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Old Dec 23, 2022 | 10:21 AM
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Default LS6 or MSD Atomic

I see some discussions with commentary but couldn't find any dyno comparisons. I have a 99 FRC, ported 241 heads, Texas Speed Torquer camshaft 2232/234 .595/.598 112LSA LS6 intake, long tubes, etc. Wondering if the Atomic MSD is worth the cost... anyone have dyno sheet comparisons? Most of the testing I see on line is with a larger displacement engine vs the 5.7.

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Old Dec 23, 2022 | 11:53 AM
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If ur racing 1/8 or 1/4 mile for a championship and there a a big money involved go for it the xtra 25 hp or even 50 which i doubt is worth it. just give me the money if for street use.Tune will cost min 500 bucks.
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Old Dec 23, 2022 | 12:00 PM
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Originally Posted by lgaff
I see some discussions with commentary but couldn't find any dyno comparisons. I have a 99 FRC, ported 241 heads, Texas Speed Torquer camshaft 2232/234 .595/.598 112LSA LS6 intake, long tubes, etc. Wondering if the Atomic MSD is worth the cost... anyone have dyno sheet comparisons? Most of the testing I see on line is with a larger displacement engine vs the 5.7.

Thanks
The MSD WILL make more power. Whether or not it's worth another $500 more than the LS6 intake will depend on what you're doing with the car now, and in the future. If you ever plan on larger displacements someday, for sure get the MSD. Personally, I'd get the MSD either way. My .02.....
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Old Dec 23, 2022 | 12:37 PM
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Search Richard Holdener on you tube he has a lot of videos on intake manifold testing some on 5.7s. The intake will do the same thing on a smaller displacement 5.7 as it would on a larger engine, the smaller will be down on power over a larger engine. It will depend on your combo as to how dramatic the intake gains will be. The FAST intakes are typically recommended over the MSD for sub 7k RPM applications.
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Old Dec 23, 2022 | 02:32 PM
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Originally Posted by C5Mat
Search Richard Holdener on you tube he has a lot of videos on intake manifold testing some on 5.7s. The intake will do the same thing on a smaller displacement 5.7 as it would on a larger engine, the smaller will be down on power over a larger engine. It will depend on your combo as to how dramatic the intake gains will be. The FAST intakes are typically recommended over the MSD for sub 7k RPM applications.
I would think the higher flowing intake would shine even brighter on the large engine, compared to the smaller engine. In other words, whichever intake proves to be more restrictive on a 5.7 will really choke a 7.0.....
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Old Dec 23, 2022 | 03:56 PM
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If you plan on revving it out and want to trade some low/midrange (compared to the FAST intakes) for a little more top end power then the MSD might be worth it to you. Otherwise stick with the ls6 or go with FAST.
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Old Dec 24, 2022 | 09:37 AM
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Originally Posted by lgaff
I see some discussions with commentary but couldn't find any dyno comparisons. I have a 99 FRC, ported 241 heads, Texas Speed Torquer camshaft 2232/234 .595/.598 112LSA LS6 intake, long tubes, etc. Wondering if the Atomic MSD is worth the cost... anyone have dyno sheet comparisons? Most of the testing I see on line is with a larger displacement engine vs the 5.7.

Thanks
I have a very similar combo (with stock 243 heads off a GTO LS2) and decided to go with the TPIS 90mm snout modification for the LS6 intake for $350. I have been very pleased with this so far, but I still need to get the combo dyno tuned. I also had a FAST 90mm and decide to not use (and sold it) after having a discussion with another local that has experience with both intakes on his similar 5.7L combo, due to what he said which was easier to tune and better drivability with the TPIS 90mm LS6 intake. Personally I think the FAST and MSD intakes would work the best for higher RPM use or with a larger displacement engine. Just my $0.02, as always YMMV.
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Old Dec 24, 2022 | 01:52 PM
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Originally Posted by JHrinsin
I have a very similar combo (with stock 243 heads off a GTO LS2) and decided to go with the TPIS 90mm snout modification for the LS6 intake for $350. I have been very pleased with this so far, but I still need to get the combo dyno tuned. I also had a FAST 90mm and decide to not use (and sold it) after having a discussion with another local that has experience with both intakes on his similar 5.7L combo, due to what he said which was easier to tune and better drivability with the TPIS 90mm LS6 intake. Personally I think the FAST and MSD intakes would work the best for higher RPM use or with a larger displacement engine. Just my $0.02, as always YMMV.
A bit off topic, but can't help myself. If I had the extra money, I'd put my C5 back to all stock, get a Holden/GTO, and put my built LS7 in it. The last years of the GTO don't look like a 400hp V8 car at first glance. Great sleeper possibilities. BTW, I had the FAST 90 on a Darton 427. Worked GREAT, but that was in a 427......

