LT1 Intake mods
Thread Starter
On The Tree
Joined: Jan 2009
Posts: 101
Likes: 0
From: Arden Hills, MN
LT1 Intake mods I think I am a little low on power and am assuming its the edelbrock LT4 intake that is hurting me 
. What can be done to the stock intake to really help it out? Does someone sell them done already and you just send them a core? I have seen some people shaving the heat fins off the top, does that do anything other than change the look? Is there an advantage to working the Edelbrock LT4 intake or am I better off using/working the stocker and selling the LT4?
Thanks
. What can be done to the stock intake to really help it out? Does someone sell them done already and you just send them a core? I have seen some people shaving the heat fins off the top, does that do anything other than change the look? Is there an advantage to working the Edelbrock LT4 intake or am I better off using/working the stocker and selling the LT4?Thanks
Hopefully you're using LT4 heads with that manifold. I would also assume that if that's the case, you're running an aftermarket camshaft as well. A list of your mods will help.
The Edelbrock is an absolute waste of money. The stocker is more than sufficient for almost every application. Some have claimed that it actually costs HP. Removing the fins on top is for appearance.
The intake manifold is the last thing on an LT1 engine that needs to be modified to support higher HP levels.
The Edelbrock is an absolute waste of money. The stocker is more than sufficient for almost every application. Some have claimed that it actually costs HP. Removing the fins on top is for appearance.
The intake manifold is the last thing on an LT1 engine that needs to be modified to support higher HP levels.
Thread Starter
On The Tree
Joined: Jan 2009
Posts: 101
Likes: 0
From: Arden Hills, MN
The motor is a 383ci, 12.5:1 cr, callies rotating assembly, TEA Trickflow heads, 58mm TPIS TB, not sure on the cam specs but that is getting changed as well. Car has made 449RWHP through a 12 bolt. I am going to play with exhaust as well, it currently has 4" Mufflex on it but may go with a 3.5"
I ordered the intake before it was even out yet because I was told it was the best thing next to a sheet metal intake. Now I know differently.
I ordered the intake before it was even out yet because I was told it was the best thing next to a sheet metal intake. Now I know differently.
Is really unfortunate th way people have to believe stock is bad.
The LT4 intake is internally the same as the LT1 intake and the Edelbrock as you have come to find out is no upgrade.
All the kids hunting 11s will tell you the stock intake is crap but then guys running 9s and 10s say while it is not perfect it works well.
If the Edelbrock was ported to match the heads though I would probably leave well enough alone.
The LT4 intake is internally the same as the LT1 intake and the Edelbrock as you have come to find out is no upgrade.
All the kids hunting 11s will tell you the stock intake is crap but then guys running 9s and 10s say while it is not perfect it works well.
If the Edelbrock was ported to match the heads though I would probably leave well enough alone.
Thread Starter
On The Tree
Joined: Jan 2009
Posts: 101
Likes: 0
From: Arden Hills, MN
Is really unfortunate th way people have to believe stock is bad.
The LT4 intake is internally the same as the LT1 intake and the Edelbrock as you have come to find out is no upgrade.
All the kids hunting 11s will tell you the stock intake is crap but then guys running 9s and 10s say while it is not perfect it works well.
If the Edelbrock was ported to match the heads though I would probably leave well enough alone.
The LT4 intake is internally the same as the LT1 intake and the Edelbrock as you have come to find out is no upgrade.
All the kids hunting 11s will tell you the stock intake is crap but then guys running 9s and 10s say while it is not perfect it works well.
If the Edelbrock was ported to match the heads though I would probably leave well enough alone.
You are proving my point. You are hellbent on modding it when with just normal porting it has been into the 9s NA and made over 500rwhp NA even through automatics and in some cases 9" rears too.
Thread Starter
On The Tree
Joined: Jan 2009
Posts: 101
Likes: 0
From: Arden Hills, MN
I never said stock is bad, but stock can always be improved or am I wrong?
Last edited by nichols92; Apr 12, 2009 at 01:39 PM.
Trending Topics
Yes I am "hellbent" on "modding" it and what point am I proving? You say there is minimal porting that people are doing to make 500+RWHP so other people must be "hellbent" as well. So what is this porting (other than port matching) that can be done? Is port matching all there is?
I never said stock is bad, but stock can always be improved or am I wrong?
I never said stock is bad, but stock can always be improved or am I wrong?
You can only improve it so much. Most "porting" of the intake manifold is very minimal and supplemental to other modifications. For example, when an intake manifold is ported for a 58mm throttle body, some porters choose to completely remove the center of the intake manifold and massage the outer rim of the inlet. This is supplemental to the 58mm. Another example is the intake runners. When the runner on the cylinder head can provide more flow than the intake manifold runner, it is opened up to accomodate additional flow (usually very minimally). Doing these things to the intake manifold alone, without supplemental modifications, is considered a waste.
