First post, so here goes. I am not new to SBC, but I am new to LS engines.

I have a 2003 C5Z that the previous owner had some work done to. They installed dual springs, Ti retainers, hardened rods, TSP LS3-B cam, Kooks headers and catted x-pipe. Car put down 399 to the wheels after tuning. Not sure why they decided on that cam and didn't pin the crank like the quote said or install a new balancer as it was wobbling when I bought it. I changed the balancer for an ATI 917266 and used an ARP crank bolt, but did not pin the crank because I thought they already had and I needed to put it back together. The shop changed owners and the new owners said they don't have any records from the previous owners, so all I have to go off of is the quote the previous owner gave me and what I can see. Anyway, the car has developed a lifter tick. The valve covers were pulled off and the #6 rocker has a lot of play up and down. My options, as far as I can tell, are to pull the heads and check the lifters and fix the issue or to install new everything. I may be way overdoing it, but I would like to get some more power out of it. I'm looking to get somewhere in the 450-475 wheel range and I would like a strong powerband for mostly street driving, but would also like to do some drag racing and track days. It's not a daily, but I do like to drive it as much as I can. I have done some research, but before I go farther down the wrong path, I would like to get some input on if what I'm looking at is in the right direction. After pricing everything out, I'm sure I would get more power out of fixing it and supercharging it, but I'm pretty stubborn on wanting to stay N/A. Fairly certain I will also need a better clutch, too, but I was planning on replacing it anyway because it chatters some at idle. Here is my list so far (attached):

 

What’s the budget?

 

I'm looking at around $6000 for what I priced out. Not really sure if I want to go that high, but if I go this route I'm going to have to!

 

Might as well do an LS3 swap for that kinda money, LS1 with all the N/A mods you can do will be hard pressed to reach the WHP you are wanting.

 

Yeah. Might as well contact tsp. Few more thousand will get you a good build.

 

I have a 383 short block being done now by them and will still be lucky to have more than 450whp

 

Go with a new GM LS3 performance crate motor. Search around for the price, HP and other options like the drilled crank..

I did

Michael

 

$6K is pushing it already and I don't think there's anything seriously wrong with it. I had thought before about building an LS3 to swap into it sometime and save the LS6, so I might start saving up for one and fix this issue in the mean time. I'm leaning towards just putting in a different cam, new lifters/trays, head studs and having the heads milled maybe .020" for now. That should get me a little more.

 

Itll get ya round 400 to the tire

not really sure I put 400 here. I think I was cross posting or something. Depending on cam and such you would be at 430-440 with a moderate cam like a 228R and milling the heads. Of course all the supporting mods.

 

Your goal of 450-475 and even more is easy and possible with the parts list you have with some changes, I have an 04z, my first build netted 493rwhp, pretty simple build that’s easily copied, currently I make 508whp through 4.10’s which is about 520 through the stock gears, traps almost 105 in the 1/8th so it backs up the numbers but the extra hp is expensive

go with the tfs 215 heads but get them from TEA, order them with ls3 hollow stem intake valves turned down to the current size in the head, powder metal guides for use with stock rocker arms, have them milled to 59cc, use a cometic .040 gasket, arp bolts or studs, you’ll have to flycut the pistons

for the cam I prefer lg cams, first build had the g5x2, currently have the g5x3, both cams can make 500+ with right setup but choose a good cam regardless of manufacture and you’ll need valve springs to match whatever cam you choose, c5r chain with Johnson 2110 lifters, new stock oil pump is fine, 3/8 hardened push rods and trunnion kit for rocker arms

fast 102 intake with ls2 tb

 

Thanks for the input! Now I might be back to doing heads and intake again. I was hoping to not have to fly cut the pistons, though.

 

That is a pretty high number for WHP with all that in my opinion, I am not saying its BS but wow. I would hate to see the driving manners if it street wise. It has to be a HUGE cam. Give er a shot though heck, if it can be done give it all shes got!

 

If your referring to my car it’s a street car that gets driven quite often, you could drive it anywhere, the cam is no bigger than most cams everyone else is running, great cylinder heads, high compression and a great tuner are a big part of it, lots of people cut corners on their build or they copy someone else’s mediocre build or they’re scared to push the limits then they’re disappointed when it doesn’t make what they thought it should

There ought to be a lot more n/a sbe 480, 490, 500+whp builds on here but everyone seems to be stuck doing the same identical builds with the same identical parts, I’m not signaling you out just stating what I’ve seen on this forum for years

 

And I see you are in Ktown! So who tuned it, maybe I need to send my car to them when I get my shortblock here (finally...Ordered at end of October and still waiting). Ill have a forged 383, Torquer V2, PRC 225 as cast w/ 60cc chambers, 11-11.5:1 cr, 42lb injectors, FAST 92, and silver blade LS2 TB.

 

Are you from Knoxville? We have a group of us that get out and race time to time, Tony Phillips at High Velocity tunes mine, sounds like you have a decent build going, hopefully it turns out good

 

Im in Morristown, just East of Knoxville

 

My tuning etc has been handled by Lethal Performance and Dyno in Jeff City

 

OP....I think Trick Flow sells a kit that Summit or Jegs carries that comes with heads and cam.

 

Yeah I’m familiar with them, they built my trans and diff, they’re always busy, Brandon is a good guy

 

https://treperformance.com/i-2390053...hoCnYgQAvD_BwE