EnginerdVT

As soon as I got it home from the dealer in July '13 with my 08 JSB Z06, I had been thinking about the things I heard about the heads/valves, some past info I had ready about needle bearings, and other odds and ends. I had the dealer throw in GMPP, so it is warrantied until July 2014, but I just couldn't forgo the winter to start some work.

I have been working with Rob Metzger at Gallant's Automotive, Nick at ARH, Chris and David at Mast Motorsports, Bill/Fran at Race Proven Motorsports (RPM), Mike Bruce at B&B Corvettes and various others to put together a nice setup for me. Decided to go with the RPM B3 Cam, Mast 305 heads, Comp Trunion Upgrade, CF112 Halltech intake, C5R timing chain, and some other odds and ends. I'm going to be purchasing the 2" primary headers in January or February once I start getting it back together to finish off the setup. Mike Bruce from B&B Corvettes in North Carolina is working throttle body porting and LS7 intake manifold porting (didn't elect to go with the FAST/porting and Fuel rails right at the moment).

I'm planning to have the car finished up in late January or early February and then get the headers on and tuned to be ready for the spring. I'll use this thread to keep everyone up-to-date on the build and the results. I'll post some pictures as I take some...

Video Added: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=mlpID...ature=youtu.be

brewersprts

I'm interested to know what kind of power you make with this setup

ls1121

You do realize that as soon as you touch the engine your GMPP isn't worth the paper it's written on....right?

EnginerdVT

Yes but it's only good until July, which is not a good time to have the car down so I'm cutting my losses and making the changes now.

CMY SIX

I'm interest to know why he's not posting in the Z06 forum?

EnginerdVT

This part of the forums is for performance mods on any of the c6 motors, including ls7 and ls9. Not sure why it should go into z06 discussion.

poopman

Why did you go with the 305 heads & not the 285 for a na build?

EnginerdVT

After speaking multiple times with Mast, my tuner and RPM, all seemed to agree that the 305 should cause little or no loss in power across the RPM band with a motor of 427 cubic inches or more. Mast also suggested that with a larger cam, like the one I selected, it would be great for top end power and would allow me to grow into the head as I added nitrous and maybe added FI later on. Mast said that on engines 427 and larger, the 305 is the head of choice for them when coupled with large cams and/or spray to help increase flow while maintaining port velocity.

EnginerdVT

An update on the build. All of the parts will be here by the end of next week. I have learned a lot about Mast heads... The off-the-shelf 305 heads actually now have a 68cc combustion chamber, leaving a stock bottom end LS7 at about 11.13:1. I elected to take mine down to 65cc combustion chambers which yields approximately 11.66:1 by milling them down 0.0165" from the original 68cc chamber and will be verified via "cc-ing" them after machining per Mast Motorsports. The heads will be assembled with their hollow stainless 2.25" intake valve, weighing in at 106 grams, and their solid stainless 1.6" exhaust valve, waiting on confirmation of that weight. Springs will be a dual spring 700 lift setup.

As far as pushrods go, the off-the-shelf 305 and 285 heads use the 8.050" pushrods on the stock LS7 bottom end as suggested by Mast. I ordered 8.050" and 8.000" Comp Cams 0.080" sidewall chromoly pushrods since I had them milled in case I needed the next size down, along with the Comp Length Checker which goes from 7.800"-8.800" (model 77031 - Hi-Tech Pushrod Length Checker).

As far as the rest of the build, I've added an RX oil catch can and may be adding an Innovate Motorsports MTX-L or LC2 gauge for logging down the road. Installation should be between the last weekend in January and the first week in February. I'll be sure to video and post the first start... Having trouble sleeping in excitement!

Silver Bullet C6

I think you made a good choice with the Mast heads, and thanks for the added info on them. I'm going with Mast LS7 heads as well soon. Taylor at Dallas Performance suggested them over the Trick Flow. I'm also switching out to an LS7 intake.

I have a forged 427 /Ysi blower with LS3 intake and LSA heads currently. I'm looking forward to results.

EnginerdVT

Thanks! I am very eager to get them on and tune the car!

EnginerdVT

Update... Today I went up to meet with Bill and Fran at RPM. Picked up parts for the build, excluding the headers and heads which should arrive next week. The plan is to get the car towed up to the shop the weekend of the 30th and work on it Thursday/Friday/Saturday to get it done and started.

Next issue, getting the car onto the rollback truck without engine power. I had begun the work in the garage but am fortunate to get to finish it on a lift. The tow company has towed vettes before and I'll obviously be helping/watching like a hawk. The car is in the garage, head first, so unless I push it back and forth in the driveway to turn it around, it will go on rear first. As you know, that hurts with the front end being so long and it will definitely drag without the right boards and care. Thinking I'll turn it around? I check the other day and the steering wheel did not lock when I turned it in the garage so I should be ok. Since the fuel lines are unhooked, i'll have to pull the fuel pump fuse to connect the battery and turn it on to unlock the column if it locks I think. Going to be a long 2 weeks

EnginerdVT

Picked up a DeWitt's Radiator to add to the build... Should couple well with the 160 degree thermostat and keep me cool!

EnginerdVT

Install went on this weekend. Had a few minor issues, but nothing ground breaking. The car started and ran on a start-up tune my tuner put together. Car sounds great and with some street tuning, will be drivable until the tuner flies in to dyno the car. Some pics...

SteveDoten@ARH

Can wait to hear this beast!!!

Nice work!!

skip89

You are doing it right with good parts and people. For my own reasons I sold my 2008 Z awhile back. You are doing what I wish I had done. I really did not want to go into my 9,000 mile LS7 at that time. Keep the updates coming. Good luck with a great build.

EnginerdVT

The initial startup was a huge success... Ended up with 8.050 pushrods as suggested by Mast Motorsports. Keep in mind, this video is with the ZR1/11+ Z06 exhaust and the fuse pulled. The video does not do the car justice, it sounds absolutely amazing in person and the headers with cats, coupled with the straight pipe in the mufflers sounds PERFECT with very little/no drone so far with a cruise around the block staying under 3500 RPM. Very pleased!

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=mlpID...ature=youtu.be

EnginerdVT

Another clip taken after the idle really came to life... Chompin' away!

EnginerdVT

First round of street tuning is done... LT Fuel Trims needed some adjustments. Probably a few more logs and it will be streetable around town until we get it on the dyno. But with the weather, who am I kidding, it's probably going to get cleaned and sit until dyno day!

10gt5

Sounds good post up Dyno results and also what injector are you running? Pump gas?