Okay this is what i did to run a 14.4 @ 5000 ft. Altitude corrected 13.4
94 Lt1 Camaro $3400 with 130,000 miles w/rebuilt top end and new everything, fuel pump, water pump, opti, everything was like new when i bought it. I got a good deal when i bought it a year ago. Only thing wrong with it was the clear was peeling off on the top of the doors but everything else was suprisingly like new, not salvaged or ever wrecked, not a dent on it. Also included every option from oil cooler, power everything, cd player and t-tops.
3500 stall $200
CAI $100
LT headers $400
Labor $400
Grand total $4500 and running 14.4 @ 5000 ft.
Add 1.6 full roller rockers good for another 15-20 hp
Add pcmfor less tune 2-4 tenths off quarter
Add gears 3.73 3 tenths off quarter mile
Add MSD 6A 1-2 tenths off quarter mile
Street slicks 3-5 tenths off quarter mile
and run a 100 shot all day and your in the 12 's with bolt ons and
spray at 5000ft.
Ill be getting everything above, except nos, with about another $1500 and i should be running in the mid to hight 13's at 5000 ft with a grand total of $6000
And again thats 5000ft at the albuquerque speedway.
01smokes i honestly think your wrong. Im already running with stock ls1's only spending a grand total of $4500 in my car. Thats $2000 shy from your $6500. Shit i could do all that above including nos and spank and $6000 ls1 with $500 in mods. So the best you could do with $500 is a nitrous kit, big deal. So could i do that plus everything else including gears, tune, 1.6 roller rockers, street slicks, slp exhaust, msd 6A for the same dam price and walk your supposed $6000 ls1 with $500 in mods. And thats not even with a cam or heads or lt4 intake manifold! Just lt1 boltons.
BANG for Buck: my opion LT1 and agian i say my opionion from first hand experience lt1 is better bang for buck. They are cheaper and all you need is $1000 to keep up with stock ls1 ones. They are cheaper to mod too. LOOK ON EBAY & COMPARE PRICES; LOOK ON CRAIGSlIST & COMPARE PRICES
I just seen a pontiac firebirformula lt1 on craigslist for 3500 obo on craigslist not to long ago with 100k. You can find some nice deals on craigslist.
And if money wasn't an issue id buy an 02 SS Camaro. But someone trying to find a deal go with the best bang for buck plain and simple. ls1 or lt1.
I just hate skeptics thinking their ls1's are invinsible and can't be beat by LT1's. Which is why i find it that much sweeter when i prove them wrong by 1/4 mile times and cash invested.