What type of performance mods without digging into engine?
Thread Starter
Pro
Joined: Apr 2002
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From: Outer Banks NC FIRST IN FLIGHT
What type of performance mods without digging into engine?
I have a 95 LT1 automatic and I am looking to add performance modifications without digging into the engine. I'm not apposed to installing a new cam but I just don't have the time to dismantle and reassemble everything at this point in time. What I would like to do is acquire and add parts to boost my engines performance as my budget and time allow. This would involve the addition of ported heads, roller rockers, ported intake, throttle body, headers etc. I would also like to have parts that would work with a later cam swap.
My dilemma is that I'm not certain what to begin with and what will offer the best initial performance gains for the money and effort. Right now I have most of the easy common ones, low restriction mufflers; performance plugs and wires K&N with cut lid and TB bypass. I've thought about an adjustable fuel pressure regulator and also a Hypertech power programmer, but I'm skeptical about there real claims vs. actual performance gains.
Any suggestions would be appreciated.
Thanks
My dilemma is that I'm not certain what to begin with and what will offer the best initial performance gains for the money and effort. Right now I have most of the easy common ones, low restriction mufflers; performance plugs and wires K&N with cut lid and TB bypass. I've thought about an adjustable fuel pressure regulator and also a Hypertech power programmer, but I'm skeptical about there real claims vs. actual performance gains.
Any suggestions would be appreciated.
Thanks
Le Mans Master
Joined: May 2003
Posts: 5,362
Likes: 3
From: Delray Beach FL
Re: What type of performance mods without digging into engine? (Kizmo)
Well, if you want to get heads, check this out: http://forums.corvetteforum.com/zerothread?id=762230
May be a way to start collecting parts to do some major work.
I am in the same boat as you...all the bolt on stuff. I have the Hypertech chip in my 93. Biggest differences I found with it was that OD was not searching as much and the fans come on at a lower temp.
:cheers:
May be a way to start collecting parts to do some major work.
I am in the same boat as you...all the bolt on stuff. I have the Hypertech chip in my 93. Biggest differences I found with it was that OD was not searching as much and the fans come on at a lower temp.
:cheers:
Advanced
Joined: Feb 2004
Posts: 57
Likes: 0
From: Birmingham AL
Re: What type of performance mods without digging into engine? (Kizmo)
You aren't going to get much without going into the engine. Your adjustable fuel pressure is your best bet, however.
Enrich your fuel until your mixture hits 12.3 to 12.7 range and you'll get max power.
Lean it to where your mixture is 14.5 and you'll get best mileage and exhaust emissions.
Hypertech and LT-1 Edit programs are simply going to tell your fuel injectors to hit that magic 12.3 to 12.7 range, and they can only get so close...you've got to help even them by adjusting your base fuel pressure to begin with.
Take a look at the Dyno runs for my '95 in my signature, and note that I've got every known external gimmick already installed.
For instance, the air foil only added 1 HP. Everybody "claims" 15 HP with the air foil, well, I'm here to tell you that I watched a NASCAR tuner make two runs with and two runs without the air foil, and there was only 1 HP difference.
Changing fuel pressure, however, went from a -20 HP loss when it was too rich to a +6 HP gain when it was properly leaned compared to the factory setting.
Good luck!
[Modified by nodoubt, 12:23 PM 2/26/2004]
Enrich your fuel until your mixture hits 12.3 to 12.7 range and you'll get max power.
Lean it to where your mixture is 14.5 and you'll get best mileage and exhaust emissions.
Hypertech and LT-1 Edit programs are simply going to tell your fuel injectors to hit that magic 12.3 to 12.7 range, and they can only get so close...you've got to help even them by adjusting your base fuel pressure to begin with.
Take a look at the Dyno runs for my '95 in my signature, and note that I've got every known external gimmick already installed.
For instance, the air foil only added 1 HP. Everybody "claims" 15 HP with the air foil, well, I'm here to tell you that I watched a NASCAR tuner make two runs with and two runs without the air foil, and there was only 1 HP difference.
Changing fuel pressure, however, went from a -20 HP loss when it was too rich to a +6 HP gain when it was properly leaned compared to the factory setting.
