Intake Manifold Swap

[nlreb54]

I have a bad oil pressure sensor that needs to be replaced. Since i am going to remove the intake manifold anyway I thought it would be a good time to swap to an LS6 manifold. I am planning to order one from SLP and would like to know if anyone has any thoughts good or bad about the swap out and the SLP manifold. Also any special things I should know about the change out and will it be worth spending the money for the manifold?

98 Artic White Coupe
Blackwing, Corsa Indy Exhaust

Thanks
nlreb

 

[JBsC5]

I would n' t waste your money on it..


JMO about 3 hp if that.

The ls6 manifold with a wilder cam and heads...Yes..

By itself? I wouldn't recommend it.

Hope you don't mind a descenting opinion.

 

[nlreb54]

So you are saying the the claims of 10 to 15 hp in the ads are too high?

I appreciate the input.

 

[Robert YellowVette]

So you are saying the the claims of 10 to 15 hp in the ads are too high?

I appreciate the input.

see: http://www.powerandperformancenews.com/store/merchant.mvc?Screen=PROD&Product_Code=LSXmanifold&Category_Code=LSXmanifold&Store_Code=FS

 

[JBsC5]

If you read the ad...it states the ls6 manifold is worth 5 hp over the ls1 manifold and to be totally upfront...I believe that to be generous with the stock C5 cam.


I'd bet stock C5 cam...3 hp...not worth the 3 bills for the ls6 manifold in my opinion...

If your swapping the cam out...and went with a higher performance cam...then the ls6 manifold might be worth it...and even at that barely..

The lsx manifold proved to be a flop in the marketplace as well. If it really was worth anything? You'd see a ton of used ls6 manifolds around...which just isnt the case...

My advice...for what its worth...I would n't bother....unless your going deeper into the motor for hp....

I'd save the 3 hundred for something else..

Of course I could be wrong....so please note its just my opinion..

 

[nlreb54]

I am kind of at the point now that I just want to maintain the 98 with out spending too much money unless I get some real power gains. The manifold swap seemed like a chance to pick up a few easy horsepower.

I plan to either find a later model C5 or move on to the C6 in a couple years. I appreciate your thoughts and will probably just change out the sensor and save the money.

 

[JBsC5]

FWIW...I think your making the right decision....

I'm pretty much in the same place now. I'm enjoying the car as is....

Hell the car does 170mph stock! :lol:

 

[hcolon]

Check This out!

http://www.gearchatter.com/viewtopic10974.php

See this test of the manifolds, includes the new LS2....seems to me the LS6 is still the best bang for the buck....
Herbie

 

[JBsC5]

Look at the cam being used in the test: GM Performance “Hot Cam” with LS6 valve springs are the only engine upgrades.

 

[hcolon]

Look at the cam being used in the test: GM Performance “Hot Cam” with LS6 valve springs are the only engine upgrades.

JB, my understanding is the GM hot cam is mild compared to some others(comp, LGM etc). The LS6 valves are definetly better than LS1's. I would like to see this test on a stocker, and would bet you are right in the lower HP numbers. Over on the LSI.com sight, some of the guys picked up about ten HP with just bolt on mods(header exhaust etc). I think 300 bucks for the LS6 manifold is worth it, don't you? Sure beats the 1000 bucks for the fast, not to mention the throttle body for it. In the article positive gains were made with a stock 78mm throttle body. if your planning to mod down the road, even better. Some of ther guys mentioned overall better throttle response too. And you can pickup a used one for almost nothing. I think it's worth it...
Herbie

 

[Edmond]

Herbie,

I've read of guys here who have found the titanium Z06 mufflers for a little more than $350. IMO, that would be much better than spending $300 on the intake manifold. It's lighter and flows better than the stock C5 mufflers. More power and less weight equals Plus, you get the audio difference.

 

[hcolon]

Herbie,

I've read of guys here who have found the titanium Z06 mufflers for a little more than $350. IMO, that would be much better than spending $300 on the intake manifold. It's lighter and flows better than the stock C5 mufflers. More power and less weight equals Plus, you get the audio difference.

Your right! Also a good deal. But since he is changing out the oil sending unit anyway, the mani has to come off, why not swap out right then and there(original post)
herbie

 

[Edmond]

Your right! Also a good deal. But since he is changing out the oil sending unit anyway, the mani has to come off, why not swap out right then and there(original post)
herbie

Yeah, but I think the dollar to horsepower ratio isn't that good. $300 for 5 hp? You can't notice 5 hp. It would show up on a dyno but you can't feel it.

 

[JBsC5]

The GM "Hot Cam" is a pretty wild beast compared to the stock ls1 cam. I still suggest that 3 bills would be better spent or saved with a stock car..

There's a combination or synergy that exists with our cars....IMHO..the ls6 manifold...the LS6 cam...the slightly different headers and exhaust...combined created more power...

Believe me...back in 2000 when the ls6 manifold came out...there were a ton of us ready to swap the ls6 manifold in place of the ls1 on our C5's! ....

It wasn't the money ....it just didn't really make that much of a difference...(unless you changed out the stock cam..the stock header and exhaust and then the manifold was worth a few hp.....

If I were opening up the engine and someone said......here....here's a free ls6 manifold...I'd put it in.

Each of us have our own opinions...

Good luck in whatever you decide.

 

[nlreb54]

Thanks JB and the rest. I love the car as is and just want to keep everything working properly. The sensor will be changed and who knows about the manifold. You KNOW how we get sometimes. I would love to tear into the engine and really boost up the hp but sometimes you got to chill and enjoy. All these late model vettes for sale are very tempting and I hate to invest anymore in the 98.

 

[lov-n-life]

Just a thought, but didn't GM change all the intakes to the LS6 manifold in 2001? Hmmm...could explain why power on early C5s went from 345 to 350. I don't think a 5hp gain is worth the $300. I paid $350 for a Z06 cat back and am very happy with the results. Of course if you just want to throw $300 away, my paypal account is......