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Old Dec 24, 2022 | 03:04 PM
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That TPIS//LPE intake is the best bang for the buck still shows $350 for the modification from them +shipping costs. The intakes have gotten expensive recently. MSD seems to be a few hundred cheaper than the FAST which may be worth the slight loss of mid range over the FAST. The throttle body if you don''t have one will be another 200-500 depending on what you go with. Does the intake need special fuel rails that'll add to the cost? Any of them will also need a tune. Harness adapters and sensor relocations also will add to the cost and fitment. LS1 tech had an old thread called blackbirds intake test or something close where a fella flow tested different intakes. The dorman LS2 intakes used to be cheap but now cost what a far better intake does. The MSD and FAST intakes can be ported which adds to the potential gains. Don't know if anyone still does the LS6 porting. It's really up to the individual if the cost if worth it. You would probably pick up around 25HP going to a FAST or MSD is it worth $1500ish no one can answer that for you. The TPIS might be the better choice for some you could get the intake and a throttle body for less than the price of an MSD or FAST intake they are supposed to flow about what an unported FAST 90/92 does.

I decided on the TPIS setup because of the cheaper cost and the factory fitment, I did buy it all used which made it under the old cost of the FAST/MSD intakes. If I had found a good deal on a used MSD or FAST I would have gone that route especially if it had been ported. I doubt you would be displeased with what ever intake combo you decided.
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Old Dec 26, 2022 | 07:17 PM
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Old Dec 26, 2022 | 07:46 PM
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Originally Posted by C5Mat
That TPIS//LPE intake is the best bang for the buck still shows $350 for the modification from them +shipping costs. The intakes have gotten expensive recently. MSD seems to be a few hundred cheaper than the FAST which may be worth the slight loss of mid range over the FAST. The throttle body if you don''t have one will be another 200-500 depending on what you go with. Does the intake need special fuel rails that'll add to the cost? Any of them will also need a tune. Harness adapters and sensor relocations also will add to the cost and fitment. LS1 tech had an old thread called blackbirds intake test or something close where a fella flow tested different intakes. The dorman LS2 intakes used to be cheap but now cost what a far better intake does. The MSD and FAST intakes can be ported which adds to the potential gains. Don't know if anyone still does the LS6 porting. It's really up to the individual if the cost if worth it. You would probably pick up around 25HP going to a FAST or MSD is it worth $1500ish no one can answer that for you. The TPIS might be the better choice for some you could get the intake and a throttle body for less than the price of an MSD or FAST intake they are supposed to flow about what an unported FAST 90/92 does.

I decided on the TPIS setup because of the cheaper cost and the factory fitment, I did buy it all used which made it under the old cost of the FAST/MSD intakes. If I had found a good deal on a used MSD or FAST I would have gone that route especially if it had been ported. I doubt you would be displeased with what ever intake combo you decided.
99BlackBirdT/A is the LS1tech forum member I was referring to above, he lives about 30 minutes away from me. Great guy,

It is a very LONG thread, but this link is to his post that has all the flow data charted;
https://ls1tech.com/forums/generatio...l#post19997187

And this his post was the subjective summary;
https://ls1tech.com/forums/generatio...l#post20080957


