[Z06] Planning my mods - long post, looking for opinions
02-15-2013, 09:04 PM
#1
Le Mans Master
Thread Starter
Planning my mods - long post, looking for opinions
My goals - reliable, good hp (would be happy with 525-540 rwhp), very streetable, easy on valvetrain, and sound good but not too radical+ hoping to pass emissions (effective this year we've gone to obdii testing, no longer tailpipe and I'm not due for 2 years)
My car - 2008 Z with 6000 miles only - don't tease, we have winters
So let's start with the heart - the CAM. Listing six but my gut tells me I'm down to four which I'll bold - listing as much detail as I know
1) TSP LS7s - 242/250, 650/650, 114+3 . range 2-7000 rpm - gut tells a little much
2) Lethal Racing Phantom - 228/248, 622-652, 114
3) Katech Torquer 110 - 220/244, 615/648, 110+4
4) Katech Torquer 116 - 220/244, 615/648, 116 - gut tells me not enough sweet cam sound
5) Livernois Stage 2 - 228/240, 623/644, 114
6) Livernois Stage 2B - 230/244, 627/648, 116
**** Cam prices approx $400-$500 ********
- ATI SuperDamper LS7- # 918620 - $500
- PRC 265 LS7 CNC w/ Ti Intake/ SS exhaust/ .675 springs - $3000 ** Also, should I mill to bump to 11.3-11.4 CR ? or stay stock 11.0 ?
- GM LS7 Head Gaskets - TSP # 28-12582179 x 2 - $80
- ARP Head Bolt Kit - TSP # 46-134-3610 - $114
- GM Exhaust Gaskets - TSP # 28-12594171 x 2 $ 40
- C5R Timing Chain only - Katech HME - G68V-2 $ 150
- CHE Upgraded Rockers - from WCCH - Estimated Cost $600
- GM Gasket kit ( Timing/Crank seal/WaterPump/ GM LS7 balancer bolt) TSP # 28-LS7 CamGsKit $65
- Haltech MF103 Intake - not sure where to get yet. Est. $500
- Pushrods - TBD due to required length measurement but want a notch up in thickness ( 5/16" to 3/8" ) Est $150
- 180 or 160 deg T-stat $20 ?
* I'm assuming with low miles, lifters and trays will be fine *
Installation * Cost TBD for labour * plus required dyno tune
I'm down to 3:
- Katech
- Livernois
(both are 4 hrs over the border for me but maybe headaches coming back with stock parts/explainations etc)
- Local - DaSilva Motorsports - building a good reputation, and supposedly a good tuner named 'Arun' ?? Approx 45mins away which has many advantages just in case
Thoughts, opinions, part number errors etc............????
Am I missing anything?
I do plan to keep the stock exhaust with Mild to Wild for now........and one reason a little extra lift on the exhaust is a plus vs. Intake/Exhaust equal or close
thanks
My car - 2008 Z with 6000 miles only - don't tease, we have winters
So let's start with the heart - the CAM. Listing six but my gut tells me I'm down to four which I'll bold - listing as much detail as I know
1) TSP LS7s - 242/250, 650/650, 114+3 . range 2-7000 rpm - gut tells a little much
2) Lethal Racing Phantom - 228/248, 622-652, 114
3) Katech Torquer 110 - 220/244, 615/648, 110+4
4) Katech Torquer 116 - 220/244, 615/648, 116 - gut tells me not enough sweet cam sound
5) Livernois Stage 2 - 228/240, 623/644, 114
6) Livernois Stage 2B - 230/244, 627/648, 116
**** Cam prices approx $400-$500 ********
- ATI SuperDamper LS7- # 918620 - $500
- PRC 265 LS7 CNC w/ Ti Intake/ SS exhaust/ .675 springs - $3000 ** Also, should I mill to bump to 11.3-11.4 CR ? or stay stock 11.0 ?
