Z06 heads & cam on LS1 + Cheap HP?
 

This may be a question already covered but I can't find the answer. Let's say you have a later model LS1 with the LS6 intake already and you just replace the heads and cam from a stock Z06 would you not pick up some cheap @50 HP over a stock LS1?

The ZO6 heads flow better, have higher compression, and bigger valves. They also have slightly bigger injectors and a different tune. So,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,if you addressed all above,,,,yes, you would increase power.

BC

:withstupid:

However, unless you get the parts really cheap and you can do the labor yourself. It is not worth the money. A mild H/C package will easily give you a lot more power.

OK, so let's put the labor aside and just look at the parts.

What are used heads and a cam worth?
Can you not use the valve trane from the LS1?

I would think you could do this for under $750 parts and gaskets.

Compared to the H/C kits this seems like a good deal for the money

used LS6 cams seem to go for - $100 to $200
used LS6 heads seem to go for - between $400 to $600
so, your estimate isn't far off... cheap reliable horsepower for sure, but depending on your mileage, you may want to go for a new oil pump and timing chain, and may as well get some headers too while you're at it, the std rockers will work, I have lots of friends running that set up...
if you're newer than '02, the intake and injectors are the same as an LS6, otherwise, you'll be happier if you change them too...

Its your call, but it is not worth it to me unless you can do the labor yourself. That also assumes that you won't need a new tune. You are looking at 40sh rwhp for $750.00 in parts and another $300 min if you need a tune. A decent H/C package will get you a lot more and if you want more HP in the future, all that time and money was just wasted as you will have to ditch all of those parts.

Is the '02 intake the same on LS1 and LS6?

Keeping everything at the lowest cost could you not leave the stock exhaust manifolds? Are they not the same as the Z06?

Remember I'm talking about picking up cheap 50HP :smash:

'02 and intakes / injectors are the same as a Z06, the exhaust manifolds are not the same on an LS1 and LS6 off a Z06
as for a tune, if you have a friend with HP Tuners, there's prob a bazillion Z06 tunes stored somewhere, just download it and go... it would work ok

Cheap, only if you're doing the labor, and the parts are used/cheap. Remember, the stock ZO6 valvesprings are a weak area, and when you add the cost of replacing them, maybe a set of used brand name, or "budget" 243 based aftermarket heads, becomes a more viable option. I wouldn't use a ZO6 factory cam, because for all the effort needed to change cams, and the low relative cost of camshafts, a 224-228@ 114 is a WAY better performer. If you're doing engine mods, you really should consider headers as your first step.

:iagree: If your going to pull out the cam, spring for a better cam. Have a MOD party and invite some corvette friends over and do all the work at home. Up grade the springs to patriot gold springs if you get a used set of 243's

Find a friend with HP Tuners or EFI Live and purchase a license and have them tune it for you. A road tune is very good.

Bill

You can buy brand new 243 heads for $600.00, I wouldn't mess with used.

where can you get those from?

and everything else just bolts on to those heads from a stock ls1 engine correct?

Look on the auction site, just type in 243 heads and you'll get a ton of listings. As long as you have the later model LS1 heads with the center bolts, everything bolts right up.

I am pretty sure that 2001 and up LS1 exhaust manifolds are the same as a Z06!

you have a good point :cheers:

Just to clarify a couple things.
The exhaust manifolds on your '02 are exactly the same as the Z. But the H-pipe behind the manifolds has 4 cats, the Z only has 2 cats.
The X mufflers are less restrictive.
The Z has the screens off the MAF, and of course has the cool air screens in the bumper. Other than that, the intake manifold is identical, and the heads/cam will bolt right on. So, you will lose a bit of the Z power with the LS1 intake/exhaust
I agree with the guys here; use the Z heads, but change the springs even if you go with the stock cam. So, that justifies a good aftermarket cam and springs, and you will see 15 HP more for not too much money.

DG

spend the $300 dollars and get a better cam. Dont go any smaller then the TR224. your labor wont me worth the gain on the cam swap.

i doubt youll see 40 HP just switching to ZO6 heads and cam

Don't forget the gaskets and other related items needed for the swap-$75-100. Probably need a valve job also. Even if labor is free it is not worth it for 50 or so HP in my opinion. Add $500 bucks for a good dyno tune to get the horses out of the stuff you put on and I feel it would be better to save your money up for a real H/C pkg.

a H/C pkg is much more money than this! Besides you can get new Z06 heads for $600.

I agree with others on the cam/spings. That would be good money spent!

The idea here is to compare this set up and cost to a high end H/C package cost. I'm sure the other package will produce more HP but at what cost?