Boosting Horsepower

[hardtopcage]

Hi Mike,

Mike, I was wondering if you could recommend a good set of cams, heads, pushrods and intake manifold to use on my 1999 hardtop LS1? I would like to bring it up to at least 425 hp. And, would you be able to do the job? I'll pick up the parts you tell me to get.:chevy:

[MKOTZE]

Hello Hardtopcage, I saw your post and will be getting back to you with recommendations on parts. I'm checking into them now. In regards to me doing the job, that is a possibility. You can contact me at my e-mail address,Kotze@enter.net, to discuss details. I'll be getting back to you soon with the parts list. Have a good day.:chevy: MKOTZE

[MKOTZE]

Originally posted by hardtopcage
Hi Mike,

Mike, I was wondering if you could recommend a good set of cams, heads, pushrods and intake manifold to use on my 1999 hardtop LS1? I would like to bring it up to at least 425 hp. And, would you be able to do the job? I'll pick up the parts you tell me to get.:chevy: Hi Hardtopcage, You are correct in order to get your 1999 C'5 engine up to 425hp the minimum requirements you would need is to replace the cam, heads, and the intake manifold. As well as the aircleaner system, the mass airflow sensor, engine thermostat and you would need to upgrade the exhaust system. There are several companies who market these items. However, I would recommend the following three as they are comparatively close in pricing and quality. SLP Performance Parts WWW.slponline.com or West Coast Corvette WWW.westcoastcorvette.com or go to father larry's home page an click into Lingenfelter Performance Engineering. All three companies offer CNC ported version of the LS1 cylinder heads and matching cam shaft. They all offer the intake manifold which is a LS6 intake. As for the air cleaner if you still have the stock version I would recommend The Donaldson High Flow C5 Air Filter. The mass airflow sensor is a LS6 High-Flow sensor. The engine thermostat should be either a 172 degree or a 160 degree. As far as the exhaust system goes there are several options and not knowing if you have a stock system would be too involved to get into now. But you would need to upgrade from the catalytic converter back. Optionally you could add exhaust headers. Other optional items would be to upgrade the throttle body to a 1030 CFM and a hIGH-flow airduct from the mass airflow sensor to the throttle body. Another option would be to upgrade to MSD 8.5 ignition wires. In reference to me doing the job, I would be willing and we could work out the details by e-mail contact me at Kotze@enter.net.Hope to hear from you soon.:chevy: MKOTZE

[hardtopcage]

Hi Mike,

I really do appreciate the time and effort you made in getting back to me. I definitely want to get together with you, but a friend of mine is parting out a 2002 Z06. I know you'll ask, why would he do that? Well, he rolled it over and bought it back from the insurance company, but now he doesn't want to fix it, so he is selling off the parts. It seems like the control arm when it rolled over, went into the engine block and cracked it. I guess that's why they totalled it, besides the body damage. He wants to sell me the heads, cam and intake manifold and whatever else I will need to bring it up to a 405. Plus the transmission and exhaust are good, so I could use that too. Are the exhaust manifolds the same as on my '99? Are the cats the same? Is the tranny the same? I don't want to buy anything that won't contribute to the hp, or is not compatible. Are the pistons, crank and block the same as the LS1? I tried to email you but the email came back. I'd rather go this way then go with some of the prices I've seen for the heads. I should be able to get a pretty good deal. Less than $1,000 for everything. Oh, by the way, do I need the computer from the 2002, and is it compatible? Thanks Mike, you really know your stuff. Looking forward to putting this all together.:chevy:

[MKOTZE]

Hi Hardtopcage, Wow what an opportunity to be able to acquire so many good parts. Ok, Let's see Basically you will want everything you can get that is not damaged. Starting with the mass air flow sensor and working your way back. Almost every part on the LS6 is different and better than what's on the LS1. Although, I mentioned about getting only undamaged parts. I think it would be best if you bought the complete engine assembly as there may be salvagable parts that we may need to complete the job. It also guarantees that none of the parts are damaged during there removal. However, if you really are opposed to buying the entire engine these are the things you absolutely could use. Starting with the MAF sensor,throttle body assembly, intake manifold, the fuel rail and injectors, the cylinder heads, the cam shaft, the lifters(it is important to keep the lifters in order so you know which lifters went to which cam lobes),exhaust manifolds, coolant pipes between cylinder heads,complete exhaust system including the catalytic converters. You would want the computer but I cannot guarantee that it will work with your 99 according to how it was calibrated. As for the transmission there is no difference, but the rear differential maybe beneficial to have according to what the ratio is. Sorry to hear the e-mail didn't work. Try it again so I can check if my server is working correctly or not. Let's make sure I typed it in correctly. Here it is again kotze@enter.net Let me know how you make out on the parts. :luxhello: :chevy: MKOTZE

[hardtopcage]

Ok Mike, all good suggestions. If I don't get the whole engine, when I take the lifters out, I'll line them up on a cardboard rack with the numbers of the cylinders they came out of, with the pushrods. He's away right now, so I'm waiting for him to get back. It probably pays to get the whole engine, but I don't know how much he's going to want. I'll keep you posted. I really have been on other forums and have never received as much help as I have gotten here. Thank you, Mike and thanks Father Larry for having Mike on board.:bowdown:

[hardtopcage]

Hi Mike,

He got back and he will sell me the engine for $1,500. That's a great price! I guess he'll come out a little ahead once he sells the rest of the parts. He'll get his money that he paid the insurance company for the buyback, plus a little more. I'm going to pull the engine out in two weeks, myself, and then I'll get back to you.:luxhello:

[MKOTZE]

Hey there Hardtopcage, WoW! Great price. Look forward to hearing from you in two weeks. If you need any advice about removing the engine let me know. Oh Yeah, just a reminder usually the engine can only come out the bottom with the front suspension. According to the damage you might get it out the top. Good Luck! :luxhello: :chevy: MKOTZE

[hardtopcage]

Thanks Mike,

I'm going to try to get the rear off of him too. But, I think he's going to try to sell the rear clip, because its in good shape. I know the gear ratio is different on the Z06. I'll keep you posted.:chevy: