Never satisfied...what to do next?

[tntcorvette]

Well im not satisfied. I'll be on a chassy dyno next month for some rwhp numbers (hoping for ~370rwhp/350rwtq based on a 20%drive train loss)

I took my brother for a ride today in hopes for some g-tech tigns but the c.p.d. busted me on a local backroad about to make some high speed runs. They were nice enough to just tell me to go home!

Anyway, whats next? Im thinking putting in a F.A.S.T. computer system with sequential fuel injection (anyone know if I can swap in a GM computer for this), cold air intake (the one with the cut front plate).

 

[-=Jeff=-]

TNT,

why do you want to go with the FAST system.. What are you currently using? How is your motor set-up?

 

[scorp508]

Why the need for a FAST setup? 20% is a bit high for drivetrain loss too.

 

[tntcorvette]

I just picked the f.a.s.t. setup because it seems to be the "industry standard" now days. Now im using a gm '7730 speed density computer with a ed wright chip. It works fine, actually starts on the first try on a cold winter day like today.

How is the motor setup? Its the original '85 block, crank, and rods, forged lightweight j.e. pistons, tpis miniram II, ported afr 190 heads, comp cams retro fit. hyd roller cam (to the engine builder spec's) all done and assembled by http://fasttimesmotorworks.com

Then there are the rest of the goodies (hooker headers, duals w/h-pipe, 58 mm throtttle body, k&n, cut lid,

I was reading that sequential fuel injection is better in terms of 1. fuel effeciency and h.p. potential. I originally told fasttimes that I was going to use nitrous so im safe upto 175 shot (strongly rec. direct port) so I was going to use the holley stealth nitrous system.

So if I make 460 hp and add 175 in spray then thats about 635 at the flywheel. I've never used nitrous before so its virgin territory for me.

Scorp, since I have a auto I just picked 20% to be conservative. I've always argued the drive train loss percent. I remember seeing on the old hot rod t.v. where a guy from Toms Diff. showed it only took about 1 h.p. to turn a complete toms read end assembly. But thats another debate!

In the 02-03 issue of Corvette fever there is a '96 LT1 that is similar to mine that made 361 rwhp & 324 rwtq. I believe this car belongs to "Half Fast" on the c.f. and he told me that he had the computer redone by ed wright and got the torque up to ~340+ rwtq. Only difference in our setup's is our cylinder heads (i'll argue mine are better than the CNC LT1 heads on his and the cam has a diff lobe seperation his 114 vs my 112 and im sure the lift is different since mine is a custom grind cam)

Believe me I DO NOT want to spend all that money on sequental fuel injection but I know at the end of this year im going to add a super charger or have a twin turbo kit done. At 10.0:1 compresson i'de have to keep the boost to a min so if I add anything to the car it will be able to carry over to my updates.

But for now & the rest of this year I just want to drive the car and avoid down time. Im going to pull my headers and have them recoated. Thats the only down time I want.

 

[-=Jeff=-]

But for now & the rest of this year I just want to drive the car and avoid down time. Im going to pull my headers and have them recoated. Thats the only down time I want.

I think this is the best plan, that way you can decide, if you are hay or want more

 

[tntcorvette]

I agree, that is the best plan!

Im going to do some research on GM vehicles & sequential fuel injection. Im sure i'll find a car/computer combo that will work. After all, my computer is out of a Cavalier!

 

[-=Jeff=-]

I agree, that is the best plan!

Im going to do some research on GM vehicles & sequential fuel injection. Im sure i'll find a car/computer combo that will work. After all, my computer is out of a Cavalier!

Well, I do now that GM sequential fuel injection on the LT1/4 cars only work as sequential at lower rpm.. in WOT it goes into batch fire mode.. I honestly don't thinkt he change is worth it unless you are going to a power adder, but will 10:1 if you went to a Supercharger or Turbo, you should drop the compression and run more boost

 

[tntcorvette]

Well, I do now that GM sequential fuel injection on the LT1/4 cars only work as sequential at lower rpm.. in WOT it goes into batch fire mode.. I honestly don't thinkt he change is worth it unless you are going to a power adder, but will 10:1 if you went to a Supercharger or Turbo, you should drop the compression and run more boost

Thats good info. I did not know at w.o.t. the GM LT1/LT4 computer goes into bank to bank. I wonder if its the same for the f.a.s.t. system?

Im definetly going to add a power adder. Nitrous is cheaper than a supercharger and a supercharger is cheaper than a turbo.

I honestly do not want to tear into this motor. I personally would rather pull the engine again than get into the engine (head swap for example.)

I do not plan on running major boost. S/C at most 6 or 7 psi with a intercooler but if I go turbo i'll keep the boost down to about 5 psi. The Stage I LPE C5 TT only runs about 4.8 lbs of boost on stock LS1 compression. and that is good for 155 hp w/o head or cam work!

