Most Cost Effective LS1 Performance Mods
#61
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If I was going to do it all over again and I have spent A LOT of money modding this junk my order would be as follows (if I kept the LS1 stock bottom end):
1. CAI
2. Tune
3. New gears in rear end (3:73's if auto, 3:90's if manual)
4. Cat back's
5. L/T headers
6. Torque Converter if auto
7. Cam
8. Heads
9. Intake and throttle body work
Do all this and you will run in the mid 11's.
And I forgot the cheapest mod of all - HOOD SEAL (200 hp for $10)
1. CAI
2. Tune
3. New gears in rear end (3:73's if auto, 3:90's if manual)
4. Cat back's
5. L/T headers
6. Torque Converter if auto
7. Cam
8. Heads
9. Intake and throttle body work
Do all this and you will run in the mid 11's.
And I forgot the cheapest mod of all - HOOD SEAL (200 hp for $10)
#62
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OK, 500 can be made with a procharger or vortech supercharger. No need to open the motor up.
And the weird things that happen... Basically, as explained in other threads, GM built those motors perfectly. They could practically go forever if they were never opened. I have no idea why that is, but it's been my experience as well as many others.
But once you pull the intake manifold or heads off... It just seems something weird happens that really shouldn't have happened... Perhaps a gasket blows or something... I dunno. I'm not saying specific things happen, I'm saying weird random things happen.
I know there's plenty of people that haven't had a single issue with their modded motors. I'm not saying they will either, but if you're as supersticious as me, you'd put money on it happening. LOL
And the weird things that happen... Basically, as explained in other threads, GM built those motors perfectly. They could practically go forever if they were never opened. I have no idea why that is, but it's been my experience as well as many others.
But once you pull the intake manifold or heads off... It just seems something weird happens that really shouldn't have happened... Perhaps a gasket blows or something... I dunno. I'm not saying specific things happen, I'm saying weird random things happen.
I know there's plenty of people that haven't had a single issue with their modded motors. I'm not saying they will either, but if you're as supersticious as me, you'd put money on it happening. LOL
And the cost of FI is at least twice, if not more, than the price of a head/cam swap. Granted you do get more power going FI.
I have over 25k miles on my motor after the head/cam swap and havent had any problems. Im not saying I never will but so far she has been running perfectly. I know a lot of other people with Vette and F-bodies that are moddified and the havent had any problems either.
#63
Race Director
TB30570: American Racing Headers, street tune, and CAI..done!
#65
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PP tbs Can help in the whole scheme of things. By themselves, not really.
OP asked for "Most Cost Effective LS1 Performance Mod'
to me that is a dyno tune
#66
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#67
Racer
Thread Starter
Thanks for all your suggestions! I'm going to respond to a bunch of posts in random order.
I only am looking for about 50 extra hp. Around 400hp at the crank. If I decide I want a lot more power I'd consider a LS6 engine swap or keep the LS1 block and buy heads and other components to make the LS1 into an LS6. Right now I'd like to do mods that would carry over to a possible LS6 swap in the future.
What is the part number for the LS6 intake? Is the intake a direct swap or are other parts required for the swap?
hood seal? Not sure what we are talking about.
I don't want to change my gears out because I do a lot of driving at 80 mph. I currently get 30 mpg at 80 mph.
Getting a custom tune is easier said than done where I live. I'm not going to drive 12 hours to get a custom tune. I think mail in tune is probably my only real option unless I buy a Hypertune/Jet/Superchips. I haven't heard very good things about Hypertune/Jet/Superchips.
I have no idea where I could buy 100 octane fuel. I was looking for 100 unleaded octane last week because I went to the drag track with my Redline, and couldn't find any. I ended up using 100LL that I bought from a guy at the airport who was filling his plane. My LS1 isn't high compression like my Redline is, so I don't know what that would do anyway.
I'm not interested in my exhaust getting super loud, so I don't know if I want to spend the money for a cat-back. I would consider the X-pipes and getting rid of the CAT's though. I installed a header, down pipe (no CAT) and over the axle pipes on my Redline and the exhaust got a little louder. I test drove a Redline with stock exhaust and a Magniflow muffler and that was way louder. If you don't have a CAT is it still called a cat-back?
6 speed manual transmission, it's a FHT
I'm still thinking LT-heads, CAI and a mail in tune. I think X-pipe makes sense too. I'd consider the intake, but need to understand the total cost of parts to install.
