Headers and a tune.
Thread Starter
Instructor
Joined: Apr 2022
Posts: 109
Likes: 28
From: Massachusetts
Headers and a tune.
So in the next couple weeks I'll be putting some long tubes on my 96 lt4. I called and spoke with pcmforless about a tune and he said that I could expect 50hp to the wheels.
I would love to believe this but I'm skeptical about the gains. If anyone with experience with these mods feels like chiming in it would be appreciated.
I would love to believe this but I'm skeptical about the gains. If anyone with experience with these mods feels like chiming in it would be appreciated.
Thread Starter
Instructor
Joined: Apr 2022
Posts: 109
Likes: 28
From: Massachusetts
Team Owner
Joined: Aug 2004
Posts: 21,543
Likes: 3,216
From: Park City Utah
I don't think you'll see 50. But then, it doesn't matter much since you're already spending the $$...you'll get what you get, which depends more on....
....how far 'off' the OEM tune is. If the OEM tune is good, you could spend an eternity on the "meticulous" tune, and you won't gain squat b/c the factory was already there.
....how far 'off' the OEM tune is. If the OEM tune is good, you could spend an eternity on the "meticulous" tune, and you won't gain squat b/c the factory was already there.
Le Mans Master
Joined: Oct 2004
Posts: 7,706
Likes: 486
From: Everett WA
C4 of Year Finalist (appearance mods) 2019
I would take a little time to decide where you're going to have it "run on a dyno" to determine the amount of gain in RWHP. You definitely want to do a before and an after-tune run on the same type of dyno and preferably on the same unit in the same shop.
You have an LT4 so you already have some better components (stock) than came on my 95. On my 95 A4 I had the LT4 hot cam kit installed (including 1.6 rockers & springs which I think you already have stock on the LT4), along with HD timing chain & sprocket kit, all new ignition system components oh .... and stainless works LT headers with RT cats into the stock cat back dual exhaust.
The install work and the custom tune on the dyno were all done by Tom Wong at Wongs Performance Engineering on his mustang dyno. I gained approx 40RWHP on my engine. Full disclosure I ASKED for a mild tune. I was not interested in peak hp as much as I was interested in increasing the area under the torque curve .... and longevity. All this work was done 70,000 miles ago and the car still runs like a top.
I think that Tom400CFI made a good point, your RWHP increase will depend on how far "off" the OEM tune is.
Please let us know how it works out!
You have an LT4 so you already have some better components (stock) than came on my 95. On my 95 A4 I had the LT4 hot cam kit installed (including 1.6 rockers & springs which I think you already have stock on the LT4), along with HD timing chain & sprocket kit, all new ignition system components oh .... and stainless works LT headers with RT cats into the stock cat back dual exhaust.
The install work and the custom tune on the dyno were all done by Tom Wong at Wongs Performance Engineering on his mustang dyno. I gained approx 40RWHP on my engine. Full disclosure I ASKED for a mild tune. I was not interested in peak hp as much as I was interested in increasing the area under the torque curve .... and longevity. All this work was done 70,000 miles ago and the car still runs like a top.
I think that Tom400CFI made a good point, your RWHP increase will depend on how far "off" the OEM tune is.
Please let us know how it works out!
Thread Starter
Instructor
Joined: Apr 2022
Posts: 109
Likes: 28
From: Massachusetts
After a day of working on the 96 the headers are on. I just need to tie up a few odds and ends today.
One of those is spark plugs, I know that some of you have made a "custom " plug wrench. I was hoping that you guys could share how you went about this.
Thanks again
One of those is spark plugs, I know that some of you have made a "custom " plug wrench. I was hoping that you guys could share how you went about this.
Thanks again
Corvette Stories
The Best of Corvette for Corvette Enthusiasts
Corvette & Porsche 911: How Two Icons Conquered the Last 25 Years
Joe Kucinski
2027 Chevrolet Silverado 1500 First Look: Everything You NEED to Know!
Michael S. Palmer
5 Best & 5 Worst Corvette Daily Drivers
Joe Kucinski
The Headlights of Every Corvette Generation Explained
Joe Kucinski
5 Best & 5 Most Overrated Corvette Track Packages of All Time!
Joe Kucinski
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
Drifting
Joined: Apr 2011
Posts: 1,925
Likes: 441
From: Albuquerque NM
@MrPeabody
What was your final rwhp on the 1995 LT1 with long tubes, factory catback, cats, and LT4 Hot Cam Kit?
310rwhp? Also do mustang dynos read a little higher or lower?
I have had good luck removing and installing spark plugs on my L98 cars with Hedman Elite Long tube headers using a 5/8" offset box end wrench
What was your final rwhp on the 1995 LT1 with long tubes, factory catback, cats, and LT4 Hot Cam Kit?
310rwhp? Also do mustang dynos read a little higher or lower?
I have had good luck removing and installing spark plugs on my L98 cars with Hedman Elite Long tube headers using a 5/8" offset box end wrench
Le Mans Master
Joined: Oct 2004
Posts: 7,706
Likes: 486
From: Everett WA
C4 of Year Finalist (appearance mods) 2019
@MrPeabody
What was your final rwhp on the 1995 LT1 with long tubes, factory catback, cats, and LT4 Hot Cam Kit?
310rwhp? Also do mustang dynos read a little higher or lower?
What was your final rwhp on the 1995 LT1 with long tubes, factory catback, cats, and LT4 Hot Cam Kit?
310rwhp? Also do mustang dynos read a little higher or lower?
Thread Starter
Instructor
Joined: Apr 2022
Posts: 109
Likes: 28
From: Massachusetts
Been driving it today and the new noises it makes are very nice. I will say it feels a little more sluggish in low RPMs now, but once I'm past 1500ish it really picks up! Cant wait to get it tuned!!!!
Thread Starter
Instructor
Joined: Apr 2022
Posts: 109
Likes: 28
From: Massachusetts
@MrPeabody
What was your final rwhp on the 1995 LT1 with long tubes, factory catback, cats, and LT4 Hot Cam Kit?
310rwhp? Also do mustang dynos read a little higher or lower?
I have had good luck removing and installing spark plugs on my L98 cars with Hedman Elite Long tube headers using a 5/8" offset box end wrench
What was your final rwhp on the 1995 LT1 with long tubes, factory catback, cats, and LT4 Hot Cam Kit?
310rwhp? Also do mustang dynos read a little higher or lower?
I have had good luck removing and installing spark plugs on my L98 cars with Hedman Elite Long tube headers using a 5/8" offset box end wrench
The "S" shaped kind or the step in kind?
Thread Starter
Instructor
Joined: Apr 2022
Posts: 109
Likes: 28
From: Massachusetts
Team Owner
Joined: Aug 2004
Posts: 21,543
Likes: 3,216
From: Park City Utah
7 hp and 1 pound.
Well....that's something. Wish we could see the whole piece of paper. Tune should help, if it's rich, but a/f looks about the same in both pulls. hard to tell w/no scale.
Well....that's something. Wish we could see the whole piece of paper. Tune should help, if it's rich, but a/f looks about the same in both pulls. hard to tell w/no scale.
Thread Starter
Instructor
Joined: Apr 2022
Posts: 109
Likes: 28
From: Massachusetts
Here's the full sheet
I should have figured that out on my own. 