Question for the folks here. What might be the expected HP and TQ gains from the following engine upgrade I am considering for my 2005 Z51 model? Previously it's dyno run was 373 HP and 367 TQ at the wheels. There is a local shop, Virginia Speed located in Virginia Beach I am looking at performing the job. The major mods would be the addition of Kooks long tube headers, high flow cats, Trickflow heads, larger injectors/throttle body and the shops custom ground cam they have made. I imagine this cam is comparable to many other high quality cams available. Not looking to go with a boosted setup or create an engine that is unruly below WFO.
Thanks in advance.

 

It depends how aggressive you get with the cam but I’d imagine you’ll pick up 100 rwhp long as you don’t still have the stock intake manifold. If you do still have the stock intake manifold you should definitely change it, the ls2 intake I s horrible.

 

Best bang for buck, since with SC, you do not induce surging problems at stop and go traffic speeds, and your taking 650HP+, that drives just like the stock motor in the end/don't need to go back into the motor for like 100K.

As for NA, can make large numbers (not SC numbers) and the more radical the cam, the more surging and the more frequent you will need to go back into the motor to change out valve spring and such every 30K miles. So SC may be more money up front, but count in pulling the heads every 30K for 60K miles, and it a lot cheaper and motor producing more reliable power instead.

As for SC units, TVS does not need to have it bearing replaced for at least 100K, while some of the centrifugal units, have seen them have to be rebuilt in a year instead.


As for making all the power in the world, and being able to actually use it/get the rear tires to stick on the street, that's a whole different world in it's own. I bring this up, since when M gave AMG the SL to make huge power from the start, their first crack on it had it producing over 1kHP, but even with TM in play, was just roasting the tires off the rims. So AMG backed the HP off to the point that is was drive-able/TM left on was able to hold back the instant power to the point that you where not having to replace the rear tires every you took the car out for a drive.

 

Thanks for the tip.
Dave

 

I had a similar upgrade performed on my 2005 Z51 M6 and it made 452 HP/426 TQ on the dyno. You didn't mention an intake - mine has the Halltech Venom II intake. Vale springs, pushrods, high pressure oil pump were also replaced. My car is tracked regularly. I was very happy with the upgrade. Good luck with yours.

Mike

 

My car has a Lingenfelter intake and a Borla catback system on it.
Thanks
Dave

 

Personal opinion here:
Best bang for the buck, would be to swap cars and start with one that has a LS3 engine and save the expense of the trickflow heads and associated TB/IM parts. You'll get lots of other stuff in the bargain, plus better/stronger stuff that will produce more power for less money. Just the rear end assy alone, can save you from being towed.

 

You don't need bigger injectors. Your diff is the problem.

 

He's in an 05 if he gets the rear to stick there goes the diff