Performance stuff in Mid-America catalogue

[Dreamin]

Does this stuff really work? I have a 1994 coupe with Z07 package.

1) MAT sensor relocating kit

2) High Performance Mass Air Flow Housing

3) Maximum Flow Air Foil

I'm going to install the high flow metal air cleaner lid and a lot of you have noticed results from cutting out the slats in the lid that restrict air flow. I already have a K&N air filter. I just wonder if the new (open) lid will really help given the C4 has a solid sheet of steel in front of the lid that only gives about a 2" clearance (sorry I can't be more specific but I'm sure you understand what I'm trying to say).

Your input would be helpful.....no point in spending money unnecessarily.

Ann

 

[Edmond]

The high performance air flow housing won't do much good unless you do everything after that like intake, cam, heads, exhaust, etc...

The air foil is questionable, but I wouldn't buy from MAD. They sell them on eBay for $30 and it's worth a risk for $30.

As for the MAT relocating kit, I have serious doubts about that. How much are they asking for it?

The air filter lid mod does work very well. When I did mine last summer, I was surprised at the result.

 

[Mad-Mic]

do the air lid then do the MAF. you can just cut your screens out of the MAF not sure if the LT1 has a TB coolant hoses running in it but if it does Bypass it. the airfoili is minimal unless you are at higher rpm's and or moving pretty fast. the MAT sensor relocation really helps alittle. i heard it's good for 5 hp or so. for around 100 bucks in these mods you'll gain around 20 extra hp or so. i think it's well worth it!

 

[vader86]

Dont buy the crap they advertise.

The stock MAF on the LT1s is good enough to not be a restriction, so you dont need a bigger MAF (granatelli or that one) until you put together a RADICAL engine combination. You dont even need to remove the screens in the LT1 MAF sensor.

Airfoil is a paper weight, perhaps 1hp gain.

MAT relocation is fine, but not necessary, it wont hurt anything.

The cut lid mod is proven to help L98s, but LT1s would really benefit from it only above 80mph, and ive seen track results that show it doesnt give a real gain on LT1s but that varies from person to person. Its one of those 'cant hurt anything' mods too.

TB bypass does help, take the two coolant hoses into and out of your Throttle Body and mate them together with a pipe and 2 clamps.

 

[Dreamin]

This is great! Thank You! I didn't expect so many responses and so quicly too.

The problem I have is being in Canada. I went through the phone book and except for the Maximum Flor Air Foil everything else has to be ordered in from the States and will take about 3 weeks.

In the mid-America catalogue, here are the prices:

1. High Flow Metal Air Cleaner Lid.: US$59.99. I called my local GM dealership and they can get me a stock lid in 2 weeks for Cdn$60 so I'm going to butcher (oops.....cut) the one I have now.

2. MAT Sensor Relocating Kit: US$34.99. I spoke to a guy at Mopac and they said don't bother with the kit, it's easy to do yourself and he says it does help.

3. High Performance Mass Air Flow Housing: US$79.99. Here's the surprising thing....Mopac person said they don't carry it but they do have the Granatelli HP MAF Sensor for Cdn$475. Considering Mid-America wants US$399 for the same item, that's a bargain. I didn't spring for it.

4. Maximum Flow Air Foil, US$49.99. Mopac has it for Cdn$65 - again, not bad...I couldn't get it shipped here any cheaper.

Mad-Mic: I do run my car at higher RPM's and like to play (I guess you call that moving pretty fast).

My goal is not to get higher top speed (where are you going to do that anyway) but to be faster off the line. Where's the fun in owning one of these cars if you can't beat Granny in an Edsel? 'o)

As for spending megabucks, believe me, I have thought about it (and to be honest am still thinking about it). I love my car and I'd rather spend money on it than buy a newer Vette (at least not for 5 or so years when I'm too old and weak to manipulate the targa top - then I'll get a convertible).

Thanks for the input.

Ann

 

[Rogue]

After I installed the K&N airfilter and K&N open top lid, I noticed the engine was a bit more responsive off the line and in the midrange. It also felt stronger in those areas.

I also installed the throttle body airfoil but didn't notice anything there. That's because I rarely get the engine above 4,400 RPM, which is where the airfoil supposedly starts to do its magic. But for a mere $40 bucks, who cares.

 

[Edmond]

I would suggest getting a nice catback system if you don't have one already. You gain a few horses and the results are definitely noticeable to the ears!

 

[vader86]

If you have a 94, and you want her to jump off the line, change the rear gear ratio to 3.73 in the automatic, or 4.10 in the 6speed.

Youll really feel the engine's power then.

 

[vettered91]

If you have a 94, and you want her to jump off the line, change the rear gear ratio to 3.73 in the automatic, or 4.10 in the 6speed.

I think the dark side is right again, as we speak my 94 rear end is resting on my garage floor. I am changing from 2.59 to 3.54 tomorrow morning so wish me look. (I´ll let you know tomorrow night how it went it´s my first ratio change)

The other "big" mod I really liked in my case is the magnaflow mufflers but there are many good options out there like Edmond says.

After spending a lot of money in "small things" now I have come to this order of mods if I where in your place:

1.- change the rear axle ratio
2.- open lid & K&N filter
3.- get a nice catback
4.- 160° tstat & turn on the fans earlier
5.- everything else (GM Hot Cam Kit my next goal)

Let us know how it goes!

