LS1: looking for deal on bigger headers and cams

[Jeffy_D]

Forgive me if this is the wrong section.

My little brother bought a 97 Camaro with a ls1 swap. Asked me if I knew where to get the best deal on parts, headers and cams are the first thing he wants done.

Was wondering if any ls1 owners or pro mechanics had advice on which brand and where to get good deals. I was going to point him to rock auto, but im sure there are other sites that carry GM performance parts, possibly wholesale or discontinued.

Thanks in advance!!!

 

[user52165]

Jegs, Summit, etc. Have him pick up a Hot Rod mag - lots of ads. Join an appropriate forum for his car - lots of advice and parts for sale.

 

[Trav]

Just remember any time you increase pressure on top of the engine it also increases pressure down below.
There is a lot more than cam and headers to take into account, fuel delivery, bottom end strength and oiling system have to be taken into consideration.
Personally i would just buy a new crate LS6 with stand alone ECM, not that expensive and a quick swap.

 

[MetalSlug]

I recomm you check on ls1tech.com site. Member their got more knowledge and can give you the right direction on these type of engine.

 

[A_Harman]

Another good thing to do with '97 Camaro is to upgrade to the '98-'02 front brake setup. When GM went to the LS1 engine in the Camaro, they put on bigger front brake rotors, pads, and calipers. He would need to get the '98-'02 steering knuckle to make the LS1-spec brake setup bolt on, but all of these parts are available cheap now.

 

[mpvue]

Originally Posted By: Jeffy_D

My little brother bought a 97 Camaro with a ls1 swap. Asked me if I knew where to get the best deal on parts, headers and cams are the first thing he wants done.
well, to start with, there's just ONE cam, so that should simplify things somewhat

before he buys ANYTHING, he needs to know what he's doing, so read, read, READ all you can on the performance forums, like ls1tech.

 

[Jeffy_D]

Originally Posted By: A_Harman
Another good thing to do with '97 Camaro is to upgrade to the '98-'02 front brake setup. When GM went to the LS1 engine in the Camaro, they put on bigger front brake rotors, pads, and calipers. He would need to get the '98-'02 steering knuckle to make the LS1-spec brake setup bolt on, but all of these parts are available cheap now.


it has the larger brake setup already

 

[Jeffy_D]

I sent him the link. He found a good deal on summit. Ill belookin closer at his car this weekend. Not sure about oil cooling or fuel delivery mods. It seems to run great, no rattles, bought it from a honest local mechanic. Thanks for the.input

 

[artificialist]

If he is getting a new cam, he should get new roller lifters. I have heard horror stories of a larger cam destroying OE spec roller lifters, and then causing even more expensive engine damage.

 

[Shaman]

What year is the LS1 engine in the car? That will determine what needs to be done to the engine, ala intake, cam, heads, rod bolts, etc. After that, he needs to find a tuner. After that, he needs to set a goal. trap speed, 1/4 mile speed, dyno number, etc. After that, he needs to find out what parts he needs to change out. Before he gets headers and cam, he needs to check what heads and intake he has? Does it have an aftermarket lid?

 

[A_Harman]

Originally Posted By: Jeffy_D
Originally Posted By: A_Harman
Another good thing to do with '97 Camaro is to upgrade to the '98-'02 front brake setup. When GM went to the LS1 engine in the Camaro, they put on bigger front brake rotors, pads, and calipers. He would need to get the '98-'02 steering knuckle to make the LS1-spec brake setup bolt on, but all of these parts are available cheap now.


it has the larger brake setup already


Cool!

 

[MetalSlug]

btw if you heard knock on ls1 engine when cold, its normal , most running castrol German 0w30 to quiet down the knock , you can get it at autozone.

 

[dailydriver]

Originally Posted By: A_Harman
Another good thing to do with '97 Camaro is to upgrade to the '98-'02 front brake setup. When GM went to the LS1 engine in the Camaro, they put on bigger front brake rotors, pads, and calipers. He would need to get the '98-'02 steering knuckle to make the LS1-spec brake setup bolt on, but all of these parts are available cheap now.


And (as I'm quite SURE you know) 4th gen LS1 f body owners move up to the larger C5/6 Vette, or CTS-V brakes if they are going to be steadily open tracking/HPDEing their cars (if not a insanely priced, bigger yet, 18"+ ONLY wheel diameter requiring, aftermarket setup).

 

[A_Harman]

Yes, I've been running a homemade setup of C5 Z06 brakes on my Camaro for 4 years. I had a pair of Camaro caliper brackets modified by cutting out the original bolt holes, and welding in steel blocks to move the caliper radially outward by 1/2". This allows the C5 Corvette caliper to mate properly with the 13" Corvette rotor. This setup fits inside the 10-spoke 17" SS wheels. On track, this has been a very good setup, where I feel like I have enough braking capacity to match my engine power, and don't have to keep my pace down to keep the brakes from overheating.

I looked into using the C5 conversion kits that are sold on e-Bay, but I didn't like having to cut the steering knuckle to use them. So I developed my own system that allows me to switch back to the stock brakes when I put on 16" wheels for winter running.

 

[dailydriver]

Sounds like a cool solution, as long as you have FULL faith and trust in those welds!

 

[A_Harman]

Yes, the welds are a concern, but I had my brother's fab shop do the work, and he has excellent welders. We had the caliper brackets stress-relieved after welding, so that mitigates some of the risk. I inspect the brackets for cracks after every driving season, and they look good after 4 years.