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Looking for some insight on a few things. I'm working on making my c5 faster so far I've done long tubes, catless mid, b&b bullets axle back, vararam CAI. My next step will be the intake manifold, then lastly a cam and of course dyno tune. Here's the questions I have:
- is the FAST intake manifold that much better than the DORMAN?
- is 4100$ a reasonable price for cam kit and install? (That's what I was quoted with a tune)
- do I need to do bigger injectors? Was told that stocks would be at 97% but will handle it...
- was told I will be at about 475-480hp at the crank after these mods... does that sound about right?
Thanks for any input I want it to be fast but streetable
I think 480 HP with 347 CI is going to be a stretch for a car with manners...
$4100 is pretty steep for a cam install... list what else comes with it??? Lifters, pushrods, rockers, timing chain, oil pump,, etc
The fast 102 intake is going to bump up your usable rpm range quite a bit.. I wish they still had the 92 mm one. Plus you are going to
need different fuel rails, etc etc and maybe a diff throttle body(not sure on that)
The dorman LS6 replacement intake is better than the LS1, but just a tad worse than a stock LS6(2001+) intake
I did the dorman and did some hand clean up on my own.. At the time I couldn't find a GM LS6 intake avail at a reasonable price
I don't know what year, gears, AT or MN6 trans, ETC of your car. Also, are you keeping stock type suspension and tires?? AC??? Etc ??
I'll have to ask him what all comes with it so I have more information for you.. The engine builder said he's done a ton of them and told me what things to do and it'd be about that for hp. The price seems high to me too but it's for the cam, install, and dyno tune after install. I know that around here a good dyno tune is around $600 or so I've called several shops, and the cam kits I've seen are $600-700+ so the actual labor I'm guessing is around 2800-3000 but I don't know if thats reasonable. I'm leaning towards the fast intake but they're so expensive... then probably throttle body and maf if needed.
Will they tune you for free after each one of your planned mod upgrades? If not that is something to consider, you might want to do all of the work at once and then tune it.
What are your goals?
You might want to toss on a supercharger and call it a day. Going heads/cam can get expensive. I'm not sure I've seen too many people that were disappointed with just going with an ECS or A&A SC.
I'm in Minnesota and talked to a local engine builder who told me not to go supercharger/turbo because the engine isn't built for it and won't last long. He said with the things I've done + cam I'll be at 470+ at the crank and also that you don't really need more with the weight of these cars. I trust his judgment he built a 406 for a buddy of mine 12+ years ago and it still running strong today with 500+ hp. I'm not gonna track the car just want to have fun on the street with it and as you all know there's always somebody looking to race when you're out driving so I wanna be competitive. I put the long tubes and mid on last night, replaced the plugs and wires and wow did that make a difference!! I'm gonna do the intake and throttle body next then have it tuned and see how it feels. Cam will be next year if at all seeing as it costs so damn much to have it put in... will have to pay twice for a tune but I don't wanna run it without one after all I've changed on it now.
So, you’ve said the engine builder knows these engines, yet you’ve also said he doesn’t like a supercharger, because these engines don’t last long with one. So, in my humble opinion, your engine builder doesn’t know **** about the LS series of engines...
what he said is the car doesn't need any more than 470-500hp unless I'm making it a track car said it'll be a squirrelly b**** to drive on the street. That's why he shunned the blower but also that the engine wasn't built for a blower.. I am trying to learn about the engine and do the right things to it. Basically I'm looking for advise which is why I posted the questions on here to see what people have done and goods and bads of them.
What I said was that he's done a bunch of the same cars and his recipe is CAI, Exhaust, Intake manifold C6 or better, Cam, and Tuning and that's all they really need to be a reliable fast car for the street.
My .02
If you are buying new get the FAST 102, If you can find a good deal on a used FAST 92 that is a considerable upgrade
on a LS6 or Doorman LS2 especially with a cam, even more with stock or lightly milled 243s, or better.
I would look for a LS2 TB I thinK Solar has those now available new without core. (more then enough for your goals and less
than a NW), use the V-Max spacer ring for 90 MM TB with FAST 102 Manifold, much easier to tune idle & part throttle transitions.
Regarding Cams, (and everyone has their own opinion) for a street car absolutely keep intake duration under 230*
I think the upper end for the 5.7 with the earlier pcms is The Cam Motion LS1 Titan 4, 227/232 113+3, the Titan 3
may be a better fit for you especially for a daily driver.
500 HP @ Crank ~ 400-410 RWHP (M6/Auto) is not radical for a daily driver IMO
with
Last edited by Navy Blue 210; Jul 13, 2020 at 03:36 PM.
Thanks for the info. I was looking at the fast 102 or 92 intakes have great reviews so that's what I'll probably end up going with. The cam is gonna have to wait so I'll have it tuned after the intake. Another question is I had to get rid of the rear o2 sensors when I did the exhaust it only had holes for the front 2.. could that cause any damage until I have them tuned out?