But the LS1 is a different monster!

 

[scorp508]

You could always convert your 730 ECM over to the Syclone/Typhoon style if you wanted factory fuel/timing control under boost conditions. There is a how-to around here somewhere, I have the link at home.

 

[tntcorvette]

Scorp ide like that link...thanks!!!!!!!!!!!

 

[JAKEJR]

Well im not satisfied. I'll be on a chassy dyno next month for some rwhp numbers (hoping for ~370rwhp/350rwtq based on a 20%drive train loss)

I took my brother for a ride today in hopes for some g-tech tigns but the c.p.d. busted me on a local backroad about to make some high speed runs. They were nice enough to just tell me to go home!

Next time tell 'em you know me and they'll cut you some slack. He**, everybody's gotta test, right?

Jake

 

[JAKEJR]

BTW, do you have the camshaft specs?

I'm assuming you're looking for the most bang for the buck. You have a nice combo already. I can see only camshaft and compression as possibly the two areas that can be pushed a bit, depending on what you have now.

If you're still in the 350 CID area (355, 377, 383) spinning it higher is one way. But there's always a trade off when you choose that route. Using the 350 size engine, moving usable power up generally results on a loss down low.

On another board a great guy named Monty built a 427 SB and if I remember correctly made over 600 torque and around 650 or more HP. He posted all his parts too on his site. He lives in a Chicago suburb too. Last I read he was rebuilding it using twin turbos looking for over a 1000!

I can try to find his link if you're interested.

Jake

 

[tntcorvette]

Jake,

Thanks for the plug with the C.P.D.!!!

Im running a 224/230 hyd. roller cam with over .500 lift on both sides.

I use a TPIS MiniRam II

I have met Monty before. I had my motor built at the same place. http://fasttimesmotorworks.com

Great guys to deal with!

 

[JAKEJR]

Jake,

Thanks for the plug with the C.P.D.!!!

Im running a 224/230 hyd. roller cam with over .500 lift on both sides.

I use a TPIS MiniRam II

I have met Monty before. I had my motor built at the same place. http://fasttimesmotorworks.com

Great guys to deal with!

No problem. Just tell 'em I'm one of their old retired Watch Commanders now living in TX - may help; may not - depending on what you're doing.

Yep, I knew Fast Times had done Monty's and he spoke highly of them too. I've got all his twin turbo stuff on my harddrive.

Did Fast Times give you the advertised duration, LSA? Advertised vs .050 gives you an idea of how fast the ramps are.

I custom selected both my intake and exhaust lobes from the CompCams catalog. I'm running the same .050 duration as you are - 224/230, but I'm running .605 intake and .568 exhaust using 1.6s In/1.5 exhaust Pro Magnums. I had mine ground on 114s.

You already have Monty's site link, right?

Jake
Jake

 

[tntcorvette]

Jake,

You have mail!

 

[JAKEJR]

Jake,

You have mail!

Thanks for the info. Yep, just as I figured, Fast Times did RIGHT by you in the camshaft department. You've got an excellent combination and I don't see any other area that needs touching on without spending lots of $ and tearing into the engine for major mods. From intake to muffler tip it seems you addressed all the areas responsible for power production.

The thing about mods is that when you make ONE change, you usually have to make others to see the full benefit. It's the combination approach that gives the sought after results. For example, raising compression can call for revised ignition timing, probably A/F ratio tweaks and octane concerns.

If quicker ETs is your goal, a gear would help; but then you'd have to deal with the traction problem. Shedding some weight gives benefits, 100 lbs equals about a tenth; but where can you lose that much without butchering the car?

Turbo(s) or a supercharger will definitely brighten your day, but look at the cost! I hate nitrous (please guys, no fighting) because of all the mangled engines I've seen. Even folks who know their stuff lose one once in a while - disaster waiting to happen. For me, real power comes from using the right specs, parts, settings, clearances and attention to detail. For those who fill their bottle, all I can say is: Go for it - to each his own.

Tweaking your PROM is a possibility, but you'd need to send Ed Wright (or someone with a rep like his) a full throttle Diacom trace so he could see what's going on as the engine goes up the band. If yours is really close now, not much would be gained tho.

I wish I could suggest a "magic bullet", but factoring in bang for the buck and your intended usage for the car, I just don't see any. Maybe better minds than mine can chime in here.

Jake

 

[tntcorvette]

Thanks again for the nice words. Fasttimes are great people to work with and Jeff is a patient guy.

They will get my future business, no doubt about it.

I think im going to concentrate on some cosmetic updates (new seats & interior) for now. Like you said, the combo is pretty much maxed out and I cant get anymore w/o tearing into the motor and I do not want to do that!