- GM LS7 Head Gaskets - TSP # 28-12582179 x 2 - $80
- ARP Head Bolt Kit - TSP # 46-134-3610 - $114
- GM Exhaust Gaskets - TSP # 28-12594171 x 2 $ 40
- C5R Timing Chain only - Katech HME - G68V-2 $ 150
- CHE Upgraded Rockers - from WCCH - Estimated Cost $600
- GM Gasket kit ( Timing/Crank seal/WaterPump/ GM LS7 balancer bolt) TSP # 28-LS7 CamGsKit $65
- Haltech MF103 Intake - not sure where to get yet. Est. $500
- Pushrods - TBD due to required length measurement but want a notch up in thickness ( 5/16" to 3/8" ) Est $150
- 180 or 160 deg T-stat $20 ?
* I'm assuming with low miles, lifters and trays will be fine *
Installation * Cost TBD for labour * plus required dyno tune
I'm down to 3:
- Katech
- Livernois
(both are 4 hrs over the border for me but maybe headaches coming back with stock parts/explainations etc)
- Local - DaSilva Motorsports - building a good reputation, and supposedly a good tuner named 'Arun' ?? Approx 45mins away which has many advantages just in case
Thoughts, opinions, part number errors etc............????
Am I missing anything?
I do plan to keep the stock exhaust with Mild to Wild for now........and one reason a little extra lift on the exhaust is a plus vs. Intake/Exhaust equal or close
thanks
Last edited by RedZ4me; 02-17-2013 at 09:38 PM.
02-15-2013, 09:56 PM
#2
My goals - reliable, good hp (would be happy with 525-540 rwhp), very streetable, easy on valvetrain, and sound good but not too radical+ hoping to pass emissions (effective this year we've gone to obdii testing, no longer tailpipe and I'm not due for 2 years)
My car - 2008 Z with 6000 miles only - don't tease, we have winters
So let's start with the heart - the CAM. Listing six but my gut tells me I'm down to two which I'll bold - listing as much detail as I know
1) TSP LS7s - 242/250, 650/650, 114+3 . range 2-7000 rpm - gut tells a little much
2) GM Stage 3 - 233/276(yes 276, maybe error on Katech site?), 630-630, 107+4 - gut tells me too radical
3) Katech Torquer 110 - 220/244, 615/648, 110+4
4) Katech Torquer 116 - 220/244, 615/648, 116 - gut tells me not enough sweet cam sound
5) Livernois Stage 2 - 228/240, 623/644, 114
6) Livernois Stage 2r - 230/244, 627/648, 116
**** Cam prices approx $400-$500 ********
- ATI SuperDamper LS7- # 918620 - $500
- PRC 265 LS7 CNC w/ Ti Intake/ SS exhaust/ .675 springs - $3000 ** Also, should I mill to bump to 11.3-11.4 CR ? or stay stock 11.0 ?
- GM LS7 Head Gaskets - TSP # 28-12582179 x 2 - $80
- ARP Head Bolt Kit - TSP # 46-134-3610 - $114
- GM Exhaust Gaskets - TSP # 28-12594171 x 2 $ 40
- C5R Timing Chain only - Katech HME - G68V-2 $ 150
- CHE Upgraded Rockers - from WCCH - Estimated Cost $600
- GM Gasket kit ( Timing/Crank seal/WaterPump/ GM LS7 balancer bolt) TSP # 28-LS7 CamGsKit $65
- Haltech MF103 Intake - not sure where to get yet. Est. $500
- Pushrods - TBD due to required length measurement but want a notch up in thickness ( 5/16" to 3/8" ) Est $150
* I'm assuming with low miles, lifters and trays will be fine *
Installation * Cost TBD for labour * plus required dyno tune
I'm down to 3:
- Katech
- Livernois
(both are 4 hrs over the border for me but maybe headaches coming back with stock parts/explainations etc)
- Local - DaSilva Motorsports - building a good reputation, and supposedly a good tuner named 'Arun' ?? Approx 45mins away which has many advantages just in case
Thoughts, opinions, part number errors etc............????
