Short of getting a Z06, I want more from my 17 Grand Sport. So far, just the typical bolt on things like an AFE CAI, Soler ported TB, Soler throttle controller and an AWE x pipe. First thought was a supercharger but I'm thinking for less $$ and wanting that "thump thump thump", leaning towards a BTR stage 2 and probably some LT headers. Other than a tune, what else would I need to get more from my C7? What types of gains are realistic?

A good friend has his own shop, so I'd probably have him do the header and cam install, this winter. Tune can be done at a number of local shops. I'd like to start thinking about my parts list now, so I have everything when we're ready.

Full disclosure, I'm a bit of a newbie when it comes to this level of mods. I'm more of a bolt on and cosmetic stuff kind of modder

 

I would find a good tuner and let them know your goals. Maybe they can point you in the right direction. Good luck on your mods and post up progress pics!

 

I do not know your budget, but I'd probably go with Procharger or Magnuson unit before I tore into the motor. I would do internals last I think.. a supercharger would make the car a beast.

 

lt1 motor has weak rods. more than 600 wheel and your risking a bent rod. if your going to do a cam your looking at heads lifters springs and pushrods dod delete and vvt delete so toss a set of rods and pistons in and the sky is the limit

 

I would say to consider drive-ability first. Are you OK with having a cam in the car and having the drive-ability change? A cam sounds great and adds power, but you will need headers and the car will be loud and a little rowdy. Stop and go drive-ability will be good as long as you have a good tuner but there are little things that people don't consider when adding a cam. The exhaust is a little more smelly due to the cam, but if you get high flow cats with the headers that can be mitigated for the most part. Very low throttle input often isn't smooth like the factory cam and if you go big enough you can have a little surging. If you have an automatic transmission you have to be sure to get a cam sized properly so that the car doesn't try to push through the converter at a stop light. If you're OK with these things, I would also consider adding ported heads and flex fuel with the cam. If you're going to do the work, get it all done. A heads cam LT1 on Flex Fuel will be very quick. Anyhow, I'm not trying to push you away from a cam, just making sure you're aware of what you're getting into with a cam.

If you want the car to keep stock like drive-ability, then adding a supercharger is a good choice. Being the LT1 doesn't really like boost due to the pistons, make sure you don't go crazy and run too much boost. If you run Flex Fuel or add Meth injection you can get a little more power safely vs just adding a blower with pump gas. You will still need headers and at least 93 octane at the pump.

Personally, I'm not a fan of a supercharger on a stock LT1. A heads cam LT1 car on flex fuel will will be just as fast as a supercharged(safe level) stock heads cam LT1 but safer. If you have the budget, do heads, cam, and pistons. Then down the road you can add a blower and not worry about melting a piston. This would be my recommendation if you think you're going to want even more power later.

 

Thanks guys. Definitely lots to consider and think about. I'll be thinking about my long-term goals with the car before I do anything. I'd hate to have to repeat labor if I don't have to.

 

i would say cam, heads, headers, e85

that is what i have an it put me a 533 whp

btw, listen to internet ninjas.... he led me right and was very knowledgeable when i had e85 questions

 

BTR 2, LT's, Hi Flow cats and DOD delete but I didnt swap heads. AFE CAI, Soler TB and throttle control prior to the engine work.
Got the thump thump ur looking for with 487 whp
Can be a bit smelly in the garage but not too bad. Driveability is ok, maybe a little bucking in 1st gear when she's cold

 

Find and trade for a Z06 you like and get more oomph, but with factory engineering and potentially still under warranty.

 

Kind of the way I'm leaning now after reading about possible failures. Might be better/less hassle to get something already built to handle it

 

The GS is a fantastic car for street use. Consider adding E85 only and run E50-85 blends with 93 mixed in as needed. That alone is a 20-25RWHP gain over your current state with a good conservative tune. Try that before trading up and see what you think.

Note: Research if O2 sensors are impacted by E85.

 

i would get the procharger kit / LT4 fuel pump. He has no worries of or gas issues with the LT1 handling the boost.

 

For nit much more than a shelf cam, you can get a cam specced to your combo from somebody like Camking. That rowdy and choppy idle that you are after is the sound of incomplete combustion and i take dilution at low rpm, For a street car it gets old very quick. Any cam that has increased overlap and increased lift and duration will be shifting the power curve to the right--meaning you will have less off idle and low rpm torque. In addition, the stock converter and rear gearing has very little leeway when it comes to cams. A rowdier cam will almost always require an idle rpm increase, which (as mentioned) means you will be pushing through a tight stock converter at idle. If it is a manual, keeping the stock rear end gear will often result in SLOWER acceleration times than the stock cam/rear gear. Nothing wrong with a little more cam on a street car, just make sure you cover all bases--appropriate higher stall converter and possible deeper rear end ratio.

 

Thanks so much for this. Being a newbie to this, all things I didn't think about. I'll definitely be researching and thinking all this through. Appreciate the info, from everyone.

 

Too bad you aren't local to me , would do random beer runs and let you drive my car to the spots