Most bang for buck LT1
Thread Starter
Teching In
Joined: Mar 2013
Posts: 27
Likes: 0
From: FLA
Most bang for buck LT1 If my 1964 vette 327 small block with a holly 4bbl was 300hp from factory then:
All things being equal.My 1995 Camaro LT1 350 with fuel injection and solid-state ignition should produce 340-350 hp, a no-brainer 3rd grade math exercise.
Soo….. what’s not equal?
Emission control gunk:
1 Catalytic converter
2 185 degree temp vs. 165 (energy/heat equivalence, more heat less energy)
3 Restricted exhaust.
4 Detuning for emissions? Timing? 165 temp?
5 Factory CAI system, vs. +19hp K&N CAI
So, to compensate for 1 and 3, throw out cat, replace with dual 3” exhaust back from stock headers with low restriction mufflers, resonators.
Install 165-degree stat.
Install K&N CAI.
Re-time engine, replace or reprogram the chip and expect about 50-60 + hp and greater fuel efficiency. Without any major modifications.
I did essentially these mods to my stock 350 1990 vette and the results were beyond great; it was a revelation re the serious detuning for 1990 emission controls. An entirely unexpected bonus was a 40% (that’s right folks 40%) improvement in fuel mileage/efficiency, (max performance means max efficiency).
I need to understand the limits of what I can do regarding # 4 and retuning for timing, 165 deg stat ,exhaust and emission sensors. Will the stock LT1 sensors go bug-f with the cat gone, and a 165 stat. Will the unrestricted exhaust also cause sensor problems?
I expect all but # 4 is just an off-the-shelf parts replacement, however on my 90 vette I had to install a custom, max-performance off-road chip.
What are my limitations on resolving # 4 if I want a “check engine” only if and when there is a real problem after the mods are done ?.
Thanks, Barry Hall
All things being equal.My 1995 Camaro LT1 350 with fuel injection and solid-state ignition should produce 340-350 hp, a no-brainer 3rd grade math exercise.
Soo….. what’s not equal?
Emission control gunk:
1 Catalytic converter
2 185 degree temp vs. 165 (energy/heat equivalence, more heat less energy)
3 Restricted exhaust.
4 Detuning for emissions? Timing? 165 temp?
5 Factory CAI system, vs. +19hp K&N CAI
So, to compensate for 1 and 3, throw out cat, replace with dual 3” exhaust back from stock headers with low restriction mufflers, resonators.
Install 165-degree stat.
Install K&N CAI.
Re-time engine, replace or reprogram the chip and expect about 50-60 + hp and greater fuel efficiency. Without any major modifications.
I did essentially these mods to my stock 350 1990 vette and the results were beyond great; it was a revelation re the serious detuning for 1990 emission controls. An entirely unexpected bonus was a 40% (that’s right folks 40%) improvement in fuel mileage/efficiency, (max performance means max efficiency).
I need to understand the limits of what I can do regarding # 4 and retuning for timing, 165 deg stat ,exhaust and emission sensors. Will the stock LT1 sensors go bug-f with the cat gone, and a 165 stat. Will the unrestricted exhaust also cause sensor problems?
I expect all but # 4 is just an off-the-shelf parts replacement, however on my 90 vette I had to install a custom, max-performance off-road chip.
What are my limitations on resolving # 4 if I want a “check engine” only if and when there is a real problem after the mods are done ?.
Thanks, Barry Hall
TECH Regular
Joined: Dec 2011
Posts: 423
Likes: 1
From: Wildomar, CA
All things are not equal. They are rated two different ways, which would more than make up the difference.
http://ateupwithmotor.com/automotive...orsepower.html
http://ateupwithmotor.com/automotive...orsepower.html
The 95 wont have any clue the CAT has been touched and it is NOT a serious restriction anyway, well maybe it is at 18yo but new they weren't all that bad. Drop the "emmissions controls are evil" blues brothers mentality the controls themselves don't really hurt power.
Which car do you think has which thermostat because your 95 wouldn't have had either a 185 or a 165. Your statement ab out "more heat less energy" shows a basic MISSunderstanding of how an internal combustion engine works. Any heat not used to expand the combustion gasses and push the piston is WASTED. There is a cooling system to keep the thing alive not to make more power by being colder.
94 white TA hit the nail on the head about the different ratings being apples and oranges.
I raced an old BBC Vette at the track who turned up his nose when I got in line next to him, after I waxed him by something like 2 seconds he just LEFT. The old stuff is faster in memory than reality and as the article states the HP ratings were at BEST inflated by the lack of accessories, exhaust and stock timing/fueling specs.
Just a few years ago a few foreign car manufacturers were caught playing games for the testing, low oil levels, maybe thin oils, heard some were even playing with timing and the HP spec rules got tightened up a little bit again.
Then there is always the Mustang fiasco from a few years back when the cast intake manifolds were not as good as the testing prototype and Ford was selling cars with less HP than the rating.............
Which car do you think has which thermostat because your 95 wouldn't have had either a 185 or a 165. Your statement ab out "more heat less energy" shows a basic MISSunderstanding of how an internal combustion engine works. Any heat not used to expand the combustion gasses and push the piston is WASTED. There is a cooling system to keep the thing alive not to make more power by being colder.
94 white TA hit the nail on the head about the different ratings being apples and oranges.
I raced an old BBC Vette at the track who turned up his nose when I got in line next to him, after I waxed him by something like 2 seconds he just LEFT. The old stuff is faster in memory than reality and as the article states the HP ratings were at BEST inflated by the lack of accessories, exhaust and stock timing/fueling specs.
Just a few years ago a few foreign car manufacturers were caught playing games for the testing, low oil levels, maybe thin oils, heard some were even playing with timing and the HP spec rules got tightened up a little bit again.
Then there is always the Mustang fiasco from a few years back when the cast intake manifolds were not as good as the testing prototype and Ford was selling cars with less HP than the rating.............
Full boltons and a tune and these lt1s are around 350 crank hp, 300-315 at the tire on an m6. And I guaranfuckintee that a stock 95 Camaro would WAX a 64 vette in the 1/4, even with "only" 275 hp.
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TECH Apprentice
Joined: Jun 2012
Posts: 372
Likes: 0
From: Mississauga Ontario Canada
yeah tuning helps but my 95 lt1 camaro put down 262whp on the dyno bone stock and i was getting bad knock retard past 4300rpm. now that ive tuned that out with tuner cats and done an intake, thottle body bypass I figure it will put down 275whp. iching to get it back on the dyno!
yeah tuning helps but my 95 lt1 camaro put down 262whp on the dyno bone stock and i was getting bad knock retard past 4300rpm. now that ive tuned that out with tuner cats and done an intake, thottle body bypass I figure it will put down 275whp. iching to get it back on the dyno!
yeah tuning helps but my 95 lt1 camaro put down 262whp on the dyno bone stock and i was getting bad knock retard past 4300rpm. now that ive tuned that out with tuner cats and done an intake, thottle body bypass I figure it will put down 275whp. iching to get it back on the dyno!
that is all
