Right now the engine is a stock ls1 setup...there's an 01' Z06 cam for sale. I was told that the '01 cam shares the same base circle as LS1s. The '02 cam has a different base circle, hence the longer valves in '02 Z06 heads.

Would I really see a benefit from this with my ls1 heads? Basically I'm considering stepping up from the ls1 cam and heads but was unsure of wich Z06 H/C combinations would work. Honestly, would it be better for me to just go to an 02' Z06 H/C setup or would the 01' Z06 H/C give the same results?

Thanks to all who reply. :)

 

The '02 Z06 has 20 more hp than the '01 and I think most, if not all of it comes from the H/C upgrade. If you're going to upgrade H/C, and you're only looking at LS6 parts, then go for the '02 setup (if you can find it). Personally, I would recommend something a bit more aggressive if you're going to the effort to upgrade. I've got the A&A Stage II heads and a CompCams cam and love the setup, and the price is right for Andy's heads. The flow numbers are awesome. You will spend as much or more on a set of '02 Z06 heads as you would on the A&A heads. The A&A heads will produce quite a bit more power for about the same money spent. The cam will be more costly than the '02 Z06 cam.

 

Thanks for the input...I was looking at keeping costs down and figured an ls6 setup would be cheaper.

Other thing was I was hoping to not destroy my warranty...I thought just maybe the ls6 pieces would be overlooked if anything went awry.

Anyone else have some input?

 

I believe that the bare LS6 heads from 2001 and 2002 are the same despite different part #’s. The 2002 heads are assembled with lightweight and longer valves and probably different springs because of the increased lift of the 2002 cam:

2001 LS6 (Duration @ .050 I/E, Lift I/E, Lobe Separation) 207/217, .525/.525, 116
2002 LS6 (Duration @ .050 I/E, Lift I/E, Lobe Separation) 204/218, .551/.541, 117.5

While stock LS6 heads flow better than stock LS1 heads, a good set of ported LS1 heads will flow better than stock LS6 heads. The main advantage of the LS6 heads lies in the potential for more than LS1 heads are capable of.

GM designed the LS6 setup for reliability as well as increased power. From a cost perspective stock 2002 heads and cam should be somewhat cheaper but harder to find than a LS1 H/C package.

As to which way to go, you have to think of the factors of cost, reliability and performance. The importance that you assign these factors will determine which way is right for you, whether it’s stock LS6, modified LS1 or modified LS6.

As far as warranty concerns go, I would imagine that different dealers would treat an LS6 upgrade differently. Since the LS6 engine uses the 2001 block, that might be a factor with an earlier block. The newer block is stronger, uses a different oil separator and has “vent openings” (don’t know the correct term) in the crankcase to allow for oil frothing at high RPM’s.


[Modified by SFVetteman, 12:01 PM 9/19/2002]


[Modified by SFVetteman, 12:09 PM 9/19/2002]

 

Wow, that's alot to think about.

My vette's a daily driver and I was afraid of losing driveability and reliability if I went with something other than the ls6 setup.