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How to Add Torque to LS1

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Old May 23, 2009 | 10:27 PM
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Default How to Add Torque to LS1

We have brand new LS1 with 1003 miles. We have a factory warranty and want to make torque mods without voiding the warranty and without spending a ton of dough. Not looking for a dragster, just a bit beefier resembling, say, the LS6. Ideas for us?
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Old May 24, 2009 | 01:05 AM
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Not much you can do that won't void the warranty. Maybe and intake like a Vararam, a set of long tube headers, high flow cats, and a different cat back. You should be able to gain 30 - 40 lb/ft or torque.
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Old May 24, 2009 | 08:04 AM
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Originally Posted by The Iron
We have brand new LS1 with 1003 miles. We have a factory warranty and want to make torque mods without voiding the warranty and without spending a ton of dough. Not looking for a dragster, just a bit beefier resembling, say, the LS6. Ideas for us?
You might want to take the time to fill in your SIG so we have a better idea what type of vehicle you are talking about and other information like what model year. You can also include what changes have already been done.

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Old May 24, 2009 | 11:09 AM
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10-4 Eric.
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Old May 24, 2009 | 05:08 PM
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151 people looked at this and only 3 responses. I beg for suggestions and vendors we can purchase what we want to increase torque and hp. Thanks.
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Old May 24, 2009 | 05:09 PM
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04 Convertible - All stock with new LS1 that has only 1500 miles. Stock everything right now.
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Old May 24, 2009 | 05:53 PM
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Originally Posted by ljthe2nd
Not much you can do that won't void the warranty. Maybe and intake like a Vararam, a set of long tube headers, high flow cats, and a different cat back. You should be able to gain 30 - 40 lb/ft or torque.
Plus a dyno tune. That's it!!
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Old May 24, 2009 | 06:33 PM
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NOS is the way to go... install a 75 shot, no tuning needed and if something goes wrong you can take it back off. Its cheap torque.
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Old May 24, 2009 | 07:07 PM
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151 people looked at this and only 3 responses. I beg for suggestions and vendors we can purchase what we want to increase torque and hp. Thanks.
Based on your attitude and level of knowledge, you should probably leave the engine alone.
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Old May 24, 2009 | 09:02 PM
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You don't already know what you can do without opening the engine? A cold air intake and long tube headers/exaust and computer tuning is about it, same as with every other engine. The long tube headers and full exaust with a tune are needed to get a noticable change, a "catback" by itself or intake by itself gets you very little.

To get LS6 power you need to build or install an engine equivalent to an LS6.

Peter
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Old May 24, 2009 | 09:20 PM
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Ipuig - didn't know I had a poor attitude sir. My level of knowledge will increase when I hear what others have done. unfortunately, I wasn't born a mechanic and have to ask even the stupidest questions that an expert like yourself already has the knowledge. Everyone has to start somewhere and this is the place for me to learn. Hope that it is okay for us green horns to learn from the site.

Lionelhutz - we have the understanding of what it takes to do what we are looking for, but we were hoping to get specific products and vendors and maybe, just maybe hear about the latest and greatest aftermarket part.

Thanks everyone for replying. Still can't get over how we can just type in a question and learn from other's experiences. Thanks.
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Old May 25, 2009 | 09:59 AM
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***Gears***
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Old May 25, 2009 | 11:31 AM
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Default Here's what I have on my car:

Vararam Cold Air intake:
http://www.vararam.com/b2.html
(You can also go with Callaway Honker, Blackwing, etc)

American Racing Long Tube Headers w/ Hi-Flow Cats
http://americanracingheaders.com/C5_Catalog.htm
(You can also go with LG, Kooks, etc)

Stock LS6 Titanium Catback
Buy it used off the "for sale" section for $400~

Dyno tune by a reputable tuner
This is the key...

Last edited by jpandes; May 25, 2009 at 11:34 AM.
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Old May 25, 2009 | 05:08 PM
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Thanks guys. Appreciate your help.
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Old May 25, 2009 | 05:36 PM
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Originally Posted by CTD
***Gears***
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Old May 26, 2009 | 02:29 AM
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Originally Posted by CTD
***Gears***
Originally Posted by chris308
First thing that popped in my head.
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Old May 26, 2009 | 04:31 PM
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You sound like a cat back exhaust would get you started, on a very mild course. These motors make AWESOME power very easily. Also an aftermarket air intake would help for mild torque gains and stay in warranty. Good news is all these can be found used very reasonably.

congrats on the car!
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Old May 26, 2009 | 05:09 PM
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Originally Posted by CTD
***Gears***
Originally Posted by chris308
Originally Posted by AMRAAM
First thing that popped in my head.
The OP said and I quote "We have a factory warranty and want to make torque mods without voiding the warranty and without spending a ton of dough."

Gears do not add any torque, and if you replace the gears you will void the factory warranty, at least for the rear end if not the whole car.
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Old May 26, 2009 | 05:26 PM
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Nitrous will add a bunch of torque to your motor!!

plus it will not void your warranty because if you blow it up you will take the kit off before you bring the car in!!
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Old May 26, 2009 | 05:40 PM
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What can you REALLY do without potentially voiding the warranty? Not much, honestly.

If you add even a cold air intake, and then suck up some water and blow the engine, they are gonna laugh at the "warranty". Anything you modify is going to be voided from the warranty in a heartbeat.

Gears are a good seat-of-the-pants improvement. They don't "add" any actual power but it will feel quicker. You didn't mention if you had an A4 or M6, but if you have the A4 then a torque converter will be a HUGE performance and "feel" improvement (again, not actually "adding" any power though). That was the biggest improvement I ever got out of my old A4 car. But obviously, if you do either/or, you will be voiding you warranty on the tranny and/or rear immediately.

If you're worried about the warranty, leave it alone.

Dope
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