Am I missing anything?
I do plan to keep the stock exhaust with Mild to Wild for now........and one reason a little extra lift on the exhaust is a plus vs. Intake/Exhaust equal or close
thanks
My car - 2008 Z with 6000 miles only - don't tease, we have winters
So let's start with the heart - the CAM. Listing six but my gut tells me I'm down to two which I'll bold - listing as much detail as I know
1) TSP LS7s - 242/250, 650/650, 114+3 . range 2-7000 rpm - gut tells a little much
2) GM Stage 3 - 233/276(yes 276, maybe error on Katech site?), 630-630, 107+4 - gut tells me too radical
3) Katech Torquer 110 - 220/244, 615/648, 110+4
4) Katech Torquer 116 - 220/244, 615/648, 116 - gut tells me not enough sweet cam sound
5) Livernois Stage 2 - 228/240, 623/644, 114
6) Livernois Stage 2r - 230/244, 627/648, 116
**** Cam prices approx $400-$500 ********
- ATI SuperDamper LS7- # 918620 - $500
- PRC 265 LS7 CNC w/ Ti Intake/ SS exhaust/ .675 springs - $3000 ** Also, should I mill to bump to 11.3-11.4 CR ? or stay stock 11.0 ?
- GM LS7 Head Gaskets - TSP # 28-12582179 x 2 - $80
- ARP Head Bolt Kit - TSP # 46-134-3610 - $114
- GM Exhaust Gaskets - TSP # 28-12594171 x 2 $ 40
- C5R Timing Chain only - Katech HME - G68V-2 $ 150
- CHE Upgraded Rockers - from WCCH - Estimated Cost $600
- GM Gasket kit ( Timing/Crank seal/WaterPump/ GM LS7 balancer bolt) TSP # 28-LS7 CamGsKit $65
- Haltech MF103 Intake - not sure where to get yet. Est. $500
- Pushrods - TBD due to required length measurement but want a notch up in thickness ( 5/16" to 3/8" ) Est $150
* I'm assuming with low miles, lifters and trays will be fine *
Installation * Cost TBD for labour * plus required dyno tune
I'm down to 3:
- Katech
- Livernois
(both are 4 hrs over the border for me but maybe headaches coming back with stock parts/explainations etc)
- Local - DaSilva Motorsports - building a good reputation, and supposedly a good tuner named 'Arun' ?? Approx 45mins away which has many advantages just in case
Thoughts, opinions, part number errors etc............????
Am I missing anything?
I do plan to keep the stock exhaust with Mild to Wild for now........and one reason a little extra lift on the exhaust is a plus vs. Intake/Exhaust equal or close
thanks
How is one vendor going to feel about installing another's parts , and standing behind the work?
If something goes bad, later on down the road, is the installer going to point the finger at the part which is not his, or is the company which makes and sells the part going to point the finger at the installer?
There is a lot of stuff on that parts list that I wouldn't bother with. Unnecessary expense, aside from other reasons, but that's just me.
02-15-2013, 10:02 PM
#3
Le Mans Master
Thread Starter
^^^^
good point Quick, another reason if I stick with my list, my local option is best. If I do go u.s. side, yes, I will have to revisit my list. Katech won't install a Livernois cam and vise versa..........pretty sure my local guy would be fine with the parts mix.
good point Quick, another reason if I stick with my list, my local option is best. If I do go u.s. side, yes, I will have to revisit my list. Katech won't install a Livernois cam and vise versa..........pretty sure my local guy would be fine with the parts mix.
02-16-2013, 05:16 PM
#4
Le Mans Master
Thread Starter
Not feeling the love 
02-16-2013, 05:27 PM
#6
Sorry, no specific feedback on any of these parts, but have you been in a car with any of those cams?
