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

LT1 Performance upgrades advice

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Old Mar 23, 2008 | 03:24 PM
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JakesterUK's Avatar
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Default LT1 Performance upgrades advice

Sorry, I've a few questions here but would be grateful for any and all advise as shipping parts to the UK can get real expensive if you order the wrong parts

My 'vette is a '94 LT1 auto with 3.07's, it has the following mods already:
Borla cat back
BBK 52mm TB
SLP air intake
Taylor leads
Accel pro-coil
160 thermostat

First I want to upgrade the torque convertor but there seems to be a lot of negative posts on here about the TCI and B&M ones.

Any suggestions on who's convertor to use?

Also what's the best speed to go for? 2,400 or 2,800

I will be using the car for 1/4 mileing and as a daily car in the summer.

When upgrading the torque convertor is there anything else I should upgrade at the same time?

I also want to change the gears, I've read the 4.11's are best for the 6 speeds, but what would be the best improvement over the 3.07's? also can anyone recommend a supplier.

Thanks for the help
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Old Mar 23, 2008 | 04:22 PM
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I love my 3.45s and I probably would be happy with 3.7X gears too, however, a stall converter and the 3.07s might be OK too! But I'd look for something in the mid to high 3.XX JMHO

You can't go wrong with a Vig or a Yank converter.

Mike
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Old Mar 23, 2008 | 06:20 PM
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All your current mods are nice to have but you really won't see any performance increase with stock heads and cam.

a 2800 Vigilante and 3.73 gears is your best bang for the bucks.
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Old Mar 23, 2008 | 08:58 PM
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I would swap the 48mm(stock) throttle body back on.It should help throttle response.
I would think a 3.36-3.54 gear would be about right.A 2600 stall converter and a shift kit(trans cooler also)should be on target.
Drag racing is fun,however with gas prices what they are(in the UK)I would err on the conservative side since you plan to use it for a daily driver as well.
I might even try the converter and shift kit before the gears.You may be happy enough to leave it alone.
If you do raise the stall and lower the gears I would be cautios of sticky tires.Dana 36 rears will only take so much abuse.Look for a D44 swap with the 3.45 gearset(factory) and have at it.
There was a post about stall converters in the last day or two with some good info.Try and find it.
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Old Mar 24, 2008 | 10:29 AM
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Thanks, regarding 'daily driving' my mileage during the summer will be tiny and to be honest unless you drive a 0.1 litre car in the UK then you're going to get spanked when it comes to fuel, (it's now over the £5 a gallon mark)

Is anyone running the 3.73's with a 2600 or 2800 torque?? and can anyone suggest a supplier??

Thanks
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Old Mar 24, 2008 | 08:49 PM
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Old Mar 25, 2008 | 12:06 AM
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Originally Posted by mackeyred96
All your current mods are nice to have but you really won't see any performance increase with stock heads and cam.

a 2800 Vigilante and 3.73 gears is your best bang for the bucks.
Then add a Barry Grant shot of Nitrous and wahoo
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Old Mar 25, 2008 | 09:04 AM
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Originally Posted by mackeyred96
All your current mods are nice to have but you really won't see any performance increase with stock heads and cam.

a 2800 Vigilante and 3.73 gears is your best bang for the bucks.
Just put a 2800 Vigilate in my 94/A4 with a 3.07 rear and I am very happy with it. I would call them and see what TC they say would work for you. Be careful with that D36 rear (I am in the same boat).
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Old Mar 25, 2008 | 10:38 AM
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Originally Posted by blue94


Just put a 2800 Vigilate in my 94/A4 with a 3.07 rear and I am very happy with it. I would call them and see what TC they say would work for you. Be careful with that D36 rear (I am in the same boat).


Try just the 2800 stall converter first. That stall with the 3.07 gear is a good combo without spinning all day long. You can always go with a stickier tire but then you have to worry about the Dana 36. As it is with the 2800 you will really need at least a DR to see a decent improvement. I had a TCI converter that broke with the trans a week ago and it is in the shop right now getting a Vigilante and built up transmission to handle about 700hp. Now the rear is my main concern.


Last edited by rickneworleansla; Mar 25, 2008 at 10:41 AM.
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