1996 LT4 performance upgrade help
Thread Starter
5th Gear
Joined: May 2014
Posts: 5
Likes: 0
1996 LT4 performance upgrade help
Hello!
I have a '96 with a LT4 motor and 6 speed transmission, I'm interested in upgrading the performance of the car.
I do not have intentions of tracking the car, perhaps a 1/4 mile here and there, but nothing serious as far as racing goes. It's primarily used on the weekends when I have time, have put about 5K miles on it in the last 5 years.
My primary concern is reliability and longevity of the life of the car. I'm not interested in nitrous at all, open to a supercharger, but would prefer to stay N/A.
I've looked at performance parts on various sites, but am a bit confused on the best way to go about any upgrades. All the "performance packages" tend to be for the newer vettes, I'm looking for another 100-150 horsepowers.
I don't really have a budget per se, would like to not get out of hand, somewhere in the $5K neighborhood would be nice. any ideas on what i can get for 5K? and what 100-150HP might cost me?
can somebody help point me in the right direction of where to begin?
thanks so much!
I have a '96 with a LT4 motor and 6 speed transmission, I'm interested in upgrading the performance of the car.
I do not have intentions of tracking the car, perhaps a 1/4 mile here and there, but nothing serious as far as racing goes. It's primarily used on the weekends when I have time, have put about 5K miles on it in the last 5 years.
My primary concern is reliability and longevity of the life of the car. I'm not interested in nitrous at all, open to a supercharger, but would prefer to stay N/A.
I've looked at performance parts on various sites, but am a bit confused on the best way to go about any upgrades. All the "performance packages" tend to be for the newer vettes, I'm looking for another 100-150 horsepowers.
I don't really have a budget per se, would like to not get out of hand, somewhere in the $5K neighborhood would be nice. any ideas on what i can get for 5K? and what 100-150HP might cost me?
can somebody help point me in the right direction of where to begin?
thanks so much!
Max G’s
Joined: Nov 2008
Posts: 2,751
Likes: 78
From: Monroe OH
NCM Sinkhole Donor
LT4 hot cam kit, LT Headers, and a good dyno tune. You could probably step up on the heads, but the stock LT4 heads are pretty good. Then,if you want a little more, do a rear ratio swap to a 4.11 ratio vs stock 3.45. 
Thread Starter
5th Gear
Joined: May 2014
Posts: 5
Likes: 0
do lots of people run a 4.11? seems a bit steep for that car considering the traction is easily broken as it is. also seems to get more wheel hop in the rear when traction control is off than other cars I have driven, is this just due to the wide tires?
speaking of which, I need new tires soon, any good recommendations? would prefer the most traction, especially if i'll be adding power to the car, i try to never get caught out in the rain in it, but it happens time to time.
Max G’s
Joined: Nov 2008
Posts: 2,751
Likes: 78
From: Monroe OH
NCM Sinkhole Donor
thanks, will look into heads, cam, and headers.
do lots of people run a 4.11? seems a bit steep for that car considering the traction is easily broken as it is. also seems to get more wheel hop in the rear when traction control is off than other cars I have driven, is this just due to the wide tires?
speaking of which, I need new tires soon, any good recommendations? would prefer the most traction, especially if i'll be adding power to the car, i try to never get caught out in the rain in it, but it happens time to time.
do lots of people run a 4.11? seems a bit steep for that car considering the traction is easily broken as it is. also seems to get more wheel hop in the rear when traction control is off than other cars I have driven, is this just due to the wide tires?
speaking of which, I need new tires soon, any good recommendations? would prefer the most traction, especially if i'll be adding power to the car, i try to never get caught out in the rain in it, but it happens time to time.