I recently got a ride in a Katech Torquer 110 car and while drivability seemed quite good (nearly stock-ish), I did not like its idle characteristics. There were a few other variables at play (lack of sound deadening, exhaust system, etc) in the demonstration car but I thought it made the car a little rougher around the edges than I wanted for my own car. It just seemed a little too loud just idling at 1000rpm at a stop light. Don't get me wrong, it was a beautiful and well setup car. For the owner's needs it seemed to be perfect, but as an occasional weekend warrior, I'd rather be a little conservative than overly aggressive and I'm fortunate he was willing to show me his car.
In the end, I wanted a cam before, specifically the 110, now slightly hesitant after that experience. Would be open to looking at a more stock-ish car with a 110 or a car with a 116 before writing it off completely though.
I recently got a ride in a Katech Torquer 110 car and while drivability seemed quite good (nearly stock-ish), I did not like its idle characteristics. There were a few other variables at play (lack of sound deadening, exhaust system, etc) in the demonstration car but I thought it made the car a little rougher around the edges than I wanted for my own car. It just seemed a little too loud just idling at 1000rpm at a stop light. Don't get me wrong, it was a beautiful and well setup car. For the owner's needs it seemed to be perfect, but as an occasional weekend warrior, I'd rather be a little conservative than overly aggressive and I'm fortunate he was willing to show me his car.
In the end, I wanted a cam before, specifically the 110, now slightly hesitant after that experience. Would be open to looking at a more stock-ish car with a 110 or a car with a 116 before writing it off completely though.
Gotta go big or go home
02-16-2013, 08:39 PM
#9
Le Mans Master
Thread Starter
02-16-2013, 08:43 PM
#10
Le Mans Master
Thread Starter
Sorry, no specific feedback on any of these parts, but have you been in a car with any of those cams?
I recently got a ride in a Katech Torquer 110 car and while drivability seemed quite good (nearly stock-ish), I did not like its idle characteristics. There were a few other variables at play (lack of sound deadening, exhaust system, etc) in the demonstration car but I thought it made the car a little rougher around the edges than I wanted for my own car. It just seemed a little too loud just idling at 1000rpm at a stop light. Don't get me wrong, it was a beautiful and well setup car. For the owner's needs it seemed to be perfect, but as an occasional weekend warrior, I'd rather be a little conservative than overly aggressive and I'm fortunate he was willing to show me his car.
In the end, I wanted a cam before, specifically the 110, now slightly hesitant after that experience. Would be open to looking at a more stock-ish car with a 110 or a car with a 116 before writing it off completely though.
I recently got a ride in a Katech Torquer 110 car and while drivability seemed quite good (nearly stock-ish), I did not like its idle characteristics. There were a few other variables at play (lack of sound deadening, exhaust system, etc) in the demonstration car but I thought it made the car a little rougher around the edges than I wanted for my own car. It just seemed a little too loud just idling at 1000rpm at a stop light. Don't get me wrong, it was a beautiful and well setup car. For the owner's needs it seemed to be perfect, but as an occasional weekend warrior, I'd rather be a little conservative than overly aggressive and I'm fortunate he was willing to show me his car.
In the end, I wanted a cam before, specifically the 110, now slightly hesitant after that experience. Would be open to looking at a more stock-ish car with a 110 or a car with a 116 before writing it off completely though.
02-16-2013, 09:24 PM
#11
Melting Slicks
GM Stage 3 Cam too big
Way too much overlap on street.
02-16-2013, 11:06 PM
#12
Team Owner
Sorry, no specific feedback on any of these parts, but have you been in a car with any of those cams?
I recently got a ride in a Katech Torquer 110 car and while drivability seemed quite good (nearly stock-ish), I did not like its idle characteristics. There were a few other variables at play (lack of sound deadening, exhaust system, etc) in the demonstration car but I thought it made the car a little rougher around the edges than I wanted for my own car. It just seemed a little too loud just idling at 1000rpm at a stop light. Don't get me wrong, it was a beautiful and well setup car. For the owner's needs it seemed to be perfect, but as an occasional weekend warrior, I'd rather be a little conservative than overly aggressive and I'm fortunate he was willing to show me his car.