HOWEVER, if you are serious about being big on power and have the accomodations to warrant a ported manifold, then go for it. AI will do it for $375. IMO, for most applications, it's not worth it. I chose to do it because I was naive.
LS1 Tech Stories
The Best V8 Stories One Small Block at Time
Top 10 Greatest Cadillac V Series Performance Models Ever, Ranked
Pouria Savadkouei
Top 10 Most Powerful Chevy Trucks Ever Made!
Hennessey's New Supercharged Silverado ZR2 Has 700 HP
Verdad Gallardo
Coachbuilt N2A Anteros Is an LS2-Powered C6 Corvette In Italian Clothes
Verdad Gallardo
Awesome K5 Blazer Restomod Comes With C7 Corvette Power
Verdad Gallardo
10 Camaros You Should Never Buy
10 LS Engine Myths That Refuse to Die
Verdad Gallardo
Five Reasons the Camaro Was the Most Pivotal Player in the Pony Car Wars 2.0
Brett Foote
10 Reasons the LS7 Is GM's Most Extreme Naturally Aspirated V8 Engine Ever
Verdad Gallardo
TECH Senior Member
iTrader: (3)
Joined: Oct 2006
Posts: 7,564
Likes: 4
From: Decatur, TN (N-W of Athens)
Yes I am "hellbent" on "modding" it and what point am I proving? You say there is minimal porting that people are doing to make 500+RWHP so other people must be "hellbent" as well. So what is this porting (other than port matching) that can be done? Is port matching all there is?
I never said stock is bad, but stock can always be improved or am I wrong?
I never said stock is bad, but stock can always be improved or am I wrong?
And everything can always be improved in SOME way, but the whole point is WHEN does it need to be modified! And sadly, when it comes to that point for the LT1 intake, you're pretty much better off going to a different manifold altogether (custom sheet metal or carb style).
Thread Starter
On The Tree
Joined: Jan 2009
Posts: 101
Likes: 0
From: Arden Hills, MN
You can only improve it so much. Most "porting" of the intake manifold is very minimal and supplemental to other modifications. For example, when an intake manifold is ported for a 58mm throttle body, some porters choose to completely remove the center of the intake manifold and massage the outer rim of the inlet. This is supplemental to the 58mm. Another example is the intake runners. When the runner on the cylinder head can provide more flow than the intake manifold runner, it is opened up to accomodate additional flow (usually very minimally). Doing these things to the intake manifold alone, without supplemental modifications, is considered a waste.
HOWEVER, if you are serious about being big on power and have the accomodations to warrant a ported manifold, then go for it. AI will do it for $375. IMO, for most applications, it's not worth it. I chose to do it because I was naive.
HOWEVER, if you are serious about being big on power and have the accomodations to warrant a ported manifold, then go for it. AI will do it for $375. IMO, for most applications, it's not worth it. I chose to do it because I was naive.
The car has already made 449RWHP through a 12 bolt and 1 3/4 headers. This is also in a 3rd gen and I have been told that hurts RWHP too for some reason. It has a 250 shot of Nitrous that has not been run yet either so I am serious about "big" power
.The intake was seriously taken out of the box and put on as we were hurting on time to get it tuned
. Now since I have some time we are taking the intake of to get port matched and changing the cam for one just a little bigger. Just want to be sure it gets everything done to it this time around
Thread Starter
On The Tree
Joined: Jan 2009
Posts: 101
Likes: 0
From: Arden Hills, MN
Sorry guys I kinda got crabby there. It took untill post 8 for me to get the info I was looking for. Before that I just had someone say "there are things people are doing but you are are just hellbent on modding it" and said I was "proving a point" which I take as "youre an idiot"
TECH Senior Member
iTrader: (3)
Joined: Oct 2006
Posts: 7,564
Likes: 4
From: Decatur, TN (N-W of Athens)
Sorry guys I kinda got crabby there. It took untill post 8 for me to get the info I was looking for. Before that I just had someone say "there are things people are doing but you are are just hellbent on modding it" and said I was "proving a point" which I take as "youre an idiot"
But don't feel bad, they think I'm an idiot too 
And while a 250 shot will bring that power up quite a bit, it doesn't affect your intake flow requirements (as I just recently learned heh). I'm not sure how your new cam will do with your motor, but I assume it's a nitrous cam yea? If you do have the money to burn on getting the intake ported, might as well go and get it extrude honed
Otherwise (since you didn't list it) you could get a stall or different clutch. As for the 3rd gen comment.... Dunno who'd tell you that, or why you'd even take it to heart and not just laugh it off. Only difference between late 3rd and 4th is motor and manual transmission. Since the 4L60 is the same as a 700R4 (which 92/93 Y/F-bodies got) and the only difference between those and the 4L60E is being electronically controlled. Ratios are the same. 10bolts are pretty much the same, drive shafts are the same (aluminums excluded).
