Im somewhat new to the forums, i been searching around for a bit, and i found some usefull stuff but i decided to finally make my own thread. I have a 93 lt1 thats almost completely stock. The exterior is almost done, but i need to upgrade other stuff. I have a cheapy intake in right now, but I plan on getting another one soon, also I had exhaust put on(don't remember specifics), and thats about it. I've owned this car for well over a year now and I figure its time to start replacing stuff before something happens. What are some things that I could upgrade to add some HP/Torque? This is my DD so im not lookin for 1/4 stuff or long distance, I just want something that can get me somewhere fast. I have a guy thats gunna rebuild my engine for me so im not worried about that stuff, more-so stuff like wires, spark plugs, etc, minor stuff that will help. Input is greatly appreciated. Thanks.

 

blindly "rebuilding" this engine is more likely to COST you hp than gain you anything. The factory stuff is good and not cheap to improve upon. If you have some specific reason to think it needs repair that is one thing but to just trebuild it for the sake of spending money is a waste and possibly a step backwards

Wires and plugs are not worth any HP, bad ones cost HP but beyond that longevity is about the only special feature you can ask of wires and on plugs we usually intentionally swap to plugs with a shorter lift than stock.

I see this "it's not a 1/4 mile car" stuff thrown around, that kind of thinking is going to limit you severely. It will lead you to dismiss any meaningful power producing part as a "darg racing" part.

With a MILD but well choosen set of parts you should have no problem putting your car together so it will run 12s on street tires even, not a "drag" setup but just a quick daily driver.

Is the car manual or automatic? If manual you want something like 3.90+, you have a little less OD than the 94 and later trannies those guys pretty much always do 4.10s, I know that sounds radical but if you consider the double overdrive it really is not.
With an automatic you want 3.42-3.73s and I would do at least a 2800 stall in a QUALITY 9.5" converter like Edge Yank or Vigilante. A converter like that will drive wonderfully and add a good bit of seat of the pants acceleration.

 

well my engine is getting old and parts are gunna be getting replaced and its got quite a few miles on there so im just gunna spend a few grand and get it all rebuilt up, possibly to a 383, its going to gain a good 75-100hp, my buddy is gunna be doing all that for me while im gone so i cant give the specifics on it right now.

and by 1/4 mile car i meant more-so its not gunna be like "i want the fastest 1/4 mile time", basically i want it to accelerate fast, but im not gunna live off of my 1/4 mile time, if that makes sense at all, im kinda confused myself lol.

i forgot to put that in but yes my cars a manual, 6 speed.

 

Just adding 33cubic inches will not add much if any power.

100% of incoming and outgoing air moves through the heads and that is controlled by the cam, that is where power comes from. There are potential benefits to extra displacement but NOT if you think it is the important part and neglect the topend.

Do you realize you can add more than 100hp with heads and cam without ever taking the rotating assembly apart???

IMO you need to step back and gain a better understanding BEFORE you tear into things.

What does a M6 car put to the wheels basically stock, 250 or so?? Headers/exhaust, cold air intake, good valvesprings roller rockers and tuning should put you up a little over 300rwhp.
Add a GOOD heads and cam package and http://ls1tech.com/forums/lt1-lt4-mo...s-429rwhp.html

Was recently a chart from a 396ci motor with the same heads that made 470rwhp still with a hydraulic cam.

People mistake me for being against strokers, I am not, what I am against is this BLIND will to add displacement without giving it a proper topend. EVERY good engine guy will tell you the power is in the topend. A bottomend can be made to reduce friction and such, gain a bit of power, but not the 100+hp that the heads and cam can give you.

Notice this is NOT aftermarket heads either, this is properly ported GM stock heads.

 

Be careful with the gears on a 93 if you have an M6. First find out which tranny you have - there were two different T56's used in 1993. The RPO M28 has a 3.36 1st gear (2.73 factory rear axle ratio). Go with 3.90's on that and you've got a stump puller. Even the M29 has a 2.97 1st gear (3.23 factory rear axle ratio), compared to the 2.66 1st gear on the 94 and later T56's.

 

well ive come to the conclusion that you guys sure do know your stuff haha, ill take note of all this stuff. the reason im asking is my car is in the shop just getting worked on and im just looking for things i can upgrade to improve the performance. the person i bought it from knows a guy that does tuning and works on engines and everything so when i go home next month(currently in iraq) im going to talk to this guy about what hes going to do and whatnot, and he said he will add a 100+hp doing whatever.

 

When you mentioned "exhaust" I'm assuming it only has a muffler on it. Longtube headers/Y pipe and gears will do you wonders early on.

 

i have a Y pipe i know that, i think thats pretty much it, i dont remember exactly what it was, there were no headers or anything else though. also i was reading up on some camshafts and trying to get a better understanding of all of this, and they said camshafts should be first to upgrade, they can but shouldnt. with this being said, what things should i worry about before i get my hands into this? this is my dd so im not lookin to blow anything lol

 

Judging by what you've stated, a cam would be a bit over the top for your application. Bolt ons and gears should suffice.

 

Alright, ill look into bolt ons and gears more so than other stuff. Does anybody have any recommendations for bolt ons/gears? What worked what didnt work what should i look for etc. Or possibly a link to a past thread?

 

Most cars do.

Just make sure the get the supporting mods (good flowing intake/exhaust, etc.) so your able to get the most out of your new motor.

 

As of right now im gunna be buyin a Moroso intake(have yet to look more into the lingenfelter), and then i plan on getting the LT1-LE1 package http://www.elliottsportworks.com/lt1.html with the 218/224 .544/.544 111 LSA. - 1500-6000 RPM cams. Im not getting this until after my engine is rebuilt and such so i know that itll all work together. And im also lookin into the 3.73 gears.

 

Which T56 does your 93 have - M28 or M29?

 

i believe its the M28 but im not 100% sure, i keep forgetting to find out. whats the difference?

 

With the M28, total gear reduction in 1st gear (3.36), with 3.73's will be:

3.36 X 3.73 = 12.53

That will mean your 1st gear will be as steep as a 94+ T56 1st gear (2.66) with 4.71 gears. Are you sure that's what you want? You better have some really sticky tires.