I just recently picked up a 2002 z28 auto. I was given the hypertech max programmer, it has a slp air lid and a flowmaster muffler. It also has a cutout. I know how to make power in a gen 1 sbc but I'm new to the ls game. I have read about all the free mods and those will happen this weekend but I have read alot about the differences between the years of the ls1s in the camaros. What does mine have and what is the best bang for my buck to turn some better times. I have found out that it has the 3.23 gears. I don't have any problem searching for used stuff I am just on a budget. I'm sure many people have started the same threads but after reading alot of them it seems like there is alot of different answers. Thanks in advance for any help offered.

 

You have an 02 which means: (this applies to 01-02)

-LS6 intake (good thing)
-Bigger Injectors
-Slightly smaller cam

98-00's:

-LS1 intake (blah)
-Smaller injectors
-Slightly larger cam

The difference between 98-02 aren't drastic performance wise, they put down pretty much the same amount of power. Aftermarket for LS1's is huge at the moment so there's different options to achieve power. it really depends on how far you want to take it, if your on a tight budget there's really not too much you can do, maybe get some used LT headers, or if you want to bump it up a notch find a used cam, like it said it depends.

 

Thanks johnny6. I do plan on further mods in the future I just wanted to get the ones out of the way that cost less or maybe do one decent one now. Like I said I know all the tricks to getting horsepower out on a gen 1 but not the ls motors. I want something that I can drive to the track, turn some respectable, even suprising times, and drive it back home. The car has 111,000 miles on it so probably not anything to do internally til I plan on going through it completely. Basically where would you recommend starting. Should I shoot for a set of headers, or a throttle body first. And so on. The wife is keeping the reigns tight so I want to get the best for what I can spend. Thanks again

 

I'll give you an example how i started off with mine: (pushing a little over 440rwhp after my heads and cam swap):

-Exhaust, you have Flowmaster, please get rid of it that's like the bottom of the barrel.
-SLP air lid, K&N filter
-Free mods
-Pacesetter LT headers and offroad Y pipe

As far as HP goes this is all you'll be able to get with the basics, you could get a PCM tune that will give you around 10hp or more. Don't bother with an aftermarket MAF waste of money no matter how much power your putting down. No need for a larger TB, intake or injectors at this point. Before going any further i would do a compression test, no need to waste money if you have a tired motor but it's just a precaution. 111k miles is no biggie, LS1's are very strong engines.

 

1) Headers / Exhaust

2) Cam. LSx heads from the factory are MILES ahead of Gen I SBC heads. You have 10.0/1 compression from the factory and they flow decent as well. A cam is the cheapest bang/buck mod on a stock motor that you can do short of nitrous. I would do the headers first though...

3) Aftermarket Torque Convert. 3.23 gears means you have an A4 and the stock stall sucks, get a 3600-ish stall and drop .5 on your ET right there.

Have fun!

 

what type of driving do you do with the car ? also what is your final goal ? with the answer to these two I can tell you everything you need to know

-VRE

 

I originaly got the car so between me and my wife we had two vehicles that could drive anywhere. I had a 79 z28 but it was just a light to light car, kinda pro street. It doesn't get driven everyday because I have a company vehicle, but I still want to be able to jump in it and drive it a couple hundred miles out of town on a weekend. Overall I want a reliable drive anywhere car that looks good, sounds good, and still can turn some decent times. I run 1/8th mile moslty but with this one I might travel a little further for the 1/4 mile. My goal would be in the 7's in the 1/8th and 12's in the quarter. From what I've read that doesn't seem unreasonable I just need the right combo. Alot of people have said to remove the flowmaster. But I have a single cutout before the rear tires. Is that good enough? Also like the old muscle cars That I'm use to I love the lope. Any recommendations would help.

 

Get a good 3500 to 3600 rpm performance torque converter add an aftermarket trans cooler and use the Hypertec to adjust shift points.
It'll drive almost like stock and should run about 8 tenths quicker at the track with traction.
When my car was stock with a lid and catback and a Yank ST3500 and drag radials it ran consistant mid 12s with a best of 12.15 on a great weather day.