1998 LS1 engine ( Seems slow to me)
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Joined: Jul 2022
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From: Windermere, FL
1998 LS1 engine ( Seems slow to me)
I purchased a 1998 Corvette in July 2022 with 54,500 miles on it. Right now Nov 2023 I am a shade over 55,200 miles. My question is: Does this engine/car combo seem slow to anyone else?
Ive read all the positives about the LS1 which debuted in 1997, but I have to tell you, even the standard Audi Q5 engines seem QUICKER! I get that my 2 Q5s are 2019 and 2023 with AWD, but the Corvette seems slower to accelerate until it gets going. Off the line, the Audi Q5s seem to jump out in front!
Ive read all the positives about the LS1 which debuted in 1997, but I have to tell you, even the standard Audi Q5 engines seem QUICKER! I get that my 2 Q5s are 2019 and 2023 with AWD, but the Corvette seems slower to accelerate until it gets going. Off the line, the Audi Q5s seem to jump out in front!
Race Director
Joined: Oct 2004
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Burning Brakes
Joined: Feb 2000
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From: Middleton, Id
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Michael S. Palmer
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Joined: Aug 2010
Posts: 622
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From: Montgomery Texas
Technology has not stood still over the past 36 years, since the C5 was introduced. We have finally, well and truly, recovered from the emissions black cloud that descended upon the car industry, back in the '70s.
My '71 LS5 Chevelle made a whopping 365 hp from the factory. Granted, the 454 did make a stupid amount of tire shredding torque, but it was pushing a car >1000 pounds heavier than the C5. At the time, these were considered to be big, bad muscle cars.
When the C5 was introduced, the base LS1 was within spitting distance of LS5 power levels and, as already mentioned, it had a lot less to push around. Thirty-six years later, we have high compression engines with relatively high duration cams, variable valve timing, factory equipped (!!!) turbos and superchargers and all sorts of other electronic trickery making stupid power in cars that are largely built out of nothing more than plastic and aluminum. Yeah, even the "grocery getters" tend to offer entertaining levels of performance these days.
The great thing about the LS1/LS6 family is that a reliable 400-500 hp is easily within reach, with simple bolt-ons. And, if you really need a thrill, there is always the forced induction option. Don't worry, be happy!
My '71 LS5 Chevelle made a whopping 365 hp from the factory. Granted, the 454 did make a stupid amount of tire shredding torque, but it was pushing a car >1000 pounds heavier than the C5. At the time, these were considered to be big, bad muscle cars.
When the C5 was introduced, the base LS1 was within spitting distance of LS5 power levels and, as already mentioned, it had a lot less to push around. Thirty-six years later, we have high compression engines with relatively high duration cams, variable valve timing, factory equipped (!!!) turbos and superchargers and all sorts of other electronic trickery making stupid power in cars that are largely built out of nothing more than plastic and aluminum. Yeah, even the "grocery getters" tend to offer entertaining levels of performance these days.
The great thing about the LS1/LS6 family is that a reliable 400-500 hp is easily within reach, with simple bolt-ons. And, if you really need a thrill, there is always the forced induction option. Don't worry, be happy!
Last edited by Tron Z; Nov 25, 2023 at 02:33 PM.
Drifting
Joined: Jul 2004
Posts: 1,691
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From: Pingree Grove IL
I added 3.73 gears and a yankSS3200 in April 2022. On top of that, I already had headers, air intake, and tuned. It’s not that much faster in terms of mph, but it gets you there quicker. It’s the best mod I ever did. Expensive mod, but worth it. Wish I done it back in 2005. I had the 3.15 gears too. I haven’t run a drag radial yet, but performance, acceleration, 0-60 times, 1/8 mile times, quarter mile times, and even some HPDE driving have all improved.
Do the gears and converter and don’t look back.
Do the gears and converter and don’t look back.
Intermediate
Joined: Oct 2021
Posts: 49
Likes: 39
Note that the C5 also has a very non-linear throttle curve, so the throttle response can feel a bit flat on a stock car. For example at 50% pedal travel you will get 15% actual throttle blade travel. So you have to step into the throttle a bit to get to the power. GM was obviously very concerned about fuel economy and the risk-liability equation of having regular drivers with no special training driving what is still a pretty high powered vehicle.
But as others have said, mods will quickly improve things, especially the part-throttle response and acceleration.
But as others have said, mods will quickly improve things, especially the part-throttle response and acceleration.
Safety Car
Joined: Aug 2011
Posts: 4,450
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From: Portland OR
When I bought my 2000 A4 with the 3.15 gears, I took it to the dragstrip. It ran a whopping 14.3 @ 97 mph. Now that’s slow. My Cobalt SS is faster.
Prev owner had replaced the stock MAF with the later larger unit. But didn’t have it tuned. Threw a CEL for Mass Air Flow.
I simply located a stock maf and took it back to the track. It ran 13.07@107. Still not “fast”, but not a dog either.
I’ve no clue how “fast” an Audi A5 is.
Ron
Prev owner had replaced the stock MAF with the later larger unit. But didn’t have it tuned. Threw a CEL for Mass Air Flow.
I simply located a stock maf and took it back to the track. It ran 13.07@107. Still not “fast”, but not a dog either.
I’ve no clue how “fast” an Audi A5 is.
Ron
Former Vendor
Joined: Aug 2011
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From: Tampa Fl
St. Jude Donor '12
Corvette Tuner in Tampa
I tell guys that are around 60,000 miles, to apply an application of SeaFoam to the manifold (not the gas tank). Let it soak up some oil pooling in the manifold for 45 minutes, then do a couple WOT runs.
Over time, oil pools in the manifold and instead of having an Air Fuel Ratio, as the air screams through your manifold during WOT, it will pick up little particles of oil in the process which gives you an Air, Oil, Fuel ratio and can lower your octane. See this video
The second interference is your Air Intake Temperatures. In the stock calibration, The Air Intake Temperatures are set to pull timing at 86-90*. That's practically cold start up air temps for us in Florida. So, if you're sitting at a traffic light for 2-3 minutes, those temps are going to creep up to 150 degrees and when you jump on the car, that table in your car pull 5-6* of timing which will slow you down till the temps cool going across the MAF.
Give some Seafoam a try. It wont hurt anything.
Phil
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Le Mans Master
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From: Poway CA
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I've had my 98 since 99. It's bone stock, coupe, MN6, 95K miles. About 5 years ago, I felt it had gotten sluggish.
I removed the fuel injectors and sent them out to be cleaned (ultrasonic).
The shop that did it sent "before" and "after" measurements of the fuel flow from each injector. It increased dramatically on all 8 injectors.
The car was VERY NOTICABLY faster and responsive after this - like I remembered it when new.
I removed the fuel injectors and sent them out to be cleaned (ultrasonic).
The shop that did it sent "before" and "after" measurements of the fuel flow from each injector. It increased dramatically on all 8 injectors.
The car was VERY NOTICABLY faster and responsive after this - like I remembered it when new.
Burning Brakes
Joined: Aug 2004
Posts: 1,174
Likes: 125
From: Dunstable MA
St. Jude Donor '05
The OP's Q5's are probably like my wife's '18. A turbo 4 with a 7 speed DCT and AWD. Not a slouch in the take-off department. My A4 C5 has 2.78 gears; it takes off slow. That said, I have no doubt the C5 would leave the Audi way behind after a rolling start. I'll ask my wife if she wants to race (or not).