FAST 102 - Worth the Effort?
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Le Mans Master
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FAST 102 - Worth the Effort?
I have a friend with a FAST LSXR 102 cathedral port intake sitting around that I might "store" for him atop my LS6. I currently have a TPIS 90mm LS6 intake on my mostly stock LS6 with a gold blade 90mm TB. The rest of the engine is stock with ARH 1-3/4 headers. Considering the intake is free, would the hassle (cowl fitment, fuel rail swap, etc) be worth it to swap out? Also in the grab bag of parts is a LS9 cam and later style front cover to relocate the cam position sensor. I need to replace valve springs and timing chain as preventative maintenance before race season anyway, so for a few dollars I kinda want to see what changes this brings.
Who has done a FAST 102 that could walk me through what I need for the swap? Do you think I will see any improvement with or without the LS9 cam swap?
Who has done a FAST 102 that could walk me through what I need for the swap? Do you think I will see any improvement with or without the LS9 cam swap?
Pro
Joined: Feb 2020
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From: Ohio
Can't speak to the LS9 cam swap, but the 102 will require either drop motor mounts/ cradle spacers/ or the ever so cringe... cut the cowl. MAP sensor also gets moved to the front of the intake.
For power with the 102, you may not "gain" anything but you will see a notable difference in throttle response.
For power with the 102, you may not "gain" anything but you will see a notable difference in throttle response.
Pro
Joined: Aug 2010
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From: Montgomery Texas
AFAIK, ported 243 heads will run out of breath, before the LS6 intake becomes the limiting factor.
Hinson Motorsports has 3/8" shortened engine and transmission mounts in urethane. Are they short enough? IDK.
Hinson Motorsports has 3/8" shortened engine and transmission mounts in urethane. Are they short enough? IDK.
Thread Starter
Le Mans Master
Joined: Oct 2007
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From: Akron Ohio
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You guys are echoing my thoughts as well. By itself I don't think it will do anything. However, some of the Dyno videos I've seen by Richard Holdner, the LS9 cam moves peak power up in the RPM band a bit. I wonder if it would be more worthwhile with the cam change since the 102 intake moves more air up top.
Last edited by Kubs; Feb 3, 2024 at 03:02 PM.
Thread Starter
Le Mans Master
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Yeah changing the cam changes my class. But there may be a loophole about using an OE part number, plus the LS9 cam is stupid cheap. I have to open up the engine to do preventative maintenance on valve springs and timing chain anyway. I'm already there to change the cam.
Race Director
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Not worth the hassle on a stock, or near stock 5.7 engine. Agree with Stingroo on LS9 cam. I realize you're trying to stay within a class rule, but I doubt keeping an OEM part# cam, and trying to circumvent the rules will work. IMHO, it is futile. At any rate, you'll be going to a LOT of work for nothing. Will also have to re-tune it. I spend a lot of time in the C6Z section, because I have a built LS7 in my C5. I can tell you that even on 500+whp 427 builds, guys are only seeing maybe 8-10hp increases with the 102 over the 90 TB. FWIW....
Pro
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From: Windsor, CT
Would a GMPP part number not qualify as OEM? For instance the ASA cam or HOT Cam?
I guess if you think about it, likely not since they never came OEM on a car.
Does your class let you run 1.8 rockers? To get a little lift out of the cam?
I guess if you think about it, likely not since they never came OEM on a car.
Does your class let you run 1.8 rockers? To get a little lift out of the cam?
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Moved to C5 Tech for more comments.
Thread Starter
Le Mans Master
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Going back to the original scenario, I think the intake on a stock engine would be a waste. The LS9 cam will only pick up 10-15ish HP and all in the upper RPM range (according to the Richard Holdner test I saw, LS6 vs LS9).
My thinking is that pairing it with the FAST 102 would allow more airflow at the higher RPM range, even if it doesnt help anywhere else. But like mentioned, if the only gains are on big cube high HP cars, OR the heads cannot support more airflow anyway then it may not be worth it at all. Even though the intake is free, I would still need the button head valley cover bolts, lower engine mounts, different fuel rails etc. and it all adds up to more than free, lol.
I appreciate the back and forth from you all. Keep it coming.
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In my opinion, OEM is original equipment manufacturer. No C5s came from the OEM with LS7/LS9 cams. Guess I don't see the loophole there. I know if I was a tech, I'd fail any car without the stock cam. Obviously, your argument isn't with us, it's with the sanctioning body/bodies. I will say that the 2000 model came with the best non-C5 Z06 cam, if that helps you out. To each their own, and good luck. 