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Old Dec 26, 2022 | 09:56 PM
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Thanks for posting, great info
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Old Dec 26, 2022 | 11:07 PM
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A Fast will make more power, but it won't start doing so until 5000 RPM. Expect around 15whp on a stock LS6, and more from an LS1 with better breathing cam and ported heads. Porting a Fast will double your gains according to Tony Mamo.
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Old Dec 27, 2022 | 07:56 AM
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Originally Posted by JHrinsin
I have a very similar combo (with stock 243 heads off a GTO LS2) and decided to go with the TPIS 90mm snout modification for the LS6 intake for $350. I have been very pleased with this so far, but I still need to get the combo dyno tuned. I also had a FAST 90mm and decide to not use (and sold it) after having a discussion with another local that has experience with both intakes on his similar 5.7L combo, due to what he said which was easier to tune and better drivability with the TPIS 90mm LS6 intake. Personally I think the FAST and MSD intakes would work the best for higher RPM use or with a larger displacement engine. Just my $0.02, as always YMMV.
One thing you need to consider. If you already have an '01-up C5, the TPIS mod would be very appealing, as they came with the LS6 intake. But if you need to source an LS6 intake, you have to factor in the $400-$500 price of one. Even at $400, adding the TPIS $350 to the aforementioned $400, and now you're at $750 for the TPIS mod. So the $1,000+ MSD or FAST doesn't look so bad. My .02......
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Old Dec 27, 2022 | 08:43 AM
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my cams power range is up to 7K, I have the LS6 I might wait and see if I can pick up a used FAST 102 or the MSD And then port it....
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Old Dec 28, 2022 | 05:58 AM
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Originally Posted by lgaff
my cams power range is up to 7K, I have the LS6 I might wait and see if I can pick up a used FAST 102 or the MSD And then port it....
You don't want an MSD for that combo.....not enough cylinder head or camshaft to see the type of RM required to make the MSD a good choice over the FAST

The FAST will beat up on an MSD pretty good in the midrange and the curves wont cross till 6400 or so RPM so unless your building a combination that can effectively spin to 7500, the FAST is a much better choice

If you want to see an actual dyno comparisons and learn more, check out this thread I wrote quite a few years ago.....all of the info and data presented is just as relevant today as it was then

And once again this is an apples to apples test.....meaning its a Mamo Motorsports ported FAST against a Mamo Motorsports ported MSD on the same engine the same day on the same dyno (Westech)

https://ls1tech.com/forums/generatio...e=pocket_saves

Hope this helps.....contact me if I can help you with whatever intake you choose but IMO a ported 102 FAST is the best choice for the build you describe (and the proper porting DOUBLES the gains from the swap).

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Please take the time to also visit my website at www.MamoMotorsports.com
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Old Dec 28, 2022 | 11:50 AM
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Originally Posted by Tony @ Mamo Motorsports
You don't want an MSD for that combo.....not enough cylinder head or camshaft to see the type of RM required to make the MSD a good choice over the FAST

The FAST will beat up on an MSD pretty good in the midrange and the curves wont cross till 6400 or so RPM so unless your building a combination that can effectively spin to 7500, the FAST is a much better choice

If you want to see an actual dyno comparisons and learn more, check out this thread I wrote quite a few years ago.....all of the info and data presented is just as relevant today as it was then

And once again this is an apples to apples test.....meaning its a Mamo Motorsports ported FAST against a Mamo Motorsports ported MSD on the same engine the same day on the same dyno (Westech)

https://ls1tech.com/forums/generatio...e=pocket_saves

Hope this helps.....contact me if I can help you with whatever intake you choose but IMO a ported 102 FAST is the best choice for the build you describe (and the proper porting DOUBLES the gains from the swap).

Regards,
Tony
Thanks for the response, Tony. I was basing my .02 on the differences between FAST and MSD on an LS7. I should've realized this is the C5 forum, and most aren't running LS7s......
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Old Dec 28, 2022 | 09:17 PM
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How would a ported FAST 92 compare to an unported 102? It would be down on available airflow from the smaller throttle opening but would they be close? Or are the FAST 92's old tech at this point? Curious if anyone looking to go to a FAST intake should just skip over the 92 and get the 102?
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Old Dec 28, 2022 | 09:59 PM
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Originally Posted by C5Mat
How would a ported FAST 92 compare to an unported 102? It would be down on available airflow from the smaller throttle opening but would they be close? Or are the FAST 92's old tech at this point? Curious if anyone looking to go to a FAST intake should just skip over the 92 and get the 102?
Even on a 5.7, Tony says the 102 is better all around. My impression was that it was more for larger displacement motors, but apparently that's not the case. The only challenge in a C5 is packaging. The 102 may rub the hood, something shorter engine mounts are enough to fix.
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Old Dec 28, 2022 | 10:39 PM
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This is a comparison of my fast 102 vs my msd on my c5z, msd is in the blue you can see around 6500+ the fast starts dropping off but either intake will pickup over an ls6 intake, the 102 made around 30+ over the ls6 on my set

up
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