Question on Modding Effects...
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Teching In
Joined: Aug 2003
Posts: 20
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From: Indy
Question on Modding Effects... I recently purchased an "older" Camaro...94 Z-28...that has an automatic transmission...I know, I know...I must be getting old!
I've owned 3 other Camaros (98 Z-28, and 2 different 01 SS's) all with the LS1 and with T56 6-sp manual transmissons. So now I go and change engines and transmissions...so my question is this...How will the various bolt-on mods work with this setup or what do I need to be aware of? With my previous cars I didn't need to worry about idling issues, shift points, etc. when I added a cat-back exhaust or when I installed LT headers or even a CAI. How will the different mods affect general operation of this LT1/A4 combination...and at what point do I need to make sure that I have tuning software? It has been 5 yrs or so since I tuned with LS1 Edit...but even swapping out Cams didn't necessitate tuning...don't get me wrong...it obviously helped maximize the performance potentials of the cam...but the car was still driveable. Now I'm hearing that simple mods or tweaks here and there will require ECU changes...partly due to the trans, and partly due to the LT1 engine.
Help a brother out!!! Shine some light from the wealth of knowledge and experience that I know this forum contains. TIA!
I've owned 3 other Camaros (98 Z-28, and 2 different 01 SS's) all with the LS1 and with T56 6-sp manual transmissons. So now I go and change engines and transmissions...so my question is this...How will the various bolt-on mods work with this setup or what do I need to be aware of? With my previous cars I didn't need to worry about idling issues, shift points, etc. when I added a cat-back exhaust or when I installed LT headers or even a CAI. How will the different mods affect general operation of this LT1/A4 combination...and at what point do I need to make sure that I have tuning software? It has been 5 yrs or so since I tuned with LS1 Edit...but even swapping out Cams didn't necessitate tuning...don't get me wrong...it obviously helped maximize the performance potentials of the cam...but the car was still driveable. Now I'm hearing that simple mods or tweaks here and there will require ECU changes...partly due to the trans, and partly due to the LT1 engine.Help a brother out!!! Shine some light from the wealth of knowledge and experience that I know this forum contains. TIA!
On The Tree
Joined: Oct 2010
Posts: 110
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From: pottsville
im inexperienced when it comes to tuning but i just put a hotcam in and it was drivable but ran real rich,i also deleted all emmission so that probably played a big role.i ran CAI, LT headers with a OYP and hooker catback for about 8k with no problems but it was running a little rich.In not sure if this will help you but these motors respond really well to a better exhaust and tune,i have a 93 so i opted for a chip for short term,i dealt with solomon at lt1pcmtuning.com and so far im more than pleased with the product and his customer service is even better.He also tells you where you can purchase the cable and software on his site if you want to tune it yourself.
Yea as far as Bolt ons go, like you said obviously the car will need to be tuned to maximize power gains. Ive done long tube headers with no tune befor, car ran fine, no issues at all. Mostly just like an LS1 or 6 speed car with bolt ons you wont have many driveability issues.
The main difference with the car you bought, as ive been told and as ive actually experienced, If you do a stall converter a tune which regards the transmission should be done. I dont know what it is about the 93-94 maybe even some 95's but a high rpm stall converter can mess with things a little more, Driveability will be what it is. When your racing however if you dont get a tune for it you will hit the rev limiter a few times, this has happened to me. Some runs it will bounce and others it wont.
The way these cars work nowadays and the advances that tuning companies such as madZ28 or PCMforless or any reputable LT1 tuning company will let you send the computer off and get a mail order tune. If you do a camshaft, if you go with a popular camshaft like the cc503, they can get your computer back to you and the tunes have been known to be in the 5hp range of what a dyno tune can do.
Just remember one thing, NEVER EVER EVER get your opti wet. Never take a hose to your engine bay! thats the main thing about LT1 vs LS1. The lt1 is a great engine, but its got its drawbacks as well.
SHbox.com is a great site to get write ups and how to's on these engines from diagnostics to repairs.
Good luck with her!
The main difference with the car you bought, as ive been told and as ive actually experienced, If you do a stall converter a tune which regards the transmission should be done. I dont know what it is about the 93-94 maybe even some 95's but a high rpm stall converter can mess with things a little more, Driveability will be what it is. When your racing however if you dont get a tune for it you will hit the rev limiter a few times, this has happened to me. Some runs it will bounce and others it wont.
The way these cars work nowadays and the advances that tuning companies such as madZ28 or PCMforless or any reputable LT1 tuning company will let you send the computer off and get a mail order tune. If you do a camshaft, if you go with a popular camshaft like the cc503, they can get your computer back to you and the tunes have been known to be in the 5hp range of what a dyno tune can do.
Just remember one thing, NEVER EVER EVER get your opti wet. Never take a hose to your engine bay! thats the main thing about LT1 vs LS1. The lt1 is a great engine, but its got its drawbacks as well.
SHbox.com is a great site to get write ups and how to's on these engines from diagnostics to repairs.
Good luck with her!
