[Project] 600hp Daily Driver

[birdie2000]

I'm generally not too great about taking pictures and documenting things, but I'm going to give it a shot for once. Last summer I made the decision to sell my 97 WS6 TA. It was my first real "build" and turned out to be a great car and fun project, but I realized after finishing the build that my needs had changed since starting it and I was rarely wanting to drive it. I decided that I'd get a lot more enjoyment out of a car that was less attention-grabbing, well-mannered, and able to be daily driven yet was just as fast if not faster. I ended up buying a 2002 Z28 with 42k miles in Sunset Orange Metallic with a T56 and bone-stock other than a Flowmaster muffler and appearance mods. SOM is a little louder than I would have liked in terms of color, but it does look great and I'm hoping its desirability will give me a fleeting chance at retaining a smidgen of its value should I ever want to sell.

The concept I've had in mind is that I want a poor-man's version of the current ZL1. While making 580 crank hp is more-or-less easy for a modified LS motor these days, the goal for this project is more focused on the overall package than just the performance. I want to build a 4th-gen that gives the modern factory muscle cars a run for their money at 1/3 the cost: excellent power/torque, above-average handling/braking, while at the same time not making compromises to OEM comfort, manners, drivability, reliability, and efficiency. Ironically, this will actually end up being more of an "old school" build since parts/methods from the past were geared more around street performance than race performance unlike today. I have pretty high standards for the work I do and have given a lot of thought to planning out the components used to meet my goals. I'm pretty stubborn when it comes to not compromising what I want and I am excited to see how this turns out.

The car on day of purchase:











PLANNED PARTS LIST

ENGINE:
Stock 2002 LS1 w/ 42k miles
Incon Twin-Turbo kit w/ Garrett GT2871R ball-bearing turbos
Upgraded springs and pushrods
Stock cam & all factory accessories retained
SLP Dual/Dual exhaust system

FUEL SYSTEM:
Walbro 420lph in-tank pump
Rising-rate fuel pressure regulator
42lb fuel injectors
Custom hotwire kit

TRANSMISSION:
Stock T56
Monster LT1-S Twin-Disc clutch
Stock hydraulics
MGW Shifter

REAR END:
Stock 10-bolt rear end w/ Torsen differential and 3.42 gears
Upgrade to Strange S60 w/ S-Trac differential and 3.54 gears if/when the stock rear breaks

SUSPENSION/CHASSIS:
Koni Yellow single adjustable shocks
Stock springs - lower perch in front, custom lowering spring isolator in rear
Strano 35/22mm sway bars
J&M 3-point weld-in subframe connectors
BMR factory-style Adjustable Torque Arm
UMI T/A relocation bracket
BMR Xtreme on-car adjustable Rear LCAs w/ rubber bushings
BMR on-car adjustable panhard bar
SLP strut tower brace

BRAKING:
Stock LS1 brake system
OEM Brembo caliper upgrade if future wheel selection allows

APPEARANCE:
OEM SS spoiler
Whistler-style headlights
SLP bowtie grille
SLP silver 10-spoke wheels w/ 275/40/17 BFG Sport Comp 2 tires - may be upgraded down the line
Reupholster stock cloth interior with higher quality fabric if budget allows
Mini shift light either in air vent or mounted to steering column

AUDIO:
OEM headunit modified with integrated Bluetooth connectivity
Rockford Fostgate 3Sixty.2 processor
JL Audio e6450 6-channel amplifier
LPG 25nfa tweeters
Aura NS6-255-4A midbass drivers
Dayton Audio 10" HF subwoofer

[Jdseibe]

following this one for sure!

[white97z28]

Sounds like a cool project for sure! That wing is interesting!...never seen it before.

[MeenZ28]

Thats an SLP Ultra-Z Spoiler if I'm not mistaken. Pretty rare.

Strange that the car would have that and not the hood too...

[birdie2000]

Thats an SLP Ultra-Z Spoiler if I'm not mistaken. Pretty rare.

And for good reason... [emoji38]

One of the previous owners added it aftermarket.

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[thisisthewayilive]

I like the car and your plans a lot! Curious to see how some of the stock stuff likes the twins. I'd definitely make sure to invest in the brakes.

[birdie2000]

I've known several people who have made 500rwhp to well over 600rwhp on a completely stock ls1 with this kit save for upgraded injectors and fuel pump. A buddy of mine made 518rwhp and 540rwtq on a mustang dyno back in the day on 8.5 psi with straight 93 octane. If I get those numbers I will be ecstatic. It's a well-proven kit and luckily some local OGs have a lot of experience with it.

I do really want to upgrade my brakes but I'm limited by the 17" wheels. Don't really want to go with 18s for several reasons, but after everything else is done I will re-evaluate. I don't plan to track the car so I'm sure the stock setup will be fine for now. I don't have any complaints about it so far.

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[Superman09]

I would do valve springs, prevent valve float under boost!

[birdie2000]

That's definitely in the plans. Still debating on whether I should do headgaskets too. There's a small part of me that wants to throw a light port job on the heads just to run that much less boost but not sure if that'll affect the drivability with the stock cam.

[alone_and_insane]

aaaaand sub'd

[TylerT/AZ28]

sub'd

[Hugger Z]

For sure fuel pump, injectors, valve springs & pushrods. That is all I upgraded (ok, I added MSD wires too. ). Stock everything else on mine and I have over 36k on this set-up. Turbo kit went on at 89k and I am at 126k+ at the moment.

[landstuhltaylor]

I do really want to upgrade my brakes but I'm limited by the 17" wheels. Don't really want to go with 18s for several reasons, but after everything else is done I will re-evaluate. I don't plan to track the car so I'm sure the stock setup will be fine for now. I don't have any complaints about it so far.

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No need to go bigger, but it would be a good idea to throw a high quality street pad in the front. Any old cheap parts store pad will get the job done in the rear so no need to replace them until they are worn.

[birdie2000]

These are the pads I have front and rear:
http://www.amazon.com/StopTech-309-07490-Street-Performance-Front/dp/B003K2CK44/ref=sr_1_1?s=automotive&ie=UTF8&qid=1439565155&sr= 1-1&keywords=StopTech+309.07490+Street+Performance+F ront+Brake+Pad

Along with these rotors:
http://www.amazon.com/Centric-Parts-...with+E-Coating

No complaints so far. Did a full brake job right after I bought the car.

TBH, the main reason for the potential future caliper upgrade is the bling factor. I doubt I'd ever use them to their potential enough to warrant the upgrade otherwise.

[Sbaileyls1ta]

Are you done yet?