HotCam In LT1?
Race Director
Joined: May 2001
Posts: 14,165
Likes: 9
I installed an LT4 Hot Cam in my LT1 along with 1.6 RR's. I also installed an electric water pump in the process. I picked up 44 horsepower over stock, this was my first stage of modifications.
Although the hot cam by itself gave a good horsepower increase it only gave about 11 pounds of torque throughout the midrange. This made the car pull really well on the upper end but it didn't really feel that much faster than stock. The best seat of the pants improvement came from the long tube headers and exhaust I did later. Since I already had the cam the exhaust work yielded 23 horsepower and 32 pounds of torque! That's a kick in the pants that you can really feel.
Unfortunately headers by themselves on an otherwise stock car don't give you the same gain. It just goes to show that all the mods compliment each other to make more power than all of the component parts.
Here's a page with my dyno graphs on it from stock to now.
http://www.wku.edu/~nathan.plemons/h..._corvette.html
Although the hot cam by itself gave a good horsepower increase it only gave about 11 pounds of torque throughout the midrange. This made the car pull really well on the upper end but it didn't really feel that much faster than stock. The best seat of the pants improvement came from the long tube headers and exhaust I did later. Since I already had the cam the exhaust work yielded 23 horsepower and 32 pounds of torque! That's a kick in the pants that you can really feel.
Unfortunately headers by themselves on an otherwise stock car don't give you the same gain. It just goes to show that all the mods compliment each other to make more power than all of the component parts.
Here's a page with my dyno graphs on it from stock to now.
http://www.wku.edu/~nathan.plemons/h..._corvette.html
Thread Starter
Melting Slicks
Joined: Apr 2003
Posts: 2,150
Likes: 6
From: NS
Thanks for the info Nathan. One more question...To install long tube headers I assume I have to replace the entire exhaust system and remove the cats? What about reprogramming the PCM, is it required or will the MAF compensate?
Your dyno results make these mods look very attractive.
Thanks
Your dyno results make these mods look very attractive.
Thanks
Le Mans Master
Joined: Apr 2000
Posts: 5,713
Likes: 105
From: Manassas VA
Originally Posted by Atok
One more question...To install long tube headers I assume I have to replace the entire exhaust system and remove the cats?
By the way, I too, have followed Nathans buildup over the years and have patterned my car much after his. I cant speak on the individual parts, since I did the heads, cam, and headers all at once.
Large Impressive Member
Joined: Jul 2003
Posts: 65,811
Likes: 71
From: Good health is merely the slowest possible rate at which one can die
St. Jude Donor '04-'05-'06-'07
Originally Posted by Nathan Plemons
I installed an LT4 Hot Cam in my LT1 along with 1.6 RR's. I also installed an electric water pump in the process. I picked up 44 horsepower over stock, this was my first stage of modifications.
Wow, that makes me look forward to my upcoming dyno-tuning even more! Besides what you have listed here I've also upped compression to 11:1. Just waiting on headers before final tuning.
Bench Racer
Joined: Feb 2003
Posts: 4,201
Likes: 15
From: Palm Beach Gardens FL
St. Jude '03 thru 14,'25
Originally Posted by 93 ragtop
You can install the long tube headers, and then reconnect to the factory exhaust. One pipe is to long and needs to be cut. The other needs to be extended about a foot. I have Exotic Muscle headers which fit very well and have all of the emission hook ups as well. Their headers are great, however the additonal kit to reconnect the factory exhaust is just about useless to me, at least with a automatic transmission. If I had it to do again, I would get their headers and either make my own connectors or take it to an exhaust shop to be made...
Last edited by tobijohn; Jul 23, 2004 at 03:30 PM.
Melting Slicks
Joined: Nov 2002
Posts: 2,471
Likes: 2
From: 1993 Quasar Blue 'vert Scottsdale AZ
I'm having the Exotic Muscle system installed next week. I have an automatic so had to go with bullitt cats and chose the B&B catbacks. Give Merle a call - chances are they can make it fit any catback.
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Drifting
Joined: Nov 2002
Posts: 1,365
Likes: 3
From: Huntsville AL
Originally Posted by Nathan Plemons
I installed an LT4 Hot Cam in my LT1 along with 1.6 RR's. I also installed an electric water pump in the process. I picked up 44 horsepower over stock, this was my first stage of modifications.
Le Mans Master
Joined: Apr 2000
Posts: 5,713
Likes: 105
From: Manassas VA
Originally Posted by tobijohn
Did you retain the cats? If so, I was under the impression that the OEMs won't fit with LTs and that you need bullet cats. As for the EM kit that didn't fit, what's the story there? I had read here that they had a kit to connect their headers to a Corsa catback but not one to connect to the stock catback.TIA...
I really like their headers but I think the exhaust connections should be left to a exhaust shop. Exspecially for the $195.00 & shipping charge for the connectors.