 

[Corvette-Pilot]

3) Maximum Flow Air Foil
Ann

I toyed with the idea of the air foil thing.
It costs ~$40 at MAD
It costs ~$30 at Eklers

One thing I don't understand is that in both catalogs they have 2 different foils? I can't figure out why one costs $10 more than the other?? Any ideas??

 

[corvettecrazy]

i know vette tires are pretty good and i am no expert about what to get, but you can have as much hp as you want but unless you get that to the pavement it isn't going to matter. SO how are your tires?

 

[Edmond]

i know vette tires are pretty good and i am no expert about what to get, but you can have as much hp as you want but unless you get that to the pavement it isn't going to matter. SO how are your tires?

Good point, bad tires will have you slipping all day. I did new tires last year Firestone SZ50's.

 

[Dreamin]

Corvette-crazy - I believe they are the original tires but they look brand new. Only have 60,000 km on her. I think that translates to about 35,000 miles. Yesterday, just for fun, I took the ASR off and tried to smoke the tires. Alas, it was a hot day and my tires had full grab - twas fun being pinned to the back of my seat!

Corvette-pilot - I think the difference between price is the year of the vehicle and what it's made out of, e.g. the MAT relocating kit if $10 more than the earlier year because the sensor is included, for my year I reuse the sensor.

I have thought about changing the rear axle. When my dad's mustang got rebuilt from an accident (insurance company should have written it off) they used a lower gear ratio but didn't tell him. He did notice the car was faster off the line but didn't really look into it until he got a speeding ticket because they didn't change the speedo so he was going faster than he thought! He's english and a tad lead footed. 'o)

I may even go crazy (I MUST have a birthday or something coming up where I can justifiably treat myself) and have all the engine work done, complete with blueprinting. That will require a little saving.

As far as the exhaust system and mufflers, I have two issues with that. The first is I have really sensitive ears and I just can't take the noise. The second is I like being kind of sneaky - nice, quiet, unassuming car......

My rotozip is coming out this weekend so I'll let you know if I notice any difference when I cut out the lid.

Thanks everybody. I really do enjoy this forum. Now if I could just get my husband using the net so he can get on too and not give me grief about all the time I spend at this site! )

Ann

 

[Corvette-Pilot]

I believe they are the original tires but they look brand new. Only have 60,000 km on her. I think that translates to about 35,000 miles. Ann

If they are the original tires that makes them 9 years old. Even though they have low miles I would think dry rot should be taking place. The other thing is that I think 35k miles is still on the edge for performance tires.

JMO

 

[Dreamin]

Oh!

I figured since I have loads of tread left I didn't need to worry.

Would you suggest I take the car in to a tire shop (that I trust) and have the tires checked? Can they do it with a visual if I have them take one off?

 

[Corvette-Pilot]

It would be noticable to you very easily.
The side walls will have a lot of little cracks, kind of like when you get chapped hands in the winter.

I would geuss thes are not original ??

I am just throwing out an idea so ???

 

[Dreamin]

Then they must not be the original tires because these look quite new.

I use tire gel on them and the rubber is as smooth as a baby's backside.

Thanks for the help.

Ann

 

[diesel1456]

C4 Upgrades

In my opinion going by feel not the HP numbers these places tell you what you are going to get out of a single product that they sell, i put a K&N air filter in cut my box, did the bypass with the throttle body,put the airfoil in put my own custom piece between the throttle body and the air box and after doing all this crap i may of noticed a little improvement in performance but the last thing i did was put that throttle perf. switch in and i tell you what to me that is the only thing i added where i actually felt the result. Now like if i am in 2nd gear and you punch it i tell u what it's there hold on. So to me for the 100 bucks this gets my vote for the easiest and most responsive improvement out of all the rest of the stuff.
Drive Safe
Rich

 

[Corvette-Pilot]

Re: C4 Upgrades

the last thing i did was put that throttle perf. switch in and i tell you what to me that is the only thing i added where i actually felt the result.
Rich

What is this item ?? "throttle perf. switch "
Need more details !

Side note:
I have read plenty of eye witness reviews on a variety of items you can add to your C4. Everyone seems to have different opinion as to what they like best. Guess it depends on the year, miles, personal feelings, ect that makes it a tough one to pin down.

For example I had started a thread about the K&N vs paper air filter. I use the K&N in my truck and it did some good but in a Vette wow what a different story. People either said it did no good or it was the best thing since sliced bread. I went with the simple $15 paper instead of the $60 K&N. This is my first summer with the car so all the power of my LT1 is great right now. Next summer is time to expand my power range. That's just me .

The one mod I think everyone seems to think is the bigggest seat of the pants bang for the buck is the rear end gears. I know this would help a ton since I have the 2.59 rear. Great high speed cruising but lacks off the line. Maybe a 3.07 or 3.54, 3.73 is a bit much since I do 25% highway??

But if I see lots of good/bad comments on a product that people use in a car close to mine I would tend to trust that a little more.

 

[diesel1456]

Throttle Performance Switch

the throttle perf. switch plugs right into your stock sensor. Its in Mid-America part number 609-199
Hope this helps
Rich