looking for a 50 hp boost

[collector96num1]

30->50 horses needed

Hi guys,

I own a 96 collector edition automatic LT1 300 hp
this spoiled car has low mileage...36000 miles....

I would like some advice.....

I would like to boost engine power to approx 330-350 hp...
what is the most reliable and cost effective way to do this??
also Keeping in mind I want to use this car as a daily driver..so reliablity and some kind of decent gas mileage (I don't expect miracles something reasonable) is important for me.

I am not a mechanic but i believe the best way to go is with a drop in cam replacement...
Also will anything else break if I do this?? Can the stock tranny handle about 50 hp extra without a premature death?
I don't want to spend lots of money on reprogramming the computer and getting the intake polished & ported ..etc Am I dreaming in color or is this possible?
If so what cam is the best for a mild upgrade...(i would like a decent idle too)
thanks again for your help.

 

[Hib Halverson]

Re: I'll take 30->50 horses to go please

(snip)
Hi guys,
I would like to boost engine power to approx 330-350 hp...
(snip)
I don't want to spend lots of money on reprogramming the computer and getting the intake polished & ported ..etc Am I dreaming in color or is this possible?

A legitimate 30-50hp increase without reprogramming is unrealistic. Unless you add a supercharger, a full 50 more hp is unrealisitc without head work.

If you're willing to change the calibration and do head work or a cylinder head change that 30-50 is within reason. If you add a different cam, it's definitely in range.

 

[collector96num1]

hi,

thanks for your reply..
when you say head work what do you recommend doing?

hmmm... intake ported and polished and a new cam then reprogram the computer?
Is the tranny alright with the extra horses 30-50 hp?

 

[corvettecrazy]

may I ask why you would modify a collector editin car with low milage???

 

[80vette_ca]

I don't know too much about the newer engines but to you guys still bore and stroke your engines out and put in some new pistons, because there is no replacement for displacement. Not sure what that would cost you but I'm sure it would be a worth wild mod.

 

[BiZ]

On a LT1 I think a Hot Cam, some intake porting, free flowing exhaust, and programming should get you near a 40 bhp gain. I gained ~35bhp when I added my exhaust (Headers/Flowmasters). Granted I have the LT5 which responds very well to exhaust mods. So I figure it would be worth at least 20 on the LT1. The Hot Cam and tuning should be another 20. And by adding a bit better flow on the intake side should add 5 to 10.

 

[MoeJr]

I would think personally you could get that 30-50 hp boost without cam changes and major work. I would put a free flowing exhaust with hi flow cat converter,cold air system and reprogram the computer to accept a 160 TStat and allow a bit more timing and I think you can reach your goal. These cars respond well to bolt on mods.

 

[vader86]

If you only want 50hp, then drop in the LT4 Hotcam and some 1.6rr. Buy the kit from Superior Chevrolet and then get some different, tougher springs than the ones included.

This will get you your 50hp at the crank easily. The car will run with the stock program, but it wont run great and the idle may be rough, not to mention your gas mileage.

You would need to have your PCM unit reprogrammed after installing the cam and roller rockers, i recommend Ed Wright at Fastchip.com

it wouldnt be necessary to port the heads, although that will give 15-20hp more after the cam is installed, it may not with the stock cam (and you dont want to polish the intake port, only the exhaust port)

 

[Edmond]

it wouldnt be necessary to port the heads, although that will give 15-20hp more after the cam is installed, it may not with the stock cam (and you dont want to polish the intake port, only the exhaust port)

vader,

why port the exhaust but not the intake?

 

[collector96num1]

corvettecrazy
Member

>> may I ask why you would modify a collector editin car with low milage???

I know it is insane...
darn good question...I think the answer is because I like it...
you see for me at first 300 hp was alot...today it seems like it's not enough...it's hard for me to explain...I wish i could be satisfied with 300 hp but in my heart I want 400 hp.+

I am a car enthusiast..emphasis on enthusiasm...which means I am enthusiastic about cars...I will never be satisfied...I loved the corvette since I was 7 ...i was a young punk playing with my little corvette in the sand..in front of my parent's house...that's the best explanation I can give you or other people like my poor wife which doesn't understand it either!!!

