Continuing the saga.

Added the PCMforless chip last week.

Absolutely felt the difference! Better kick from 5 MPH rolling start, smoother throughout rev range, and noticeably more power from 3.5K to redline.

So, based on SOTP, plus a few dyno results for LT1's that I found during my research, I'm guessing 10-15 HP. That's a nice upgrade for only $175. I know some more knowlegeable folks than me thought the chip would not help, but the one Alvin sent me sure did! I would recommend this painless 15 minute mod to anybody.

Christmas came early and I ordered the Corsas. Stay tuned for the next chapter.

 

Thanks, I appreciate it.. I feel that it is one of the best bangs for the buck. When you compare it to a intake, exhaust, etc on the dyno you'll see that is a good HP/dallor investment.

 

I would at least add headers with intake and exhaust. The chip can wait until you are done. I put in a hyperchip but replaced it when the cam went in. I first put on intake and exhaust, then throttle body and chip with plugs. Then gears, followed by torque converter and shift kit with trans cooler. Then hot cam, porting on intake and exhaust, 1.6 crane gold rr with fierrarie racing valves.
Toped it off with 100 HP Wet throttle body TNT nitrous kit.

 

I cant believe nobody mentioned gears. 3.54 or 3.73 will make your car faster period. Thats if you can get your tires to grab the road. That will run you a grand. Its a must in my book. Good luck. Sounds like you have the bug.

 

The bolt-ons are complete. Well, maybe.

The Corsa exhaust is as advertised -- the loud pedal is loud, the cruise is quiet. But you all knew that already.

I felt a performance improvement also, but it was not as dramatic as the chip.

Thanks again for all the comments, whether supportive or critical.

I will confess, I was most influenced by Alvin's guarantee and 92ZR1WANNABE's dyno results. It may have been wishful thinking on my part -- but at this point I'd bet (based on the data that was shared plus my and another driver's butt dynos) that the $1400 I spent (including installation charges) probably delivered better than the rule of thumb 1HP for every $100! Perhaps nearly twice as much.

Bottom line for me is you CAN get noticeable power with $1500 in bolt ons. Just the answer for a non-mechanic who wants a bit extra without breaking the bank and opening the engine (or spending $5K or more to upgrade to an LT4!)

Another data point if you are interested. Found this when googling LT1 mods. http://www.ws6.com/mycar.htm
I assume the '96 WS6 is a pretty close analogue to a '93 LT1. The guy did a lot of dyno runs and it looks like he gained about 20HP from his best tune and Borlas. Interestingly, he measured an additional 6HP gain with the controversial TB bypass and a couple HP with the airfoil. Looks like I'll probably complete my fun with those mods, even if they won't be noticeable SOTP.

There's a local shop that has dyno days every month. Although I don't have a baseline, I think I will do this and report back.

 

I have two airfoils I'll sell. One just slips in the hose and the other is a brand new screw down type. I got a throttle body with an integrated airfoil, so I don't need it. Let me know if you're interested.

Congrats on your results.

 

Hi friend this is my take on modding your LT1!!!
1) If you only had your car For 6 months.and you're asking about modding or waiting for another vette,,simple bolt ons will not satisfy
you.....plain and simple
2)$1500 hundred dollars is a lot of money to start out with if you have a
plan.....waiting to get another vette in the next few years ain"t fun
either!!!
Here"s the plan......
3) Long tube headers..LT1 exhaust flows excellent as is..headers will
make car sound mean!!
4) buy hotcam ( wait save money) enjoy headers
5) buy 1.7RR ( wait some more save money )
6) money saved have heads ported install RRs, install cam

7) tune car
8) enjoy the best mods for an Lt1 IMO

 

Since you didn't do before and after dyno runs, any hp numbers you come up with are just speculation. If you spent $1400, you can roughly (VERY roughly) figure on about 14hp.
Much of the improvement is psychological, but that's okay...if it make driving your C4 more fun, then the investment is worth every penny!
Rock on!!
Larry
code5coupe

 

I don't fully agree its all speculation/psychological -- although it certainly could be. When I made the original post, I was hoping to scare up some actual comparisons done by tuners or C4 owners who had access to dynos or had done track before-after measurements. Unfortunately, not much seems to be available. What little "hard" data I have found suggests the 20-25 HP is a reasonable expectation.

Did you check out the WS6 website I attached? And, it looks like 92ZR1WANNABE may have picked up 30HP with his exhaust mods. Corsa claimed 12-14 HP on a stock LT1 (I have the e-mail) and the PCMforless site has some pretty impressive before/afters. Certainly 10-15 HP from their chip is realistic based on their data -- and I assure you what I felt after I installed it was a lot more than psychological (the Corsas are another issue).

So I'm not trying to be argumentative -- but can you (or other "doubters") post some hard evidence that disproves the admittedly meager data I did find? I think it would help others who are interested in getting a nice kick for a few bucks without going "whole hog."

Best,
Fred

 

PM'd you.............

 

I hit 12.8@110 no cam, no heads, regular radials 140,000 miles

I tested every little thing I did on that car and I found that the 4 main reasons were:

1) K&N ram air
2) Long Tube Headers
3) 4.09 gears
4) 1.6 roller rockers