Looking for horse power out of LT1

[tcz062]

Looking to get some power out of 1995 stock LT1. Anyone know if the programer units work well ?

 

[Curious George]

Looking to get some power out of 1995 stock LT1. Anyone know if the programer units work well ?

GM did not leave too much HP on the table, but you can get slightly better drivability with a tune. HP Tuners has good software / hardware interface.

CG

 

[tmkassin]

Looking to get some power out of 1995 stock LT1. Anyone know if the programer units work well ?

52 mm throttle body, aftermarket free flowing exhaust, check fuel pressure, plugs, wires, and make sure she is running correctly. My biggest gain came from new Bosch injectors, the old ones were SHOT. If you are looking for 400 hp it requires porting the heads, Headers and a cam.

 

[vetteoz]

If you are looking for 400 hp it requires porting the heads, and a cam.

See the man

Elliotts Port Works

 

[BADDUCK]

For nice gains and drivability go with a GM Hotcam kit. You will need a tune when you change cams.

 

[tcz062]

Changing the throttle body. plugs,plug wires and exhuast how much difference should I see at the rear wheels?

 

[vetteboy86]

There have been conflicting reports, but headers, and a good free flowing exhaust is good for the money. If you want something the but dyno can register, think about a new set of rear gears.

BTW, I see you have some cars that produce some good horsepower already. If you don't mind me asking, why are you pursuing more power from the LT1?

 

[tcz062]

I guess we have been spoiled having the power from the Z's and when we drive the LT1 it looks great but seems like something is missing.

 

[Black Bart]

I guess we have been spoiled having the power from the Z's and when we drive the LT1 it looks great but seems like something is missing.

If you only plan on using it occasionally Nitrous is the cheapest power.
It will way out perform all about suggestion but if you use it a lot it will get expensive filling the bottle.

The tuner thing will just advance the timing a little it will not be noticeable just depends on how much you want to get from it.

If you just want to make it a little stronger and not break the bank I would install a set of 1.6 roller rockers that will cost about the same as a throttle body but produce much more improvement in power.

 

[KANE]

I'd suggest going in a different direction and leave the engine alone- 3.73 rear gear.



IIRC... the 95's had gear ratios between 2.59 or 3.07 (autos) through 3.33 or 3.45 (six speed). If you have an auto... a 3.73 will make a huge difference.

You'll likely feel the difference in how much more quickly the LT1 winds up from an improved gear ratio more than anything else (ex. throttle body, free-flow intake, exhaust, or tuning) short of nitrous, a cam, and ported heads.

Here's some pros and cons that come to mind for options... hope this helps.

Nitrous-
CONS: not consistent power (must hit the button), overall wear on engine
PROS: inexpensive

Programer-
CONS: cost versus increased output (a bit pricey)
PROS: ease of use

Cam / Heads-
CONS: can be expensive- requires tuning as well
PROS: lots of power can be found

Gears-
CONS: sacrifice a little top end
PROS: increased acceleration, relatively inexpensive compared to cam and heads




Good luck with whatever you decide!

 

[tmkassin]

Look up www.c4corvettes.com there is an article on c4 performance mods. My initial thoughts are that your car may not be running properly and to make sure it is before doing any mods. My 92 was pathetic until I went throught the normal maintenance and tune up procedures to make it run right. It isn't the fastest car I have ever owned but it is crisp and responds instantly to the throttle.

 

[Black Bart]

I'd suggest going in a different direction and leave the engine alone- 3.73 rear gear.



IIRC... the 95's had gear ratios between 2.59 or 3.07 (autos) through 3.33 or 3.45 (six speed). If you have an auto... a 3.73 will make a huge difference.

You'll likely feel the difference in how much more quickly the LT1 winds up from an improved gear ratio more than anything else (ex. throttle body, free-flow intake, exhaust, or tuning) short of nitrous, a cam, and ported heads.

Here's some pros and cons that come to mind for options... hope this helps.

Nitrous-
CONS: not consistent power (must hit the button), overall wear on engine
PROS: inexpensive

Programer-
CONS: cost versus increased output (a bit pricey)
PROS: ease of use

Cam / Heads-
CONS: can be expensive- requires tuning as well
PROS: lots of power can be found

Gears-
CONS: sacrifice a little top end
PROS: increased acceleration, relatively inexpensive compared to cam and heads




Good luck with whatever you decide!

If he hires it done a gear change will cost $1000.00 or more depending on where he has it done.

The gear change will reduce gas mileage add wear to the engine from higher revs ALL the time.

Nitrous would cost less and produce better performance.
Any power adders will add stress to the engine but making an additional 100 HP with nitrous would be LESS stress than making it with head and cam because the naturally aspirated engine must turn much higher RPM to make the power and high rpm is a engine killer.

I have read all the stories on the internet about how dangerous nitrous is and it all boils down to people don't take time to learn they just put on a nitrous kit and then they blow it up because they are idiots.

I have been running nitrous for 10 years without a problem but I do know enough about tuning to make it work right.

Blaming a product because someone is not smart enough to install and tune it is not fair to that product but that has been widely circulated on the internet that nitrous is bad and after enough people post it then it becomes the truth to most people.

As to which is better Nitrous or gears if it was my car I would do both.

 

[BADDUCK]

Changing the throttle body. plugs,plug wires and exhuast how much difference should I see at the rear wheels?

Throttle body = 0 at stock HP levels. You are getting plenty of air.

Plugs and plug wires = 0 unless you need a basic tune.

Exhaust = 0 to maybe 20 HP if you do Long Tube headers with a X pipe and duals. (It will be loud however). The LT1 stock exhaust is pretty damn good.

 

[vetteboy86]

If he hires it done a gear change will cost $1000.00 or more depending on where he has it done.

The gear change will reduce gas mileage add wear to the engine from higher revs ALL the time.

Nitrous would cost less and produce better performance.
Any power adders will add stress to the engine but making an additional 100 HP with nitrous would be LESS stress than making it with head and cam because the naturally aspirated engine must turn much higher RPM to make the power and high rpm is a engine killer.

I have read all the stories on the internet about how dangerous nitrous is and it all boils down to people don't take time to learn they just put on a nitrous kit and then they blow it up because they are idiots.

I have been running nitrous for 10 years without a problem but I do know enough about tuning to make it work right.

Blaming a product because someone is not smart enough to install and tune it is not fair to that product but that has been widely circulated on the internet that nitrous is bad and after enough people post it then it becomes the truth to most people.

As to which is better Nitrous or gears if it was my car I would do both.

All things considering, I guess we should ask what type of driving the car will mostly see. If it is highway, as has been mentioned gears will reduce fuel mileage, and spin the motor faster. However if in town, with only occasional highway use, it may be negligible.

 

[Black Bart]

All things considering, I guess we should ask what type of driving the car will mostly see. If it is highway, as has been mentioned gears will reduce fuel mileage, and spin the motor faster. However if in town, with only occasional highway use, it may be negligible.

Right you are the OP only states he wants some power but what to him is some power that means different things to different people.

Nearly all posts like this lack info to know what they really need or want.
Since he mentioned a change to the ECM he must not be looking for much.