LG C5 Street Series Long Tube Headers $700
http://www.lgmotorsports.com/catalog...oducts_id=1429
X-Pipe (no Cats) $300
http://www.lgmotorsports.com/catalog...oducts_id=1429
http://www.westcoastcorvette.com/p-2...x-pipe-c5.aspx
LG C5 Cold Air Intake $200
http://www.lgmotorsports.com/catalog...oducts_id=1707
Mail Order Custom Tune, starting at $200
http://www.eastcoastsupercharging.co...ynotuning.html
http://www.pcmforless.com/index.php?...d=45&Itemid=40
$1400 total
Please let me know if there are more cost effective sources for this stuff.
I only am looking for about 50 extra hp. Around 400hp at the crank. If I decide I want a lot more power I'd consider a LS6 engine swap or keep the LS1 block and buy heads and other components to make the LS1 into an LS6. Right now I'd like to do mods that would carry over to a possible LS6 swap in the future.
What is the part number for the LS6 intake? Is the intake a direct swap or are other parts required for the swap?
hood seal? Not sure what we are talking about.
I don't want to change my gears out because I do a lot of driving at 80 mph. I currently get 30 mpg at 80 mph.
Getting a custom tune is easier said than done where I live. I'm not going to drive 12 hours to get a custom tune. I think mail in tune is probably my only real option unless I buy a Hypertune/Jet/Superchips. I haven't heard very good things about Hypertune/Jet/Superchips.
I have no idea where I could buy 100 octane fuel. I was looking for 100 unleaded octane last week because I went to the drag track with my Redline, and couldn't find any. I ended up using 100LL that I bought from a guy at the airport who was filling his plane. My LS1 isn't high compression like my Redline is, so I don't know what that would do anyway.
I'm not interested in my exhaust getting super loud, so I don't know if I want to spend the money for a cat-back. I would consider the X-pipes and getting rid of the CAT's though. I installed a header, down pipe (no CAT) and over the axle pipes on my Redline and the exhaust got a little louder. I test drove a Redline with stock exhaust and a Magniflow muffler and that was way louder. If you don't have a CAT is it still called a cat-back?
6 speed manual transmission, it's a FHT
I'm still thinking LT-heads, CAI and a mail in tune. I think X-pipe makes sense too. I'd consider the intake, but need to understand the total cost of parts to install.
LG C5 Street Series Long Tube Headers $700
http://www.lgmotorsports.com/catalog...oducts_id=1429
X-Pipe (no Cats) $300
http://www.lgmotorsports.com/catalog...oducts_id=1429
http://www.westcoastcorvette.com/p-2...x-pipe-c5.aspx
LG C5 Cold Air Intake $200
http://www.lgmotorsports.com/catalog...oducts_id=1707
Mail Order Custom Tune, starting at $200
http://www.eastcoastsupercharging.co...ynotuning.html
http://www.pcmforless.com/index.php?...d=45&Itemid=40
$1400 total
Please let me know if there are more cost effective sources for this stuff.
Last edited by tb30570; 07-17-2009 at 12:30 AM.
#68
Instructor
FYI, the "LL" in avgas is a bit of a misnomer. It is low-lead as far as avgas is concerned, but even 100LL has far more lead in it than leaded auto fuel ever had! I wouldn't advise running the stuff in a car, especially if the car still has catalytic converters.
#69
Safety Car
Thanks for all your suggestions! I'm going to respond to a bunch of posts in random order.
I only am looking for about 50 extra hp. Around 400hp at the crank.
I'm still thinking LT-heads, CAI and a mail in tune. I think X-pipe makes sense too. I'd consider the intake, but need to understand the total cost of parts to install.
LG C5 Street Series Long Tube Headers $700
http://www.lgmotorsports.com/catalog...oducts_id=1429
X-Pipe (no Cats) $300
http://www.lgmotorsports.com/catalog...oducts_id=1429
http://www.westcoastcorvette.com/p-2...x-pipe-c5.aspx
LG C5 Cold Air Intake $200
http://www.lgmotorsports.com/catalog...oducts_id=1707
Mail Order Custom Tune, starting at $200
http://www.eastcoastsupercharging.co...ynotuning.html
http://www.pcmforless.com/index.php?...d=45&Itemid=40
$1400 total
Please let me know if there are more cost effective sources for this stuff.
I only am looking for about 50 extra hp. Around 400hp at the crank.
I'm still thinking LT-heads, CAI and a mail in tune. I think X-pipe makes sense too. I'd consider the intake, but need to understand the total cost of parts to install.
