07 LZ4 3500 Engine Build

[PontiacGsix]

Hey everyone, I'm new to the site, and looking for help on getting more power out of this VVT engine was wondering if the ls6 valve springs will still fit also would port and polishing the heads and intake help build power and 3 angle valve job?? I understand this engine is diff in alot of areas with VVT controls and such as cam so I'm assuming getting a new cam is out of the question. Is there different more powerful coil packs that could be installed.
I'd like to thank everyone who helps me with this build in advance. I am a certified tech so no baby sitting is necessary just looking for the right engineer to help increase power out of this engine even if I have to stroke it and add better pistons I'm very capable of doing all this. Please anyone who has any advice on what I should do. I'd like to keep it naturally asperated but if the only way is to turbo it than so be it but I'm sure some has some knowledge on these enough to work around the VVT or with the VVT to create power. my boss is allowing me the room and shop bay to tear into this project and I have my second car to get me thru till the build is finished. I was also thinking about changing out the AT to the 6spd MT I found new on eBay to really put the power to the pavement b

Thanks Matt

[PontiacGsix]

I'm starting to get a little worried after noticing the 31 views on this thread and 0 replies. Is this VVT engine I want to build power with kinda out of the ordinary and foreign?? I would love to just get the heads ported polished with the ls6 springs and drop some better pistons in it or just get new rings and bearings since this motor has 95k on it but I don't want to start in on the project without picking the brains of some of the best when it comes to these GM motors. anyone know of a good tuner experienced in these VVT engines and know of any numbers the tune may increase? I know bone stock it sits at 225 HP with that number and the VVT without EGR I have a feeling this engine has potential just needs the right tune/parts.

[pocket-rocket]

Welcome to the site

Porting and polishing will always help an engine breathe easier, as for the springs question, I'm not really a pushrod guy :/

Joseph Upson disabled the VVT portion of the 3900 VVT and used some cam spacers to put a standard reground cam in his so he could run it on an older ECM.

GM makes one good ignition system, so changing parts of that out would be one of the last things I would do.

Unfortunately not a lot of people on this board mess with the VVT engines too much.

[SappySE107]

I don't think anyone else has done any flowbench testing on the VVT heads, so I will offer some advise. Don't. Don't spend any money porting the heads. I could port a set, but the way the port looks when done properly is just odd as hell to look at. A basic gasket match job will lose flow/power.

The manifolds are worth porting however, and you can still use the LS6 springs on the heads no problem.

My advise is simple. Boost the motor, install the springs, and increase the injector size. Tuning is the biggest improvement so make sure you have HPTuners. The drive by wire KILLS performance and there is only so much that can be done with it.

[PontiacGsix]

I don't think anyone else has done any flowbench testing on the VVT heads, so I will offer some advise. Don't. Don't spend any money porting the heads. I could port a set, but the way the port looks when done properly is just odd as hell to look at. A basic gasket match job will lose flow/power.

The manifolds are worth porting however, and you can still use the LS6 springs on the heads no problem.

My advise is simple. Boost the motor, install the springs, and increase the injector size. Tuning is the biggest improvement so make sure you have HPTuners. The drive by wire KILLS performance and there is only so much that can be done with it.

Alright thanks for confirming the springs will fit. I like the HPTuner very affordable as well. When you say boost do you mean turbo? Or supercharged? I can't seem to find a source with a kit for turbo or supercharge for my application have you came across some I haven't seen if you have a link or manufacturer name would be greatly appreciated. So ignition coil is out of the question how about spark plugs types? I heard if you add boost you wanna use copper plugs since they burn hotter is that correct? If I were to add a supercharger I'm guessing this would def be a custom fabrication I noticed the older GTP 3800 may work with the proper lower to upper intake adapters but getting the belt drive to work would also be a custom fab. Unless electric motor drive installed To the SC pulley running off the TPS to increase it's speed when accelerating. What are your thoughts on putting comp lifters and custom pushrods?

[SappySE107]

Turbo would be easier to fab but there are no kits available. If you are in south florida, we can do that kind of work here. The 3800 SC won't fit the manifolds and its not a very good sueprcharger anyway. I wouldn't use it. Comp doesn't make lifters nor would they help anything. Custom pushrods only help if you need to adjust your preload so don't bother with those either. There isn't much to do with the motor but add a turbo. It is pretty solid as it sits.

[PontiacGsix]

Turbo would be easier to fab but there are no kits available. If you are in south florida, we can do that kind of work here. The 3800 SC won't fit the manifolds and its not a very good sueprcharger anyway. I wouldn't use it. Comp doesn't make lifters nor would they help anything. Custom pushrods only help if you need to adjust your preload so don't bother with those either. There isn't much to do with the motor but add a turbo. It is pretty solid as it sits.

Nope I'm in Arizona =( Yeah Turbo seems like a lot to Fabricate =(
Maybe I'll just go with a 50 shot of NOS LOL I called a few machine shops today and got a quote for porting and installing the new LS6 springs and going over the valves and heads for $200 if no adjustments are needed for the new springs.. anyone heard of the springs needing to be ground down for proper height or should they just be plug and play??? also would like to try and keep the vehicle street legal due to Emissions being crazy here in AZ so maybe a new ECU with a tune and keep my old one laying in the closet when it's time to get it tested.. thinking about while having the heads off pulling all the pistons and installing new rings and rod bearings since the motor has 95K on it.. hear if you build the top end you might as well rebuild the bottom while your that far into it.. anyone tried those manual supercharger fans that put out 3 PSI of boost or those are just a gimic?

Matt

[PontiacGsix]

55 HP NOS

Okay so I have come to the conclusion there is no real modification for this LZ4 VVT 3.5 except tuning, Valve Springs,CAI And Cat back Exhaust systems. So I'm prepared to install a bottle for the occasional race or just when I have that ITCH I can't seem to scratch so I'm in need of a better Bottom End do they happen sell better pistons, C-rods and bearings that can take the heat and pressure of a 50-75 HP shot of NOS? doing a turbo install on this car would just be insanely possible but major fabrication money and time.

[Superdave]

It'll handle a 75 wet shot no problem stock.