Lt1 intake questions

[87blackroxi]

I was reading a post by edmond where he gave a website for the Lt1 intake. http://www.lt1intake.com/pricelist.htm
seems decent for $400.
questions: Is this a do it yourself install or is it something for a shop to do?
The reason I ask is I have a buddy at work that has the Lt1 from his camaro which he would sell to me for $100. The shop he recommended said they would install it and tune the car for $650. Now on the website above the intake is $400. I assume it wouldn't be too bad for me to install but would then need to be tuned. So I am thinking i should let a pro do it.
Is this a good price through the mechanic?

 

[Edmond]

What about the fuel rails?

Ask the shop what comes with it and get it all in writing. Post what he says and we'll all chime in.

To my knowledge, it's just like any other intake where you bolt it on but I could be wrong.

 

[redc4corvette]

You have a L98 are they going to cut the runners and reprogram your chip?
Are they going to reroute the EGR system and air injection system?
Get everything in writing before you spend any money.

 

[Vettefan87]

You have a L98 are they going to cut the runners and reprogram your chip?
Are they going to reroute the EGR system and air injection system?
Get everything in writing before you spend any money.

From what I have read they reprogram the chip for 50. You have to take the EGR off to fit the LT1 intake. I am not sure about the air pump, and why would they need to cut the runners? Forgive me if that is a stupid question, I only know what I read on www.LT1intake.com about LT1intakes.

 

[redc4corvette]

Your heads should be alum and if the heads have not been off the car it might be ok .
If the heads have been milled and decked block the intake will be higher then the ports.
I would check and see first.

 

[Edmond]

The LT style intake has it's power advantage over the TPI in the upper range. The TPI will fall off at 4800 while the LT should keep going.

Make sure you have the gears to take advantage of the extra RPM's.

 

[87blackroxi]

the intake for sale I don't believe has the runners. The guy at the shop said we wouldn't have to remove anything and the intake should bolt right on. After install they will tune/program the car as well. he said no chip is needed. I still plan on going back and getting more info. I plan on mid march to have it done because I am getting headers put on 2/26. The almighty dollar reigns.
But is it worth buying the lt1 intake w/o the runners?

 

[Mad-Mic]

the intake for sale I don't believe has the runners. The guy at the shop said we wouldn't have to remove anything and the intake should bolt right on. After install they will tune/program the car as well. he said no chip is needed. I still plan on going back and getting more info. I plan on mid march to have it done because I am getting headers put on 2/26. The almighty dollar reigns.
But is it worth buying the lt1 intake w/o the runners?

it won't just "Bolt" right up with out alot of work to make it fit. first off you have to cut the hole for the distributor and shim it. then you have to reroute the coolant lines via an external water neck. you also need a small base distributor. the LT1 bolt holes to the heads have to be filled and retapped for a Gen 1 block.

make sure you do your research before you do this.

check out my cardomain. i have the complete setup pictured on page 1 almost at the bottom.

 

[Vettefan87]

Yeah I think I totaled it up from that guy on www.LT1Intake.com doing all the work, and even without buying the distributor I got around 700, for him doing all the leg work on the manifold.

 

[87blackroxi]

The shop I went to said it would be about $650 for everything. It won't be until next month so I have time to research it all.

 

[Hib Halverson]

The 92-96 LT1 intake manifold is not compatible with the L98 engine. Not only is it difficult (if not impossible) to adapt it to fit the L98, Gen 1 SBV8 but it's designed and tuned for an engine with higher torque and rpm peaks.

It might look good but do not be surprised if the performance gains are small or modest at best.

 

[87blackroxi]

It might look good but do not be surprised if the performance gains are small or modest at best.[/QUOTE]

Now i've heard contradictory info on the intake swap. Some people say gains near 20-30 hp but losing a little tq. and others say put my money elsewhere.

Would I be better off with a set up like this:
http://www.zip-products.com/CorvetteForum/productr.asp?pf%5Fid=PM%2D199&gift=False&0=dept%2Easp%2Cdept%5Fid%3D229%26menu%5Fid%3D%26Tree%3D%2CC4%2DC5%20Corvette&1=dept%2Easp%2Cdept%5Fid%3D478%26menu%5Fid%3D%26Tree%3D0%2CEngine%20%26%20Performance&2=dept%2Easp%2Cdept%5Fid%3D486%26menu%5Fid%3D%26Tree%3D1%2CPerformance%20Air%20Intake%20Systems&HSLB=False&mscssid=8EF8AD56562F48D793B47E69CFDDCDF8

 

[Vettefan87]

I have that on my 87, and it does help after 45 mph or so. It is a lot of money for two plastic pieces and a K&N air filter.

 

[fast.asleep]

It might look good but do not be surprised if the performance gains are small or modest at best.

Now I've heard contradictory info on the intake swap. Some people say gains near 20-30 hp but losing a little tq. and others say put my money elsewhere.

Would I be better off with a set up like this:

I agree with Vettfan. If it was $50 I might consider it, but I don't think it's worth the price their asking.

I've done the intake dance and I'm seriously leaning towards the Edelbrock base, SLP runners and a 75 - 100 shot of juice. That way I don't have to worry about loosing my "off the line grunt". It's a the cheapest way to put my car in the 350-400 hp range. The power will not always be on tap but I wont need it 90% of the time anyway.

 

[fast.asleep]

Hib Halverson wrote a good article on nitrous oxide that cleared things up for me:

http://www.idavette.net/hib/nitrous.htm

 

[sothpaw]

Now i've heard contradictory info on the intake swap. Some people say gains near 20-30 hp but losing a little tq. and others say put my money elsewhere.

These projects get mighty expensive unless the system is well engineered. I doubt this swap is well engineered. I would avoid it like the plague. It seems almost everyone I know that goes to a shop, even the supposed "best" ones, and does something radical, (intake on L98 is an example) gets a car that has issues or won't run.

Just do the headers. Do what others have actually done before. If there are lots that have done the lt1 intake for L98 with no real issues, fine. Talk to those who have actually done the mod, not just those that are thinking about it.

 

[fast.asleep]

Do what others have actually done before. Talk to those who have actually done the mod

amen

 

[87blackroxi]

These projects get mighty expensive unless the system is well engineered. I doubt this swap is well engineered. I would avoid it like the plague. It seems almost everyone I know that goes to a shop, even the supposed "best" ones, and does something radical, (intake on L98 is an example) gets a car that has issues or won't run.

Just do the headers. Do what others have actually done before. If there are lots that have done the lt1 intake for L98 with no real issues, fine. Talk to those who have actually done the mod, not just those that are thinking about it.

With the above sentiment as well as other member's input, you have made up my mind to pass on the Lt1 intake swap and stick with the vortex ram air. Heck, it saves me avout $400 anyway.


Thanks all,
shane

 

[rrubel]

Sothpaw, I've read accounts from others who've done the LT1 swap. It's not a lot harder than a mini-ram (they're almost the same design) and is about half the price. There are at least a couple folks on CorvetteForum who've done it.
[RICHR]

 

[fast.asleep]

Mad-Mic is about to do the LT1 intake swap into his '87 as well. I'm waiting to hear how it goes before I make any final decisions.

I'm not exactly overflowing with mechanical skills so reliability is important