MIKER

No immediate plans to take action on this idea. I just want to hear some of your rational opinions, knowledge and experience.

Overall, I'm very satisfied with the performance of my stock 2002 Z06. I also appreciate the reliability and even the added bonus of decent fuel economy (when you can manage to stay out of the throttle). Most of us will not argue that the C5 Z06 "bang for the buck," in stock trim, is hard to beat.

However, the additional torque of a mildly cammed and stroked engine would be nice. At times fantastic deals can be found on 383ci LSx short blocks or complete rotating assemblies.
I'm very familiar with the typical components and methods used to increase horsepower and torque. There are dozens of tried and true engine recipes to follow but I have been wondering about the different approach of focusing more on increasing engine torque at a reasonable price and less focus on having a high horsepower dyno sheet to stick in the glove box.

I use the car as a semi-daily driver so I would like to maintain equal to or greater than stock reliability.

I want to maintain close to the same highway fuel economy that the car is currently capable of. (~27 mpg at 70-75 mph hwy)

I want the exhaust note to remain close to what it is now with the O.E. exhaust including stock Ti mufflers.

The stock engine already feels decent between 4k and 6k but I want substantially more TORQUE throughout the entire RPM range.

I know what the advantages of long tube headers are but I have also experienced their disadvantages such as increased heat, noise, leaks, and reduced ground clearance. I also know about the advantage of aftermarket heads. They have no disadvantage other than initial expense.
Don't misunderstand me, I'm not a long tube header HATER, they are a well proven and valid modification. I'm just exploring options here.

Does anyone have actual experience with a stroked engine topped with OE heads and exhaust?

Maybe a low boost centrifugal supercharger would be give me the increase in torque over a broad range that I'm looking for with a lot less effort to install. I've even seen some great supercharger deals come and go in the C5 parts section.

webelo

This is the route I'm thinking of going too. I think FI engines are cool, but I really like the rumble and feel of NA cubes.

I'll be curious to see what people say.

AU N EGL

27 mpg? not going to happen.

need more torque? just change the cam. I gained significantly more torque with just a cam change.

Nothing too big. 224/224 581/581 112+4.

if your thinking about a whole new engine, then a 402 would significantly increase torque.

7LitreC5

That is not necessarily true. I run a small cam in my 427 and it will do that. I've seen 30 highway on the DIC which equates to 28ish actual mileage.

sami85L98

Great idea i have nothing to add here except change the cam like 224/224 like AUNGEL said, and leave everything stock, i too feel i should have little more torque and remains everything same means driveability with little more rumble not too much.

I say go ahead with just 383 short block, you will gain and not loose anything.

AU N EGL

isnt the 383 just a longer stroke but same boar then the stock 347?

sami85L98

Paul 75 L82

I had a 383 in my Camaro, it's a remarkable difference.

MIKER

Was your Camaro equipped with a LS1? Did you use the stock exhaust manifolds?

manley845

What is the saying? There's no replacement for displacement.

More cubes the better. This doesn't mean that you have to change heads or anything, but those items certainly would draw out more of the potential of the added cubes. There would always be room to grow is all.

If all you want is more torque in the lower rpm range, then just bolt on a roots type huffer and be done. You'll get better mpg too I'd bet. Add a mild cam to that and you're even better in the torque game.

If you want more torque and like the stroker idea, then go with the stroker crank and a cam, perhaps 212-222 duration at .050" and something near .600" lift and a split pattern design. Use your stock 243 heads and manifolds. The heads flow well and you can alway mill them and do a lil work to them before reinstalling. Blend the short-side radius and do a lil pocket porting maybe. The manifolds are actually quite nice and flow well. If you were to install headers, do a full length header with large primary tubes. Replacing the collector with a 4-2-1 design would be beneficial as well.

The added cubes will add compression which will help torque throughout the rpm range. Mill the heads to bump the compression more for further gains. Get yourself around 11:1-11.5:1

Have fun and good luck

099blancoss

more cubes are better, you'll pick up tq over the 346

MIKER

The $2500 question is how much torque increase could I expect within my listed criteria with the HKE 383 your advertising for sale in the C5 parts section?

099blancoss

Did we talk on the phone already?..LOL had a few calls from Texas.

It will depend on the heads and cam.

I've got a set of heads for it and a cam sitting here that would do nicely and give you decent gas mileage I would think. stage 2 -799 castings and a 224/232 113 lsa cam. Its $400 for the cam and $1700 for the heads. The heads I was going to use on it already. I would think 475-500 hp and 450 tq would be the minimum with this cam and heads.

For $4600 and your looking at a whole new beast. You can then sell your shortblock and heads and re-coupe some money.

Just a straight over swap of the short, its hard to say.

ipuig

Then leave it alone, the stock LS6 is one of the most reliable engines out there.

099blancoss

^^ This is very true. The LS engines are a great dependable platform. A stroked engine built off the same platform by the right builder is just as reliable

FRCTony

The best way to get more torque is a set of gears.

Far cheaper than a new engine.

ipuig

Does your shop offer a 100,000 mile powertrain warranty?

099blancoss

Gears dont add torque. They are a cheaper way to get the car going quicker, they do not add power.




Well since we're only offering and talking about an engine ..LOL.. No
But we/HKE have engines out there with close to 100k on them and over 300+ track passes on nitrous still running strong.

FRCTony

Last I checked, gears multiply torque.

Torque gets cars moving, not HP.

099blancoss

Its been debated many times over.