wake up and feel the ls1

[lawmanbsi]

I've been giving a lot of thought towards what I would like to do to increase the performance of my 98 SS. I don't really want to go crazy with the greens. however its not the limiting factor. I'm planning on a cam, heads, headers, ory, gears and a tune.

I think the cam is the most important part of the build. Of coarse that's the part I know least about. I'm planning on having the stock heads ported. A set of kooks ss long tube header with the ory. Get a set 3.90s. Not sure what to do for the tune. will a hand held tuner do the job or should I take it to a shop and have it dynoed.

So the question is what cam?

[jakes_GSXR]

Don't know much about em either, but i'd say after a cam get a professional tune.

Sounds like its gunna be mean, keep us updated!

[s.reef]

I would definitely do the exhaust first...dont know much about heads/cam combos for the LS1s someone here though can guide you in the right direction

[MORNINGSTAR2101]

welp, theres a wonderful read about cam stuff on ls1 tech. it honestly explained things the best for me. unfortunately, theres a lot to get when thinking about a cam, not to mention a lot that you need to take into consideration, so i was still asking a lot of questions and going all over the place before i finally made my decision. like, what are you looking to do with this car? also, if youre doing all of that, what about the exhaust to go with all that kooks gear? those kooks headers sound amazing when hooked up to a nice exhaust system

[JoeliusZ28]

selecting a cam is quite literrally selecting your engines personality - however, since you can only have a single cam profile, everything is a game of give and take.

take the time to learn what the numbers mean. watching videos on youtube to get a grasp of things is a good way to learn.

as far as learning the numbers, read this thread:
http://www.mifbody.com/vbulletin/showthread.php?t=14551

The better understanding you have, the happier you will be with your selection.

[c0ncEpT]

A 224 cam is a very proven power maker. I mean I myself would go larger than that but you cant go wrong with the 224.

[1BADAIR]

I would get some other heads. Nobody really bothers with the perimeter bolt 98 heads. if you switch you will also need valve covers and coil brackets.
a 224 is small by todays standards but works very well

[MORNINGSTAR2101]

ahem, *cough* there are plenty of head/cam swap threads for you to parouse

[lawmanbsi]

I was talking with the mechanic at work. I had mentioned a 232 he agreed it would build good power. He said he was going to look at a more agressive cam that has good steet manners. he thinks I could get tuner to send me a tune just from giving the specs of the build. He can port the heads to a point and then take them to a shop to be finished. Plus it looks like he's going to help me do the build.

[lawmanbsi]

ahem, *cough* there are plenty of head/cam swap threads for you to parouse

I've been looking at a lot of threads and feel that I have a good start. I would like to find more info on builds using ported stock heads.

I think my exhaust is up to the task as you have inquired.

[PACE]

If you want a decent head, Run the 5.3 Heads, ported, they work great and build good power. If your looking to run stock style heads, or run the LS6 heads, But what i have read the 5.3 heads are awsome.. You could run this cam (percenly i love AFR'S HEADS)

228

228

.588

.588

113

VERY STREETABLE.
OR

231

237

.589

.595

112

There really no power gain bettween the two!!
-run KOOKS HEADERS, WITH NON CATTED Y-PIPE, With a really good cat back, would be a really nice set up. You can run the stock rockers or upgrade to roller rockers, depending on your budget. You will have to measure for push rods. Run the LS2 timing chain also.
-You would want to run a vigalanty 3600 stall, and have some work done to the tranny also. if its at auto.

FROM HEAR YOU WILL WANT TO START WORKING ON THE SUSPENTION

[Boost Addict]

I'd do suspension work first. Panhard rod, lower control arms, subframe connectors, and a strut tower brace is a good start.

[smokeyrider05]

didnt you spec raj's cam. they thing performed nice, i think ima change my cam, what would you think i should run?

I would get some other heads. Nobody really bothers with the perimeter bolt 98 heads. if you switch you will also need valve covers and coil brackets.
a 224 is small by todays standards but works very well

[b.lee]

I would definitely do the cam . heads . intake . longtubes before any suspension work.

3.73 gear also.

[1BADAIR]

it ran pretty good with that baby cam
you have the as cast heads/ not milled?
a 236 238 would probably work good if you have the supporting mods