LT1-LT4 Modifications 1993-97 Gen II Small Block V8

what can i mod without breaking or tuning

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Old Jul 13, 2009 | 10:27 AM
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Default what can i mod without breaking or tuning

i was wondering what kind of mods i can do without breaking stuff and what i can do without having to have a tune done.

if i get a sponsor to build my transmission and it strong, got a shift kit, etc. will that make my 120k mile lt1 die faster? will it not affect it? should not need a tune.

what about stall converter, do you need to have a tune after installing one? (3200-3600)

what about rear end with gears? (12 bolt w/3.73)

i have a lot of work to do to the car and i would like to get some of these smaller things out of the way before doing the engine.
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Old Jul 13, 2009 | 10:52 AM
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TB Bypass and simple intake mods will help without a tune, they will be more beneficial with a tune but run better.

The Tranny won't make the Engine die faster, your foot will.

You may need a tune after a Stall to adjust shift points and lockup.

3.73's will work well, a 12 bolt isn't a small thing to take care of..that's about $2k..if that's small to you then help me out..lol
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Old Jul 13, 2009 | 11:12 AM
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Without a tune I'd say start with the basics...CAI, LT headers, exhaust, 1.6 rr's and better springs. That right there will be a night and day difference for your car.

You will need a tune for a new stall, Yank SS3600 seems to be a popular choice.

Gears won't necessarily need a tune if you don't mind your speedo being way off.

Heads/cam swap is my favorite mod, but you definitely need a tune for that.
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Old Jul 13, 2009 | 11:35 AM
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if you don't want to break things your choice of this hobby was a poor decision

if you have a stock 4l60e with 120k miles a stall will not be a good choice unless you have money set aside for a rebuild imo
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Old Jul 13, 2009 | 01:10 PM
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Originally Posted by ss.slp.ls1
Gears won't necessarily need a tune if you don't mind your speedo being way off.
Not necessarily with an Auto.. the Speedo will be off causing it to not shift correctly..
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Old Jul 13, 2009 | 01:13 PM
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Originally Posted by the_merv
Not necessarily with an Auto.. the Speedo will be off causing it to not shift correctly..
Another reason I hate autos...
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Old Jul 13, 2009 | 01:34 PM
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Lol..I'm waiting for the flame war now.

I will say that the T56 is pretty easy and simple to build and maintain..another reason why I like the Manual.

But anywayz...
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Old Jul 13, 2009 | 03:30 PM
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intake and exhaust will wake your car up. if its an auto, get gears and a bigger stall. you'll give shitty numbers on a dyno but when you actually run you'll go really fast
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Old Jul 13, 2009 | 03:53 PM
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Originally Posted by trippinholyman
intake and exhaust will wake your car up. if its an auto, get gears and a bigger stall. you'll give shitty numbers on a dyno but when you actually run you'll go really fast
He asked what can he do without a tune...stall and gears don't fit in to that category...
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Old Jul 13, 2009 | 08:24 PM
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Originally Posted by myltwon
if you don't want to break things your choice of this hobby was a poor decision
Only if u dont know what your doing.

ya i plan on doing a rebuild but i want to do the cheaper stuff before that. i would consider $2000 for a rear end cheaper than $7-8k for a rebuilt engine yes no?

i have exhaust, soon to be headers and CAI. guess i can save up for the trans too since it wont hurt my old engine much.

ill have to save gears and stall for the rebuild so i can get it all tuned right.

im hearing people mention springs a lot guess i will have to try them out
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Old Jul 13, 2009 | 09:37 PM
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Originally Posted by Cruzer23
Only if u dont know what your doing.

ya i plan on doing a rebuild but i want to do the cheaper stuff before that. i would consider $2000 for a rear end cheaper than $7-8k for a rebuilt engine yes no?

i have exhaust, soon to be headers and CAI. guess i can save up for the trans too since it wont hurt my old engine much.

ill have to save gears and stall for the rebuild so i can get it all tuned right.

im hearing people mention springs a lot guess i will have to try them out
**** breaks no matter how much you think you know

$7-8k bottom end would be pretty epic
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Old Jul 14, 2009 | 01:12 AM
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Originally Posted by myltwon
$7-8k bottom end would be pretty epic
what?

there are no performance differences between CAI right?
summit has a Trick flow one for $190.
the SLP one is $280

i like the idea of the slp being steel instead of plastic and it has 2 filters instead of one, but its not worth 90$ more

Last edited by Cruzer23; Jul 14, 2009 at 03:02 AM.
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Old Jul 14, 2009 | 06:39 AM
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You can get a good used CAI in the classifieds cheaper. Quality used parts are better than lower end new parts. My sig. description is on a stock tune still. Lots of suspension can be done to help the car work right for a good timeslip, yet still be a very dependable car.
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Old Jul 14, 2009 | 06:47 AM
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i found a guy selling K&N FIPK for 200 shipped, but that is stupid when i can go up to advanced and get it for 230.

also the trick flow one at $190 is still best bet unless someone sells a used one for cheaper?

Last edited by Cruzer23; Jul 14, 2009 at 07:49 AM.
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Old Jul 14, 2009 | 10:45 AM
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Originally Posted by Cruzer23
i found a guy selling K&N FIPK for 200 shipped, but that is stupid when i can go up to advanced and get it for 230.

also the trick flow one at $190 is still best bet unless someone sells a used one for cheaper?
I wouldn't spend more than 100 on a used CAI.
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Old Jul 14, 2009 | 11:39 AM
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200.00 is too much also,a 40-80.00 ls1 lid and 30.00 k&n will work the same or better for much less..

Get the factory tune out of that PCM!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!


Anyone that wants more performance knows that something is going to fail a tranny mount will be the least expensive,Lt1s are old now so expect some failure
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Old Jul 14, 2009 | 11:43 AM
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No, this guy knows what he's doing. Obviously.
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Old Jul 14, 2009 | 01:48 PM
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I'll sell you a K&N CAI with 2 filters for $100+shipping

lmk if you're interested.

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Old Jul 14, 2009 | 05:02 PM
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Well i guess im an idiot to assume using a reputable sponsor from this site to build my lt1, that i should have no problems.

Same for the transmission from a sponsor here.

If i have problems then why are they even sponsors, why should i not just go to a local shop and let them ruin it?
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Old Jul 14, 2009 | 05:17 PM
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What do you mean by that..what happened?

Did you talk to someone and didn't like the conversation?


Me personally I do my own work but that's because I like to see it go together and I like to get in there and learn about the stuff I'm messing with. That and a majority of my work is custom.
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