I need a big favor ya'll.. Im not familar with what I need.. I know exactly what a cylinder head does but i need help choosing the right 1 for me. I have a price range from 1000- alittle over 1500.. I want to push 400HP and be able to drive the car daily.. In other words i wanna SSmoke a SC cobra.. I know a h/c would be cool but i live in CALI.. restrictions!! NO headers.. I need to know the best place for cheap heads and installation.. I live in the BAY AREA.. Oh yea i got a 2000 Camaro SS, A4.. HOLLA!!!

 

I'm guessing that the "400HP" is 400rwhp since you want to be able to beat a 03+ Cobra. Even though they were rated at 390HP, most dyno in the 360rwhp range. Anyways, to stay emissions-friendly and hit those numbers would be done easiest with a wet nitrous kit. You could also opt for tweaking the suspension and getting a stall convertor...

 

nitrous would be the easiest....a 100 shot would be an easy way to murder the cobra.

if you wanted to stay naturaly asspirated you can still do heads and cam and pass emissions...actually 400hp doesn't even need heads probably.

i've heard alot of guys passing cali emissions with the thunder raciing 224 cam and a good tune.

you cold even go smaller and probaly still win if you dial in other things like suspension and torque converter.

 

I was just reading on a 'Vette forum the other day, and they got something like ~458 rwhp from a car, and it still passed emissions testing.

Simple heads/cam swap and I'm sure you'd still breeze through e-testing no problem. LS6 heads are a good step-up from stock LS1 heads...I just don't know the price difference between those and other aftermarket stuff? Same as the cam...the LS6 I've heard is relatively "cheap" in comparison to aftermarket cams.

 

The cali thing is killing ya, same w/ here in jersey....Id imagine go w/ the biggest cam you can probably tr 224 w/ a tune...shorties are basically useless on a LS1....probably gonna have to go the heads or FI route to get the power you want. Patriot Performance heads I believe are pretty cheap and have no core charge www.ls1speed.com
I wouldnt shoot for a Cobra though, cause remember w/ a simple pulley change and a few other small things there pushin around to 450 rwhp...and your back to square one...as far as a stocker you shouldnt need much to take one.

 

There is a local guy has a 2002 Z28 M6 that made 370 RWHP with:
25% Underdrive Pulley
581/592 224/230 XER 114LSA
Flowtech Headers and Y-pipe
QTEC Electric Cutout
Stock Muffler
Granatelli MAF
Whisper Air Lid

This was on the stock tune, with stock heads.

Also, if your goal is to beat a stock 03 ~ 04 Cobra, factor in the fact that they weight a couple hunderd more pounds than a F-Body, and you won't need to match one 100% RWHP for RWHP

 

if you want NA power, you have to do headers.. No way around it. Just get some LT and keep your stockies for smog time.

 

Also, just a thought:
Most people that purchased those cars, know how easy they are to modify I would think. So, an 03 ~ 04 Cobra + Bolt Ons = EASILY Over 500 FWHP.

What I am saying is you're chasing a moving target...

 

Yeah get a 150 shot and hope you dont blow your motor.

 

I'll probably do a head and cam swap..Any suggestions? Prices and websites? And how about installation prices?

 

give us a call we would be glad to discuss your setup and give you some ideas to help you meet your goal

 

Well give me some prices on LS6 stage II heads.. Also a LS6 cam or a Thunder racing cam 224.. How much would installation be?

 

I always passed emissions with flying colors on this setup.

 

U want 400 hp. U can get it. DO not use Spray. U will just be killing off ur motor. do a full exaust system starting from ur headers. if u look on ebay u can get these for around 600. do ur under drive pully and get ur computer dynotuned. that should put u around 400.

 

1. cobras are not FRONT WHEEL DRIVE
2. ls1 needs very little to attack mustangs of any version and win.. 4,500 dollars invested on my friends 2000 z28 has him running low 11's