Hey guys.. just curious what you guys think.. I was out last night.. raced a 97 Z-28 in my 00 TransAm.. both cars are auto.. Mine with 2:73's and his car with 3:73's.. his car had the gears and cutout for the exhaust.. I took a look under the hood after getting beat from a roll.. Nothing seemed outta place.. no CAI, no headers, no N2O.. Would you all consider it normal for a LT1 auto with gears and cutouts..to out run a LS1 auto stock.. ?? We raced from a dig and I took him that time.. it looked as if the two cars were an identical match as far as power went.. he jumped me on the rolling start race, and never pulled any farther ahead.. from the dig I tore him up outta the hole but after he got his going I couldnt pull him any farther, but then again he wasnt making any ground up either.. damn good racing, just kinda worried me that it was that close, I thought I should have killed him.. Maybe its time for a tune up and see what that does.. Let me know your opinions..
Edit:.. just thought I would clear up any confusion, the only mod in my signature that I have on the car is the lid, and free mods.. the exhaust and tuning hasnt been done yet..

 

very possible..I test drove a LS1 TA w/ 273's and I couldnt believe how slow it felt...My 97 bolt LT1 would have tore it a new one...those gears are killing you

 

Gears make a big difference... my 2nd gear pulls like 1st used to- go get some quick.

 

What speed roll and how bad were you beat? I am willing to bet you beat him out of the hole because of the 2.73's not spinning that bad, I am sure if the other guy tried to romp on it from a dead stop with 3.73's and street tires it would have been nothing but wheel spin.

Are you sure the only thing that the LT1 has was a cutout? There are still numerous 2.73 gear end LS1's running low 13's. A Lid and free mod LS1 should pull from a cutout only LT1. Maybe the roll you went from was more in his powerband given the gear difference.

 

I would think with your gears and his, that if he beat you from a roll where the LS1 shines compared to the LT1, that he would beat you from a dig even worse. Odd, but I believe it.

 

Definitely gears. He was in a better power band.

If it's any consolation, you probably would have gotten him on a longer, top speed run.

 

Hey I know the guy you raced I live real close by the car is tuned also
I was going to go up to 5th st lastnight Heard it was packed.... But had other plans , I can set the race up again if you want

 

And also where you raced is barely a 1/8th mile track

 

One thing to consider, maybe the Z-28 had a torque converter other than stock. That along with his gears would make a big difference. Also, a torque converter isn't something that you would see when looking under his hood for mods.

Nick

 

An LT1 with a torque converter and 3.73's would have took the 2.73 LS1 out of the hole very hard if he had any traction.

If you wanted to be a real stickler for things not able to be seen or heard the LT1 could have gears, tuning, torque converter, rockers, a small cam that is tuned so you can't hear the lope, ported heads, ported stock exhaust manifolds, ported stock intake and ported stock throttle body...etc. You could easily hide alot of mods if you wanted too, althought for the money most of the things I listed aren't the most effective for power, that is why you don't see too many guys going around with that set up. Just felt like blabbering on before sleep

 

hey guys.. i feel better now.. at least now I know my car isnt a "sick" LS1.. I am going to go ahead and do a good tune up just to be sure its all working good.. besides, since I will be running a 100 shot through it in the near future I might as well get the plugs and such.. The LT1 didnt really "pull" me.. from the roll (15mph) he jumped ahead of me, maybe 1/2 car or so.. I just didnt have the power to catch back up to him.. from the dig he spun like crazy which is why I murdered him outta the hole, I just got a slight sqeak outta mine and I was off.. He didnt have the power to run me down either.. so as far as "power" is concered the two cars were very evenly matched.. just came down to who launched better and all that.. I was just thinking that even with my 2:73's I should have pulled him.. oh well.. after the exhaust is on there with dual electric cutouts I dont think I will have too much trouble.. but gears are coming as soon as I get a chance.. And yes your right, the spot we race at is TERRIBLE.. in fact a mustang lost it in that turn earlier in the night, messed his car up pretty bad, but fled before the cops came.. If you know that guy give him props on his car for me, and let him know I will be eager to race again.. also the Black LT1 TransAm and the White LS1 SS need to meet my friend steve.. (98 Silver Z28).. That would be some good racing..