C4 Tech/Performance L98 Corvette and LT1 Corvette Technical Info, Internal Engine, External Engine

LT4 horsepower

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Old Oct 4, 2005 | 09:05 AM
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Default LT4 horsepower

I have read that GM under rated the LT4 at 330 hp, and that the correct number is closer to 350-360 crank hp on a stock motor. Is this true?

The Grand Sport Registry has dyno runs from unmodified cars that peak at over 300 rwh.
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Old Oct 4, 2005 | 10:16 AM
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Default Supporting data...sota...

Originally Posted by black96lt4
I have read that GM under rated the LT4 at 330 hp, and that the correct number is closer to 350-360 crank hp on a stock motor. Is this true?
An article that appeared at the Corvette Action Center web page a couple years ago supports your conclusion that 330hp may be a bit on the conservative side. (Of course one has to wonder if this is a apples to apples comparison to factory ratings. But, it wouldn't be the first time the factory posted conservative hp ratings, for whatever reason.)

(in effect) Dyno tests of 125 LT4s resulted in the following stats (credited to by Stan Adelman of Auto Performance Test Lab in Atlanta, GA.):

Less than 25% of (LT4s) dynoed <345hp,
about 15% fell into the 360 to 375hp range,
about 10% between 375 and 385hp,
2% hit low 390s hp

If I do the math, that means 48% must be in the gap between 345 and 360 hp (the article said average is between 350 and 360hp)

I'm told that every dyno is different, so getting an absolute reading comparision is difficult between machines. But, relative comparisions on the same machine are accurate to a much greater degree. A grain of salt is possibly in order here as well.

Hope this helps.

P.
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Old Oct 4, 2005 | 11:45 AM
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Yes its true, they are underrated from the factory due to the 345hp LS1 engine that was to follow in 97.
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Old Oct 4, 2005 | 12:08 PM
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I dyno'ed mine about 2 years ago, only mod was no mufflers, it had 299/RWH on a Mustang dyno.
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Old Oct 4, 2005 | 12:40 PM
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Cool. Thanks for the info.
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Old Oct 4, 2005 | 02:21 PM
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Wasn't it determined a while back that the LT1 was also under rated in the vettes, but not the F-bodies??? I may be wrong on this... it was posted in a thread a while back and I am at work so I don't have time to do a search...
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Old Oct 4, 2005 | 06:54 PM
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Mine made 305 with Magnaflows and a cold air kit. I don't believe the cold air kit makes any difference sitting still and I doubt the mufflers made much difference either.
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Old Oct 4, 2005 | 08:39 PM
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Bone stock mine dynoed 298 rwhp on a mustang dyno.

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Old Oct 4, 2005 | 11:59 PM
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YES Its True


bone stock to the air filter and mufflers i pulled 306.1 RWHP / 308.2 RWTQ.....
and it was a hot day and a hot engine
thats 360 CHP and 363 CTQ

Now after welding straight pipes in the place of mufflers and resonator, and a cut airlid- still stock filter, i think i should be in the 316RWHP range which is 372 CHP

Long tubes and high flows should buy me 12-18 RWHP
a LT4hot cam with 1.7RR's should buy me 20-30 RWHP
a DYNO tune should buy me another 10-20 RWHP

so in the end i will be looking in the worst case 360RWHP and best best case 385 RWHP

--Kevin

Last edited by A BirdMan Converted; Oct 7, 2005 at 03:40 PM.
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Old Oct 5, 2005 | 07:19 AM
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Originally Posted by boulderlt4
Bone stock mine dynoed 298 rwhp on a mustang dyno.

I'm guessing you live in Boulder CO? And, if so, was the dyno reading you got on the LT4 also done near the "Mile High City"??? I'm thinking if that is true, then it might have benefitted from a lower elevation run. I lived in Bailey Colorado for 4 years and I know how sluggish my cars were up there compared to here in middle IL.



P.
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Old Oct 5, 2005 | 10:56 AM
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Originally Posted by Paul Workman
I'm guessing you live in Boulder CO? And, if so, was the dyno reading you got on the LT4 also done near the "Mile High City"??? I'm thinking if that is true, then it might have benefitted from a lower elevation run. I lived in Bailey Colorado for 4 years and I know how sluggish my cars were up there compared to here in middle IL.



P.
Those are altitude adjusted numbers.

Car was a lot faster when I lived in Cali. Had to mod the crap out of it when I moved it here, because it felt like a different car.

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Old Oct 5, 2005 | 01:08 PM
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Default Making a case for FI, I recon....

Originally Posted by boulderlt4
Those are altitude adjusted numbers.

Car was a lot faster when I lived in Cali. Had to mod the crap out of it when I moved it here, because it felt like a different car.



I'm trying to figure out zakly whicha-way to go w/ my 450-475 hp goal for m LT1, keeping in mind I may be back in Colorado again, living at 8500+ feet. It would prolly take all of a 383, LT headers, and cam just to get back to where I am now at 600 ft AMSL w/ the LT1!

Much as I would rather avoid FI and associated complexities, a SC would offer an immediate hp lift, and I could do the lower end in a year or so. That might be a way to solve the thin air problem.

I'm not making a point...Just sorta thinking out loud, I guess!

P.
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Old Oct 5, 2005 | 05:36 PM
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Default Bone Stock......

Bone Stock in mine was 319 rwhp at South Georgia Corvettes 2 years ago.
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Old Oct 5, 2005 | 06:43 PM
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Originally Posted by GS348
Bone Stock in mine was 319 rwhp at South Georgia Corvettes 2 years ago.

That thing must have been built on a wednesday
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Old Oct 6, 2005 | 01:43 PM
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don't know my numbers yet, but in 1 month we are gonna put all 3 LT-4's available in the Netherlands on a dyno
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Old Oct 6, 2005 | 01:50 PM
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Originally Posted by GS348
Bone Stock in mine was 319 rwhp at South Georgia Corvettes 2 years ago.

Dayyyummnn!!!
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Old Oct 6, 2005 | 02:09 PM
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Originally Posted by black96lt4
I have read that GM under rated the LT4 at 330 hp, and that the correct number is closer to 350-360 crank hp on a stock motor. Is this true?

The Grand Sport Registry has dyno runs from unmodified cars that peak at over 300 rwh.
1996 LT4 CE with Corsa and K&N = 300.4 RWHP = apprx. 353 FWHP.

On my dyno, it stated "CF: SAE Smoothing" Is this different than what it states on other dyno sheets?

Thanks
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To LT4 horsepower

Old Oct 7, 2005 | 02:23 AM
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I love my Lt-4, big difference from my friends LT-1. Smoked him 8 out of 8 times.
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Old Oct 7, 2005 | 02:25 AM
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Lt-1's Rock though. Easier to upgrade.
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Old Oct 7, 2005 | 09:11 AM
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Originally Posted by MetalVette
Lt-1's Rock though. Easier to upgrade.
???? How's that?
The LT-1s are great, but the LT-4s are basicly the same as the LT-1s, the LT-4 is simply already factory upgraded in some areas.
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