Simple inexpensive mods for an LT1
Thread Starter
Melting Slicks
Joined: May 2018
Posts: 2,091
Likes: 600
From: Question Government
Simple inexpensive mods for an LT1
Not sure if this has been posted before, but what are some "sure thing" simple inexpensive performance mods that one can do to their LT1 engine? Other than air intakes and a catback exhausts, what else is there to do that's inexpensive and DIY? I've already opened up the stock metal air intake box holding the air filter, and did the throttle body coolant bypass too. Any other DIY mods that one would suggest that are good for performance or to prevent future problems?
Team Owner
Joined: Aug 2004
Posts: 21,543
Likes: 3,216
From: Park City Utah
Most "simple and inexpensive" aren't really what I'd call "proven" -they don't don't make much or any power.
I would say a cam is the best "sure thing" that is inexpensive (~$300) and is definitely proven....but that would be really "pushing" DIY for some people.
Port your intake. That's cheap and DIY. Won't do a lot on a stock engine though. 1.6 Rockers would be cheap and pretty easy.
I would say a cam is the best "sure thing" that is inexpensive (~$300) and is definitely proven....but that would be really "pushing" DIY for some people.
Port your intake. That's cheap and DIY. Won't do a lot on a stock engine though. 1.6 Rockers would be cheap and pretty easy.
Le Mans Master
Joined: Sep 2013
Posts: 6,192
Likes: 750
From: near the thumb in the mitten
Not knowing what you are working with. A 2.59 auto car would benefit from a gear change. Thr D36 with a 3.07 performance gear would relatively easy to swap. Used assemblies can be found in used parts channels..
Burning Brakes
Joined: Aug 2018
Posts: 891
Likes: 175
From: PA
Op's avatar shows a 96 LT1 so it's an auto trans. The gear change would be my vote. I bought one of those Hypertech programmers and used it to have the cooling fans come on earlier along with one of their thermostats. You can change the shift points in your transmission along with raise your rev limiter and even correct your speedometer for any gear changes. I also did a MAT sensor relocator. I did like the fans coming on sooner made the car run cooler. I wish I had done the gear change though.
Team Owner
Joined: Dec 1999
Posts: 34,873
Likes: 487
From: Lacey WA RVN 68-69
NCM Sinkhole Donor
Years ago when you walked into a "Speed Shop" you usually would see a sign that said: Speed costs money. How fast do you want to go?"
Changing the diff gears would be one good way to see improved acceleration and not cost a lot in terms of gas mileage or driveability.. Something like 3.54 gears would help. The D36 diff that came with auto trans cars is somewhat weaker than the D44 that came with the manual trans cars. You may want to find a complete D44 rear end and change the ring and pinion. That's still going to be a few hundred bucks if you can't do the work yourself.
A set of headers and true duals would add some power but if you have to deal with emissions testing, that could require more expensive parts. And any aftermarket internal parts could be an emissions issue. A tune will help to increase power, but again, emission tests may be an issue when it comes time to get new tabs.
Changing the diff gears would be one good way to see improved acceleration and not cost a lot in terms of gas mileage or driveability.. Something like 3.54 gears would help. The D36 diff that came with auto trans cars is somewhat weaker than the D44 that came with the manual trans cars. You may want to find a complete D44 rear end and change the ring and pinion. That's still going to be a few hundred bucks if you can't do the work yourself.
A set of headers and true duals would add some power but if you have to deal with emissions testing, that could require more expensive parts. And any aftermarket internal parts could be an emissions issue. A tune will help to increase power, but again, emission tests may be an issue when it comes time to get new tabs.
Burning Brakes
Joined: Jul 2011
Posts: 781
Likes: 184
From: Myrtle Beach South Carolina
I did this to my 95 LT1.
Cut the louvers out of the air filter box, removed the screen from the MAF , did the coolant/throttlebody bypass, and added a set of shorty headers. I reckon I got a realistic 10-12 horsepower out of that. Was it a lot? Nope. But the headers were 200$ and everything else was free. I needed to replace the stock exhaust manifolds because they were cracked anyway and didn't feel like spending 6-800$ for long tubes.
Cut the louvers out of the air filter box, removed the screen from the MAF , did the coolant/throttlebody bypass, and added a set of shorty headers. I reckon I got a realistic 10-12 horsepower out of that. Was it a lot? Nope. But the headers were 200$ and everything else was free. I needed to replace the stock exhaust manifolds because they were cracked anyway and didn't feel like spending 6-800$ for long tubes.
Team Owner
Joined: Aug 2004
Posts: 21,543
Likes: 3,216
From: Park City Utah
Headers some, "true dual" probably not. An LT1 already comes from the factory with a decent true dual exhaust system. Not much (no) power to be found there on a stock or stockish car.
.
.
Last edited by Tom400CFI; Nov 3, 2018 at 02:59 PM.
Thread Starter
Melting Slicks
Joined: May 2018
Posts: 2,091
Likes: 600
From: Question Government
I did this to my 95 LT1.
