What are some simple or not so simple power adding mods I can do to the LS1 to gain some serious HP to an otherwise "stock" LS1 I might consider purchasing.

I know Todd, you said the cam, I'm going to get a quote on a cam swapout too. So that's my first one.

I'm trying to get a build sheet together with prices for labor, mods, install, for an LS1 vs my other choice which is the ZZ454. I can't do it myself, so that's where I'm at with this. Time constraints, + knowledge constraints.

Crap, forgot, my budget I want to stay in for phase I is around $6,000. So we'll say, I purchase a used LS1 for around $3500, and the rest is up for grabs. What can I do ? By the way, this is for Labor as well....not sure what that will cost yet. Say around $3,000 available here.

[This message has been edited by Aceshigh (edited April 16, 2005).]

Including labor makes it hard to say since every shop is different.

Centrifugal superchargers are the best bang for the buck, but would wipe out the $6000 if you get a shop to do it.

Definitely a cam change! The stock cam is has a very short duration, but decent lift because of the stock rockers duration.

The stock heads are great, but you could upgrade to the LS6 heads. AFR makes heads now for the LS1, but with their problem of keeping up with production I wouldn't bank on those yet. You may try Brodix though. They don't seem to have problems keeping up with demand. http://www.nastyz28.com/ubb/wink.gif

There is another company that is supposed to be good for heads. I think it is Patriot.
Cam and heads are a good place to start, get the computer tuned afterward and you can be making 500hp without breaking the bank.
One of this month's magazines (Hot Rod, Car Craft or Chevy High Performance) had an article on the LS1 engines and what power levels the blocks are capable of as well as casting numbers. The aluminum blocks are good for some nice power. The 6.0L iron truck blocks are good for some serious power.

ahm having had done just a few LS1 builds I think I can speak with authority here.
First off, what year LS1 is it? there are some variations.
In general I have found that LS1's do not respond very well to just doing cam swaps.
My suggestion would be a CNC headporting & cam combo.
The AFR heads are nice but really don't produce numbers any better than CNC ported GM heads.

I know of 2 companies who do good porting on LS1 heads.
www.cncheads.com (http://www.cncheads.com) and www.replikamaschinen.com/ (http://www.replikamaschinen.com/)
Replika is a little cheaper, but will take longer to get them done.
Expect to pay no less than $2000 for the porting. Pop for fresh valvesprings (I like the Isky's) at the same time.

LS1's in general don't tend to respond well to overly large cams. I like to keep the Duration @ 050 under 220 if using the stock ECM. I have had really good luck with the CompCams 54-424-11.

So for Cam and Heads and all the stuff (gaskets fastners ect ) you will just about use up that $3K in the budget.

I can tell you than in new Camaro's and Vettes that combo general made ~410RWHP when combined with a set of shorty headers.

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1971 Camaro
383 stroker ~500HP
M21 4spd
12" brakes
16x10" Wheels
Autocross competitive
Engine Designer - The Speed Merchant, San Jose, CA
http://www.speedmerchant.com/

<font face="Arial,Verdana" size="2">Originally posted by Lowend:

I can tell you than in new Camaro's and Vettes that combo general made ~410RWHP when combined with a set of shorty headers.

</font>

Okay, you got my attention, show me some build sheets and dyno specs if you have them Lowend. Did your shop do this??...I know the last time I talked to you was when I was stuck on stupid with the bulletproof 383 idea for supercharging. So many more options have been unveiled to me since then and my head is spinnin.....I think I'm close to a final decision here though. Cost is the main factor.

I have to decide if it's cheaper to build it the way I want before dropping it in....or buying the motor, having it installed, and then later doing the mods for power adding. So much work to do still....

This is the scary part... those numbers were on stock shortblocks.
I haven't worked at Speed Merchant for 4 months, so I am afraid that I no longer have access to the dyno charts and such.
The normal combo we would use was the aformentioned cam, with CNC heads and an LS6 intake manifold... thats it.

I did a few buildups with Strokers turbos (don't) superchargers ect. But the head/cam /header combo was by far the best bang for the buck

------------------
1971 Camaro
383 stroker ~500HP
M21 4spd
12" brakes
16x10" Wheels
Autocross competitive
Engine Designer - The Speed Merchant, San Jose, CA
http://www.speedmerchant.com/

<font face="Arial,Verdana" size="2">Originally posted by Lowend:
This is the scary part... those numbers were on stock shortblocks.
I haven't worked at Speed Merchant for 4 months, so I am afraid that I no longer have access to the dyno charts and such.
The normal combo we would use was the aformentioned cam, with CNC heads and an LS6 intake manifold... thats it.

