Best ways to increase torque? (L98)
Thread Starter
Intermediate
Joined: Oct 2023
Posts: 48
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Best ways to increase torque? (L98)
Hey guys I’m curious about what things could increase the torque on an l98 engine while keeping it NA. Based on personal experience what made the biggest difference in relation to how much the parts costed? Also what mods should you avoid doing that can hurt your overall power?
Team Owner
Joined: Sep 2001
Posts: 62,169
Likes: 1,735
From: Athens AL
C7 of the Year - Unmodified Finalist 2021
C4 of Year Finalist (performance mods) 2019
You have plenty of torque, you need to let the engine breathe, that means torque at higher RPM = HP.
Headers and exhaust are the easiest way to increase without being that hard on the wallet.
Gears are only needed if you have 2.59s, but this does not increase torque, it gets you into the power band quicker. Same for a higher stall TC if yours is an automatic.
Headers and exhaust are the easiest way to increase without being that hard on the wallet.
Gears are only needed if you have 2.59s, but this does not increase torque, it gets you into the power band quicker. Same for a higher stall TC if yours is an automatic.
Melting Slicks
Joined: Mar 2002
Posts: 2,882
Likes: 766
From: Sligo PA
Like whats already been said gears and a converter will make the biggest difference. Way more of a difference then modding the motor will. If you're not looking for huge horse power and you just want a fun street car that will do burn outs and throw you back in the seat then a mild street cam, a good tune, gears and a converter. If you want just a bit more then headers will help on paper anyway. If you go this route stick to a small cam and you'll have lots of torque with a stock TPI. Also avoid off the shelf converters. Call a good company and have one custom stalled for your can and your driving style. I went with an FTI. They are great to deal with.
Drifting
Joined: Oct 2005
Posts: 1,920
Likes: 51
From: Angier nc
You have plenty of torque, you need to let the engine breathe, that means torque at higher RPM = HP.
Headers and exhaust are the easiest way to increase without being that hard on the wallet.
Gears are only needed if you have 2.59s, but this does not increase torque, it gets you into the power band quicker. Same for a higher stall TC if yours is an automatic.
Headers and exhaust are the easiest way to increase without being that hard on the wallet.
Gears are only needed if you have 2.59s, but this does not increase torque, it gets you into the power band quicker. Same for a higher stall TC if yours is an automatic.
Team Owner
Joined: Sep 2001
Posts: 62,169
Likes: 1,735
From: Athens AL
C7 of the Year - Unmodified Finalist 2021
C4 of Year Finalist (performance mods) 2019
This man knows more about TPI cars than most.Listen to him. Advice I remember from him years ago, Remove the pre cats and main cat if you can.Headers a plus and hi flow cat(s) if you have to. Cut stock lid at a minimum and a k&n air filter if you prefer. 3.07 gears if an automatic car. After that you will spend lots of money to truly go fast. A good state of tune for a starting point. I seem to remember setting the initial timing up a few degrees helps as well.
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