Cut the louvers out of the air filter box, removed the screen from the MAF , did the coolant/throttle body bypass, and added a set of shorty headers. I reckon I got a realistic 10-12 horsepower out of that. Was it a lot? Nope. But the headers were 200$ and everything else was free. I needed to replace the stock exhaust manifolds because they were cracked anyway and didn't feel like spending 6-800$ for long tubes.
Cut the louvers out of the air filter box, removed the screen from the MAF , did the coolant/throttle body bypass, and added a set of shorty headers. I reckon I got a realistic 10-12 horsepower out of that. Was it a lot? Nope. But the headers were 200$ and everything else was free. I needed to replace the stock exhaust manifolds because they were cracked anyway and didn't feel like spending 6-800$ for long tubes.
Corvette Stories
The Best of Corvette for Corvette Enthusiasts
Every 2027 Corvette Engine Explained
Joe Kucinski
Designer Imagines A Corvette That Looks More Like a Corvette Than the Corvette
Verdad Gallardo
10 Ugly Corvettes That We Still Kinda Love
Joe Kucinski
Top 10 Most Expensive Corvettes Ever Sold on Bring A Trailer
Brett Foote
10 Things Every Corvette Owner Needs (2026 Edition)
Michael S. Palmer
8 Most "Only Corvette Owners Understand" Quirks and Problems
Pouria Savadkouei
10 Reasons the C6 Z06 is Still A Performance Benchmark After 20 Years
Joe Kucinski
How Much Horsepower Every Corvette Engine "LOST" in 1972
Joe Kucinski
Top 10 DOs and DON'Ts for Protecting Your Convertible Top!
Michael S. Palmer
Le Mans Master
Joined: Oct 2004
Posts: 7,706
Likes: 485
From: Everett WA
C4 of Year Finalist (appearance mods) 2019
The wire mesh that covers the opening to the MAF does reduce the amount of air flowing by some %. Thus removing the screen will allow the passage of a higher volume of air.
I have read a number of times in several places that the purpose of that screen is to smooth out the air flow over the MAF sensor.
The MAF being one of the key sensors that feeds info to the computer that controls engine management ..... one might not want to screw around with it and you sure as heck don't want anything to touch or interfere with the wires that hold the sensor in the center of the air flow.
I have read a number of times in several places that the purpose of that screen is to smooth out the air flow over the MAF sensor.
The MAF being one of the key sensors that feeds info to the computer that controls engine management ..... one might not want to screw around with it and you sure as heck don't want anything to touch or interfere with the wires that hold the sensor in the center of the air flow.
Burning Brakes
Joined: Jul 2011
Posts: 781
Likes: 184
From: Myrtle Beach South Carolina
I removed mine a little over seven years ago right after I first got my 95. She was my daily for almost four years. No ill effects as of yet.
http://www.superchevy.com/how-to/vem...ngine-buildup/
This was the article I read all those years ago.
http://www.superchevy.com/how-to/vem...ngine-buildup/
This was the article I read all those years ago.
Team Owner
Joined: Jul 2004
Posts: 28,495
Likes: 3,298
From: Hartford WI
Op's avatar shows a 96 LT1 so it's an auto trans. The gear change would be my vote. I bought one of those Hypertech programmers and used it to have the cooling fans come on earlier along with one of their thermostats. You can change the shift points in your transmission along with raise your rev limiter and even correct your speedometer for any gear changes. I also did a MAT sensor relocator. I did like the fans coming on sooner made the car run cooler. I wish I had done the gear change though.
Team Owner
Joined: Jul 2004
Posts: 28,495
Likes: 3,298
From: Hartford WI
IF you can benefit because you actually can use more air and it doesn't mess up the calibration (which you won't know unless you can test at most points), sure. Worst case scenario, I have seen people do that with bad results. Best case, it makes you feel good since it might not hurt much that you can notice. I'd be fine doing it if you really need the extra air and you have the thing tuned for it. I'm not usually a fan of trying to fool the system with some gimmick like say a MAT relocation.
Le Mans Master
Joined: Aug 2002
Posts: 7,441
Likes: 421
From: Ventura County, CA
St. Jude Donor '05 thru '24
Le Mans Master
Joined: Oct 2004
Posts: 7,706
Likes: 485
From: Everett WA
C4 of Year Finalist (appearance mods) 2019
I removed mine a little over seven years ago right after I first got my 95. She was my daily for almost four years. No ill effects as of yet.
http://www.superchevy.com/how-to/vem...ngine-buildup/
This was the article I read all those years ago.
http://www.superchevy.com/how-to/vem...ngine-buildup/
This was the article I read all those years ago.
Thread Starter
Melting Slicks
Joined: May 2018
Posts: 2,091
Likes: 600
From: Question Government
Drifting
Joined: Jun 2018
Posts: 1,678
Likes: 229
From: Michigan
Back in the day, I had an 86TPI with a MAF... I removed the screens and the heat sinks. Don't expect to notice a difference.
Also, MAFs are calibrated based off the air flow they are tested with.
I have not repeated this mod with any of the cars I have now. FWIW.
Also, MAFs are calibrated based off the air flow they are tested with.
I have not repeated this mod with any of the cars I have now. FWIW.