Squeezing an LT1
Thread Starter
Drifting
Joined: Nov 2003
Posts: 1,556
Likes: 0
From: Auburn Washington
St. Jude Donor '03-'05-'06
Squeezing an LT1
What would you do to an 95' LT1 to get alittle more power out of it? Other than putting a catback system on it. I need some ideas....Thanks 
Race Director
Joined: May 2005
Posts: 11,992
Likes: 1,331
From: Middletown, DE
I'll start. I have a '93 M6 LT1
Depends on what you mean by "little."
Of all my bolt-ons, best bang for the buck was the PCMforless chip. About $180 delivered and I noticed more responsiveness across the rev range, a real "kick" between 3500 and 4500 RPM, and it seemed to pull to somewhat higher RPMs. I have no idea about the actual HP gain, but if someone told me 15-20 I'd not argue with them.
I noticed nothing from the cut lid/K&N, and not a whole lot from the Corsa's which were quite pricey, but at least sound good and no resonance. FWIW, I've seen some credible evidence that Corsa's are good for 10-15HP.
If you want a bigger 50-100 hp kick open your wallet if you do your own work (and get a second mortgage if you have someone else do the work).
Depends on what you mean by "little."
Of all my bolt-ons, best bang for the buck was the PCMforless chip. About $180 delivered and I noticed more responsiveness across the rev range, a real "kick" between 3500 and 4500 RPM, and it seemed to pull to somewhat higher RPMs. I have no idea about the actual HP gain, but if someone told me 15-20 I'd not argue with them.
I noticed nothing from the cut lid/K&N, and not a whole lot from the Corsa's which were quite pricey, but at least sound good and no resonance. FWIW, I've seen some credible evidence that Corsa's are good for 10-15HP.
If you want a bigger 50-100 hp kick open your wallet if you do your own work (and get a second mortgage if you have someone else do the work).
Le Mans Master
Joined: Oct 2004
Posts: 7,706
Likes: 485
From: Everett WA
C4 of Year Finalist (appearance mods) 2019
Read the stickies in the tech section. You'll find a wealth of info there. Basically the 95 - 96 engine is already so highly tuned that there are no inexpensive bolt on that will really make an appreciable difference.
Long Tube headers along with opening up the air filter box may give you 20 rwh.
Under the C4 parts for sale section read the post about the group sale going on for stainless works headers.
Long Tube headers along with opening up the air filter box may give you 20 rwh.
Under the C4 parts for sale section read the post about the group sale going on for stainless works headers.
Team Owner
Joined: Aug 2003
Posts: 24,987
Likes: 26
From: Kerrville, Texas USA Hook 'em Horns!
CentralTX Events Coordinator
St. Jude Donor '03-'04-'05-'06-'07-'08-'09-'10-'11-'12-'13-'14-'15-'16-'17
My biggest bang for the bucks were 1.6 roller rockers, which have to have hd valve spring, changing the rear gears from 2.59 to 3.07, a corsa cat back exhaust and a dyno tune.
I'll post some dyno numbers tomorrow if you're interested.
I'll post some dyno numbers tomorrow if you're interested.
Race Director
Joined: Jan 2005
Posts: 10,641
Likes: 13
From: Slidell Louisiana
Is your 95 a six speed or auto?
My biggest bang for the buck was swapping the 2.59s for 3.45s. LT headers opened up the mid and top end however, they were pricey. What sucks is the next step takes a bucketload of cash; ported heads and a custom cam require supporting mods that quickly add up.
Mike
My biggest bang for the buck was swapping the 2.59s for 3.45s. LT headers opened up the mid and top end however, they were pricey. What sucks is the next step takes a bucketload of cash; ported heads and a custom cam require supporting mods that quickly add up.
Mike
Instructor
Joined: Dec 2005
Posts: 156
Likes: 0
From: vancouver bc
my daily driver 94lt1 a4 ..everthing stock...125 baby shot of nitrous works great
easily keep up with a 2001 z06 ( stock)
pcm/gears are great for useable pwr
exhaust mods are great but you wont notice anything great from stop light to stop light performance....
it really depends what you want ?
easily keep up with a 2001 z06 ( stock)
pcm/gears are great for useable pwr
exhaust mods are great but you wont notice anything great from stop light to stop light performance....
it really depends what you want ?
Race Director
Joined: Dec 2005
Posts: 13,515
Likes: 11
From: Fisher, IL
Im looking in to new gears myself. hear that they are a good bang for the buck. But i need some new tires first to deal with the power i already have. And some new breaks are in my near future. might as well fix things you need and then work on what you want. although i had to gut the mufflers my first week of having the car. couldn't stand the stock look/sound.
good luck with whatever you decide. -TOMMY
good luck with whatever you decide. -TOMMY
Corvette Stories
The Best of Corvette for Corvette Enthusiasts
Top 10 Most Explosive Corvettes Ever Made: Power-to-Weight Ratio Ranked!
