I know this has been addressed in a lot of ways, and I apologize for my redundancy here.

I got my new wheels on and my Corsa installed and a new stereo system. Now it's time to look to the engine. I do not wish to get too radical here, but do want better acceleration for the street and expressway, but do NOT want to go the NAWS route.

I have the LT1 and would like to keep the 2.59 gears for now. I am leaning towards the "Hotcam" and need to know if I would have to make additional changes, like lifters, rocker arms, ect. to get the full potential out of the cam.

I have read where many have changed their heads. Any suggestions as to what would be the best match for that cam and if there really would be sufficient gain to warrant the expense?

I am not interested in headers at this time (maybe later on). I have read mixed comments from others on this forum as to the validity of adding a "performance chip". Also, there are mixed feelings as to any real gain in going to a 160 deg tstat.

I am not considering "drag racing" the vette. Actually I want it to be simply a daily driver but with sufficient capability to handle itself against some the newer Camaros and TA's and maybe even a 'Stang or two.

Let me put it this way, if I may. I recently sold my 4sec 0-60, low 12 second quarter-mile Mopar. What do I need to do to get my LT1 up to that level of performance, and in what stages do any of you suggest I approach this objective? I just cannot handle doing everything all at once here.

Thanks in advance.

Karl


[Modified by MagikDraggin, 12:34 AM 12/9/2002]

 

I would do 1.6 roller rockers with the hot cam. Since you have an OBDII ('96) I believe doing long tube headers would be more of a challenge with respect to passing emissions standards. Maybe put on a good set of shorty headers to compliment your Corsa system. A cold air intake would help supply the hotcam with the extra air it is trying to let into your cylinders. Having the heads worked and matching the intake to the heads (after or with the hotcam/1.6rr install) would definitely get the best power boost, but will raise the price tag and you would also want to go with a 52mm throttle body at the time you did that. Plus, it would make sense to do long tube headers if you do heads and intake because the stock manifold or even shorties would restrict the optimized heads' flow.

So for best bang-for-buck now if it were me I would do hotcam and 1.6 rr's.

Also, if you do 1.6rr's you will need to spend the $33 on an LT4 ESC (Electronic Spark Control module also known as LT4 Knock Module) which plugs into the ECM underneath (small metal plate cover w/ two small torx bolts).

I know you want to stay w/ 2.59's but shorter differential ratio would help a whole lot. If you did, say 3.07's with the hotcam/1.6rr setup I would expect the car to get off the line way better.

I want to do these things to my '95 but need to wait until after the extended warranty is used up.



[Modified by Lone Ranger, 7:47 AM 12/9/2002]

 

I appreciate the reply. I see there is another member who posted almost the identical idea with his LT1.

I will go with the 1.6 Roller rockers, the Hotcam, and the Knock module first.

Next, it will be Shorty headers. Then the Cold air intake and Throttle body.

Finally, (if there is any money left over), I'll maybe consider some lower gears.

Again, thanks for the input.

Karl

 

You dont need to change your heads, the LT1 heads are still very good, just save up some money and have them ported and matched to the intake manifold.

Hotcam kit comes with 1.6rr and the correct valve springs and heavy duty timing chain. There was a link to it on here the other day, i lost it though.

Gears would be the best mod though, 3.54s since you seem to want the mileage. They will have the greatest impact on your acceleration.

I dont believe the 160 is totally necessary in the LT1 since you already have a 180, so just have your fans programmed to come on earlier when you do the cam install and tune it. (96s do not have a chip)

Of course, longtube headers will provide much more power than shortys, whose only advantage is weight reduction. LTs will give you 10-15hp, while shortys might give 5.

 

I'd hold off on the 52mm throttle body until you have the heads worked and the intake matched to them-- The stock throttle body should be enough for just the hotcam and the rr's. Too large a diameter of throttle body for the breathing requirements can cause a loss of low end torque, which is the last thing you want to happen with an automatic trans equipped car. I've heard of that happening with a 58mm tb on a lightly modified car, but admittedly I'm not completely sure on a 52mm. It may be okay to do, but I'd put it off until you increase the engine's breathing more.

 

The best "bang for the buck" would be to do gears first. The hot cam may not work that well on a stock engine/torque converter with 2.59 gears.

 

I think what you're saying is that the power increase from the hotcam kit would not be felt as much w/ 2.59's and low stall stock torque converter as with shorter gears and a higher stall converter. True, but the hp/torque boost from the kit should be the same regardless of what is used to put that power to the road.

He'll still see an acceleration boost from the hotcam kit.

 

:iagree:

 

I would encourage you to reconsider gears. I think they are the best bang for the buck and streetabilty would be fine. You would make significant gains considering you are starting with 2.59. 3.07 is factory high performance, but unless you are planning on lots of interstate cruising I would go even lower.

 

Vader, unless you are talking about some other KIT, the GM Hotcam Kit does not include the timing chain. You get the cam, rockers, valve springs, retainers, shims, locks. That's it. There are other specials out there that may include it, but at a higher price I'm sure.

Magik
I wouldn't do the hotcam until after the gears are done and a stall converter. The hole shot won't be there with 2.59's in my opinion.

Also, the NAWS you refer to is actually NOS (Nitrous Oxide Systems) the company the pretty much added the Nitrous name to the hollywood world. Many different companies sell a Nitrous system. NOS is one of them.


[Modified by Goody, 12:56 PM 12/9/2002]