Good luck!
[Modified by nodoubt, 12:23 PM 2/26/2004]
Thread Starter
Pro
Joined: Apr 2002
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From: Outer Banks NC FIRST IN FLIGHT
Re: What type of performance mods without digging into engine? (nodoubt)
What kind of a gain could be had by adding 1.6 roller rockers to the stock heads, or is this a mute point without the addition of a larger cam?
Melting Slicks
Joined: Jan 2002
Posts: 3,293
Likes: 79
From: Jackson MI
Re: What type of performance mods without digging into engine? (Kizmo)
If you want easy horsepower without touching the engine here's some options
1.) Rear End Gear Change
2.) Nitrous
3.) Supercharger
4.) Electric water pump(done with cam)
5.) 1.6 Roller Rockers(done with cam)
6.) Headers
1.) Rear End Gear Change
2.) Nitrous
3.) Supercharger
4.) Electric water pump(done with cam)
5.) 1.6 Roller Rockers(done with cam)
6.) Headers
Burning Brakes
Joined: Nov 2003
Posts: 935
Likes: 2
From: Beverly, NJ
Re: What type of performance mods without digging into engine? (Kizmo)
Upgrade your exhaust system That is a great way to add power, and looks great too. Get Hooker Long tubes, no precats, high flow main cat, and a nice cat-back system. I am about to install Hooker super competition longtube headers, straight front y-pipe, both jet-hot coated in and out, high flow cat, and Magnaflow catback exhaust. I can't wait!! :D
[Modified by darkman5001, 10:52 PM 2/26/2004]
[Modified by darkman5001, 10:52 PM 2/26/2004]
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Advanced
Joined: Feb 2004
Posts: 57
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From: Birmingham AL
Re: What type of performance mods without digging into engine? (darkman5001)
Be sure to ask other forum members if they are experiencing large amounts of heat in their passenger compartments after installing long tube headers.
Drifting
Joined: Nov 2002
Posts: 1,790
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Re: What type of performance mods without digging into engine? (nodoubt)
If you don't have the perf axle ratio, and have 2.59 or 2.73s, swap these out for a 3.23 or whatever GM has that fits. You can go up to 3.73, but that's pretty drastic. With 2.59 or 2.73s, your gears are your performance bottleneck.
Melting Slicks
Joined: Mar 2003
Posts: 2,472
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From: Toronto ONTARIO
Re: What type of performance mods without digging into engine? (metropolis)
Port the heads now. Even if you aren;t doing the cam swap they will gain you quite a bit. Most shoppes dont reccomend this because they just want more money. HAve the heads ported nicely, and add 1.6 rr's. Add headers and maybe a cat back exhaust, pulleys (march or asp), a mezziere pump and lastly a 3.73 gear and ur flying.
Thread Starter
Pro
Joined: Apr 2002
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From: Outer Banks NC FIRST IN FLIGHT
Re: What type of performance mods without digging into engine? (DieL)
Well I have 3.07 gears which I feel are good enough for my street application. Also I don't want to vary much from my stock exhaust set up at this point I just recently changed my stock mufflers to the Magnaflows which I like just fine, and seem to have gotten some improvement. I'm thinking along the lines of 1.6 RR, ported heads, ported intake, and eventually a cam. I might possibly add a fuel pressure regulator. I'm just not sure in what order I should add these items, it is going to have to be piece by piece for me.
Also what other type of changes will have to be made to the computer with the additions of these items?
Also what other type of changes will have to be made to the computer with the additions of these items?
Drifting
Joined: Nov 2002
Posts: 1,790
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Re: What type of performance mods without digging into engine? (Kizmo)
Shift kit would be great. I had the transgo kit on my 700R4, it ROCKED. Nothing beats banging off that 1-2 shift, and kicking the tail out a bit.
Instructor
Joined: Aug 2003
Posts: 148
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From: Mitchell, Indiana
Re: What type of performance mods without digging into engine? (Kizmo)
I've got a hypertech for my 95 6 spd that im sure would work better on your automatic, if you want it ill get rid of it for 150.
