Wow, I'm glad I found this forum. It's excellent. Just reading through the posts, I was able to find some new ideas. Anyway....

A friend and I are beginning a project on his '96 LS 'teg and I thought I'd get some opinions/advice. We're looking at a budget of about $4000-$5000 for power mods. We're looking at either all-motor or turbo (fas-trax?). I've seen some stuff that I liked but want to know if anyone has any better ideas or experience. We're looking at doing some head work (Bullfrog/Gude has a package we're interested in), throttle body, cams, ignition & fuel upgrades for all motor. I think the head package raises compression .4 so that and the better flow will be nice. I've already put in an AEM cai and we're going with either DCSports new dual exhaust or a Greddy Evo.

Does anyone have any opinion on this? Any recommended cams/ignition/fuel upgrades in particular. What about if we go turbo, will the increased compression hurt us that much on a LS motor? And does anyone know anything about DCSports new dual exhausts (he likes it because of the looks, I prefer power though.)

Thanks for any help you can give.

Dave421

 

I guess the question is "how fast do you want to go, how much reliability are you willing to sacrifice?". For that amount I'd go turbo. If you're planning on going all motor, I'd definitely do either a full swap (H22a) or at least vtec head swap. Or turbo and head swap. Does $4-5k include labor or are you guys doing this yourselves? You probably don't want to increase compression (even .4) if you're going turbo. Hope this helps.

 

This mainly going to be a street setup. How much power? Well, he's got a '96 Z28 putting out about 325 hp. I want the 'teg faster. It won't be raced a whole lot (car's in his name and he doesn't want to be beaten...). Reliability has to be decent. Installation isn't really a concern. I'll either do it or I've got a guy who can do it cheap. We have thought about a LS/Vtec also but are having a hard time finding out the info we want. We're also in NC so anybody that knows some people around here who work with this stuff would be great.

As for the compression, isn't the LS somewhere around 9:1?

 

If you're ready to put that kind of cash up, turbo is the way to go.

Don't bother with the header since you'll replace it with the turbo anyway.

Spend 1-2k on a stand alone engine management system.

Build the bottom end.

Put together a custom turbo kit.

Get a good clutch.

Get a good suspension/tire set up.


Raise the compression if you want, but you know it will probably be easier and cheaper to raise the boost. The low compression is the reason a lot of people start with that engine to begin with.

You'll stomp the z28 if you can get the power to the ground.


[Modified by Ubermensch, 10:54 AM 7/24/2001]

 

how much is a vtec head swap for an ls/rs? and is it worth the money?

 

The head swap itself isn't too expensive, but there are extras you need to make it run rightt/fast

 

just get the freeking turbo!!!! 4-5k is a lot of money

 

I think we have decided to go turbo. Now, we know a guy who has an f-max kit. Besides it and the DRAG kit, do you know of any other good ones. Do you know who really has the best kit out there?

Also, are there any specific mods that you recommend to go with the turbo (fuel, ignition, cat???)

Thanks for your help, I really appreciate it.

Dave421

 

Quote:

If you're ready to put that kind of cash up, turbo is the way to go.
Don't bother with the header since you'll replace it with the turbo anyway.

Spend 1-2k on a stand alone engine management system.

Build the bottom end.

Put together a custom turbo kit.

Get a good clutch.

Get a good suspension/tire set up.


Raise the compression if you want, but you know it will probably be easier and cheaper to raise the boost. The low compression is the reason a lot of people start with that engine to begin with.

You'll stomp the z28 if you can get the power to the ground.

Okay here your sayin raise the compression if he wants?? What good would it if he goin to turbo it. I'd say the LS has a low compression to start and start building it from there depends on what you want and stuff all out track more boost etc. Yeah i'd recommend Drag, F-Max, or Revhard. Good luck with the project car.