How do I get more torque from my LT1?
 

I want more pull down low. What do I need to do to my engine to accomplish this? I have attached my signature below as to what mods I've done. A 3.07 rear is as low as I want to go. Don't want any driveability issues with high stall converters either. Just engine mods please. Of course, performance is a function of cost - but I would be interested in the less expensive ones first. Wishing I had a stick though than an auto. Thanks for any help.

Ed in Southern California

Re: How do I get more torque from my LT1? (eagleone)
 

Start by losing the Bosch Platinums and put in a set of NGK TR-55ix iridium plugs. Or stock AC 41-906 plugs. They can say what they want about the stock plugs, but they do give the best low end torque.

Re: How do I get more torque from my LT1? (eagleone)
 

Not much you can do besides changing the cam to a grind that makes its power lower in the band.

Re: How do I get more torque from my LT1? (eagleone)
 

I know you said you didn't want to change gears, however, I too have an A4 and I went with 3:54's. It has great snap off the line, and no drivability issues.

Re: How do I get more torque from my LT1? (95AquaC4)
 

Compression is a good way to build torque but radical cams is the only way to avoid detonation so not too much compression :thumbs:

Re: How do I get more torque from my LT1? (eagleone)
 

Looks to me like your 0 - 60 time in 4.79 sec. is pretty good. I agree that a cam is probably the way to go. :cheers:

Re: How do I get more torque from my LT1? (Jimbo93)
 

You could change to an L98 TPI intake system, it makes gobs of touque. :jester

Seriously, I know its ezpensive but changing the rear gears will realy make a bib diffrence.

Re: How do I get more torque from my LT1? (C44ever)
 

:iagree: :thumbs: :yesnod:

Re: How do I get more torque from my LT1? (MTVette)
 

:iagree:

Re: How do I get more torque from my LT1? (eagleone)
 

383 or 396 stroker

Re: How do I get more torque from my LT1? (Raistlin)
 

I was taught a saying..... :D Go big or Go home :D
421 ci. stroker baby :reddevil

Re: How do I get more torque from my LT1? (eagleone)
 

Ed, my best has been 5.01 to 60. I've been wanting to get the Ed Wright Chip. The Hypertech does nothing. How much improvement did you get fron the Ed Wright chip.

Thanks

Jim


[Modified by jstkrsn, 9:34 PM 1/17/2003]

Re: How do I get more torque from my LT1? (jstkrsn)
 

It's rare you see a sports car owner trying to find more bottom end torque in an LT1. You're damn lucky you don't have an LT4. IMHO, you should:

1) trade for an L98 or 2) go the torque multiplication route by adding deeper gears or 3) Install a stroker. These 3 options will provide more rear wheel torque for wildly varying cost, labor hours and project complexity. However, the stroker route does not provide a massive gain as some expect. It is approximately proportional to the increase in cubes...a little more if stock cam and heads are retained (~20%).


[Modified by Rick93Z07, 5:02 PM 1/17/2003]

Re: How do I get more torque from my LT1? (eagleone)
 

If you change your rear gear from 3.07 to 3.54, you'll increase your rear wheel torque multiplication factor by 3.54/3.07 or 15%. That's the same as going from 340 ft*lbs to 392 ft*lbs.

The torque multiplication numbers are similar for a higher stall speed TC. The fact remains a higher stall speed TC and a lower gear are the two best go fast mods to be done on an LT1. Nothing else will drop your times quicker or cheaper, except for maybe a 200HP shot of nitros.

It's going to take some serious engine mods to add the kind of torque multipler a gear gives. I'd go with long tube headers, a cam, a little bowl porting you should be there (after a dyno tune).

My daily driver is an Impala SS with a 2500 Stall TC and 3.73 gears, no drivability issues unless you consider the spanking it can give most cars, a 5.68 0-60 time will do that :)

Eric

Re: How do I get more torque from my LT1? (95AquaC4)
 

:iagree: :yesnod:

Re: How do I get more torque from my LT1? (silver & red CE)
 

Sweet! In a family sized sedan!!! :cheers:

Re: How do I get more torque from my LT1? (eagleone)
 

How the heck did you get your 0-60 times so low? That's awesome!

Did you time it before your mods? It doesn't look like you have any major mods, is it the gears? I thought an LT1 would be more like 5.5.



[Modified by Gixxer, 9:35 PM 1/17/2003]

Re: How do I get more torque from my LT1? (Gixxer)
 

I never timed my Impala before modding it, but most mags had it at ~6.9-7.2 seconds. My Impala mods are K&N intake, 1.6 GMPP roller rockers, AS&M medium length headers, factory cats, FLP 2.5" catback, SLP 2500 TC, TransGo, aluminum driveshaft, 3.73 gears. I also tweaked the suspension, but that's another post.

It's interesting that the same mods work for both the iron headed LT1 and the Vette's aluminum headed LT1/4.

Eric

Re: How do I get more torque from my LT1? (silver & red CE)
 

I would either put some more gear in the car, or go more cubic inches.

Re: How do I get more torque from my LT1? (eagleone)
 

Ed, my best has been 5.01 to 60. I've been wanting to get the Ed Wright Chip. The Hypertech does nothing. How much improvement did you get fron the Ed Wright chip.
Thanks

Jim


I went from a previous best of 4.91 to 4.86. I made a conscious effort to go out when the ambient air temperature is about the same as the previous runs so that the results will not be a function of colder air. I always do at least 3 runs. The gain I got from the Ed Wright chip based on the average of 3 runs
was 4.87 from a previous 4.95 - so almost a tenth off. I imagine that the gain would be a bit more over a 1/4 mile stretch, which I did not do ... too risky with the cops.

Ed