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

Summer mods Monoblade and stepped headers

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Old Jul 2, 2019 | 01:21 PM
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Default Summer mods Monoblade and stepped headers

Hey fellas, I dont post much on this website but thought this would interest the LT guys. Since I dont enjoy driving the car during the summer months, I figured park it get some upgrades done. Finally ordered my soo wanted Tpis monoblade, should help on the big end. Hooker 1 3/4 LTs got replaced with 1 3/4 to 1 7/8 stepped headers and an LS front brake swap Hawk HP pads new rotors should help stopping distances. Had to mod the x pipe a little to make the exhaust work.

Quick info
97 Camaro
396ci
6 speed
4.10s
478rwhp





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Old Jul 2, 2019 | 08:35 PM
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Should be a nice gain. What kind of air intake setup are you running. I have a very similar combo as you just more cam, more compression, less cube 383 and e85. My TorqueHead LS pcm conversion is going on in a week. Then she will be ready to eat.
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Old Jul 3, 2019 | 08:37 AM
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What headers and x pipe set up is that. I'm betting my 427 would like a little more help on the exhale side. I currently have the same hooker headers on my set up.

Last edited by biketopia; Jul 3, 2019 at 09:17 AM.
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Old Jul 3, 2019 | 08:54 AM
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Out of curiosity, why the stepped headers instead of straight 1-7/8"? I'd just imagine the straight 1-7/8" would work better on the top end on a high hp 396 like yours if you drag race or street race the car. I put some Kooks stepped headers on a car once and have been thinking about doing the same with my stock bottom end LT1 since 1-7/8" are a little big for my combo. That monoblade is a beautiful piece, I've been thinking of going with one of those eventually as well. LS1 front brakes are a great cheap mod that everyone with an LT1 should do IMO, stock LT1 front brakes are scary lol. If you plan on putting your car on the dyno please share your gains, would love to see them.
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Old Jul 3, 2019 | 09:16 AM
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Yea....1 7/8” straight long tubes is what I want but not willing to spend 2 grand for a custom set. I picked up these XS power headers for $100 couldn’t pass on that deal. I made the exhaust system from a universal summit X pipe kit. I’ll be back on the dyno this winter....I’ll definitely post results. Here’s a vid of the last dyno
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Old Jul 3, 2019 | 09:41 AM
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ohhhh that mono is sexy. I went with the same header choice on my 355 car. I was however unimpressed at the velocity merge, I measured it and it necked down to almost 2.25 on one header and about 2.5 on the other. I understand the flow dynamics but it seemed drastic and gave the exhaust an odd tone to be honest. I plan to pull them back off and weld on a new merge section that will hopefully flow better, and then get them coated.

I'm sure you'll still gain power overall though with the combination of the two mods. love the 396. For the longest time I thought I'd LS swap mine, but I am leaning hard on keeping it LT and just building a motor and possibly boosting it. Goodluck!
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Old Jul 3, 2019 | 09:42 AM
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For $100 is def sounds like you made the right choice with the headers then lol. Car looks and sounds great.
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Old Jul 3, 2019 | 03:11 PM
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Great looking car!
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Old Jul 3, 2019 | 03:48 PM
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Thanks bro
Pic of the brake swap
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Old Jul 4, 2019 | 11:46 PM
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You have another gain to be had going with a lid setup over having two 90 degree turns in your intake tract.
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Old Jul 5, 2019 | 04:42 PM
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Don't want to burst your bubble but remember all motors are different and yours may see some gains, but a customer had a 10 sec LT automatic, first installed stepped headers, No gain in torque or horsepower, then he installed a monoblade, sam results, this was on a 383.
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Old Jul 6, 2019 | 07:47 AM
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Originally Posted by moehorsepower
Don't want to burst your bubble but remember all motors are different and yours may see some gains, but a customer had a 10 sec LT automatic, first installed stepped headers, No gain in torque or horsepower, then he installed a monoblade, sam results, this was on a 383.
In your dyno tuning experience, in situations where all the low hanging fruit has been covered, have you seen guys pick up consistent power with EWPs or ATI harmonic balancers?
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Old Jul 6, 2019 | 09:12 AM
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Originally Posted by moehorsepower
Don't want to burst your bubble but remember all motors are different and yours may see some gains, but a customer had a 10 sec LT automatic, first installed stepped headers, No gain in torque or horsepower, then he installed a monoblade, sam results, this was on a 383.
I would do a LS1 sealed lid setup with a chris1313 ram air before a mono blade or changing out headers. addressing the y merge or doing an x-pipe is a must. What air intake setup did the car you are stating have?
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Old Jul 7, 2019 | 09:51 AM
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Default Intake

Originally Posted by CamOnlyJabroni
I would do a LS1 sealed lid setup with a chris1313 ram air before a mono blade or changing out headers. addressing the y merge or doing an x-pipe is a must. What air intake setup did the car you are stating have?
Been so long ago but I believe it was the usual cold air setup
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Old Aug 11, 2019 | 07:55 PM
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Its finally all back together....ported the manifold for the monoblade, installed the new headers, some E3 spark plugs....took her for a quick hit around the block....definitely passes the seat of the pants test
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Old Aug 12, 2019 | 03:20 PM
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Originally Posted by StealthFormula
In your dyno tuning experience, in situations where all the low hanging fruit has been covered, have you seen guys pick up consistent power with EWPs or ATI harmonic balancers?
Nothing on balancers, and as far as the EWP, nothing to document, meaning we did see like 2 HP but that can be DA lowering, temps ect.
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Old Aug 13, 2019 | 02:45 PM
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If you had logging software you could have logged your lb/min maf reading and (g/cyl) air mass before and after. Good way to see if youre moving more air.

I was pleasantly surprised this weekend to see my MAF flowing 67 lb/min with dialed in VE tables and very lean AFR up around 7krpm. Mine is out of fuel. Going to order some 60lb injectors to give it more fuel on e85.
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Old Aug 13, 2019 | 03:38 PM
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Originally Posted by CamOnlyJabroni
.....Mine is out of fuel. Going to order some 60lb injectors to give it more fuel on e85.
Got a set sitting on a shelf.....they were on my Impala for about 5 years....but only about 6K miles on them.

PM me if interested...send email for pics..

KW
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Old Aug 13, 2019 | 03:39 PM
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Originally Posted by 396LTX
Its finally all back together....
What 24x system are you runnin'?

KW
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Old Aug 13, 2019 | 04:30 PM
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Torqhead
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