I would love to put the sticker supercharged on my bumper...
it just seems to belong there....every time i see the vette it says...supercharge me...I will start looking into various prices ...and keep ya posted...It's gonna cost me big bucks...but like clairol says I'm worth it..!!!

 

[vader86]

vader,

why port the exhaust but not the intake?

I said not to polish the intake, you can port the hell out of it.

You want the intake surface to be rough, to aid in atomization. The exhaust needs to be polished.

 

[lt1vert]

With bolt-ons I was able to get 290rwhp and 312lbs torque. that should be around 330 flywheel.
with 3:73 gears, you'd be able to run with some c5's and ls1 f-bods

open air lid +k&n
Muffler elims
160 thermostat
ported maf
throttle body bypass

330 flywheel with boltons and gears will probably cost the same as internal work but you don't have to crack open the motor to do it.

 

[Tuna]

LT4 Hot Cam kit
1.6 rockers
Adjustable fuel pressure
160 stat

Then reprogram the computer to work with the above.

FastChips is one place to do that. There are lots of others.

The automatic is more than adequate for the 30-50 hp addition.

Enjoy.

 

[sothpaw]

If you are not in a smog test area, then:
TPIS headers, no cats, free flow exhaust (maybe), and 1.6 rr's.

If not: GET A C5!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!(unless you hate C5s)

Take it from me, I just dumped an unGodly amount of money into my C4, as I don't do engine work myself. For what you will spend to get that 50 hp, 5-6k more will buy you the C5, which has better heads and responds better to air intake mods (cheap) and exhaust mods.

I have done it, I do not recommend engine work on C4. Just more parts than you think needs to be changed, no matter how much research you do.

 

[kingman]

Hi

I agree with Sothpaw, the only way to go is step out and get a C5.
The prices are right now and will get better as the winter season starts.
Now, you will have to wait until Spring until you part with your C4, inorder to get a decent price.

Alan

 

[sothpaw]

You have to keep in mind that I'm a little P.O.ed at GM right now because my new Opti busted in 1 month and 1500 miles.

This might mean the vendor's quality control has gone out the window and that we will have problems with our replacement Opti units--driving up the C4 maint. expense.

C5's are going for 25k with decent mileage. With a low mileage 1996, I don't think it's unreasonable to upgrade for 10-12k, including tax and selling expenses. So for a little more than what you'll spend on the C4 to get the 50 hp, you can get the new body.

 

[rrubel]

Sothpaw, does this mean that all your bad-running issues were the new optispark? That sucks... hopefully they'll cover it under warrenty.
[RICHR]

 

[MoeJr]

I cannot imagine needing to open an Lt1 to get 50 hp. You should be able to do that with carefully selected bolt-ons. if you are looking to make the car quicker you can also change the rear gears to 3.73's for added punch off the line. Just my .02.

 

[kingman]

Best way to go!!!

I'm in full agreement to pack in the C4 and go for the C5. That is unless you have the LT4. The Lt4 is supposed to give the C5 a run for the money.

Alan

 

[sothpaw]

Moe--

Well, I have to disagree with you. The LT1 needs more than bolt ons to get 50 fw hp. I did the airbox, the TB bypass, the hypertech chip, the airfoil, and 1.6 rr's (that I call engine work).

The rr's netted 11 rwhp on the dyno. The chip did was also in at this time.

The intake did little--maybe .05 s in the 1/4. The TB bypass plus launching at a cold engine temp helped a lot. But my best 1/4mi mph was like 108 mph, and that's not 50 hp more than stock , 266 rwhp.

A full cat back exhaust will get him 10 hp on the LT1.

So, unless he goes into the engine, or does headers and no cats (the bullets don't help much if at all), then no 50 hp. Period.