Thinking about the different mods to add : Turbo or Heads/Headers?

[2000LS1Z28]

When I return from boot camp, and some IT training i'll have a $2K bonus to spend on my car. I'll most likely also save money as well. I've seen some used STS kits online for less then $2K. The one thing that really turns me off about the STS kit is that everyone knows you've got one. It's clear as day in the back of the car, and the car loses it's sleeper appeal. When I initially got my car I planned on making it somewhat of a sleeper. I wanted people to think that it was stock, or mildly modded if at best.

At the same point in time I can just slap on a turbo, injectors, fuel pressure regulator and a tune and see 500whp easy. That's enough to take on most people on the street.

If I got heads and headers for my car, with it's Z06 cam i'd be looking at 400whp. That's not bad, but at best it would most likely be a mid to low 12 sec. car without weight reduction. It would be easy to hide my mods though.

What is your guys advise? I want to hear someone convince me to go with the turbo or heads/headers. Please list your reasons why.

[Mr. Luos]

I am going to try to crash right now, so I will give a more lengthly answer tomorrow sometime mid-day.
But the way I look at it, your car can't be a sleeper. I know what you mean though, you are looking for the stock look to surprise people.

Most higher power mods show themselves either when running or because they are visable.

There are cams out there now that are made to make power but be tame sounding. Good set of heads is easy to cover up.
Another thing....low 12's is still faster than damn near anything you will run up against.

[79Bandit]

i think your best bet is a cam headers and heads...im not up for the whole turbo thing not my cup of tee i like the whole all throttle thing but yea i think it would be a lot better in the long run to just upgrade the internals, then it would be to boost it, what kind of heads are you looking at getting? and if your looking into drag racing dont thing that its all in the engine...dont forget to beef up your suspension a little.

[2000LS1Z28]

Trust me, I go to the track often. I know that suspension plays a large part in the 1/4 mile. I've already got lower control arms, panhard rod, and strut tower brace. My next upgrades will most likely be subframe connectors, torque arm, and adjustable shocks/struts.

I love the idea of boost, but quite frankly i'm not really sold on the high compression and turbo power. Some of the members on LS1tech are saying that you can't run anymore then 7psi if you want the engine to last. I also like more linear power, versus break neck power, which is hard to put to the ground. All my buddies with high horsepower turbo cars have trouble controlling their cars even with drag radials.

Dunno though. I'm still thinking of what to do. I could also get a stroker. I would think that the car would still sound stock, but i'm not sure.

[Mr. Luos]

There you go.
Stroker.

Decent heads, small cam (228 range).
440 RWHP with a fairly stock sound if you set-up the exhaust right.

[2000LS1Z28]

Yeah i'm thinking 383 with a 224 cam. I would think that with long tubes I could see possibly 420-440whp. As stated I want it to be incognito. I'd love to surprise my friends with it. I've got a buddy that i'd like to beat street racing wise.

[poormillionaire2]

I would go with the all-motor heads/cam and other bolt-ons instead of forced induction. A stroker kit would work well too. I just think that anything that can shorten the life of the engine is a bad idea. But that's just me and I don't have money to replace major engine parts. Besides, nothing is sexier than an all-motor 10 (or 11) second pass in a capable daily driver car.

[DarkblueTA]

Originally Posted by 2000LS1Z28

Trust me, I go to the track often. I know that suspension plays a large part in the 1/4 mile. I've already got lower control arms, panhard rod, and strut tower brace. My next upgrades will most likely be subframe connectors, torque arm, and adjustable shocks/struts. .

Good start...keep the suspension parts going.

Originally Posted by 2000LS1Z28

I love the idea of boost, but quite frankly i'm not really sold on the high compression and turbo power. Some of the members on LS1tech are saying that you can't run anymore then 7psi if you want the engine to last. I also like more linear power, versus break neck power, which is hard to put to the ground. All my buddies with high horsepower turbo cars have trouble controlling their cars even with drag radials. .

PSI is just backpressure in the intake track. as long as you have enough fuel and the engine doesn't knock, it should last a while even on the stock bottom end. Look at me, I went almost 70k on the stock engine with boost.

