LT1 Based Engine Tech 1993-1997 LT1/LT4 Engine Related

Best H/C set up?? HELP!

Old Nov 1, 2007 | 09:10 PM
  #1  
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Best H/C set up?? HELP!

Im familer with LT1 cars and performance parts... and ive deceided to do a Heads and Cam set up.... just a few questions...
Where is the benefit in porting your stock heads...
Or which aftermarket heads would you go with...
Also, I thought about the GM847 cam but people tell me the CC306 cam
would be more of a streetable cam.... Im looking for 400 rwhp(open to different cam options).
Should I just use stock intake manifold..?
I had planned on a cam in the past so I have the valve train work(1.6 roller rockers, stock length hardened pushrods, 600" lift springs....)
what else to I needs... Fuel pump, etc...

Any help would be great
Thanks
kris
Old Nov 1, 2007 | 09:28 PM
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Go pop a bag of your favorite popcorn, grab a six pack of your favorite soda, and start reading what you find using the search function. There is a ton of information and BS. Seriously.
Old Nov 1, 2007 | 09:41 PM
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you want to do it on the stock shortblock?

If the bottom end is good

a good set of heads probly get a cam from the head people

ported intake

some injectors and a tune on the pcm

its been done plenty of times.....I would not worry so much about the rwhp b/c it really don't mean crap. We did a 408 winsor motor in a mustang made 370 on the dyno rwhp but the car runs 9.70's

Go do your homework.....and search
Old Nov 1, 2007 | 09:55 PM
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Hell, a proven shelf cam, a decent set of budget ported heads with bolt ons in a good state of tune will be a handful on the street, and will continue to ET better as you get seat time and spend the necessary time to make run well.
Old Nov 1, 2007 | 09:58 PM
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Originally Posted by SS MPSTR
Hell, a proven shelf cam, a decent set of budget ported heads with bolt ons in a good state of tune will be a handful on the street, and will continue to ET better as you get seat time and spend the necessary time to make run well.
yep true, and spending time on the car rear trans susp. etc. will make or break any combo
Old Nov 1, 2007 | 10:06 PM
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Basically the rule of thumb is a 306 cam or GM847 cam are streetable as long as you have something more than stock gears. I had an 847 w/ 3.73 gears and ported heads and it was extremely streetable however 6th gear was useless, but I never had the car on the freeway for any length of time or cruised fast enough to use it. It just depends on your taste. A good set of reputable LT1 ported heads and either mentioned cam should give you a real descent amount of power. Absolutely no reason to go with aftermarket heads unless you are building some serious monstrosity. There have been many LT1's in the 10's using stock castings with a handful running N/A.
Old Nov 1, 2007 | 10:10 PM
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i would go with a lunati 60123 or 60122 if your looking at the GM 847, but thats just me.

I would also highly recommend looking into the new DART heads, as i've talked to a few people that've tinkered with them and they say they flow great out of the box, and have plenty room for porting. Of course, if you want something thats more proven (dart heads havent been around long), look into lloyd elliot at eportworks.com or advancedinductions.com

You will want a better fuel system
better suspension
build up that rear end or buy a 9"/12 bolt

"streetable" is all a matter of preference, if its an a4, gears and a stall will help out the "streetablilty" quite a bit
Old Nov 1, 2007 | 10:16 PM
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I'm in the middle of my own h/c swap and I'm just using stock LT1 heads and intake with some work done to them. My heads are LE2's and a custom cam from Comp Cams. 58mm TB, 38# injectors and thats about it. Loads of options, I was in your shoes a little while ago, tons of great info on the boards for you to check out.
Old Nov 1, 2007 | 10:36 PM
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so is lloyd elliot porting your stock heads?? im confused...
do you send them off for porting... I plan on using the edelbrock intake manifold and i want some good heads but like most people, I have a bit of a budget so I guess i could port my heads to port match the upgraded intake....???

also what gears do you recommend,(i know it's driver favor) but with the kind of motor work i want with a th350 at a
(1000ft track)

thanks so much so far..
keep em' coming
kris

Last edited by 95 Civic; Nov 1, 2007 at 10:44 PM.
Old Nov 1, 2007 | 10:53 PM
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www.advancedinduction.com

talk with Ron or Phil.
Old Nov 2, 2007 | 02:03 AM
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Originally Posted by SS MPSTR
www.advancedinduction.com

talk with Ron or Phil.
X2.
Old Nov 4, 2007 | 11:29 PM
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Originally Posted by 95 Civic
so is lloyd elliot porting your stock heads?? im confused...
do you send them off for porting... I plan on using the edelbrock intake manifold and i want some good heads but like most people, I have a bit of a budget so I guess i could port my heads to port match the upgraded intake....???

also what gears do you recommend,(i know it's driver favor) but with the kind of motor work i want with a th350 at a
(1000ft track)

thanks so much so far..
keep em' coming
kris
Well you can either send your heads in, or buy some used LT1 heads for cheap send them in. If you visit eportworks.com you'll see he has 3 different packages offered for the LT1 or I think you can talk to him about doing something custom for your specifics needs.

As far as gears, 3.73's seem to be the popular choice for A4's and 4.10's for M6's. Mine will be going in when I get a new rear end.
Old Nov 4, 2007 | 11:44 PM
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One thing that is a crapshot is finding used heads aren't ruined from overheating (won't pass the hardness test). I was lucky enough to buy some brand new gm castings on ebay for $280, which actually saved me money over buying used castings since they didn't need bronze liners installed.
Old Nov 5, 2007 | 08:36 AM
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Originally Posted by speed_demon24
One thing that is a crapshot is finding used heads aren't ruined from overheating (won't pass the hardness test). I was lucky enough to buy some brand new gm castings on ebay for $280, which actually saved me money over buying used castings since they didn't need bronze liners installed.
That's why I refuse to sell my 94 28k heads for the usual going price. I'd rather sit on them and know I have a good spare set for back-up or another future project.
Old Nov 5, 2007 | 02:11 PM
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I don't want to hi-jack this thread. I've also been reading up on the heads/cam discussions through searchs. Question: I have an M6 so I believe I have the 3.42's, I haven't checked the housing plate or whatever. So, if I wanted to maintain good drivability for my daily driver, would I need to upgrade to bigger gears if I installed a cam(no heads)? I know these things are subjective, but this is my first V8 so keep that in mind.

Thx in advance.

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