Thread Starter
On The Tree
Joined: Jan 2009
Posts: 101
Likes: 0
From: Arden Hills, MN
Trust me, they do think you're an idiot But don't feel bad, they think I'm an idiot too
And while a 250 shot will bring that power up quite a bit, it doesn't affect your intake flow requirements (as I just recently learned heh). I'm not sure how your new cam will do with your motor, but I assume it's a nitrous cam yea? If you do have the money to burn on getting the intake ported, might as well go and get it extrude honed Otherwise (since you didn't list it) you could get a stall or different clutch.
As for the 3rd gen comment.... Dunno who'd tell you that, or why you'd even take it to heart and not just laugh it off. Only difference between late 3rd and 4th is motor and manual transmission. Since the 4L60 is the same as a 700R4 (which 92/93 Y/F-bodies got) and the only difference between those and the 4L60E is being electronically controlled. Ratios are the same. 10bolts are pretty much the same, drive shafts are the same (aluminums excluded).
But don't feel bad, they think I'm an idiot too And while a 250 shot will bring that power up quite a bit, it doesn't affect your intake flow requirements (as I just recently learned heh). I'm not sure how your new cam will do with your motor, but I assume it's a nitrous cam yea? If you do have the money to burn on getting the intake ported, might as well go and get it extrude honed
Otherwise (since you didn't list it) you could get a stall or different clutch. As for the 3rd gen comment.... Dunno who'd tell you that, or why you'd even take it to heart and not just laugh it off. Only difference between late 3rd and 4th is motor and manual transmission. Since the 4L60 is the same as a 700R4 (which 92/93 Y/F-bodies got) and the only difference between those and the 4L60E is being electronically controlled. Ratios are the same. 10bolts are pretty much the same, drive shafts are the same (aluminums excluded).
I have a little money to burn but not enough to have it extrude honed although that would be sweet
. As far as the clutch goes it has a serious clutch in it now and it does have a T56. I guess the reasoning for the 3rd gen LT1 swaps making less power is because they dont make a big enough header for it
. They say it will hold it back some TECH Senior Member
iTrader: (3)
Joined: Oct 2006
Posts: 7,564
Likes: 4
From: Decatur, TN (N-W of Athens)
Example, there was a guy with a Grand Prix GXP (the one with the LS4) and since no one makes headers he asked Kooks what they'd charged. They said that if they had his vehicle for, however long they said, it'd be like $1200. Which isn't bad, considering, but it's his DD so he sadly didn't have it done due to not being able to be w/o his car for any length of time. 
I guess the reasoning for the 3rd gen LT1 swaps making less power is because they dont make a big enough header for it . They say it will hold it back some
SBC/LTx use the same style manifolds so any SBC header will fit a LT1 which has been proven in the NUMEROUS LT1 swaps into 3rd gens
From reading the thread... How did you pull off the swap when you trip over this stuff?
Thread Starter
On The Tree
Joined: Jan 2009
Posts: 101
Likes: 0
From: Arden Hills, MN
You sure about that? LT headers?
The way they bolt up to the block is identical, whether or not they will fit the body of the car is another story. You just have to get LT headers made for a 3rd Gen, regardless of the fact that you now have a LT1 in it.
Anyone who swaps a LT1 into a 3rd Gen, replacing their stock TPI or TBI and loses HP is doing something REALLY wrong.
Anyone who swaps a LT1 into a 3rd Gen, replacing their stock TPI or TBI and loses HP is doing something REALLY wrong.
Thread Starter
On The Tree
Joined: Jan 2009
Posts: 101
Likes: 0
From: Arden Hills, MN
these are the headers that are on the car http://www.hawksthirdgenparts.com/ha...oady-pipe.aspx
And as far as I know they are one of the only LT's that will fit a 3rd gen. I never said I lost power, just not performing as well as it would in a different car.
And as far as I know they are one of the only LT's that will fit a 3rd gen. I never said I lost power, just not performing as well as it would in a different car.
these are the headers that are on the car http://www.hawksthirdgenparts.com/ha...oady-pipe.aspx
And as far as I know they are one of the only LT's that will fit a 3rd gen. I never said I lost power, just not performing as well as it would in a different car.
And as far as I know they are one of the only LT's that will fit a 3rd gen. I never said I lost power, just not performing as well as it would in a different car.
What is disappointing? Do you think your not making the power that you should be?
Thread Starter
On The Tree
Joined: Jan 2009
Posts: 101
Likes: 0
From: Arden Hills, MN
Isnt a 2.5" collector kinda small? Arent the 4th gen LT's 3" collectors? I think there is some power missing somewhere and can only attribute it to the intake and the headers. It could also be I just want to put the blame on something and thats all I can come up with