bear with me guys, i've been reading for the past few days and searching hours (not that smart) and i still have some questions about the le1/le2 packages. you all can see what i currently have in my sig. i am planning my winter project and want to have a plan and parts before the teardown and build-up. here's the plan:
things i'm definetly getting:
le1 or le2 heads and cam/ ebay 52mm throttle body/ mad z-28 re-tune/ used 30lb injectors/ arp headbolts/ gmmp guideplates/ 7-16 studs/ pushrods/ 1.6 nsa rockers/ lifters/ timing chain/ head bolts

here's the question section:
-i don't really want to spin it past 6200/6300 rpm-which of lloyd's packages would you recommend? i of course want the most power, but also don't want her to blow up after the first few times out.
-which cam would you get if i went with the le1 package? le2 cam with le1 heads seems like it would be an animal. what do they normally like to spin to?
-if i went with the le1-would it be worth it to upgrade to the beehive springs since i dont plan on spinning her that high?
-would it be alright to just get a new stock timing chain instead of going lt4/extreme duty?
-is there anywhere cheaper to get a complete gasket set for a heads/cam change than thunder racing? (current price $225 plus shipping)
-i'm going to go with stock lifters, but on shoeboxes site, i'm confused on which lifters to get. the 94/95 has a different part number than the 96/97, would the kit containing a bunch of parts for the 96/97 work on my 94?
-is the correct part number for the comp 1.6 nsa rockers 1305-16? and for the 7-16 studs #134-7103?
-total for everything would be approx. $2700 for le1/ $3250 for le2-does this sound about right?

i'm kinda leaning towards the le1 package. if anyone could give me any pointers/suggestions, it would be GREATLY appreciated. i know this is kinda long, i just want to have everything lined up.

thanks guys...

 

if you dont want to spin it past 6300 then the LE1 is perfect for ya. and yes you want to go with upgraded springs even if you're not going to spin it too high. The lift is the same whether you spin it to 7000 or 3000...

 

I would just go with the le2 heads and cam. They will make great power and if u decide to build the bottom end later u wont have to get your heads reworked to get the power. those heads and cam will make u good power from 2300 rpm to 6500 rpm. Personally i wont spin my engine past the stock redline of 5800 rpms. Some people have diffrent opinions on what a stock lt1 bottom end can handle, but either way the heads and cam will work fine with your setup. I would get the extreme duty timing chain, a little extra insurance never hurt. As for those part numbers a quick call to summit racing should get u your answers. And if u have any q's about the heads and cam just call Lloyd and he well help u.

 

I would just go with the le2 heads and cam. They will make great power and if u decide to build the bottom end later u wont have to get your heads reworked to get the power. those heads and cam will make u good power from 2300 rpm to 6500 rpm. Personally i wont spin my engine past the stock redline of 5800 rpms. Some people have diffrent opinions on what a stock lt1 bottom end can handle, but either way the heads and cam will work fine with your setup. I would get the extreme duty timing chain, a little extra insurance never hurt. As for those part numbers a quick call to summit racing should get u your answers. And if u have any q's about the heads and cam just call Lloyd and he well help u.

 

jeepbeast, just give Lloyd a call and discuss your ideas and questions. He'll have the answers and is a pleasure to work with. On the off chance that your particular combination/desires need a different cam, he can provide that also.

You may get some good advice on particular parts in this thread, and some from guys who have actually done it, but Lloyd has experience with hundreds of installations of this type with his heads.

"Go to the horse's mount...not the other end." I've wanted to say that for a while on this subject, but it might offend some folks, so I won't say it.

 

 

They are both real good kits. You cant go wrong on which one you choose, it all depends on how much money you want to spend.

 

I went with the LE2 heads and a CC503. Makes good power down low and I shift at 6200 rpms. And in my 4400 lb boat ran a 12.18 @112. No offence with Bret. I just opped to go a different route. Any LE package is good in my opinion. Good luck.
HVY SS

 

As for the gasket kit, Felpro from Summit, add GOOD head gaskets of your choice (Mr Gasket MLS for Impala LT1 for example, 35 pair at Summit).

OR: GM gaskets for the rear if needed, buy a new front cover complete with gaskets, head gasket of choice, valve cover gaskets almost certainly reusable. GM intake gasket.

Head gaskets are where to spend money, do a search, you decide, or ask LE.

 

Definatly get bee hives ... They cut so much weight off of the valve train, that it would be dumb not too.

I say get LE2 heads ( Because, really, if you blow it up, your gonna wish you went bigger anyways when you build some whicked forged bottom end ) and then have Bret grind you a LE1 HL cam. Those springs will take advantage of the extra lift, but it wont really change your RPM range too much. Bret told me a LE1 cam, would be fine shifted at 6300-6400 RPMs even if I ran LE2 or LE3 heads. And, fwiw, he definatly knows his ****.

Good luck with it, and be CLEAN with the install.

 

Definatly get bee hives ... They cut so much weight off of the valve train, that it would be dumb not too.

I say get LE2 heads ( Because, really, if you blow it up, your gonna wish you went bigger anyways when you build some whicked forged bottom end ) and then have Bret grind you a LE1 HL cam. Those springs will take advantage of the extra lift, but it wont really change your RPM range too much. Bret told me a LE1 cam, would be fine shifted at 6300-6400 RPMs even if I ran LE2 or LE3 heads. And, fwiw, he definatly knows his ****.

Good luck with it, and be CLEAN with the install.

 

As mentioned, the LE1 will be your best bet.

 

You can do LE2 heads with a LE1 cam for them like Hardcore said... it's a very strong setup and you shift it around 6200-6300rpm

Bret

 

thanks for all the replies guys. i am just wondering if the results would really be any different if i went with the le1 heads with the le1 HL cam? do you really get that much extra going with le2 with the le1 HL cam? is it worth the extra $550? that would pay for a few of the supporting mods i need.
it's not that i am trying to be cheap or to skip on things, i just want to get the most out what i plan on spending and do it right, you know.

 

Your requirements are the exact same as mine. I want the most ower without spinning higher than 6300 RPM to ensure shortblock life.

I currently have new LE2 heads with Beehives and .050" larger valves which should be good for another 10 RWHP over LE1 heads. The LE2 heads also have a ton more stability at higher RPM's. The additional gains here are a bit mild, but I really want the piece of mind knowing I have bullet proof heads that have room to grow.

Lloyd set me up with the LE 1.5 cam which has .050" additional lift for even more torque. I will also be using 1.6 ratio roller rockers so I will be getting some serious lift which the beehives can easily handle.

Lloyd is also porting my LT1 intake which will provide around another 10 hp or so. I will be using the GM extreme duty timing set and GM gaskets. I also have a 52mm throttle body and SVO 30# injectors.

I currently make 301 RWHP with near all bolt on LT1, so when I do all the new work I am hoping to have near 400 RWHP while not having to rev higher than 6300 RPM. Damn I cant wait to start the install.