92 C4 performance add-on tips please
Thread Starter
Pro
Joined: Mar 2006
Posts: 521
Likes: 23
From: Golden CO
92 C4 performance add-on tips please
GREAT forum. I don't ride it hard but like to enjoy it, and keep seeing all these bolt-on add-ons like cold air intake, mass airflow, special venturis, etc. I'm just curious what one or ones would make actual noticeable (ie, fun!) performance improvement on my C4 LT1 with 125k miles. Don't think I'd do the 'chip' unless highly recommended.
Would greatly appreciate some input, I'm willing to spend $500 total just for the right combination of tweaks.
Thanks in advance.
DW
Would greatly appreciate some input, I'm willing to spend $500 total just for the right combination of tweaks.
Thanks in advance.
DW
Drifting
Joined: Jan 2003
Posts: 1,894
Likes: 3
From: Reading PA.
How about a set of Headers and good mufflers. Or seat of the pants mod. a new lower ratio gear set for the rear end. The gears will kill a little gas mileage but take off like a rocket depending how low of a gear you go with. JUST A THOUGHT 
GOOD LUCK WITH YOUR UPGRADES Pipe
GOOD LUCK WITH YOUR UPGRADES Pipe
Thread Starter
Pro
Joined: Mar 2006
Posts: 521
Likes: 23
From: Golden CO
so, skip the bolt ons ? (mass air flow, etc)
thanks guys; I'm focused on keeping it pretty simple though, rear end stuff is out (mpg is an issue for one thing, I love the fuel economy of this car for the performance it offers along with it).
I've seen a lot about the springs and rockers and don't doubt their impact, maybe will consider that but, was hoping to get a yay or ney on doing the easy stuff I always see pitched in Ecklers etc catalogs, is that stuff bunk? Such as $400 mass air flow sensor, those 'high flow' air foils $30, air flow housing $140, cold air intake system $300, air temp sensor relocate kit $50, the performance 'chip', etc.
Is all that a waste of time and money, wouldn't make any noticeable improvement? There is so much hype about all those I've always wondered.
Love to hear from someone whose actually done some of these.
mucho thanks
dw
I've seen a lot about the springs and rockers and don't doubt their impact, maybe will consider that but, was hoping to get a yay or ney on doing the easy stuff I always see pitched in Ecklers etc catalogs, is that stuff bunk? Such as $400 mass air flow sensor, those 'high flow' air foils $30, air flow housing $140, cold air intake system $300, air temp sensor relocate kit $50, the performance 'chip', etc.
Is all that a waste of time and money, wouldn't make any noticeable improvement? There is so much hype about all those I've always wondered.
Love to hear from someone whose actually done some of these.
mucho thanks
dw
Pro
Joined: Jan 2004
Posts: 707
Likes: 0
From: Syracuse Utah
Take your time before you get into any of that catalog stuff. I think most will agree that many of them are a waste of time and money. Try headers, 1.6 roller rockers, GM Hot Cam. You will get proven results with those items.
Team Owner
Joined: Sep 2001
Posts: 62,160
Likes: 1,733
From: Athens AL
C7 of the Year - Unmodified Finalist 2021
C4 of Year Finalist (performance mods) 2019
Do not buy anything in the catalogs that says it gives power, because 99% of it (other than exhaust) doesn't. So take the catalogs and pick what interior add-ons or clothing you like, and if you dont, toss em.
Vortex Rammer is crap, dont buy it. SLP's isnt even a Cold-air intake either. Do not cut the screens in your MAF (it doesnt help LT1 as much), and do not buy a Granatelli or any other "high-flow" sensor. No Tornado in your intake or any other junk.
If its a manual, it needs 4.10 gears. It wont hurt mileage because of the new use for 6th. An automatic should get a 2400 stall TC first, then maybe gears if you are not happy. (3.07s wont hurt mileage if you dont have those already).
Otherwise, pick a catback you like based on sound only. They all give roughly equal power gains. 1.6RR would be another good mod. Headers next.
