At what point are too many miles to start modifications on the LS1? I'm not talking major mods, just headers, converter, 12 bolt w/373's and maybe a cam.
When should you consider pulling the motor and refreshening to do these mods?

 

The stock bottom ends on the LS1 can take a pretty good beating. If you are only planning on running headers and a cam, that is not that bad. My friend has a heads/cam/rockers/and 150 shot LS1 and this is all on the stock bottom end. No problems whatsoever. Still,you can never eliminate the chance of something happening and thus being prepared for that in the future. Some people have mild bolt-ons and junk their motors, others run forced induction with all of the supporting mods and their motors are as healthy as the day they left the showroom floor. It just depends on your luck I guess.

 

Yep, just depends. If the car is driven hard and racedn regularly, things can get tired in as little at 50,000 miles.

 

yup all depends how the car was treated, how many miles are on the car you wanna mod...? what size cam are you thinking about?

 

This car is an '01 and just at 50,000 miles. Never been to the track and to be honest I drive it like a little old lady most of the time. I do blow the smoke out of it once or twice a week but it's really been babied. Just want it to be a little quicker and then I'll take it out and see what it'll do. As far as the cam goes, whatever will work best but it is a daily driver to work, school, grocery store and trips out of state each year so it must idle well [it's an A4] and be docile enough to make those 600 or so mile trips. I love the sound of a big lopey cam and had plenty way back when I had several big block cars but whatever works best. Thanks for all the help with this.

 

So it sounds more like you want a cam just for the lope? Hell if that's all you want get a Hotcam and drill a bigger hole in the throttle body butterfly. It's a good loping cam when untuned, and won't make enough power to worry about breaking anything