I'm thinking about adding RR to my 95 lt1 hawk. The car is all original (except battery, tires) i've had it for 9 years and it has 33,000 miles on it. What type of gain would i get from 1.6 RR'? Self aligning vs non self aligning? What else would be need for install? I am also thinking about a mail order tune from madz. Would this have to be a custom tune? I have also thought about long tubes but how do they bolt up to the SLP TOTL exhaust? The only thing i have against headers is keeping the car stock appearing.

 

RR's: I don't have much experience in these, but the $.02 I can add is that the 7/16th studs are alot more stable so you might aswell and upgrade those with the RR's. Some people here have gained as much as 18 hp but I always set my sights a little low so that when I get 10-12 or maybe .1-.2 at the track it feels like Christmas.

I am going with some 7/16th NSA's because some people said that the NSA's are less likely to fail since you aren't relying a smaller area to keep it centered.

EXHAUST: If you are going for a stock appearance, you might want to think about some shorty headers. If you decide to say "screw that" I got some Pacesetter LT's and they have an awesome fit, alot of power, and an awesome sound.

Any header you get that is a long tube, will have to be attatched to your catback. I had to cut a little bit off on mine which is the Loud Mouth.

 

Who is gonna see the headers? Anyone that see the headers are only gonna see the tops of the primaries anyway and all headers will look the same. Get the Pacesetter long tubes and the y pipe they sell with them. That and your 1.6 RRs will add a nice amount of power and quickness to the car.

 

1.6 rrs are a worthwhile mod. You can keep it simple by getting SAs and LT4 springs and get a nice little hp boost.

 

ive been wanting to do RR's for awhile.. I'm wondering whats a good spring though... im not just gonna throw rr's on and call it a day

 

Comp 918 Bee Hives
10* locks and Retainers
Spring Seats for the Bee Hives
Guide Plates, either GM or ISKY adjustables
7/16" studs
NSA RR's Any brand will do for a bolt on car. If your going to build it later down the road, get Pro Mags.

If your going to do all that though, you mind as well go ahead and Cam it too. Buy the GM hotcam kit, sell the hotcam springs ( They are over rated) and buy 918s call it a day.

 

Do you need longer pushrods when you go from 1.5-1.6?

 

Stock length is fine until you cam it later on or if you have the heads milled down it changes the length.

For a stock head and stock cam, you can run stock length push rods. Their 7.2"

 

I put in my 1.6 RR (GMPP) with no other mods to the valvetrain...

 

And your dangerously close to coil binding on the valve springs.

You wont be when one of your springs breaks, the valve drops and the piston blasts it with enough force to crack/blow the piston apart, ruin the head, and possibly junk the block.

You really should change your springs to LT4 springs at the very least.

I mean not to be on your case, but you really really shouldnt run them on stock springs.

 

Get the good stuff: You apparently care about your car, so do it right the first time.

Select good quality RRs (not aluminum) SA ok and you can use your rods if they are in good condition, or get some hardened ones for extra insurance. Stock length, i.e, 7.2". Springs should be strong enough to support a baby cam---just going with ones to support the extra lift with the 1.6s leaves you only marginally safe and if you decide to go with a cam you won't need to change the springs again.

Getting a tune is always beneficial, but cost v. benefit with just increased lift probably not worth it---cam definitely.

Headers alway beneficial, but again cost v. benefit with just the RRs probably not worth it---better to make sure the rest of your exhaust is hi-flow.

If you don't have a CA (fresh, open-air filter) you might consider that instead of headers at this time.

So---get the rrs and springs and a CA kit along with a good quality exhaust system and should wake your car up nicely, especially with the stronger springs which should help you realize your higher revs since weak springs tend to float, among other nasty things.JMHO