So I'm about to pick up my second LS1 after not having owned one for 6 years , but I'm very excited to get back into these vehicles. The car is a 2002 M6 TA WS6 with custom catback, y-pipe, and K+N FIPK II Cold Air/Ram air, and larger fuel pump.

I eventually plan to do a H/C build and maybe fi, so I'm just trying to decide where to start. Here are my thoughts:

Option 1:
F.A.S.T LSX 102mm manifold + F.A.S.T 102mm TB -$1175
TSP Longtubes -$500
B+M Ripper Shifter or Pro 5.0 (which one is better? I had one on my mustang and can't remember which...didn't like it very much) + handle approx -$210
SLP smooth bellows -$65

$1950

Option 2:
Polished Holley manifold -$650
TSP Longtubes -$500
B+M Ripper Shifter or Pro 5.0 + handle approx -$210
SLP smooth bellows -$65
SLP weld-in Subframes -$250
BMR adjustable panhard rod with poly ends -$150
Any brand strut tower brace -$75-150

approx $1900

Option 3:
H/C package from TSP -$1600-1900

Option 4:
BMR stage 2 handling package -$1400 link for everything that's included
BMR Stage 2 handling package

Spohn adjustable torque arm $-300-$555 (standard or pro-series?)
Lower control arms $200

approx $1900-$2050


Option 1 would be really just to finish bolt-ons before I get into H/C, fi, or suspension. I'm wondering if I should do the intake at the same time as heads and cam though? Also I know 02's have ls6 manifold already so is an upgrade even necessary (keep in mind I plan for fi down the line)

Other thoughts would be pulley's (but I'm not really into the idea of underdriving my accesories) and 4.10 gears, but I plan to go with a moser 12 bolt in the future, and also I really like the streetability of 3.42's on my old ls1. Any thoughts on these would be great as well. Thanks!

 

Stock fuel rails will not work with the FAST 102. You need to add the cost of that. The y-pipe you have now will not work with the TSP headers. Add the cost of a y-pipe. Smooth bellows is a waste of money, subtract that.

The Holley manifold is no better than what you've got stock, so don't bother. Again... y-pipe and bellows, see above.

Don't forget that you'll need headers, y-pipe, and a tune.

Waste of money on stock tires.

$2000 will buy you headers, y-pipe, and all parts necessary for a cam swap including a tune. Just remember to buy a cam that will work with the heads you plan on buying in the future (or FI setup).

 

Couldn't you essentially have any y pipe custom welded into any headers? Sorry if thats a dumb question. The tires are brand new firestone firehawks with less than 100 miles. I plan to get a set of wheels/tires as well but did not include that in this list. What type of tires are you referring to exactly? DR's? Slicks?

 

Attempting to make a stock y-pipe or a "custom" y-pipe designed for stock manifolds fit long tube headers may be possible. However it will require a LOT of work and look stupid, AND more than likely require additional piping to accomodate all the different bends. Just get a y-pipe designed for the long tube headers, it's easier. And whatever you do, DO NOT weld the y-pipe to the headers!!!!

I'm not referring to drag radials or slicks. I'm referring to a high performance street tire. All that suspension work will do you no good if you don't have a decent tire to make the package work. Wouldn't adding in the cost of wheels/tires break your $2000 budget?

 

Well it's not really a "budget" of $2000, I have thousands of dollars that I could essentially use for the car, that 2k limit is just a start for performance parts.

I didn't want to include any labor or cosmetics in this post because I already know what I am going to do concerning those things. Plus my wife wouldn't be very happy if I dropped 5 g's on racing parts right off the bat lol. It's easier to justify if I break it up over time and across different mediums.

 

this: $2000 will buy you headers, y-pipe, and all parts necessary for a cam swap including a tune. Just remember to buy a cam that will work with the heads you plan on buying in the future or FI. by marc 85z28

Or do an aftermarket rear now. if you plan future HP mods (heads/cam or more); you'll need it.

 

Option 3 for sure.

It already has an LS6 intake. It will flow more then good enough for a cam/head only car. Also throw in the cost to have it DYno tuned.

What "I" would do if it were my car. I actually did on my past 1998 Z28 a4. Air lid, hooker catback, NOS 5177 dry kit, 3.42s, and Nittos. It ran an 11.5s 11.8s. I later installed long tubes and they didnt better my track times. It sounded better though. The stock rear end couldnt handle this, I kept snapping the ring/penion. I had to upgrade to a 12 bolt. Then I snapped my torque arm and had to get a BMR. Nitrous exposed all the weak links.

With the NOS and drag radials you should be running mid/high 11s, if its an automatic. If its a 6speed I give it low 12s, mabey an 11.9.

 

nvm I bought an 06 ls2 gto lol.

 

I would do heads/cam/headers/y-pipe/tune to any LS powered car you get. Get like a 224/224 cam that will work fine with FI and still give you good power to the ground. Do the intake when you have some extra cash, but I wouldn't worry about that for now.

-Geoff

 

Yeah I'm thinking that's what I'm gonna do to my gto, however I spent 8k more for this than I was going to on the trans am...so I don't really have extra cash to spend now..well I do but I don't want to yet. The only reason I got the gto is because I wanted something newer with a little more space, and it was SUPER low mileage.