Where to start

[MichiganSkip]

Hey Steve,
I'm looking to build a late model Camaro with the LS1 engine. I'd like to have a streetable low 11.xx car when it's done. I am under the impression that it's not that hard to push an LS1 4th gen into the 11's. When looking for a car to start with, what year should I look for and then what engine mods will get me there. N20 is an option after getting the car into the 11's first. No SC or turbos (I am under the impression it can be done easily w/o either)
Thanks
Skip in Michigan

[85Camaro]

11's on motor with a ls1 street car is very easy with cam swap and head work and still be very streetable

[MichiganSkip]

Which year had the better motor? I am under the assumption that anyone after 98?

[85Camaro]

98 was the first year for the LS1

[DERTY]

98 Is a good year to start. The motors were pretty much the same up until 2002. In Camaros and Firebirds the LS6 block intermingled into a few of the bodies mid 2002. I would try to look for a car that is 2000 or newer. The main reason is not so much the engine as much as it is the electronics. It's much easier to get the software for 2000 and up to do whatever you want. 98's are a pain in that regard.

As far as performance, 11's on motor is easily done. Especially with a A4 trans. A simple head and cam setup with a converter will pretty much get you there without having to be too obnoxious. Hell, 10's on motor is also easily doable, but the cars start to get a little obnoxious. On spray you could easily mix it up with a good mid to low 11 second car and spray to get a low 10 pretty easily. There is a guy here locally that sprayed a 300 shot on the stock short block and went into the 9's with it. It certainly will not hold up to that repeatedly, but they can certainly be built to run the numbers. Especially with all the lower cost options that are now out there you should be able to do it on a nicer budget now than when we first started our crazy projects.

Anyway, I hope that's useful. Let me know if you need more info.

[MichiganSkip]

98 Is a good year to start. The motors were pretty much the same up until 2002. In Camaros and Firebirds the LS6 block intermingled into a few of the bodies mid 2002. I would try to look for a car that is 2000 or newer. The main reason is not so much the engine as much as it is the electronics. It's much easier to get the software for 2000 and up to do whatever you want. 98's are a pain in that regard.

As far as performance, 11's on motor is easily done. Especially with a A4 trans. A simple head and cam setup with a converter will pretty much get you there without having to be too obnoxious. Hell, 10's on motor is also easily doable, but the cars start to get a little obnoxious. On spray you could easily mix it up with a good mid to low 11 second car and spray to get a low 10 pretty easily. There is a guy here locally that sprayed a 300 shot on the stock short block and went into the 9's with it. It certainly will not hold up to that repeatedly, but they can certainly be built to run the numbers. Especially with all the lower cost options that are now out there you should be able to do it on a nicer budget now than when we first started our crazy projects.

Anyway, I hope that's useful. Let me know if you need more info.

Thanks for that info Steve. Just what I needed.
Skip