LG C5 Street Series Long Tube Headers $700
http://www.lgmotorsports.com/catalog...oducts_id=1429
X-Pipe (no Cats) $300
http://www.lgmotorsports.com/catalog...oducts_id=1429
http://www.westcoastcorvette.com/p-2...x-pipe-c5.aspx
LG C5 Cold Air Intake $200
http://www.lgmotorsports.com/catalog...oducts_id=1707
Mail Order Custom Tune, starting at $200
http://www.eastcoastsupercharging.co...ynotuning.html
http://www.pcmforless.com/index.php?...d=45&Itemid=40
$1400 total
Please let me know if there are more cost effective sources for this stuff.
I'm guessing that you may be a litte "light" on the total, though. It may end up closer to $1600-$1700 when it's all said and done. You might be able to save a few bucks by watching for used parts in the C5 Parts for Sale section.
With a good tune, and I'd recommend a dyno tune with a good tuner, you will get around 340-350 RWHP, which for a MN6 car, gets you to your 400 FWHP goal......
#70
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Member Since: Apr 2005
Location: Wesley Chapel, FL Las Vegas, NV
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Thanks for all your suggestions! I'm going to respond to a bunch of posts in random order.
What is the part number for the LS6 intake? Is the intake a direct swap or are other parts required for the swap?$300 0n the Forum all the time. I posted a link earlier
hood seal? Not sure what we are talking about.This is a constant joke on the forum
LG C5 Street Series Long Tube Headers $700 Install is $300 - $400
http://www.lgmotorsports.com/catalog...oducts_id=1429
X-Pipe (no Cats) $300 Install $0 if you do it with the header install
http://www.lgmotorsports.com/catalog...oducts_id=1429
http://www.westcoastcorvette.com/p-2...x-pipe-c5.aspx
LG C5 Cold Air Intake $200 Install is easy but it will not give you any real power increase. If your tight on $ hold off on the CAI and use the money for an L6 intake
http://www.lgmotorsports.com/catalog...oducts_id=1707
Mail Order Custom Tune, starting at $200
http://www.eastcoastsupercharging.co...ynotuning.html
http://www.pcmforless.com/index.php?...d=45&Itemid=40
$1400 total
Please let me know if there are more cost effective sources for this stuff.
What is the part number for the LS6 intake? Is the intake a direct swap or are other parts required for the swap?$300 0n the Forum all the time. I posted a link earlier
hood seal? Not sure what we are talking about.This is a constant joke on the forum
LG C5 Street Series Long Tube Headers $700 Install is $300 - $400
http://www.lgmotorsports.com/catalog...oducts_id=1429
X-Pipe (no Cats) $300 Install $0 if you do it with the header install
http://www.lgmotorsports.com/catalog...oducts_id=1429
http://www.westcoastcorvette.com/p-2...x-pipe-c5.aspx
LG C5 Cold Air Intake $200 Install is easy but it will not give you any real power increase. If your tight on $ hold off on the CAI and use the money for an L6 intake
http://www.lgmotorsports.com/catalog...oducts_id=1707
Mail Order Custom Tune, starting at $200
http://www.eastcoastsupercharging.co...ynotuning.html
http://www.pcmforless.com/index.php?...d=45&Itemid=40
$1400 total
Please let me know if there are more cost effective sources for this stuff.
Headers and Off-road X will make the exhaust louder. I would also do a ZO6 TI catback for $400. Install cost would be $0 if you do it with the headers.
Switch out to an L6 is a waste of. The diff between the L1 and L6 is Heads, Cam and Intake. So if you do a H/C and LS6 intake your better off for was less.
If you did decide to do a swap then do an LS2 or LS3
#71
Racer
Thread Starter
15X more lead I'm told. I don't have a CAT in the Redline. I only put two gallons in it, so probably not a big deal. I was using it off-road, so it was probably legal, but I'm not going to ask.
Last edited by tb30570; 07-17-2009 at 11:15 PM.
#72
How much do you think it would cost for headers and exhaust installed? Does the engine need to be pulled to install the headers?
I don't know that there are any locations near me for a custom tune. I'm in the middle of North Dakota. Are Hyperteck, JET or Superchips close to a custom tune?
I don't know that there are any locations near me for a custom tune. I'm in the middle of North Dakota. Are Hyperteck, JET or Superchips close to a custom tune?
#73
I vote airflow tricks, too. Headers, exhaust, highflow cat, CAI.... that should get you close. tune should put you over 400. But, if you want to race, check your rules first. You don't want one mod to put you into a class where you can't compete.
#74
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Instead of bringing back a 7+ year old thread, how about starting a new one.
Besides, this really belongs in C5 Tech.
Besides, this really belongs in C5 Tech.
Last edited by Vetteman Jack; 12-20-2017 at 09:41 PM.