Hello everyone, I have fianlly gotten my reduced power issues resolved and am now looking for more power! I have done a billy boat quad exhaust, straight piped the cats, done the el cheapo intake, and she's running like a scalded dog. If you guys remember, i posted a question worried about if my car was low on power or not. Specifically asking if a stock car a4 would do a burnout since mine would not with the tc off. Well, her stock she wouldnt just like you guys said. BUT with just those few mods I have done have opened her up so much she will now kick out easy at anything under 30.. I'm finally driving a vette! LOL Now, only thing is I want more!I will eventually add a charger to the system after I get my c7 or c6...But for the time being until feb i want to get the most out of this baby that I can. I do NOT want to change the cam. But a ls6 intake is in there for sure. Also wondering if there's a particular head that you guys have been installing? And if so, about what that would run me doing it myself. I figure the LS engine's head's are as easy as the older sbc's right? Or would I be getting into a whole mess of things I should let a mech do??

One last thing, after the intake and with my mods what would you expect the number's to be? My car has right at 198k on it. But when i did the compression test the cylinder's had great compression. As follows, cylinder 1, 156#, 154#,158#, 154# Bank two, 154#,155#,157#, 157#. The cylinder's looked great with my scope through the plug holes, and last time I had the intake off i checked the lifter's and springs. All seemed in great shape. So i dont fear her breaking down that way any time soon. At least not the top end.. Do however need to replace the harmonic balancer. Any tricks for that? Steering rack is in the way I know. Wondering if there were any tricks to doing this as well.

Thanks everyone and hopefully I didnt make this too long!!

 

The LS6 intake is a good mod. You wont be disappointed with that one. However, if you do not plan to do a cam, I would not touch the heads. The stock cam will only allow freer flowing heads to increase maybe 10hp. Not worth the work or money IMO.
You may be interested in 1.8:1 rockers though. That will give you some power with little effort. Of course springs will need changed for that too. But nearing 200K? You should change them anyway!

What makes you think the balancer needs changed? Some wobble is normal for these engines...

 

Was thinking about doing the springs anyway. That's not a bad idea thanks!! Now, what do you mean when you say 1.8:1 rockers? You mean roller rockers? In some ratio on that one?? Sorry..I can change out springs and stuff like that, but not too good with specs like your saying. So I would not know what you mean there..

As far as the balancer, she wobbles a good bit. And squeeks badly. Soon as you start her up it starts and wont stop till it warms up. After that she will finally stop. I have replaced the belts, tensioner's, pulleys, and now I have noticed that the rubber insert in the balancer itself is starting to come out! Literally.... So going to replace it very soon.

Was very suprised at just how easy it is to get the intake off!! Had her off when I did the harness and gotta say, it's a snap! Could do it again in around 15 minutes easy!! Glad to hear I will like the ls6 intake, now to find one!!

 

With if not putting in a cam dont do nothing to the heads but new springs. But stay away from the 1.8 rockers alot of guys in here have had problems with them. But you can do the upgrade to the stock rockers will help.. Robert

 

How old are the shocks?

C6Z shocks and C6 Z51 sways will set you back less than $500 and will transform the ride and handling of you car.

 

The squealing is form the belt. Only happening when its cold is the hint. It would always occur if it was the balancer. I chased this problem too. Not until I changed the belt a third time, with a Goodyear Gatorback belt, did the noise stop. My balncer has the elstometer pressing out a little bit and wobbles too. I was very worried that Id have to replace it, but it is not an issue now. It can wait until I do a cam swap someday anyway.
A Gatorback belt fixes the cold chirping issue probably 90% of the time from what Ive seen on here.

 

Really? Ok well, i'll change the darn thing again and hopefully see what she does. What happens if the balancer does go out? kinda worried about total destruction! LOL

So the I's have it. looking now to find a ls6 intake. Found a few out there..around $300-$350 seems to be the going rate. Worth it it seems though.

Thanks for the heads up on the shocks and stuff, I will be doing that very soon as well!! She is getting new shoes and wheels too soon! Have found a set but cant get the guy to actually meet up with me to get them!! Grr..May as well do this at the same time.

 

In regards to the H/balancer.
Keep a close eye on it to see if its either going forward , towards the steering rack or backwards towards the engine.

Take a measurement of the face of pulley to the edge of the steering
rack & recheck periodically.

I'm surprised no one has mentioned getting a good used (complete) 3:42 rear end.
It would wake the car up & you could probably find one for the cost of the used LS/6 intake.
Doing the work your self,would save lots of money & it's not that hard of a job.

Keep up the mods.

 

Actually I have found one for $600. Not sure if thats a good deal or not... Biggest fear going that way is with gas mileage. Now I drive about 100 miles a day or so round trip and LOVE the milage I am getting. Would do it if it barely killed the milage. But if going with a 3.42 returned a 3-4 mpg drop then forget it.


Is it really that easy to install? Same shop I found the rear end at said they would charge $900 to install it out the door with the price of the rear included. Sounds high to me, considering I have to go asap to get a tune done or she wont shift right correct? Least thats what I was told anyway.