Another Head/Cam question
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Joined: Dec 2011
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From: Raeford NC
Another Head/Cam question
I think I have finally worked out all the kinks in my Z. Knock on wood. Which means I can finally focus on more power. Ultimately, I've decided on a 383 stroker LS6. I've made this choice for a few reasons. 1) I already have an LS6 so no need to buy a new block. 2) Parts continuity, headers and intake should all bolt right up (I'm not sure what headers would work with say an ls3; will LS6 headers for a c5 work or do I need lS3 specific headers?).
My main question is: Will something like 220-230cc heads work equally well on a stock ls6 as a stroked 383? I dont want to buy these things twice, but I'm not quite ready to pull the bottom end yet. Right now I'd like to do the head and cam, enjoy it for a bit, and when I get accustomed to driving it go for more cubes. I was thinking I'd wait until I need a clutch to pull the motor.
My main question is: Will something like 220-230cc heads work equally well on a stock ls6 as a stroked 383? I dont want to buy these things twice, but I'm not quite ready to pull the bottom end yet. Right now I'd like to do the head and cam, enjoy it for a bit, and when I get accustomed to driving it go for more cubes. I was thinking I'd wait until I need a clutch to pull the motor.
Le Mans Master
Joined: Jan 2009
Posts: 6,226
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From: Morton illinois
St. Jude Donor '14-'15
All LS parts are interchangeable, but vehicle specific...make sense? Lol
Your headers will fit on a ls1,2,3,6, and 7. The difference is just how they are bent for a specific vehicle. I have a ls3 in my car but used my ls1 pan, headers, oil pump, ect....
Tfs215 heads would rock on a 383 with say a...228/232 ish cam.
Your headers will fit on a ls1,2,3,6, and 7. The difference is just how they are bent for a specific vehicle. I have a ls3 in my car but used my ls1 pan, headers, oil pump, ect....
Tfs215 heads would rock on a 383 with say a...228/232 ish cam.
Melting Slicks
Joined: Dec 2004
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St. Jude Donor '10
You are aimed in the right direction it seems. If you need more in depth help with cams, heads, or anything else, please let us know. We can custom spec you cam that will make your 383 scream!
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From: Raeford NC
Forging the 346 requires the same level of work. The engine still needs to be pulled, it's still going to get a trip to the machine shop. A stock displacement forged bottom end is exactly the same level of work as a stroked bottom end once you consider I have 82K miles and at the very least the block will need to be honed if not bored. At the end of the day the supercharger saves me no time or money. In fact it cost me money and weight. A 383 will weigh nearly the same as the stock ls6, with the right setup it will make more power than a 305 rear tire will ever handle (minus slicks); I don't have to worry about extra weight, plumbing, maintenance and failure points.
After owning several boosted cars, I've seen the headaches. I agree they are cool, but unless I'm very short on displacement I'll take NA.
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Joined: Dec 2011
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From: Raeford NC
My concern in head/cam choice is finding the line between too much for a 346 and leaving power on the table with a 383. There has to be a happy middle ground, where I'm not trying to cram too much air in the 346 and starving a 383. Does that make sense?
Melting Slicks
Joined: Dec 2004
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St. Jude Donor '10
We do this stuff day in and day out. There is not a combo I have not seen really. A 383 now days is a "mild" build, but we can sure help you make it yours and make you happy with it.
What heads are you looking at? Best head out there is the Trick Flow really, but you can get some good results from a set of ported stock castings as well.
You are looking at some down time to build a 383 out of your block so make sure you keep that in mind. We have rotating assemblies avail and can set up an entire combo for you.
What heads are you looking at? Best head out there is the Trick Flow really, but you can get some good results from a set of ported stock castings as well.
You are looking at some down time to build a 383 out of your block so make sure you keep that in mind. We have rotating assemblies avail and can set up an entire combo for you.
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Drifting
Joined: Sep 2009
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From: cinnaminson n.j.
St. Jude Donor '14
The 383 will make a lot more torque than the 346 especially at lower rpm's (1500-3000). Trick flow 225's with a 230/236 cam would make the 346 scream but a little flat down low. When you went to the 383 you would have great torque and horsepower.
Just my honest opinion. I sure you will get a lot more.
Just my honest opinion. I sure you will get a lot more.
Le Mans Master
Joined: Jan 2009
Posts: 6,226
Likes: 33
From: Morton illinois
St. Jude Donor '14-'15
So either build for a stock block, or a 383
Drifting
Joined: Jan 2004
Posts: 1,419
Likes: 6
From: Alamosa CO
I would do either AFR or Trick-Flow 225's, that way you'll have enough head for the upcoming 383 you are planning. As far as cam choice, get one big enough for your planned 383 build. I would look at something in the 236/244 area with lifts in the low .600" area on a 112 LSA. It might be a bit much for the 346 but will suit your 383 build just right.
A big cam in a 346 combined with the right heads and intake will be just fine as long as the tune is spot on. Good friend of mine on here, Pit-man did a 383 a few years ago with AFR 225's and IMO didn't go big enough with the cam and is now considering changing it to something along the lines of what I suggested. As long as you're not considering FI in the future, get the right cam now and you won't be looking back when you do the stroker.
Jimbo
A big cam in a 346 combined with the right heads and intake will be just fine as long as the tune is spot on. Good friend of mine on here, Pit-man did a 383 a few years ago with AFR 225's and IMO didn't go big enough with the cam and is now considering changing it to something along the lines of what I suggested. As long as you're not considering FI in the future, get the right cam now and you won't be looking back when you do the stroker.
Jimbo
Race Director
Joined: Sep 2005
Posts: 11,060
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From: Pasco WA
And if I dropped in a PT6A-66D I'd have 1800 horsepower of course it would be even more useless than a supercharged ls for the kind of driving I enjoy.
Forging the 346 requires the same level of work. The engine still needs to be pulled, it's still going to get a trip to the machine shop. A stock displacement forged bottom end is exactly the same level of work as a stroked bottom end once you consider I have 82K miles and at the very least the block will need to be honed if not bored. At the end of the day the supercharger saves me no time or money. In fact it cost me money and weight. A 383 will weigh nearly the same as the stock ls6, with the right setup it will make more power than a 305 rear tire will ever handle (minus slicks); I don't have to worry about extra weight, plumbing, maintenance and failure points.
After owning several boosted cars, I've seen the headaches. I agree they are cool, but unless I'm very short on displacement I'll take NA.
Forging the 346 requires the same level of work. The engine still needs to be pulled, it's still going to get a trip to the machine shop. A stock displacement forged bottom end is exactly the same level of work as a stroked bottom end once you consider I have 82K miles and at the very least the block will need to be honed if not bored. At the end of the day the supercharger saves me no time or money. In fact it cost me money and weight. A 383 will weigh nearly the same as the stock ls6, with the right setup it will make more power than a 305 rear tire will ever handle (minus slicks); I don't have to worry about extra weight, plumbing, maintenance and failure points.
After owning several boosted cars, I've seen the headaches. I agree they are cool, but unless I'm very short on displacement I'll take NA.
And I don't want to live in a world that doesn't have a power adder, so I could someday, just get another coupl'a more pounds of boost.
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Joined: Dec 2011
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From: Raeford NC
I've been looking at the AFR 230s. They may be a bit much for a 346 but not the the 383. As for the cam, I'm not completely opposed to running different cams for the 346 and 383, the heads are the major cost and the motor will be out anyway.