Vortex Rammer is crap, dont buy it. SLP's isnt even a Cold-air intake either. Do not cut the screens in your MAF (it doesnt help LT1 as much), and do not buy a Granatelli or any other "high-flow" sensor. No Tornado in your intake or any other junk.
If its a manual, it needs 4.10 gears. It wont hurt mileage because of the new use for 6th. An automatic should get a 2400 stall TC first, then maybe gears if you are not happy. (3.07s wont hurt mileage if you dont have those already).
Otherwise, pick a catback you like based on sound only. They all give roughly equal power gains. 1.6RR would be another good mod. Headers next.
Thread Starter
Pro
Joined: Mar 2006
Posts: 521
Likes: 23
From: Golden CO
terrific - thanks!
Well, thanks all. Exhaust system, rollers, I'm going shopping.
Gears - I'll think about, I like the top end though and don't want to sacrifice. Cam, well maybe next year.
Still laughing about the 'buy some clothes and then throw the catalog away' advice. Will do. Do they sell socks, I need some.
many thanks
DW
Gears - I'll think about, I like the top end though and don't want to sacrifice. Cam, well maybe next year.
Still laughing about the 'buy some clothes and then throw the catalog away' advice. Will do. Do they sell socks, I need some.
many thanks
DW
Burning Brakes
Joined: Nov 2005
Posts: 848
Likes: 1
From: 1992 LT1 6 speed Cayman Islands
Originally Posted by vader86
Do not buy anything in the catalogs that says it gives power, because 99% of it (other than exhaust) doesn't. So take the catalogs and pick what interior add-ons or clothing you like, and if you dont, toss em.
Vortex Rammer is crap, dont buy it. SLP's isnt even a Cold-air intake either. Do not cut the screens in your MAF (it doesnt help LT1 as much), and do not buy a Granatelli or any other "high-flow" sensor. No Tornado in your intake or any other junk.
If its a manual, it needs 4.10 gears. It wont hurt mileage because of the new use for 6th. An automatic should get a 2400 stall TC first, then maybe gears if you are not happy. (3.07s wont hurt mileage if you dont have those already).
Otherwise, pick a catback you like based on sound only. They all give roughly equal power gains. 1.6RR would be another good mod. Headers next.
Vortex Rammer is crap, dont buy it. SLP's isnt even a Cold-air intake either. Do not cut the screens in your MAF (it doesnt help LT1 as much), and do not buy a Granatelli or any other "high-flow" sensor. No Tornado in your intake or any other junk.
If its a manual, it needs 4.10 gears. It wont hurt mileage because of the new use for 6th. An automatic should get a 2400 stall TC first, then maybe gears if you are not happy. (3.07s wont hurt mileage if you dont have those already).
Otherwise, pick a catback you like based on sound only. They all give roughly equal power gains. 1.6RR would be another good mod. Headers next.
Does not help LT1 at all. Mine has no MAF
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Team Owner
Joined: Sep 2001
Posts: 62,160
Likes: 1,733
From: Athens AL
C7 of the Year - Unmodified Finalist 2021
C4 of Year Finalist (performance mods) 2019
Originally Posted by Jerris
Does not help LT1 at all. Mine has no MAF
Le Mans Master
Joined: Apr 2000
Posts: 6,341
Likes: 1
From: Shelton CT
I just got a '92 triple white, and going fromj a low 12 second, high 11 second '85 I am jonesing for better performance than my stock 2.59 geared automatic LT1 now.
Mods already planned are, D44 with 3.45 gears (already have it), 2800stall converter, shiftkit, a custom ramair system i'll design (kind of like the vararam for the C5's), 1.6rr Roller rockers, Corsa cat-back exhaust.
MAYBE, just maybe shortie headers ( I want to keep the car fully emissions legal here in CT.
The whoel thing shouldn't cost me more than $700-800, probably less, and shoudl put me DEEP into the 12's again..
