OK, I think I have my cam picked out. I am leaning towards the TR 230/224 .575/.563 111 LSA. (or real close to that one anyway). But my question is on the heads. I know the AFR's are good, but which ones? The 225's? Here is a little info.......I am building the motor from a stock 2000 LS1 short block with stock lower internals. I am hoping to get 525hp+ to the crank. I want to keep the cr to about 10.5:1. It will be mated to a th400 with a 2500 stall. Application is an offroad truck (not street legal) that weighs 3000lbs. Will have custom headers. Custom intake with K&N.

Questions:

1. Is that cam too big for the stock pistons without cutting or replacing? Can I go bigger? Or if smaller then what cam?

2. I will want the LS6 intake, what size tb and injectors?

3. What size on the exhaust flanges and pipe? 2"?? then out at what size? 3.5"??

4. Fuel pump, how much gph?

5. What head specs should I look for?

6. With a stock harness and ecm, will the motor still run on stock programming long enough to get a good tune without any damage?

7. What should I expect to pay for a GOOD tune?

Please, if you have any advice or you think my set-up that I have so far is not good, please tell me. I am open to all options. My budget is high cause I want the good stuff, so keep that in mind, but I will always be willing to get a better deal and save a few bucks!! Thanks, Joey

 

check out afrs website. ls1 with mongoose heads, cam, ls6 intake and a little more was putting out 530hp. most of the pros ive been talking to prefer going to the f.a.s.t 90mm intake & tb. especially if you plan on going fi down the road as i am, otherwise ls6 intake should be fine. as far as the stock pcm, more info is probably needed in regards to if you are going to have an orp, (need sims) and if you are disconnecting the egr/air tubes. you will then get a "ses" tuning can remove that in the profile mapping. good tune? depends on onsite or mail order. tsp charges $250. just mailed mine out the other day so i cant say on results but confident. antz had mentioned one before for $35.? otherwise $75.00/hr and up for a good dyno tune. good luck on the build.

 

1. Is that cam too big for the stock pistons without cutting or replacing? Can I go bigger? Or if smaller then what cam?
if you do not shave the heads (or at least much) you can get away with over .600" of lift without messing with piston-to-valve clearance issues. that cam should be good. but if you want that much power, you could easily go bigger.
2. I will want the LS6 intake, what size tb and injectors?
ls6 intake will be a good choice, stock tb will be fine, you could always port it for a little more flow. if you have the $$ an 80mm tb could grab you 5hp or so. upgrading to 32lb injectors (give or take) would probably be a good move.
3. What size on the exhaust flanges and pipe? 2"?? then out at what size? 3.5"??
1 5/8" primaries will work fine, maybe step up to 1 3/4" and the 3" collector will be fine.
4. Fuel pump, how much gph?
not sure
5. What head specs should I look for?
any head flow numbers over 300cfm at .600" should be good
6. With a stock harness and ecm, will the motor still run on stock programming long enough to get a good tune without any damage?
run is a relative term...but yeah probably...but idle will be nasty
7. What should I expect to pay for a GOOD tune?
dyno tunes cost about $300-400

 

teke184 thank you for answering my questions!! I posted on two other boards without any responses. Thanks again, I will take your advise.