Pro
Joined: Apr 2023
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From: Windsor, CT
I'm assuming you're running the more aggressive LS6 cam already since you have an '03.
The LS9 cam will be stronger up top, but is it worth the conversion to a single bolt cam? Is it legal in your class?
The intake I think we all agree is a bit overkill for the amount of supporting mods necessary to make this work.
But you still seem thirsty to make some improvements/Horsepower. Have you exhausted all your bolt on options? I'm assuming you have most, but I'm not familiar with your setup.
Have you tried an Improved Racing Crank scraper? They claim 10 HP.
Is it legal to mill your heads .030" to bump CR? Could be another 10 HP or so.
The LS9 cam will be stronger up top, but is it worth the conversion to a single bolt cam? Is it legal in your class?
The intake I think we all agree is a bit overkill for the amount of supporting mods necessary to make this work.
But you still seem thirsty to make some improvements/Horsepower. Have you exhausted all your bolt on options? I'm assuming you have most, but I'm not familiar with your setup.
Have you tried an Improved Racing Crank scraper? They claim 10 HP.
Is it legal to mill your heads .030" to bump CR? Could be another 10 HP or so.
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Le Mans Master
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I am mostly interested in the effort to make the 102 work, and if its worth it. Thats what this thread was intended to be. I will worry about the class rules, lol.
The LS9 cam is a 3 bolt cam by the way.
The LS9 cam is a 3 bolt cam by the way.
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I don't think the gains would be that great over your current 90mm. You'd need to be running an aggressive heads and cam for the power gain to be worth it IMO.
Also throttle response can be a bit twitchy with the 102 on a 5.7.
Also throttle response can be a bit twitchy with the 102 on a 5.7.
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Le Mans Master
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The more I look into it, the more it seems the heads are the limiting factor anyway, as mentioned in here already. Leaning towards not doing the intake like you all suggested, haha. Thanks for talking off a ledge.
Race Director
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As I stated earlier, the 102 on what is basically a stock LS1 is worth nothing. If guys with built 427s are only seeing 8-10hp gains, youll see none to virtually none. A good race day with a high barometer/low DA with a stock setup will gain more power than the 102 will on an average race day. If you didnt have to tune afterwards, and the 102 would bolt on with no other hassles, I'd say go for it, what do you have to lose? But that's not the case. Also, at some point the guy will want that 102 setup back, so all the time and $$$ is wasted.
Drifting
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https://www.corvetteforum.com/forums...post1607459359
Remember Al's C5? He run the FAST 102, but had the Trick Flow heads, big cam and long tube headers. He needed 3/8" shorter motor mounts to fit under the cowl. Nutter's has a 7.0L in his C5 with a FAST 102. Basically the FAST 102 does not belong on a near stock 5.7L.
Pro
Joined: Sep 2018
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I'm not sure what "effort" people are talking about. I've got the same intake and didn't have any issues fitting it without doing any cutting. The only thing I had to do was remove one of the clips holding the wiper tray in place. It rubs ever so slightly but not enough to be of concern. When I installed it the car had the oem engine mounts. I've got Phadt mounts now and still no issues. That said if/when lowering the rear cradle I take the I/M off for safety/piece of mind.
Thread Starter
Le Mans Master
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As I stated earlier, the 102 on what is basically a stock LS1 is worth nothing. If guys with built 427s are only seeing 8-10hp gains, youll see none to virtually none. A good race day with a high barometer/low DA with a stock setup will gain more power than the 102 will on an average race day. If you didnt have to tune afterwards, and the 102 would bolt on with no other hassles, I'd say go for it, what do you have to lose? But that's not the case. Also, at some point the guy will want that 102 setup back, so all the time and $$$ is wasted.
Mike - here were my comments on a similar thread;
https://www.corvetteforum.com/forums...post1607459359
Remember Al's C5? He run the FAST 102, but had the Trick Flow heads, big cam and long tube headers. He needed 3/8" shorter motor mounts to fit under the cowl. Nutter's has a 7.0L in his C5 with a FAST 102. Basically the FAST 102 does not belong on a near stock 5.7L.
https://www.corvetteforum.com/forums...post1607459359
Remember Al's C5? He run the FAST 102, but had the Trick Flow heads, big cam and long tube headers. He needed 3/8" shorter motor mounts to fit under the cowl. Nutter's has a 7.0L in his C5 with a FAST 102. Basically the FAST 102 does not belong on a near stock 5.7L.
It does not seem worth it over my current intake seems to be the consensus. You all saved me a couple hundred bucks on hardware, fuel rails, headaches, etc.
