Most Cost Effective LS1 Performance Mods
Thread Starter
Racer
Joined: May 2008
Posts: 298
Likes: 8
From: Quad Cities Iowa
Most Cost Effective LS1 Performance Mods
What are the most cost effective performance mods to get a 345 hp LS1 to about 400 hp? Assume my time to install parts is worth something too, about $50/hr. Also assume I don't have a lot of free time. NOS is not something I would consider.
What mods should be performed to pick up about 50 hp?
-Cold Air Intake?
-Larger Injectors?
-Aftermarket Programmer?
-Ignition Controller?
-High Flow Cats & Mufflers?
-Other Suggestions?
I appreciate your suggestions.
What mods should be performed to pick up about 50 hp?
-Cold Air Intake?
-Larger Injectors?
-Aftermarket Programmer?
-Ignition Controller?
-High Flow Cats & Mufflers?
-Other Suggestions?
I appreciate your suggestions.
Thread Starter
Racer
Joined: May 2008
Posts: 298
Likes: 8
From: Quad Cities Iowa
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?
Race Director
Joined: Dec 2000
Posts: 19,304
Likes: 85
From: San Diego CA
For about $20/HP, you can get a Cold Air Intake that'll give you about 15 HP (12 or 13 RWHP).
By comparison, a supercharger will cost you about $50/HP (installed) and about $37/HP for a DIY job.
Nitrous may very well be the best bang for the buck, but the risk factor is up there as well.
By comparison, a supercharger will cost you about $50/HP (installed) and about $37/HP for a DIY job.
Nitrous may very well be the best bang for the buck, but the risk factor is up there as well.
Thread Starter
Racer
Joined: May 2008
Posts: 298
Likes: 8
From: Quad Cities Iowa
For about $20/HP, you can get a Cold Air Intake that'll give you about 15 HP (12 or 13 RWHP).
By comparison, a supercharger will cost you about $50/HP (installed) and about $37/HP for a DIY job.
Nitrous may very well be the best bang for the buck, but the risk factor is up there as well.
By comparison, a supercharger will cost you about $50/HP (installed) and about $37/HP for a DIY job.
Nitrous may very well be the best bang for the buck, but the risk factor is up there as well.
Sorry for my stupidity...what is a DIY job? Sounds adult.
Le Mans Master
Joined: Sep 2007
Posts: 7,604
Likes: 8
From: Belleville Il
No you do not have to pull the motor for header install.They just covered header and Hi-flow cats install in the September issue of Corvette Fever (just delivered in the mail a couple of weeks ago). Seems headers run around $1500 + or - a couple hundred (from what I read here on the forum) Don't know much about them and tuners as mine is pretty much stock(I do follow a lot of this stuff here though) I'm sure there will be a lot more jump in soon!!
Melting Slicks
Joined: Feb 2007
Posts: 3,184
Likes: 10
From: New Smyrna Beach Florida
Are you talkin 400rwhp or 400 hp crank. Either way, Larger Injector, Ignition Controller are not part of the list. I would say long tube headers with high flow cats, a good cam and of course some tuning from a professional tuner could get you there. And of course a true cold air intake such as a vararam or callaway honker can't hurt anything.
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Thread Starter
Racer
Joined: May 2008
Posts: 298
Likes: 8
From: Quad Cities Iowa
Are you talkin 400rwhp or 400 hp crank. Either way, Larger Injector, Ignition Controller are not part of the list. I would say long tube headers with high flow cats, a good cam and of course some tuning from a professional tuner could get you there. And of course a true cold air intake such as a vararam or callaway honker can't hurt anything.
I assume the engine has to be pulled to install a hotter cam? If so, I'm not sure I want to go down that road.
What kind of costs and power gains would I see for these mods?
-Cold Air Intake - 10hp - $300
-Larger Injectors - not worth it
-Aftermarket Programmer - XX hp - (don't have access to custom tune)
-Ignition Controller - not worth it
-Headers - XX hp - $1500
-High Flow Exhaust - XX hp - $XXXX
-High Flow Cats & Mufflers - XX hp - $XXXX
-Other Suggestions?
Am I better off buying a new LS6 @ $5200?
Melting Slicks
Joined: Aug 2006
Posts: 2,866
Likes: 45
From: Tampa Bay, Go BUCS!!!Go Rays!!!Go Lightning!!!
St. Jude Donor '12-'13-'14
First off, Welcome. 
Don't forget to wave.
Second, DIY is Do it yourself.
Third, your list.
I think most would say a handheld programmer is not a good investment. I can't say for sure on a Corvette. On my truck it was a total waste of money.
The stock injectors can supply more fuel than an LS1 can use until you either add a large cam or forced injection
My best advise is (in order):
1) more air in,,, cold air intake.
2) more air out,,, headers, hi flow cats, catback exhaust
3) professional tune
Good luck.
One more thing. Don't over-value your time. If you aren't doing the work yourself because you WANT to then pay someone else to do it. Look at it this way. If your time really is worth $50/hr, you go to work and pay someone else $80/hr to work on your car. In the end the difference will be $30/hr (make $50, spend $80). But really, do it yourself if you can. It's great quality time.
Don't forget to wave.Second, DIY is Do it yourself.
Third, your list.
I think most would say a handheld programmer is not a good investment. I can't say for sure on a Corvette. On my truck it was a total waste of money.
The stock injectors can supply more fuel than an LS1 can use until you either add a large cam or forced injection
My best advise is (in order):
1) more air in,,, cold air intake.
2) more air out,,, headers, hi flow cats, catback exhaust
3) professional tune
Good luck.
