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

First Engine Mods

Thread Tools
 
Search this Thread
 
Old Jul 18, 2002 | 08:28 AM
  #1  
Bradley3's Avatar
Bradley3
Thread Starter
Instructor
 
Joined: Aug 2001
Posts: 158
Likes: 0
From: Millington mI
Default First Engine Mods

My 92 LT1 auto is in the shop right now getting a 3.54 rear end installed as well as a transgo shift kit and a tranny cooler.

Once I get it back I plan to start modding the engine a little.

So far it has a K&N air filter (does that even count as a mod? :) and muffler elims. My goals are to pick up some torque and horsepower as well as improve engine sound.

I'd like to start small and cheap and work my way into the engine. I seem to remember there being a few small, cheap, do-it-yourself mods for my LT1? Is that right? If so I think I'd like to start with them. After that I'm clueless. I've heard a lot about hot cams, computer chips, new heads, etc.... but I don't know which of these I should start with and which ones fit my budget . I don't really HAVE a budget... I just don't want to drop a fortune on this stuff.... and I have little to no mechanical ability so i have to pay labor costs :(

Anyways, advice on where to start is appreciated!

Reply
Old Jul 18, 2002 | 10:11 AM
  #2  
silver & red CE's Avatar
silver & red CE
Melting Slicks
10 Year Member
 
Joined: Jan 2000
Posts: 3,418
Likes: 1
From: NW Chicago Suburbs
Default Re: First Engine Mods (Bradley3)

If your interested in making your Vette faster, the next good mod is a looser torque converter. Did you open the airbox by removing the baffle? TB bypass helps a little, 160 t-stat and custom program are good mods too. After that, I'd look at 1.6 roller rockers and a catback exhaust.

Eric
Reply
Old Jul 18, 2002 | 10:14 AM
  #3  
kkonen's Avatar
kkonen
Racer
 
Joined: May 2001
Posts: 320
Likes: 0
From: TX
Default Re: First Engine Mods (Bradley3)

Check out my web page.
Reply
Old Jul 18, 2002 | 11:41 AM
  #4  
vader86's Avatar
vader86
Team Owner
20 Year Member
Liked
Loved
Community Favorite
 
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
Default Re: First Engine Mods (silver & red CE)

like he said, TB bypass, 1.6RR, 2600-2800 stall Vigilante Torque Conv., 160 thermo (though this isnt really necessary unless you have overheating problems) and then a custom chip to make your fans come on earlier
Reply
Old Jul 18, 2002 | 07:25 PM
  #5  
93 ragtop's Avatar
93 ragtop
Le Mans Master
25 Year Member
Conversation Starter
All Eyes On Me
Liked
 
Joined: Apr 2000
Posts: 5,713
Likes: 105
From: Manassas VA
Default Re: First Engine Mods (vader86)

like he said, TB bypass, 1.6RR, 2600-2800 stall Vigilante Torque Conv., 160 thermo (though this isnt really necessary unless you have overheating problems) and then a custom chip to make your fans come on earlier
I disagree with the part about the 160 t-stat. It will help power to lower the temp of the engine. If you are having a overheating problem it wont make any difference if you have the stock 180 t-stat or the 160 in it. They both will be wide open at 230 degrees. If you are overheating you need to find out why you can not give up the BTU's. It can be a fan problem, but 9 times out of 10 its going to be a airflow problem with the radiator. IE blockage.
Reply
Old Jul 18, 2002 | 08:00 PM
  #6  
GlockLT4's Avatar
GlockLT4
Team Owner
20 Year Member
 
Joined: Apr 2001
Posts: 22,267
Likes: 3
From: Dallas TX
Default Re: First Engine Mods (vader86)

good idea with the shift kit and the tranny cooler :cheers: . Both worked really well on my car.
Reply
Old Jul 19, 2002 | 04:30 AM
  #7  
TIMSPEED's Avatar
TIMSPEED
Le Mans Master
10 Year Member
 
Joined: Mar 2001
Posts: 9,464
Likes: 1
From: Modesto CA
Default Re: First Engine Mods (Glock'94)

Personally, I would have went with a 3.73(5) gear ratio. Next I would definately look into a looser torque converter (Yank Stealth 2600, P.I. Vigilante 3000), Also, possibly take your car to an exhaust shop and get dual 2½" with an x-pipe fit up from your cats-back, then maybe get a nice set of Dynomax Ultra Flow Mufflers. With our old 92 LT1, we were able to best of a 12.5 in the ¼ mile with basically just exhaust, loose torque converter and a set of drag radials.
Reply
Old Jul 19, 2002 | 11:15 AM
  #8  
mn_vette's Avatar
mn_vette
Melting Slicks
20 Year Member
Liked
 
