Would you mod a '96 CE Vert Auto LT1?

[74bigblock]

My buddy bought a 96 CE LT1 Auto Vert a few years back. Right now the only thing he has done is a cat back, and a programmer.

He is thinking about getting a cam, having his heads ported/polished, matching the intake, and doing some under drive pullies.

IMHO, He should leave the car the way it is. He expects to get more than 50HP from this set up... but I think all he will do is devalue his Collectors car. What do you all think?

 

[WhalePirot]

Nice of you to care about your friend

A lot depends on how sweet his car is and how low the miles. Seems that you modded your BB C-3!

Just because Chevy called it a collector, doesn't make it one. It's his car to enjoy, not to save for 'whatever', which is many years off.

Seems, once you mod any car, the value gets real questionable, unless it is done by a famous shop.

 

[Vettelt193]

My buddy bought a 96 CE LT1 Auto Vert a few years back. Right now the only thing he has done is a cat back, and a programmer.

He is thinking about getting a cam, having his heads ported/polished, matching the intake, and doing some under drive pullies.

IMHO, He should leave the car the way it is. He expects to get more than 50HP from this set up... but I think all he will do is devalue his Collectors car. What do you all think?

He should get 50+ HP if the work is done right. You can let him know that underrive pulleys on the LT1 don't help that much.

collector editions are not that unique, neither are C4's. I don't see them going up in value at all over the next 20 years.... so, if a few extra HP keeps your friend happy with the car, go for it

 

[Tuna]

CE's were the most popular car in 96 with over 5000 of them built. Collectibility over any other 96 is questionable, so 'saving it for its resale value' is probably not worth it compared to making it what the owner wants it to be now.

With a different cam and updated heads and intake a 50HP improvement is not a problem. Even the 'mild' LT4 Hot Cam ought to do that, assuming that everything else is done correctly also.

 

[froggy47]

Mod it.

 

[74bigblock]

OK!! So It sounds like everyone thinks he should go for it. Let me now ask this question...

He got a quote for 4K to do the following:

Port and Polish heads, install new springs, retainters etc.
Port match the intake runners to the heads.
Procure and install a GM Hot Cam.
Procure and install underdrive pulleys.

Does this seem reasonable? I'd help him myself, but he is in Chandler, AZ and I am here in Chicago.

Thanks!
Dave

 

[froggy47]

Those parts don't add up to very much, labor seems a bit high?

 

[Vettefan87]

Yeah it does, does he plan on boring it or stroking it to perhaps a 383?

 

[JRMaroon]

This is substantially more money but if it helps compare, here is what $9K will get you from Lingenfelter.






Lingenfelter Installed Engine Packages

1992 - 1996 Corvette LT1 & LT4

350 CID engine package

410 BHP / 385 lbs-ft of torque - LT1
415 BHP / 385 lbs-ft of torque - LT4

Package includes:
• Engine removal, inspection and disassembly
• CNC porting & polishing of cylinder heads
• Ported and polished intake manifold
• LPE valve springs and lightweight valve spring retainers
• Stainless steel intake/exhaust valves
• Three angle valve job, set correct spring tensions & heights
• Custom designed LPE hydraulic roller camshaft
• Competition Cams stainless steel full roller rocker arms 1.6:1 ratio
• Professional installation, testing and tuning
• Stainless steel exhaust by Borla
• 58 mm billet aluminum throttle body
• K&N Air filter and cleaning kit
• Chassis dyno testing after installation
• LPE’s 2 year / 24,000 mile warranty

1992 - 1996 Corvette package prices
LT1 Manual transmission $9,100.00
LT4 Manual transmission $9,100.00
LT1 Automatic transmission $9,765.00*

*Includes automatic transmission shift improvements and higher stall torque converter.

50 state emission legal 1993-1997 EO # D-333-13 & D333-16

Normal installation time required: 2 weeks with prior notification.

 

[Edmond]

I'd tell him to shop around because that doesn't sound like $4K worth of mods.

 

[Tuna]

He can order an upgrade kit to take the car to LT4+ specs that includes the Hot Cam for around 2000 and then just swap the stuff out for a lot less than the additional 2000 unless the motor needs more work than just cam, heads and intake. That's what I did. Now I'm putting down 330 at rear wheels.

Check out www.gmpartsdirect.com or Summit Racing for these upgrade kits.

 

[redc4corvette]

What does he want to do with it ?

The car cant handle the power it has now.

Unless you have tires and a way to put the power to the ground.

 

[Evolution1980]

My first and final reaction is what is the HP-per-$ ratio.

$4000 to get 50HP??? No way I'd do that. 50HP you'll just barely feel on the butt-dyno. Average $1000 for 12.5HP (give or take a couple)??? No way...

I'd save for another year and then look to getting a single turbocharger or some type of supercharger installed. Heck, if he's gonna be satisfied with 50HP @ $4000, have him save himself $3000 and put an 150+ NOS kit in it for $1000.

 

[Mad-Mic]

personally i think it's worth more like 2500 not 4k. 50 hp is piddly for a cam and heads car.


this is what i would do.

LT4 Hot cam or a bit more cam.
ported and polished heads rebuild with 1.6 RR's
LTH's
LT1 edit w/ dyno tune
total should be about your 4k with labor.

just the edit alone will add 20 more hp. the headers alone another 20-30 hp cam and heads another 50+ hp. pulleys about 10-15 hp and he can do that himself. this is all RWHP also so your looking 100-115+ more RHWP.

oh and MOD away because LT1 CE's aren't much more than a standard 96 LT1. now if it was an LT4 then maybe but i'm a driver so that makes me a modder cause i got da ITCH!