One more thing. Don't over-value your time. If you aren't doing the work yourself because you WANT to then pay someone else to do it. Look at it this way. If your time really is worth $50/hr, you go to work and pay someone else $80/hr to work on your car. In the end the difference will be $30/hr (make $50, spend $80). But really, do it yourself if you can. It's great quality time.
Thread Starter
Racer
Joined: May 2008
Posts: 298
Likes: 8
From: Quad Cities Iowa
First off, Welcome. Don't forget to wave.
Second, DIY is Do it yourself.
Third, your list.
I think most would say a handheld programmer is not a good investment. I can't say for sure on a Corvette. On my truck it was a total waste of money.
The stock injectors can supply more fuel than an LS1 can use until you either add a large cam or forced injection
My best advise is (in order):
1) more air in,,, cold air intake.
2) more air out,,, headers, hi flow cats, catback exhaust
3) professional tune
Good luck.
One more thing. Don't over-value your time. If you aren't doing the work yourself because you WANT to then pay someone else to do it. Look at it this way. If your time really is worth $50/hr, you go to work and pay someone else $80/hr to work on your car. In the end the difference will be $30/hr (make $50, spend $80). But really, do it yourself if you can. It's great quality time.
Don't forget to wave.Second, DIY is Do it yourself.
Third, your list.
I think most would say a handheld programmer is not a good investment. I can't say for sure on a Corvette. On my truck it was a total waste of money.
The stock injectors can supply more fuel than an LS1 can use until you either add a large cam or forced injection
My best advise is (in order):
1) more air in,,, cold air intake.
2) more air out,,, headers, hi flow cats, catback exhaust
3) professional tune
Good luck.
One more thing. Don't over-value your time. If you aren't doing the work yourself because you WANT to then pay someone else to do it. Look at it this way. If your time really is worth $50/hr, you go to work and pay someone else $80/hr to work on your car. In the end the difference will be $30/hr (make $50, spend $80). But really, do it yourself if you can. It's great quality time.
Last edited by tb30570; Jul 30, 2008 at 11:48 PM.
Thread Starter
Racer
Joined: May 2008
Posts: 298
Likes: 8
From: Quad Cities Iowa
I recently finished working on one of my other cars and am ready to start looking at the Vette again.
http://www.redlineforums.com/forums/...-800-a-20.html
I'm going to price out a full exhaust system first. I'm looking for a set of headers, X-pipes, over the axle pipes, mufflers and tips. I'd like 2.5" from the accumulator to the back. I don't plan on running CAT's.
Does anybody sell a complete kit at a better price than buying components? I've looked around and can only find header/x-pipe combos or cat-back systems. I didn't see any complete systems.
http://www.redlineforums.com/forums/...-800-a-20.html
I'm going to price out a full exhaust system first. I'm looking for a set of headers, X-pipes, over the axle pipes, mufflers and tips. I'd like 2.5" from the accumulator to the back. I don't plan on running CAT's.
Does anybody sell a complete kit at a better price than buying components? I've looked around and can only find header/x-pipe combos or cat-back systems. I didn't see any complete systems.
Last edited by tb30570; Jul 8, 2009 at 12:34 AM.
Team Owner
Joined: Sep 2003
Posts: 43,084
Likes: 33
From: Raleigh / Rolesville NC
First off, Welcome. Don't forget to wave.
Second, DIY is Do it yourself.
Third, your list.
I think most would say a handheld programmer is not a good investment. I can't say for sure on a Corvette. On my truck it was a total waste of money.
The stock injectors can supply more fuel than an LS1 can use until you either add a large cam or forced injection
My best advise is (in order):
1) more air in,,, cold air intake.
2) more air out,,, headers, hi flow cats, catback exhaust
3) professional tune
Good luck.
One more thing. Don't over-value your time. If you aren't doing the work yourself because you WANT to then pay someone else to do it. Look at it this way. If your time really is worth $50/hr, you go to work and pay someone else $80/hr to work on your car. In the end the difference will be $30/hr (make $50, spend $80). But really, do it yourself if you can. It's great quality time.
Don't forget to wave.Second, DIY is Do it yourself.
Third, your list.
I think most would say a handheld programmer is not a good investment. I can't say for sure on a Corvette. On my truck it was a total waste of money.
The stock injectors can supply more fuel than an LS1 can use until you either add a large cam or forced injection
My best advise is (in order):
1) more air in,,, cold air intake.
2) more air out,,, headers, hi flow cats, catback exhaust
3) professional tune
Good luck.
One more thing. Don't over-value your time. If you aren't doing the work yourself because you WANT to then pay someone else to do it. Look at it this way. If your time really is worth $50/hr, you go to work and pay someone else $80/hr to work on your car. In the end the difference will be $30/hr (make $50, spend $80). But really, do it yourself if you can. It's great quality time.
Best VALUE for your money is to have your car dyno tuned by a competent tuner. that will run $400-$500 but you will get that 50 or so hp you are looking for.
Good Luck
Racer
Joined: May 2007
Posts: 407
Likes: 0
From: San Antonio Texas
Team Owner
Joined: Sep 2001
Posts: 23,283
Likes: 906
From: Lake Elsinore, CA
Melting Slicks
Joined: Feb 2002
Posts: 2,956
Likes: 2
From: Indianapolis In
Melting Slicks
Joined: Aug 2006
Posts: 2,866
Likes: 45
From: Tampa Bay, Go BUCS!!!Go Rays!!!Go Lightning!!!
St. Jude Donor '12-'13-'14
You could actually skip the catback if you wanted. The stock one isn't that restrictive (just quiet).
The firt 50 hp is the cheapest ($/hp). After that is starts to go up quickly.
