LT1 engine upgrade any performance suggestions?
07-28-2010, 02:14 PM
#31
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Join Date: Jul 2010
Posts: 26
i thought you were rebuilding the engine?
concentration my friend, stay focused on the engine..
if your rebuilding the engine, pick the cam you would want to run, then pick your stall converter to go with the cam, this combination is probably the most beneficial one on the whole car..
all depends,how much money do you actually have? or what is your initial budget?
Intake-cold air intake?look for used ones for cheap
Headers-Pacesetter longtubes, ehh, ebay stainless headers for $300
Exhaust-Borla-if thats what you want
Lifters-Ls1 lifters-good choice
Gears- 3.73's-good choice
Tires- Nitto- i think nittos are overpriced.. check out rikken tires..
Cam- LT4 hot cam, good solid performer but there are definetly better cams out there, lunati has some voodoo cams that look real good..
Porting- throttle body, intake, heads, and exhaust-dont know how you port the exhaust? if you have the money you can get the throttle body, intake and heads ported.. but that can be considered big money to some..
upgraded fuel pump-no need yet
Gasket and seal upgrade- included in rebuild kit, generally felpros
Roller Rockers-comp cams, or cranecams
hardened push rods-comp cams
Stall Converter-i used a local converter shop, 2500rpm stall for $150
bearings-included in rebuild kit, generally clevite or speedpro brand.
cylinders- have to wait to get the engine apart, to see if you need the cylinders bored
rings-included in rebuild kit, hastings or speedpro
oil pump-melling select, with high pressure spring
timing chain-cloyes single or double roller, i prefer double roller
flywheel-?--if you have an auto its a flexplate, stock works fine.
transition mounting- transmission mount, polyeurathane
intake manifold- stock
Shocks- dont worry about them yet
Springs-dont worry about them yet
Adjustable Torque arms- dont worry about it yet
Panhard bars-dont worry about it yet
lower control arms-dont worry about them yet
Heads- depends on how big your wallet is- stock heads are decent, if you have about a $1000 on a port job from elliotportworks go for it..
dont forget to balance the rotating assembly, generally $200
concentration my friend, stay focused on the engine..
if your rebuilding the engine, pick the cam you would want to run, then pick your stall converter to go with the cam, this combination is probably the most beneficial one on the whole car..
all depends,how much money do you actually have? or what is your initial budget?
Intake-cold air intake?look for used ones for cheap
Headers-Pacesetter longtubes, ehh, ebay stainless headers for $300
Exhaust-Borla-if thats what you want
Lifters-Ls1 lifters-good choice
Gears- 3.73's-good choice
Tires- Nitto- i think nittos are overpriced.. check out rikken tires..
Cam- LT4 hot cam, good solid performer but there are definetly better cams out there, lunati has some voodoo cams that look real good..
Porting- throttle body, intake, heads, and exhaust-dont know how you port the exhaust? if you have the money you can get the throttle body, intake and heads ported.. but that can be considered big money to some..
upgraded fuel pump-no need yet
Gasket and seal upgrade- included in rebuild kit, generally felpros
Roller Rockers-comp cams, or cranecams
hardened push rods-comp cams
Stall Converter-i used a local converter shop, 2500rpm stall for $150
bearings-included in rebuild kit, generally clevite or speedpro brand.
cylinders- have to wait to get the engine apart, to see if you need the cylinders bored
rings-included in rebuild kit, hastings or speedpro
oil pump-melling select, with high pressure spring
timing chain-cloyes single or double roller, i prefer double roller
flywheel-?--if you have an auto its a flexplate, stock works fine.
transition mounting- transmission mount, polyeurathane
intake manifold- stock
Shocks- dont worry about them yet
Springs-dont worry about them yet
Adjustable Torque arms- dont worry about it yet
Panhard bars-dont worry about it yet
lower control arms-dont worry about them yet
Heads- depends on how big your wallet is- stock heads are decent, if you have about a $1000 on a port job from elliotportworks go for it..
dont forget to balance the rotating assembly, generally $200
07-29-2010, 07:41 PM
#32
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Join Date: Jul 2010
Posts: 26
07-29-2010, 11:48 PM
#33
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Join Date: Jan 2009
Location: Inverness, IL
Posts: 158
Although I run a Borla myself and love it, its not anything remotely close to budget. Even used ones run $400-500.
Also where do you live? If you plan on driving this in the winter where there is salt used the pacesetters will rust. I have experienced that myself.
Also really look into other cams and do research on them. The hotcam is not much of an upgrade over stock and will really limit you in power. I know there are people that swear by this cam, but I am not convinced.
The key, as most have said, is to really focus on the motor first and then worry about the rest. I know once you get the idea in your head about performance parts it is hard to get rid of it. You don't want to build this car and then have to replace everything anyways when it all starts to go.
Good luck!
Also where do you live? If you plan on driving this in the winter where there is salt used the pacesetters will rust. I have experienced that myself.
Also really look into other cams and do research on them. The hotcam is not much of an upgrade over stock and will really limit you in power. I know there are people that swear by this cam, but I am not convinced.
The key, as most have said, is to really focus on the motor first and then worry about the rest. I know once you get the idea in your head about performance parts it is hard to get rid of it. You don't want to build this car and then have to replace everything anyways when it all starts to go.
Good luck!
08-21-2010, 08:52 PM
#35
Registered User
Join Date: Aug 2010
Posts: 6
Hi tripleb45. Thanks for the video on performance parts. I like it. 
Last edited by cerealjoe; 09-08-2010 at 02:43 PM.
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