Joe Kucinski
150 hp to 1,250 hp: Every Corvette Generation Compared by the Specs That Matter
Joe Kucinski
8 Coolest Corvette Pace Cars (and Replicas) of All Time
Verdad Gallardo
Top 10 Corvette Engines RANKED by Peak Torque (70+ Years of Muscle!)
Joe Kucinski
Corvette ZR1X Will Be Pacing the Indy 500, And Could Probably Race, Too!
Verdad Gallardo
Top 10 Corvettes Coming to Mecum Indy 2026!
Brett Foote
Top 10 C9 Corvette MUST-HAVES to Fix These C8 Generation Flaws!
Michael S. Palmer
10 Revolutionary 'Corvette Firsts' Most People Don't Know
Joe Kucinski
5 Reasons to Upgrade to an LS6-Powered Corvette; 5 Reasons to Stay LT2
Michael S. Palmer
Intermediate
Joined: Jan 2006
Posts: 30
Likes: 0
From: Picayune MS
A Dry shot
Originally Posted by midlifecrisis91
What would you do to an 95' LT1 to get alittle more power out of it? Other than putting a catback system on it. I need some ideas....Thanks
Le Mans Master
Joined: Dec 2005
Posts: 6,999
Likes: 1,685
From: Southeast TX
Mods
I did the PCM for less chip, 160 degree 'stat (suggested by the PCM folks), and also added Crane 1.6 roller rockers. Wife's '95 model has 3.07's and an auto tranny. Before the mods, a first gear stomp at 20mph rusulted in little if any tire spin and just a little chirp at the 1-2 shift. Went from 20 to 80mph in an average of 8.53 seconds.
After the mods, the same 20mph stomp results in lots of tire spin through a large portion of 1st gear and it breaks them loose again real good at the 1-2 shift. Probably feels like a lot more added HP than it actually is. Times for the same 20 to 80 run are in the 8.25 second range. I'm sure it would be better if the traction were there. I feel like most of the added power came from the RR's. Did that first and it seemed to really wake the girl up. PCM was worth the cash also. Car runs a lot cooler, shifts are crisper, and it just feels quicker. It still gets excellent mileage and is quiet and smooth. Might change out the mufflers if I can find a set that's loud on acceleration, but quiets down to stock levels when the cruise control is set. Don't want the dreaded drone in the cockpit. Maybe 3.73 gears?
After the mods, the same 20mph stomp results in lots of tire spin through a large portion of 1st gear and it breaks them loose again real good at the 1-2 shift. Probably feels like a lot more added HP than it actually is. Times for the same 20 to 80 run are in the 8.25 second range. I'm sure it would be better if the traction were there. I feel like most of the added power came from the RR's. Did that first and it seemed to really wake the girl up. PCM was worth the cash also. Car runs a lot cooler, shifts are crisper, and it just feels quicker. It still gets excellent mileage and is quiet and smooth. Might change out the mufflers if I can find a set that's loud on acceleration, but quiets down to stock levels when the cruise control is set. Don't want the dreaded drone in the cockpit. Maybe 3.73 gears?
Le Mans Master
Joined: Oct 2004
Posts: 6,314
Likes: 508
From: South-central Missouri
Gas n' Gear
A NOS bottle and a 345 rear gear for the A4 or 373 for the M6 will open you eyes!!!
The '95 has an e-prom, so NO CHIP; gonna need a download tune, or better yet have one of the turner/sponsors tune it. After that, and it gets expen$ive.
Cam, heads, headers, strokers,...supercharging...all = HUGE performance increases and prices to match.
P.
The '95 has an e-prom, so NO CHIP; gonna need a download tune, or better yet have one of the turner/sponsors tune it. After that, and it gets expen$ive.
Cam, heads, headers, strokers,...supercharging...all = HUGE performance increases and prices to match.P.
Thread Starter
Drifting
Joined: Nov 2003
Posts: 1,556
Likes: 0
From: Auburn Washington
St. Jude Donor '03-'05-'06
Time to cut and paste the info you guys have given me. You all are GOOD GOOD people to me.... Thanks My 91'Vert just left the driveway, so I have to go snivel a little more in my crying towel....
Pro
Joined: Jul 2005
Posts: 707
Likes: 0
From: Fuquay Varina North Carolina
a vette is not a dragster
One of the first things I noticed about my '95 is ..it is not a dragster..don't force this car to do things it was not designed to do..the vette in my opinion was designed to rocket through turns and not miss a beat, and this it does well, very well..it is a real American sports car..this is my first vette and I love the handling..but in a straight line..my old '71 Mach One Mustang with a 351 Cleveland motor would probably do the quarter faster..or least be real close 
Le Mans Master
Joined: Dec 2005
Posts: 6,999
Likes: 1,685
From: Southeast TX
You're right vince....
but some of us can't leave well enough alone. Can't resist trying to make it run better in a straight line while retaining all of the other attributes that is possesses. That's the perameters that I'm trying to work within. You won't know that my '95 is anything other than stock 'till you step on the go pedal. It's still smooth, quiet, fuel effecient, and reliable. It's all good when you can keep those attributes and make it go faster too.