Mods already planned are, D44 with 3.45 gears (already have it), 2800stall converter, shiftkit, a custom ramair system i'll design (kind of like the vararam for the C5's), 1.6rr Roller rockers, Corsa cat-back exhaust.
MAYBE, just maybe shortie headers ( I want to keep the car fully emissions legal here in CT.
The whoel thing shouldn't cost me more than $700-800, probably less, and shoudl put me DEEP into the 12's again..
Thread Starter
Pro
Joined: Mar 2006
Posts: 521
Likes: 23
From: Golden CO
Good project ideas; top end issues?!
Good stuff. What will the lower gearing do to top end though? Are the LT1's stuck with some kind of top end limit in the computer, if so can it be bypassed? I drive to Vegas often from here in SF Bay area, lots of roads out there you can open up on, I'd love to see a little more top end. Had a motorcycle that would, and did do with me driving, 160mph and I would like to get there on 4 wheels too just for fun, or close to it anyway.
Thanks much.
Thanks much.
Cruising
Joined: Nov 2004
Posts: 13
Likes: 0
From: Salem OR
From personal experience on my 1992 automatic with 3.07 gears.
1.6 roller rockers shaved off 1 tenth in the 1/4 mile
Vortex Rammer shaved off 2 tenths, but I would not recommend it because it is made of cheap thin plastic that warps
. I am working on an aluminum version.
long tube headers and B&B 3'' exhaust shaved off 5 tenths. My favorite mod so far...until I get my 383 in that is!!
1.6 roller rockers shaved off 1 tenth in the 1/4 mile
Vortex Rammer shaved off 2 tenths, but I would not recommend it because it is made of cheap thin plastic that warps
. I am working on an aluminum version.long tube headers and B&B 3'' exhaust shaved off 5 tenths. My favorite mod so far...until I get my 383 in that is!!
Drifting
Joined: Jan 2003
Posts: 1,894
Likes: 3
From: Reading PA.
Sounds right guys I did all those little things toss the frisbee, 160 T stadt, air pump elim, headers w/flowmasters no cat convertor 52mm TB, fuel pressure reg 3.07 gears I think my car runs pretty good for having a stock block, heads and intake It ran 13.23 at 104 I guess all that little stuff adds up if ya do enough of em. GOOD LUCK WITH YOUR CAR MAN Pipe
Pipe
Burning Brakes
Joined: Nov 2005
Posts: 848
Likes: 1
From: 1992 LT1 6 speed Cayman Islands
Originally Posted by pipe
Sounds right guys I did all those little things toss the frisbee, 160 T stadt, air pump elim, headers w/flowmasters no cat convertor 52mm TB, fuel pressure reg 3.07 gears I think my car runs pretty good for having a stock block, heads and intake It ran 13.23 at 104 I guess all that little stuff adds up if ya do enough of em. GOOD LUCK WITH YOUR CAR MAN Pipe
Pipe160 stat, 52mm TB, FP regulator, air pump removal are a waste of money that will not show any increase in HP.
Gears, LT headers, free flowing exhaust, raise RPM limiter, chip and 1.6 rockers all good ideas that you will feel in the SOP. The LT1 likes to rev so the gears will give you the best punch for the money.
Melting Slicks
Joined: Sep 2003
Posts: 3,474
Likes: 1
From: 1
Nathan Plemons wrote an amazing page explaining the stuff the does and doesnt work. Take some time and read everything
http://www.wku.edu/~nathan.plemons/h...rformance.html
http://www.wku.edu/~nathan.plemons/h...rformance.html
Thread Starter
Pro
Joined: Mar 2006
Posts: 521
Likes: 23
From: Golden CO
Plemons LT1 site - terrific resource, thanks
Originally Posted by Darkgh0st
Nathan Plemons wrote an amazing page explaining the stuff the does and doesnt work. Take some time and read everything
http://www.wku.edu/~nathan.plemons/h...rformance.html
http://www.wku.edu/~nathan.plemons/h...rformance.html
