Finally getting some muscle under the hood!
 

After a long time of consideration, saving and research, I've decided to put some real power under the hood. My 97 LS1 is the weakest LS motor installed on any corvette. A complete exhaust, intake, 1.8 rockers and tune yielded a semi-healthy 328HP at the wheels, but i think i can do better.

I didn't want to do anything drastic to the motor for fear that i'd blow up my aging transmission, but earlier this year my trans died anyway and Frank's Vettes rebuilt it with heavy duty parts and a shift kit. Now that the drive train is all heavy duty (i have the 3.15 gear option from the factory) I can finally focus on the motor.

The parts list:
- 243 heads w/ valve covers and coil mounts
- Custom SDPC cam: 221/226 .565/.560 114
- powerbond (new generation) under drive pulley
- new pushrods
- new lifters
- new oil pump
- new timing set
- new valve springs
- new misc gaskets/seals

The Plan is to get rid of my engine's "asthma" :lol: The cam profile is designed for maximum torque towards the bottom end. My 1.8 rockers will carry over to the 243 heads. I'm hoping this plus a re-tune (street not dyno) will give my that low end SOPT rating I've been after. Frank's Vettes will be doing the install. SPDC will be supplying the parts

Stay tuned for engine pron and install updates.

Sounds good! You may also consider a gear change to 3.42s

What intake are you running now George? 243 heads, LS6 intake, and the cam profile you're looking at, will put your LS1 power level up over the 405hp LS6. :thumbs:

Nice set of go mods you have going onhttp://i29.photobucket.com/albums/c2...ions/eagle.gif

I've got the vararam, ported MAF sensor, power duct, ported throttle body and Late Model LS intake manifold (forgot the # on that one)

If mine blows out, i will certainly give it thought, but for now i like getting 28+ MPG on the highway. :D

I myself have the 3.15 gears also and was thinking going to the 3.42 gears, After thinking about it for some time there isn't a big different from 3.15 to 3,42 to warrant the change for the cost. Now going from 2.73 to 3.43 is a different story.

You don't have to wait for it to blow. You can sell the used 3:15s and pick up a used 3:42 from some one with a 6 speed who went to 3:90s or 4:10s. As far as mileage goes, I was getting 31 on the road with headers, hi-flo cats and a full dual 3" exhaust. When Andy at A&A did the heads, cam, under drive pulley he also changed the diff from 3:15s to 3:42s and a 3500 Yank converter. End result was 430 RWHP and still got 28 on the road. Should be an even dollar swap for the diffs, so you are only out the labor or not if you do the swap yourself. :thumbs:

Are you still planning on milling the heads? The mods you are doing to your engine are fairly close to the ones I plan on doing to mine. I have most of the parts on hand now, but will probably wait till fall/winter to install. I am on the fence about milling the heads. I would like to see or hear about results from others who have done it. I want to add the power but also keep the car reliable as sometimes I like to take it on 400-500 trips. Good luck with build.

Good luck on the mods and enjoy the extra ponies.

Chuck

Congrats on figuring out what you wanted to do!!! Can't wait to hear that bad boy next time I'm over there.

chris

Do a STG 2 port on those heads while their off the car. They are a key component :thumbs: You need LT headers too.

Given my engine's 5 years older than yours, I just don't want to chance the additional stress on my daily driver. If i already had 243 or 241 heads, i might mill them, but going from 9.5 to 11.0 on an older block just sounds like recipie for ka-boom.

Certainly. I"ll be making a before/After vid for you guys too.

I have SSAC mid length headers. Couldn't affrd long tubes back then, but these get the job done for now....and for $400 with cats, i couldnt' argue with the price.

Go for the H.P good luck with your mods:thumbs:

Good luck on all the upgrades - be sure to keep us updated on the progress and the results.

Keep your compression low because you are gonna end up buying a blower and, as you know, FI likes lower compression.

:thumbs:

:iagree: :cheers:

yes, but that will be on a Forged LS2 sitting in my C6 :lol:

I've decided to also replace my "frankentstein" exhaust system with a complete LG street headers system. With the setup being designed for low end torque, the mid-length SSAC headers are going to throw off my torque curve. Not mention some of the joints aren't that strong and have small leaks. Since the headers would have to come off anyway, i figure now would be a good time to get everything the way I want It.

with any luck, i'll get a 400rwhp N/A car that will snap your neck off from a rolling start. :D

Have fun with the new power :thumbs:

Nick