LT1 Based Engine Tech 1993-1997 LT1/LT4 Engine Related

need opinions on upgrades

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Old 04-18-2010, 09:47 PM
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need opinions on upgrades

Can you guys please help me choose the rest of my performance upgrades here on out. Lookin for most significance in power first. details and prices of parts would be most appreciated
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Old 04-18-2010, 10:52 PM
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Start with a cold air intake then exhaust; like headers and a cat back. Then 1.6rrs and a cam. The cam is going to help the most, but it will not be smart to do it first. You need to get your motor breathing first with the cold air intake and exhaust work. Things like 52mm tb and ported mass air flow are not worth the money. A mail order tune will help also.
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Old 04-22-2010, 03:36 PM
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pacesetter lt with hooker catback sound nice? or should i say mean? also cam wise im lookin at the cc503?and would this be ok for a daily driver set up?
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Old 04-22-2010, 05:19 PM
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I like my 503, it makes lots of power and i can still drive it where ever i want. Supporting mods are important.(look at my sig) And it will take spray well so I'm told. Well see this year
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Old 04-22-2010, 05:41 PM
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Exhaust and cia first. Stepped headers would be better but more costly. I would do rockers and springs before the cam since it requires less work. When your opti goes bad, change the cam, timing chain, opti, coil, and wires.
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Old 04-22-2010, 05:54 PM
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your not giving us much information at all.

are all the mods you have done listed in your sig?
what do you want from the car?
daily driver or race car?
budget?

with the little information i have i will agree with what is already stated, cold air intake first - including air foil and silencer delete. then long tube headers - either pacesetters coated or stainless headers if budget allows - either one with a Off Road Y pipe (ORY) or catted y pipe

the most important and most overlooked item you NEED to do first is basic maintenance like spark plugs, wires, fuel filter, air filter.

please update and answer the questions above, and include all the information
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Old 04-23-2010, 08:01 PM
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whats an opti?
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Old 04-24-2010, 06:21 PM
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Originally Posted by bayboii925
whats an opti?
Your Kidding Right?????
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Old 04-24-2010, 06:25 PM
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Originally Posted by bayboii925
whats an opti?
its the distributor used on an lt1 engine, located in the front of the motor right below the water pump. they are pretty common to fail

please do a search for more information, you will find tons here and on the web
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Old 04-25-2010, 02:35 AM
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Like the othes said i would go with a good cold air intake which there is a used one on ebay for like thirty bucks right now and its K&N so i would grab that one and buy a new filter to go with it. Then a good cat back exhaust system and headers. Also i think a 52mm throttle body of ebay is a good deal and its only abut two hundred dollars iproving horsepower and torque and also get a air foil to go with it. After that i would as mentioned earlier wait for the opti to go bad unless your looking for power now. And if so id replace the cam with a performance piece and get the 1.5 roller rockers depending on cam specs. If your staying under 400 hp then i would stay with the 1.5 and they will free up some power. When doing this i recommend getting a 160 degree thermostat as well. With cam and all mentioned earlier you should be pushing around 350 hp easy. You could also go to elliotportswork and get a head and cam package and they have the best bang for your buck without a doubt. Before you do this youll definately have to have a cold air kit and high performance exhaust and headers. As well as a tune after installing and bigger fuel injectors. Well im just rambling on you get the point.
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Old 04-25-2010, 01:58 PM
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Originally Posted by bayboii925
pacesetter lt with hooker catback sound nice? or should i say mean? also cam wise im lookin at the cc503?and would this be ok for a daily driver set up?


Sounds good, LT's are the best mod for any stock LT1. The cc503 is also the best all around cam for a stock headed LT1. I daily drove with a 503 for 2years and it did great. If you are handy at modding stuff then don't waste your time with a cai. Go with a LS1 lid setup for your intake, no cai is even close. If you want to go with a cai, then get a moroso, or k&n. Do not go with any cheap, or cai with metal piping. Don't waste your time on a throttle body, I personally don't think $200+ is worth the 2-5hp you would pick up. When I was running my cam+bolt-on setup, I picked up nothing from going from a 48mm to a 52mm throttle body. Go with a electric water pump, its the 2nd best bolt-on. With a electric water pump you can also switch over to sbc timing chains. They are better, and A LOT cheaper then LTx timing sets.

If you don't feel like modding that much and don't care for power all the time, then you cant beat a nitrous kit. Long tube heads, and a 100shot do quite well on a stock LT1.

If you are going big, then get some Dart Pro1 heads or get your stock casting ported. http://www.advancedinduction.com/ and http://elliottsportworks.com/ are your best options.

Last edited by McLovin; 04-25-2010 at 02:10 PM.
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Old 04-25-2010, 03:12 PM
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in your case, if you dont know what an optispark is, just put gas in your car and drive it.
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Old 04-25-2010, 03:39 PM
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Originally Posted by brucer
in your case, if you dont know what an optispark is, just put gas in your car and drive it.

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Old 04-25-2010, 08:48 PM
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An ebay CAI for $30 is not likely to be a "K&N".... most of those CAI's are thin gage, poor fitting pieces of junk. A 52mm TB off ebay is probably going to be one of the numerous Chinese ripoff parts, made with cheap castings, poorly finished and shirt-lived. You are shooting craps with ebay low $$$ parts, and 9 times out of 10 you will lose.

Buy quality parts for your car. If you can't afford a new "name brand" part for your car, find a used one. Check out the "Parts for Sale" forum.
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Old 04-28-2010, 07:44 PM
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Originally Posted by brucer
in your case, if you dont know what an optispark is, just put gas in your car and drive it.
I thought the same thing.... But I guess we all started somewhere...
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