Options, heads or intake.
Thread Starter
Instructor
Joined: Apr 2011
Posts: 208
Likes: 8
From: Rockford Illinois
St. Jude Donor '13
Options, heads or intake.
I am looking at doing a cam swap into my 2005 ls2, 6speed. I am looking at gains across the board as i drive it daily in the summer and put +\- 7,000 miles a year on it. It has not been to the track, and if it does it will just be a fun day.
Car already has vararam, and pfadt headers are ordered with npp mufflers. My goal would be a 75-80 hp gain.
My question is this, which cam has a lopey idle, with moderate street manners. I was looking at the g6x3, and the black widow(i love he sound of it.). I have enough money set a side to do either a fast102 with the cam, or a set of heads, but not both. Which would i see better gains with? I might be able to mill the stock heads to bump compression if i have enough clearance with the cam, and then use a fast 102 intake. I will do more next year to the bottom end, but the wife only lets me spend a certain amount on un necessary upgrades each year. Would i be better to do cam/heads now, and intake next year, or cam/intake now and heads later? My budget for cam/ heads or cam intake is around $2,500-3k. Suggestions on vendors for cam, intake, and heads are welcome.
Which tuning platform is best, hptuners, or diablo?
Any input is welcome. Thanks in advance.
Car already has vararam, and pfadt headers are ordered with npp mufflers. My goal would be a 75-80 hp gain.
My question is this, which cam has a lopey idle, with moderate street manners. I was looking at the g6x3, and the black widow(i love he sound of it.). I have enough money set a side to do either a fast102 with the cam, or a set of heads, but not both. Which would i see better gains with? I might be able to mill the stock heads to bump compression if i have enough clearance with the cam, and then use a fast 102 intake. I will do more next year to the bottom end, but the wife only lets me spend a certain amount on un necessary upgrades each year. Would i be better to do cam/heads now, and intake next year, or cam/intake now and heads later? My budget for cam/ heads or cam intake is around $2,500-3k. Suggestions on vendors for cam, intake, and heads are welcome.
Which tuning platform is best, hptuners, or diablo?
Any input is welcome. Thanks in advance.
Melting Slicks
Joined: Apr 2007
Posts: 2,987
Likes: 16
From: Phoenix
With your budget do the Fast and get it ported at the same time. The stock LS2 manifold sucks and putting it back on with good heads would be a waste. Next year get some Trickflow heads to go along with everything. I personally like HP Tuners. You can download the interface and play around with it. You can do that for EFI Live as well. I don't have any experience with the Diablo stuff other than their handheld and remote tuning my turbo Avalanche way back when STS first made turbo kits. I didn't like it then.
Last edited by jon6.0; Mar 3, 2013 at 01:28 PM.
Le Mans Master
Joined: Dec 2005
Posts: 6,999
Likes: 1,685
From: Southeast TX
I'll be "that guy" and suggest you save your dimes until you can scrape enough of them together to supercharge it. By the time you fool with heads, cam, etc, you're about there cost wise anyway. The absolute mildest supercharger setup is way more fun than even a well done cam/heads rig. I can't argue with the sound of a bigger cam....but that gets old pretty quick. More power, with the option for even more, never gets old
Thread Starter
Instructor
Joined: Apr 2011
Posts: 208
Likes: 8
From: Rockford Illinois
St. Jude Donor '13
I cant supercharge it without going through the engine and doing heads, pistons, crank/rods anyways, so it will cost a lot more. My goal is450-500 rwhp, not 700 as i drive it almost daily.
Melting Slicks
Joined: Apr 2007
Posts: 2,987
Likes: 16
From: Phoenix
You can supercharge it at the 450-550rwhp level and it will be fine driven daily for years. For a centri kit you would just run a 4.0" blower pulley. I just bought a used A&A kit for $3700 complete.
Heel & Toe
Joined: Mar 2012
Posts: 20
Likes: 0
From what I have been reading on this website the FAST intake is not worth the money. I have seen estimates of only an 8hp gain with this manifold even with it ported. That seem like a lot of money, $100 per HP. I have heard that having your stock intake ported will almost get you the same HP and that's a whole lot cheaper. Also, don't think you have to change the bottom end for a blower. The Blower is the best bang for the buck. IMO
Safety Car
Joined: May 2011
Posts: 3,807
Likes: 508
From: Oshawa, Ontario
From what I have been reading on this website the FAST intake is not worth the money. I have seen estimates of only an 8hp gain with this manifold even with it ported. That seem like a lot of money, $100 per HP. I have heard that having your stock intake ported will almost get you the same HP and that's a whole lot cheaper. Also, don't think you have to change the bottom end for a blower. The Blower is the best bang for the buck. IMO
Last edited by irok; Mar 3, 2013 at 11:19 PM.
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Melting Slicks
Joined: Apr 2007
Posts: 2,987
Likes: 16
From: Phoenix
Used headers is a good option. One of the local Phoenix guys is selling LG Super Pro 1 7/8 with catless x pipe for $800. http://www.arizonacorvetteenthusiast...howtopic=23071
Melting Slicks
Joined: Apr 2007
Posts: 2,987
Likes: 16
From: Phoenix
I'm pretty sure they are the same part number for the headers themselves. You would need a Z06 axleback or have an exhaust shop connect your axleback to the LG mid pipe.
