I'm seeking any input or advice from those of you who have modified your LS2 with head and cam packages. My car is an 05 vert Z51 6sp that is stock except for an axle back muffler change. I do not track the car and don't plan on it in the future. It is a daily driver, so reliability is a must. My extended warranty will expire soon so I'm pondering modifing the car with some type of head, cam, headers, package. As you know, there are various vendors selling/installing these types of packages and I am looking for folks who have done these types of upgrades sharing their experiences with this type of mod. Any input or advice both positive or negative would be appreciated. Thanks.

 

I love my H/C car. Get with a vendor in your area(your profiles not filled out) and ask them about some of their packages. If you stay farily mild you wont have any problems. Hell even if you go radical and you take care of it you wont have much to worry about for years. The only problem with the larger ones is the springs require change every so often or they wear out.

 

where do you live? I know one of the best corvette techs in the industry!

 

Thanks for the replies. I'm in Central Arkansas.

 

I have an ls2 based head and cammed 402 from ECS. I do track it, and it gets a lot of street miles. Its as reliable as it gets. I did have to get a better clutch, even GM's stock LS7 couldn't hold. Have enough in your budget to be able to replace the clutch. ECS custom grind "GeorgeZCam", Trickflow 225's, all supporting internal/external stuff. www.eastcoastsupercharging.com

 

So what clutch did you end up going with? Any other drive train mods?

Thanks

 

I did a head/cam/headers/exhaust package on my car engineered by Lingenfelter and installed by 21st Century Muscle Cars in the Dallas, Texas area.

There are a lot of shops that will do put together a quality package. You have to decide the following:

1. Budget. Do your research and set a reasonable budget. A complete installed and tuned head, cam, headers, exhaust system will run $5,000 to $8,000 (my guess). It may seem like a lot but it was less than I spent on a vacation to Maui.

2. Where to go. I probably spent more than I need to have, but I am a firm believer you get what you pay for. Shop around and understand its important to have the work done by a shop that will stand behind it if there is a problem. Bargains are not always a bargain. Don't be temped by "deals".

3. What parts to get. Talk to the shop and get their opinion. But you need to tell them how you plan to use the car, what you like and don't like. For example, I wanted a "sleeper" kind of car. Not a lot of noise and a smooth idle. Something my wife would like to ride in. Some guys want a rumpy-rumpy idle and the highest rwhp.

4. Don't waste your money. Don't get stuff you don't need like new coils, wires and the like.

5. Aftermarket heads vs. ported LS2 heads. There are plus and minus to each and its getting tougher with the latest terrific performing aftermarket heads. Remember....the highest flowing spec heads in terms of CFM are not necessarily the best choice for you. Make the head and cam decision together.

6. Tune. This is prehaps as important as the choice of parts. A great combination of components will perform poorly with the wrong tune. A respected tuner said anyone can make a tune for maxiumum power at WOT but it takes are real pro to make it run its best under all circumstances. I tuned my car (and still am) and believe this is absolutely a fact.

 

Great reply. Thanks for the advice. I have considered a package similar to yours and being in the central Arkansas area, I have conteplated 21 Century Motor Cars in Dallas for just such a package.

 

Cartek Racing is also very well known for their extremely solid performing yet totally streetable heads and cam packages.

www.cartek.net

 

Others in the DFW area I have good reports on are are Quality Motorsports and LG.

 

George has a twin disc RPS clutch, hardened shafts in the rear, and our trans/diff brace.