I did a few buildups with Strokers turbos (don't) superchargers ect. But the head/cam /header combo was by far the best bang for the buck

</font>

Brett, I know I've asked this before but don't think I got an answer. Where are you working now? Did you end up moving also? I remember you talking about moving to Colorado or somewhere around there?

I was recuited to Enterprise Rent-A-Car and about 3 weeks ago was promoted into Enterprise Rent-A-Truck (Commercial Trucks Division).
Its not my dream job, but I had to start making more money.

------------------
1971 Camaro
383 stroker ~500HP
M21 4spd
12" brakes
16x10" Wheels
Autocross competitive
Engine Designer - The Speed Merchant, San Jose, CA
http://www.speedmerchant.com/

<font face="Arial,Verdana" size="2">Originally posted by Lowend:
I was recuited to Enterprise Rent-A-Car and about 3 weeks ago was promoted into Enterprise Rent-A-Truck (Commercial Trucks Division).
Its not my dream job, but I had to start making more money.

</font>

Hey at least it's a change of pace http://www.nastyz28.com/ubb/wink.gif Are you still in Cali? Just wondering! My dream job would be working at Speed Merchant http://www.nastyz28.com/ubb/biggrin.gif only if they paid more. I don't think any speed shops pay much unless you own it! Good luck!

Have heard that a less restrictive exhaust will also help wake the LS1 up which I guess is a mute point in our application.

<font face="Arial,Verdana" size="2">Originally posted by AZ_70ss:
Have heard that a less restrictive exhaust will also help wake the LS1 up which I guess is a mute point in our application. </font>

Yeah, you've got to think those suckers make 300 to the wheels with manifolds and single exhaust (although it's a big single exhaust)!

Aces,

If you can find an LS1 from a 2001-2002 F body they supposedly already come with the LS6 intake manifold.

Just an FYI.

And if you really dig, you'll find that SOME of the f-bodies got the vette blocks and heads......

Brett is right about the heads/cam swap, but dyno tests will show a gain of about 35 hp from 3500 on up with zero loss in low end torque. Can't beat that! http://www.nastyz28.com/ubb/wink.gif

You are right on track. Stock shortblock is fine at those levels NA. Some headwork and a good cam for your application, LS6 intake, headers, PCM tune, and a good exhaust will net you some darn nice, reliable power. 400+ RWHP very very possible. If you use a 6.0L iron shortblock, so much the better. The extra cubes and bigger bore only help.

Depending on what you are putting it in the headers MIGHT be an expensive thing. If you can weld your own it'd be perfect, custom LS1 headers still command big $$ alot of times.

<font face="Arial,Verdana" size="2">Originally posted by BusDriver:
Depending on what you are putting it in the headers MIGHT be an expensive thing. If you can weld your own it'd be perfect, custom LS1 headers still command big $$ alot of times.

</font>

Um....Mike, where are ya, what's up with the Headers being available for our 2nd gens?? Is this going to be a problem ?? Or very expensive ??

If I remember correctly headers are not an absolute necessity. The stock Corvette manifolds flow well and fit close to the block, so you can get by with them.
Yes, you will gain a few HP with headers, but considering the expense right now it might not be worth it.

I am unaware of any "off the shelf" headers for LS1 / 2gen swaps. I simply sent out the stock manifolds (which fit like they were made for a 2gen) for JetHot coating for cosmetic purposes.

Guys who have headers on their LS1 swaps have used a variety of predictable approaches. Some guys fabbed them from scratch, some guys have used small block Ford header flanges because the port spacing is almost exactly the same as an LS1. Other guys modify headers meant for 4gens, etc.

As mentioned, stock Corvette manifolds are a great approach. They are damn near as good as set of full length headers and just bolt on.

Okay, I'm talkin with Patrick as well and he's going over some info on the LS2 and LS6's. If I can manage it, I think the LS2 is doable, I just have to check on labor costs still.....and what kind of heads I want to get and blah blah blah. I need a complete quote, and that's the hard part....piecing this all together is a royal beeeatch!!!!

For a 20mpg possible 11 sec street car, I got wood. Now we just have to do the final math.

<font face="Arial,Verdana" size="2">Originally posted by rscamaro73:
And if you really dig, you'll find that SOME of the f-bodies got the vette blocks and heads......</font>

Maybe i should check mine....keeps up with the vettes at the track. From experience the cutout$25 labor $20 add 10 rwhp on the ls1.

Try this also www.cmotorsports.com (http://www.cmotorsports.com)