Small Block LS Engine Dyno Testing Part II - Big Power, Small Budget

A Meziere LS-Series electric water pump (PN MEZWP; retail $629.99) optioned in black is chosen for the dyno. In addition to its 35-gallons-per-minute free-flow rate, the pump will free up some parasitic drag. According to Joseph Potak of TSP, "It's usually good for a minimum of 10 hp on the dyno or street." The electric pump comes with new gaskets and mounting bolts, and a free-floating idler pulley, so the OE belts will work properly. The bolts are torqued in a first pass to 11 ft-lb, followed by a final pass to 22 ft-lb. Next, a thermostat housing is installed.

TSP brought a set of dyno facility-specific Kooks headers with 1.875 to 2-inch stepped primaries and a 3-inch collector. To clear the dyno, both the primary and collector length were increased to 35 and 8 inches, respectively. Kooks currently has 1.75- and 1.875-inch offerings available for the GTO, G8, and Firebird, and a 1.875x2-inch stepped header for the Firebird with a 3.5-inch collector for racing applications.

After bolting on the headers with new GM exhaust manifold gaskets and stock exhaust bolts, a stock set of LS1 coil packs is mounted on the rocker covers. Spark duties fall to NGK TR6 spark plugs and MSD 8.5mm Superconductor wires. A dipstick tube was then installed.