psi. The LS1 can handle it fine.
The Vortech or pro charger style will give the most horsepower and fit under the stock hood. It is a cheaper set up. The magnusion style will work better for low end and the vortech for high end. It depends on what you want.
Many many people put these kits on their stock C5's and C6's. It wont hurt anything once its tuned up right.
The Vortech or pro charger style will give the most horsepower and fit under the stock hood. It is a cheaper set up. The magnusion style will work better for low end and the vortech for high end. It depends on what you want.
Many many people put these kits on their stock C5's and C6's. It wont hurt anything once its tuned up right.
Racer
Joined: Apr 2006
Posts: 435
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Nothing wrong with leaving it basically stock and driving it. You asked for opinions.You would be better off selling what you have and buying a ZO6 or something someone else has already modded and grown tired of.
Last edited by c5chines; Aug 29, 2012 at 12:51 PM.
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
I did the HEADS/CAM/Ported FAST90 route on my 02 ZO6. Big cam, ported reworked Patriot stage 2 heads (11.5:1 CR) 42lb/hr injectors, headers, VARARAM,
She makes 450 RWHP! If I had it all to do over again,, I would have went with a supercharger. Love the cars performance but, you cannot beat the stock drivability of a boosted car.
NOTE! Once you cross the (approx) 400 RWHP line, you will need to do supporting drive train work!!! TRUST ME!
If you use a higher stall converter, you will need a tranny cooler and most likely a more robust transmission.. Lets NOT forget a professional TUNE once you do your mods!!!
You will have traction issues with more power. Sticker tires and you will need to beef up the differential. etc........ etc............... etc..................! If you have an automatic,, sooner or later, you will want to change your rear-end gear ratio!!
It’s an addiction!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
She makes 450 RWHP! If I had it all to do over again,, I would have went with a supercharger. Love the cars performance but, you cannot beat the stock drivability of a boosted car.
NOTE! Once you cross the (approx) 400 RWHP line, you will need to do supporting drive train work!!! TRUST ME!
If you use a higher stall converter, you will need a tranny cooler and most likely a more robust transmission.. Lets NOT forget a professional TUNE once you do your mods!!!
You will have traction issues with more power. Sticker tires and you will need to beef up the differential. etc........ etc............... etc..................! If you have an automatic,, sooner or later, you will want to change your rear-end gear ratio!!
It’s an addiction!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
Melting Slicks
Joined: Jun 2012
Posts: 3,163
Likes: 6
From: Oceanside California
I did the HEADS/CAM/Ported FAST90 route on my 02 ZO6. Big cam, ported reworked Patriot stage 2 heads (11.5:1 CR) 42lb/hr injectors, headers, VARARAM,
She makes 450 RWHP! If I had it all to do over again,, I would have went with a supercharger. Love the cars performance but, you cannot beat the stock drivability of a boosted car.
NOTE! Once you cross the (approx) 400 RWHP line, you will need to do supporting drive train work!!! TRUST ME!
If you use a higher stall converter, you will need a tranny cooler and most likely a more robust transmission.. Lets NOT forget a professional TUNE once you do your mods!!!
You will have traction issues with more power. Sticker tires and you will need to beef up the differential. etc........ etc............... etc..................! If you have an automatic,, sooner or later, you will want to change your rear-end gear ratio!!
It’s an addiction!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
She makes 450 RWHP! If I had it all to do over again,, I would have went with a supercharger. Love the cars performance but, you cannot beat the stock drivability of a boosted car.
NOTE! Once you cross the (approx) 400 RWHP line, you will need to do supporting drive train work!!! TRUST ME!
If you use a higher stall converter, you will need a tranny cooler and most likely a more robust transmission.. Lets NOT forget a professional TUNE once you do your mods!!!
You will have traction issues with more power. Sticker tires and you will need to beef up the differential. etc........ etc............... etc..................! If you have an automatic,, sooner or later, you will want to change your rear-end gear ratio!!
It’s an addiction!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
Thread Starter
Instructor
Joined: Jul 2012
Posts: 222
Likes: 0
From: Salisbury Maryland
so if i go super charger i will deffinatly need to to drive tran upgrades, gotcha. thats what i think i am leaning towards. FI probably need a stall converter, rear end gears, tranny supports. probly 6000 to 10,000 dpending on if i buy used or new. Thanks for all the info again guys. I really love this forum. Great people here !!!
Cruising
Joined: May 2012
Posts: 14
Likes: 1
From: Normal IL
so if i go super charger i will deffinatly need to to drive tran upgrades, gotcha. thats what i think i am leaning towards. FI probably need a stall converter, rear end gears, tranny supports. probly 6000 to 10,000 dpending on if i buy used or new. Thanks for all the info again guys. I really love this forum. Great people here !!!
Melting Slicks
Joined: Jun 2012
Posts: 3,163
Likes: 6
From: Oceanside California
Actually not, the point of FI is driveability and the torque it produces. BIG N/A hp requires gears and torque converter is required if you go big cam and heads but not FI. Big HP supercharger and turbo guys go smaller gears and tighter converters. but your base kits compliments stock.
Thread Starter
Instructor
Joined: Jul 2012
Posts: 222
Likes: 0
From: Salisbury Maryland
so whats the best supercharger set up for my 1998 ls1 engine. ive heard the prochargers have belt issues. i dont think i wanna go with the maggie style which i would have to get a new hood. Thats over $1000.00 more i could put into the supercharger. Any one know what supercharger set up has the least problems? Thats the one i want to purchase.
Melting Slicks
Joined: Jun 2012
Posts: 3,163
Likes: 6
From: Oceanside California
so whats the best supercharger set up for my 1998 ls1 engine. ive heard the prochargers have belt issues. i dont think i wanna go with the maggie style which i would have to get a new hood. Thats over $1000.00 more i could put into the supercharger. Any one know what supercharger set up has the least problems? Thats the one i want to purchase.
Look at the list of vendors on the left under Forced Induction to read about it.
Thread Starter
Instructor
Joined: Jul 2012
Posts: 222
Likes: 0
From: Salisbury Maryland
I have heard the 806 heads i have on my motor more or less suck. I have a chance to get a set of 799 heads which i do believe are the same as the 243 heads without the sodium filled valves. Would this be a good deal and better for my engine. also would i need to change the cam if i where to purchase these heads or could i keep my stock cam. It seems like a really good deal for a set of brand new stock heads for $520.00. i could slap these on the same time i install my ls6 inake that i already have sittin in the garage.