In the end, I wanted a cam before, specifically the 110, now slightly hesitant after that experience. Would be open to looking at a more stock-ish car with a 110 or a car with a 116 before writing it off completely though.
I recently got a ride in a Katech Torquer 110 car and while drivability seemed quite good (nearly stock-ish), I did not like its idle characteristics. There were a few other variables at play (lack of sound deadening, exhaust system, etc) in the demonstration car but I thought it made the car a little rougher around the edges than I wanted for my own car. It just seemed a little too loud just idling at 1000rpm at a stop light. Don't get me wrong, it was a beautiful and well setup car. For the owner's needs it seemed to be perfect, but as an occasional weekend warrior, I'd rather be a little conservative than overly aggressive and I'm fortunate he was willing to show me his car.
In the end, I wanted a cam before, specifically the 110, now slightly hesitant after that experience. Would be open to looking at a more stock-ish car with a 110 or a car with a 116 before writing it off completely though.
116 would be my choice for streetability and stock driveability IMHO. Also; OP, I didn't see a ported TB and intake manifold on your list.
02-17-2013, 01:03 AM
#16
FYI, if you can wait, you can send in your current head to TSP and they can run the 265 program on them and build them to your specs. New guides, milling if desired, stainless steel exhaust valves, etc. it will run you ALOT less than 3K even installed.
Also, for cam choice, I truly think it comes down to what you want to compromise. If you want great drivability, the Katech torquer 116 is the way to go, but you will be compromising on power compared to the other cams you have listed. If more power is what you'd like, the TSP cam is going to put it down, but drivability will be compromised. Just think about what you'd be willing to live with.
Also, I know for most forum members here the CHE has been the choice for trunnion upgrade, but Comps setup is nice as well. Also, trunnion upgrades are easy to install no matter which you choose. Personally, I have done one recently with a friend and it took less than an hour. Seriously, $600 is ridiculous! Texas Speed does also offer the service of installing the trunnion upgrade and it will set you back less than $100 on top of the trunnion kit.
With lifters and trays being as cheap as they are, replace them as well. You would hate it if you changed everything on the top side and had a used lifter fail on you, b/c you didn't want to spend the extra $200 for trays and new LS7 lifters. Doing this work you're looking at 4-5k (exchanging your heads) with parts install and tune, $200 in lifters and trays mine as well be in that cost.
Just my .02.
Also, for cam choice, I truly think it comes down to what you want to compromise. If you want great drivability, the Katech torquer 116 is the way to go, but you will be compromising on power compared to the other cams you have listed. If more power is what you'd like, the TSP cam is going to put it down, but drivability will be compromised. Just think about what you'd be willing to live with.
Also, I know for most forum members here the CHE has been the choice for trunnion upgrade, but Comps setup is nice as well. Also, trunnion upgrades are easy to install no matter which you choose. Personally, I have done one recently with a friend and it took less than an hour. Seriously, $600 is ridiculous! Texas Speed does also offer the service of installing the trunnion upgrade and it will set you back less than $100 on top of the trunnion kit.
With lifters and trays being as cheap as they are, replace them as well. You would hate it if you changed everything on the top side and had a used lifter fail on you, b/c you didn't want to spend the extra $200 for trays and new LS7 lifters. Doing this work you're looking at 4-5k (exchanging your heads) with parts install and tune, $200 in lifters and trays mine as well be in that cost.
Just my .02.
02-17-2013, 01:19 AM
#17
Le Mans Master
Thread Starter
02-17-2013, 01:20 AM
#18
Le Mans Master
Thread Starter
02-17-2013, 01:22 AM
#19
Le Mans Master
Thread Starter
02-17-2013, 01:27 AM
#20
Le Mans Master
Thread Starter
Can anyone explain the torquer 110 duration........110+4 ? This mean it's a 110 or a 114? If it's a 110, i may go the Livernois stage 2 which is 114 and sound clips do exist for it on youtube........specs are close other than that