Joined: Jan 2002
Posts: 3,293
Likes: 79
From: Jackson MI
Default Re: First Engine Mods (Bradley3)

Everything that I've been told is plan for the future mod. What would you like your car to be when you are all done with the mods(like that ever happens). And start taking small steps working towards your goal. Look at what groups of things install well togther to save install times and lots of extra work.
Reply

Get notified of new replies

To First Engine Mods

Corvette Stories

The Best of Corvette for Corvette Enthusiasts

story-0

10 Ugly Corvettes That We Still Kinda Love

 Joe Kucinski
story-1

Top 10 Most Expensive Corvettes Ever Sold on Bring A Trailer

 Brett Foote
story-2

10 Things Every Corvette Owner Needs (2026 Edition)

 Michael S. Palmer
story-3

8 Most "Only Corvette Owners Understand" Quirks and Problems

 Pouria Savadkouei
story-4

10 Reasons the C6 Z06 is Still A Performance Benchmark After 20 Years

 Joe Kucinski
story-5

How Much Horsepower Every Corvette Engine "LOST" in 1972

 Joe Kucinski
story-6

Top 10 DOs and DON'Ts for Protecting Your Convertible Top!

 Michael S. Palmer
story-7

Top 10 Most Explosive Corvettes Ever Made: Power-to-Weight Ratio Ranked!

 Joe Kucinski
story-8

150 hp to 1,250 hp: Every Corvette Generation Compared by the Specs That Matter

 Joe Kucinski
story-9

8 Coolest Corvette Pace Cars (and Replicas) of All Time

 Verdad Gallardo




All times are GMT -4. The time now is 06:43 PM.

story-0
10 Ugly Corvettes That We Still Kinda Love

Slideshow: 10 ugly Corvettes that we still kinda love.

By Joe Kucinski | 2026-06-03 10:34:17


VIEW MORE
story-1
Top 10 Most Expensive Corvettes Ever Sold on Bring A Trailer

A lot of money has changed hands at the online auction house over the years.

By Brett Foote | 2026-06-03 10:21:50


VIEW MORE
story-2
10 Things Every Corvette Owner Needs (2026 Edition)

Slideshow: 10 great gifts Corvette enthusiasts actually want for Father's Day!

By Michael S. Palmer | 2026-06-03 15:43:40


VIEW MORE
story-3
8 Most "Only Corvette Owners Understand" Quirks and Problems

Slideshow: These are the quirks, annoyances, and oddly lovable problems that every Corvette owner eventually learns to live with.

By Pouria Savadkouei | 2026-05-28 09:31:39


VIEW MORE
story-4
10 Reasons the C6 Z06 is Still A Performance Benchmark After 20 Years

Slideshow: 10 reasons why the C6 Z06 is still a performance benchmark after 20 years.

By Joe Kucinski | 2026-05-27 17:20:09


VIEW MORE
story-5
How Much Horsepower Every Corvette Engine "LOST" in 1972

Slideshow: How much horsepower every Corvette engine lost in 1972.

By Joe Kucinski | 2026-05-27 16:54:53


VIEW MORE
story-6
Top 10 DOs and DON'Ts for Protecting Your Convertible Top!

Slideshow: How to Protect A Convertible Top: 10 DOs & DON'Ts

By Michael S. Palmer | 2026-04-03 00:00:00


VIEW MORE
story-7
Top 10 Most Explosive Corvettes Ever Made: Power-to-Weight Ratio Ranked!

Slideshow: The 10 most explosive Corvettes ever built based on power-to-weight ratio.

By Joe Kucinski | 2026-05-20 07:23:03


VIEW MORE
story-8
150 hp to 1,250 hp: Every Corvette Generation Compared by the Specs That Matter

Slideshow: From C1 to C8 we compare every Corvette generation by the numbers.

By Joe Kucinski | 2026-05-12 16:54:12


VIEW MORE
story-9
8 Coolest Corvette Pace Cars (and Replicas) of All Time

Slideshow: Some Corvette pace cars became collectible legends, while others perfectly captured the look and attitude of their era.

By Verdad Gallardo | 2026-05-11 09:50:51


VIEW MORE