silicone boy Posted July 23, 2006 Share Posted July 23, 2006 Ok, I picked up a complete LS1/T56 combo with all the accessories (a 99 Camaro SS drivetrain) on EBAY for well under $4000. I couldn't help it once the bidding started and stayed reasonable. Looks like it will become the replacement drivetrain for my 93 RX7. I was shying away from a non-rotary for the Mazda, but it just fell into place. My current setup has over 90K miles and may blow up any day (of course, I'm not encouraging it in any way, wink wink). My question for you LS1 guys is, what mods have you done and why? I want this to be more reliable than my Datsun (which will continue to be my no holds barred fast car) but I still want it to be insanely fast. I know they respond well to high flow heads, a cam, and long tube headers, but what level of horsepower will that get me? Also, I can't get the word "supercharger" out of my head. What can I say, I love forced induction and V8's, but I'm afraid that I'd have to tear into the engine to get stronger components. Basically, what I'm after is your opinions on horsepower/torque vs. cost vs. practicality/reliability as a daily driver (although it would be a weekend car). Seems like everytime I search for info, I'm let to a site that wants to sell me something and I don't necessarily trust them. Thanks. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Guest Mongoose Posted July 23, 2006 Share Posted July 23, 2006 hmmm, 91 Camaro SS drivetrain? are you sure its an ls1? link to auction? Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Workinprogress Posted July 23, 2006 Share Posted July 23, 2006 LS1's were'nt offered in Camaro's until 1998. Check out ls1tech.com second best is ls1.com Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
silicone boy Posted July 23, 2006 Author Share Posted July 23, 2006 Sorry, typo, it's a 1999. I went back and edited it. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
DaleMX Posted July 23, 2006 Share Posted July 23, 2006 The rod bolts are a week spot and keep you from spinning it past 6500 and once you start mods it can get expensive. You can get a good reliable 400 RWHP with the stock heads but you have to upgrade the springs, retainers, pushrods, and intake (youve got the old LS1 intake). Alot of guys on LS1Tech have gone the TR224 cam route with 918 springs and titanium retainers, long tubes, LS6 intake, ported throttle body, pulley, dyno tune, and hit the 400 mark. I think supercharger too and have an LS6 block out for maching right now. Soon to be all forged internals and a stroker crank for 383. If funds allow I'll go the roots path as it fits neatly in place of the intake and will really pump up the volume. For heads it looks to me like the 215cc trick flow heads are the ticket. I think they run like around 2300 from TEA. Lift-------------------- Intake-----------------Exhaust 0.1000------------------ 67----------------------52 0.2000----------------- 140 --------------------120 0.3000----------------- 220---------------------188 0.4000------------------273---------------------233 0.5000------------------310---------------------253 0.5500------------------323---------------------259 0.6000----------------- 327---------------------264 I have not dynoed my combo but here's where I went and I have been very pleased with the result. Stock bottom Power steering delete TR230 cam 230/224 @ .050 .590/.575 lift Stage 2 5.3 heads with 977 dual springs Fast 90 intake and Nick Wiliams Throttle body JTR block hugger headers Thunder racing ported oil pump EFI live tunning software Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
SSflyer Posted July 23, 2006 Share Posted July 23, 2006 Yup, I agree with Dale. A cam would be the best and cheapest way to pick up significant horsepower. Add a set of higher flowing heads and a less restrictive exhaust and you can pick up 100hp easy. I have a 99SS and I added an LS6 cam and top end, and a chambered exhaust, and that was good for 60+ rwhp. A more agressive cam and some real performance heads would net even more. I've always heard the the bottom end on an LS1 wasn't made to take high boost (8lbs or more), but if you run less than that you may as well save the money and do heads & cam. Just my $.02.... Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
LS1 240Z Posted July 23, 2006 Share Posted July 23, 2006 dont spin that motor to 7000, you will spin bearings. 97-99 LS1s have poor oil return and spin bearings. put a nice like 224 cam in it with headers and you will put down over 350 rwhp through an M6. something you should do is change your clutch at the same time while the motor/trans is out. as far as supercharger goes. put a procharger 1DSC on there and run like 8 lbs. your internals will be fine and itll be really fast. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
silicone boy Posted July 23, 2006 Author Share Posted July 23, 2006 Thanks for all the insight. Even though I have been around the block a few times with the SBC, I'm new to the LSX world. Keep it comin' Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
John Scott Posted July 24, 2006 Share Posted July 24, 2006 Here's a N/A LS I've been following from a CO board. This traction limited TA is running the same time as my nearly 1000 lb lighter 383 Z! I'd love to have it in my engine bay. Texas Speed LQ9 402 stroker Mahle Coated Forged Pistons 4.005" Bore Mahle 1.5mm,1.5mm,3mm Rings Eagle 4340 Forged Stroker Crankshaft New GM Engine Block Clevite H Series Rod & Main Bearings GM Camshaft Bearings Complete Engine Balance & Assembly With Detailed Clearance Specs Lunati Pro Mod rods Texas Speed 'Giant' cam----248/254 629/622 113 LSA Patriot LS6 Stage III heads (314cfm/228cfm at .600) Kooks 1 7/8" stainless headers Custom 3" true duals LS6 ported oil pump COMP adjustable timing chain AutoMeter gauge pod with water temp, fuel pressure, and A/F gauges SPEC stage 5 clutch Aeromotive A1000 Fuel Pump (installing over winter) Aeromotive fuel pressure regulator (also over winter) Delphi 42# injectors LS1Speed silver fuel rails Lunati lifters FAST LSx 90mm intake/90mm throttle body SLP lid Lou's Short Stick SLP 85mm MAF SLP smooth bellow SLP switch controlled linelock SLP strut tower brace UMI Adjustable torque arm March underdrive pulley 11:1 compression 1999 Pontiac Trans Am WS.6 #1747 526.1 RWHP Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Mikelly Posted July 25, 2006 Share Posted July 25, 2006 Boobboy, Check my posts and history with dyno'ing the Vette with various mods... It's pretty much a good baseline for what worked and what didn't with that particular configuration... In the end, it left my shop making 386WHP and 382#ft torque to the wheels and running 11.7s in the 1/4, while nocking down 27MPG on the hiway... My grief wasn't with the motor... But moreso with the configuration of the Vette drivetrain and doing repairs on the car in general... That motor rocks! Mike Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
silicone boy Posted July 25, 2006 Author Share Posted July 25, 2006 Mike, that's exactly what I'm looking for. I'll look over your posts. That's nearly double the rear wheel HP and MORE than TWICE the gas mileage of my current drivetrain. That really rocks!!! Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Recommended Posts
Join the conversation
You can post now and register later. If you have an account, sign in now to post with your account.