and look at previous threads 
lt1 bolt ons..
Thread Starter
Teching In
Joined: Oct 2011
Posts: 9
Likes: 0
From: Los Angeles - Moreno Valley CA
lt1 bolt ons.. i just purchased a 97 z28 and im wondering which bolt ons would make the biggest difference in my torque and horsepower ? i currently have a 58mm throttle body and slp exhaust
TECH Regular
Joined: Oct 2008
Posts: 492
Likes: 0
From: Rochester, NY
The smart asses will tell you nitrous oxide, and technically they're right.
Otherwise long tube headers will give you the biggest gains.
Gears and sticky tires will make you even quicker though-- assuming you consider gears to be 'bolt-on'
Otherwise long tube headers will give you the biggest gains.
Gears and sticky tires will make you even quicker though-- assuming you consider gears to be 'bolt-on'
people are going to disagree with me but i love what it did to my car
160* thermostat
TB coolant bypass
and a CAI
this nice lil combo gave my car about 20 RWHP
i know most was from the CAI but a hot TB that has coolant running through it will also have some heat soak in to the intake manifold thus SLIGHTLY raising intake temps. and the 160* t-stat keeps the motors temps down under 178*. i have a laptop and cable to confirm that the coolant temp never sees 180* and a cooler motor will make more power. some people say that the car never gets in closed loop ... it does and freescan confirms that for me as well. heat is also what kills motors and less heat over a long time will make a motor last longer ... the only down side is in the winter with that set up the heater sucks and it takes a lil bit to warm up the car.
160* thermostat
TB coolant bypass
and a CAI
this nice lil combo gave my car about 20 RWHP
i know most was from the CAI but a hot TB that has coolant running through it will also have some heat soak in to the intake manifold thus SLIGHTLY raising intake temps. and the 160* t-stat keeps the motors temps down under 178*. i have a laptop and cable to confirm that the coolant temp never sees 180* and a cooler motor will make more power. some people say that the car never gets in closed loop ... it does and freescan confirms that for me as well. heat is also what kills motors and less heat over a long time will make a motor last longer ... the only down side is in the winter with that set up the heater sucks and it takes a lil bit to warm up the car.
TECH Regular
Joined: Oct 2008
Posts: 492
Likes: 0
From: Rochester, NY
160* thermostat is good for a few horsepower, and the CAI is good for a few more, but the TB coolant bypass will gain you almost nothing, just like the TB airfoil and all of the other freemods.
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Launching!
Joined: Jul 2011
Posts: 286
Likes: 0
From: Horn Lake, MS
Well LPE dynoed a stock z28 before and after cai and picked up 12 at the wheels. I don't the the coolant bypass and thermostat really gave 8rwhp together. Maybe at the crank. Not at the wheels. But worthwhile mods none the less. Cooler motor is better. Cooler tb means cooler air. And that is better as well.
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I honestly am against the 3.73 for autos. I love 4.10s with my auto and a 3200 stall. Seriously though, start with bolt ons like I said in your other thread. Headers, y-pipe, CAI, elbow, tune, and suspension. You will think it a whole different car. Trust me if you just throw a stall and gears in there your going to get beat every time cause your going to spin the tires as soon as you gun it. Start with the basics to get a good foundation.
