Should I get a torque converter and shift kit?
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Joined: Jun 2002
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From: Winnetka CA
Should I get a torque converter and shift kit?
I have an 87 Corvette automatic and I wanted to know if I should get an aftermarket torque converter and shift kit. How much do they run for and where should I go to get them if they are worth it?
Also does anyone know what I can do to the L98 to up the horsepower? I am curious as to what makes the LS1s and LT1s so much better than the L98s if they are all fuel injected 5.7 liters. Can I make mine run with the newer vettes?
Thanks in advance!
Also does anyone know what I can do to the L98 to up the horsepower? I am curious as to what makes the LS1s and LT1s so much better than the L98s if they are all fuel injected 5.7 liters. Can I make mine run with the newer vettes?
Thanks in advance!
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Re: Should I get a torque converter and shift kit? (amswak)
The reason our L98s dont run with the newbies is the intake design. GM designed the intake for a 305. The LT1's intake was the first designed for a 350. Our intake plenum/runners/manifold are too restrictive to have you beating LT1s consistently.
To run with an LT1, a 2000-2400 stall TC (Vigilante makes the best, but theyre expensive) and 3.07 gears would be a big help. Then do the "free" mods: Throttle body bypass (remove the 2 coolant hoses from the TB and mate them together), K&N Filter and open lid, 160 thermo and a fan switch (L98s like to run cooler than the factory designed them), remove the screens from the MAF sensor.
Then youll need headers/exhaust. With that, an LT1 might only barely beat you but as always, it depends on the driver.
For enough to beat LS1s, youll need a Miniram or Superram.
To run with an LT1, a 2000-2400 stall TC (Vigilante makes the best, but theyre expensive) and 3.07 gears would be a big help. Then do the "free" mods: Throttle body bypass (remove the 2 coolant hoses from the TB and mate them together), K&N Filter and open lid, 160 thermo and a fan switch (L98s like to run cooler than the factory designed them), remove the screens from the MAF sensor.
Then youll need headers/exhaust. With that, an LT1 might only barely beat you but as always, it depends on the driver.
For enough to beat LS1s, youll need a Miniram or Superram.
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Re: Should I get a torque converter and shift kit? (amswak)
Oh yea, you can run with the new guys and very well too. And you can even keep your TPI intake so it looks stock.
Several things make the LT-1 and LS-1 more powerful, not the least of which is the shorter runner intake. Of coures more efficient heads and better cam don't hurt.
I recently had Grant Transmission in CT install a 2,000rpm TC (stock is 1,500rpm) and TransGo shift kit and dropped my ET by .3 sec. I also get a nice loud chirp on the 1-2 shift at moderate throttle, sometimes even at the strip.
I'm sending you a recipe that will get you well into the 12s; if you want to start with simple bolt-ons check out my site and that of Vic'89.
Several things make the LT-1 and LS-1 more powerful, not the least of which is the shorter runner intake. Of coures more efficient heads and better cam don't hurt.
I recently had Grant Transmission in CT install a 2,000rpm TC (stock is 1,500rpm) and TransGo shift kit and dropped my ET by .3 sec. I also get a nice loud chirp on the 1-2 shift at moderate throttle, sometimes even at the strip.
I'm sending you a recipe that will get you well into the 12s; if you want to start with simple bolt-ons check out my site and that of Vic'89.
