i own a 96 lt1 with the m6. i was thinking about putting on new cylinder heads from the corvette gs with the lt4 motor. i also want to put on some headers but i do not know what ones. i cant afford a cat back so im going to put on cutouts (do the need welding)? what kind of computer work do i need cause i really have no clue about computers.

and can i do the heads my self or should i have those done by a pro?

Thanks
Joe

 

First post, welcome to the board. You can use any headers for LT1 on those heads, but I'd suggest you go with good full length headers, Kooks, Hooker, TPIS, Jethot...
Yes, welding is required with cutouts.
No computer work is needed for the heads and headers. You can dynotune it latter when you put in a good cam.

 

if you are going with lt4 heads you need the lt4 intake with it, because it won't work with lt1. heads can be done by yourself but i would try to get someone who has done them before help you. they are a big pita and take a long, long time. just so you know it's about 20 hours shop time.

 

if the rest of the engine is stock, heads will not really gain you much, least not enough to warrant the $$ for the heads, parts and labor.

if you wanna mod, go ahead and read the first 5 or so pages of this forum...you'll have alot answered.

cai, headers, exhaust, computer tune all will help out more than the heads and for probably less $$.

as for the computer, even bone stock cars benefit from an aftermarket tune. typically 10-15hp. check out www.madz28.com or www.pcmforless.com

 

Get your LT1 heads ported by Lloyd and he'll outflow the stock LT4 heads. The stock LT4 heads are somewhere around 240-250cfm and cost about $1500 complete. Lloyds heads flow 270cfm, and you get a stage two cam with his heads for $1500. His setup is made for 400-420rwhp which is ALOT of power. You will need a computer tune with any cam or heads though. The LT4 and ported LT1 headers will cause yoru mixture to run a little bit lean.

 

I want to get cutouts today, but not put them on until I get a y pipe and headers. Is there any way I can install the cutout, and take it out and put it on the new y pipe when I do get headers and a y pipe? I want to get Pacesetter Long Tube Headers, but can't find a 3" y pipe to fit that.

 

Kooks, Jethot, Hooker, Pacsetter, are some of the better longtubes out on the market right now. Prices vary (Pacesetter seems the cheapest and kooks the more expensive).



blind527 - Where do you wanan put the cutout? if you put it right before the over the axle bend you can go ahead anb put it in now (i'm guessing you either have or will not change the catback).

I have a set of new Pacesetter LTs i need to sell, pm if intersted.. You can find the ypipe online (ebay, online perfomance shops, or site sponsers).