Originally Posted by 2000LS1Z28

Dunno though. I'm still thinking of what to do. I could also get a stroker. I would think that the car would still sound stock, but i'm not sure.

Me, I love FI. I would save some more $$$ up. If you can work on the car and do it yourself, do it. Here is what you have to ask yourself.

1. How much power do you want/how fast do you want to go?
2. How much $$ do you want to spend?
3. Who is going to work on your car...you or someone else?
4. Supporting mods. Injectors, bolt on stuff, tune, etc.

What I would do if I were you, is all the bolt ons(Lid;LS6 intake if you don't have an 01/02 car) for now. Then after that decide if you want heads/cam or turbo. I would NOT get a bigger TB, Fast intake or bigger MAF. Your TB is more then big enough for 346ci engines as well as the FAST doesn't show any gains over LS6 intake for your engine iether. MAF, use the stocker...make sure that whoever does the programming tunes that table in also. Just my advice. If you want a turbo, have an easy 8k back. 2k for a used kit, + injectors + fuel pump + (I would seriously put in an intercooler and alky-water injection) + tune as a minimum. It should put you near 4k for all that plus install of the parts(say another 1k). and You're up to 5. The other 3k can be used for 1. any other items you may need or 2. a new forged bottom end. Good luck in whatever you chose. If you need any help with FI questions, hit me up on AIM

[2000LS1Z28]

Originally Posted by DarkblueTA

Good start...keep the suspension parts going.




PSI is just backpressure in the intake track. as long as you have enough fuel and the engine doesn't knock, it should last a while even on the stock bottom end. Look at me, I went almost 70k on the stock engine with boost.



Me, I love FI. I would save some more $$$ up. If you can work on the car and do it yourself, do it. Here is what you have to ask yourself.

1. How much power do you want/how fast do you want to go?
2. How much $$ do you want to spend?
3. Who is going to work on your car...you or someone else?
4. Supporting mods. Injectors, bolt on stuff, tune, etc.

What I would do if I were you, is all the bolt ons(Lid;LS6 intake if you don't have an 01/02 car) for now. Then after that decide if you want heads/cam or turbo. I would NOT get a bigger TB, Fast intake or bigger MAF. Your TB is more then big enough for 346ci engines as well as the FAST doesn't show any gains over LS6 intake for your engine iether. MAF, use the stocker...make sure that whoever does the programming tunes that table in also. Just my advice. If you want a turbo, have an easy 8k back. 2k for a used kit, + injectors + fuel pump + (I would seriously put in an intercooler and alky-water injection) + tune as a minimum. It should put you near 4k for all that plus install of the parts(say another 1k). and You're up to 5. The other 3k can be used for 1. any other items you may need or 2. a new forged bottom end. Good luck in whatever you chose. If you need any help with FI questions, hit me up on AIM

My car is already modded lightly and tuned.

I'm thinking along these lines right now:
Patriot LS6 Heads ($1195)
Pacesetter Long Tube Headers ($400)
Fuel Pump
Z06 MAF (Buddy can get it for me really cheap)
Possibly Larger Injectors
High Flow Catalytic Converter

and a few other minor bolt ons.

My buddy told me I might see a little over 400whp with those mods, and the car will sound completely stock

[DarkblueTA]

Originally Posted by 2000LS1Z28

My car is already modded lightly and tuned.

I'm thinking along these lines right now:
Patriot LS6 Heads ($1195)
Pacesetter Long Tube Headers ($400)
Fuel Pump
Z06 MAF (Buddy can get it for me really cheap)
Possibly Larger Injectors
High Flow Catalytic Converter

and a few other minor bolt ons.

My buddy told me I might see a little over 400whp with those mods, and the car will sound completely stock

Z06 Maf = waste of $$
If you're decide'n on heads/cam, then the LS6 heads are perfect. If you want boost, I'd look at a set of 6.0 heads. Pacesetters are fine, I have them on my TA. Remember the Ypipe though. High flow cats are good option also. Can't go wrong with fuel mods unless their to small but I wouldn't do anything there until you decide on FI or h/c package. No use doing it over. Good luck with it.