95 LT1 - Looking to add more power in spring

[95-1LE-Z28]

I have a 6 Speed 95 LT1 with the 1LE package and I just hit 46,500 miles. The car has cold air intake, long tube headers, 3 inch exhaust and a catback. I'm hoping to add between 150 and 200 horsepower but I don't want to break the bank doing so. I'm thinking maybe some head work, boring the engine and maybe a cam upgrade. Any suggestions on head and cam combinations that can give me that much power or any other options that might help achieve the additional power that I’m looking for? I'll appreciate any suggestions fellow BCM members can offer.

[twicks69]

Contact 95TA-The Beast -- http://brewcitymuscle.com/forum/member.php?u=82

He can talk your ear off about heavily modifying the LT1 and can help you out with the buildup or parts selection.

If you need his number, I can see about that. For now, contact him via PM.

[scaleracer]

It's not cheap to build but depends on how far you go with it. I have a spare lt1 motor out of a 95 Z already taken apart if your interested and don't want to mess with the one in your car.

[95-1LE-Z28]

Contact 95TA-The Beast -- http://brewcitymuscle.com/forum/member.php?u=82

He can talk your ear off about heavily modifying the LT1 and can help you out with the buildup or parts selection.

If you need his number, I can see about that. For now, contact him via PM.

Thanks very much. I'll send him a PM.

[GTSLOW]

The first thing you need to decide is how much you're willing to spend. Going bigger cubes with the mentioned mods would imo definately break the bank. Dependin g on what your bidget is would help decide what you can really do.

[outlawgibbs]

150hp of a budget????


Nitrous Oxide

[GHOSST]

Eh, diving in with a LT1. Do some research and you will find that LT1s produce massive power but its never cheap. You should have went LS1 if you want to pinch pennies.

[95-1LE-Z28]

The first thing you need to decide is how much you're willing to spend. Going bigger cubes with the mentioned mods would imo definately break the bank. Dependin g on what your bidget is would help decide what you can really do.

I'm hoping to spend between $2500 and $3000 on parts.

150hp of a budget????


Nitrous Oxide

I've been told by a couple of people to stay away from NOS. Apparently it will drastically reduce the life of the engine.

Eh, diving in with a LT1. Do some research and you will find that LT1s produce massive power but its never cheap. You should have went LS1 if you want to pinch pennies.

I've been doing some research online and it looks like people generally start with head and cam swaps and then progress to turbo or superchargers. I'm hoping to spend between $2500 and $3000 on parts for now. Later on i might dump a bit more money in the car.

[Waver]

150hp of a budget????


Nitrous Oxide

This will more than likely be the best for the budget.....or you can try a blower

I'm hoping to spend between $2500 and $3000 on parts.
I've been doing some research online and it looks like people generally start with head and cam swaps and then progress to turbo or superchargers. I'm hoping to spend between $2500 and $3000 on parts for now. Later on i might dump a bit more money in the car.

See above

[95-1LE-Z28]

[QUOTE=Nutwaver;673225]This will more than likely be the best for the budget.....or you can try a blower

I wouldn't mind a used blower. Hopefully i can find someone with a used one.

[juicedimpss]

if i were in your shoes,i would be looking at the AI heads/cam package. you will also need bigger injectors and decent exhaust etc.
http://advancedinduction.com/
They seem to have a handle on a kickass cnc program for lt1,ive seen great results from their combos.

[GHOSST]

I'm telling you man, only the experienced mechanic or money man can deal with the LT1 like your trying too. There's is no coincidence that GM stop putting that motor in their performance cars and trucks. Like I said, massive power but its not easy. Keyword for you, optispark, worse thing ever. When I had my 97 Z28 with 47K on the dash, I kept hearing I should have went LS1, glad I eventually did. The LT1 is a great motor if you plan to leave it as is. Plus if your budget is 3k, you can start a build but nothing will survive if you dont purchase parts to match the power. Then you'll be sitting with a broke vehicle and empty pockets.

[Myles]

I'm telling you man, only the experienced mechanic or money man can deal with the LT1 like your trying too. There's is no coincidence that GM stop putting that motor in their performance cars and trucks. Like I said, massive power but its not easy. Keyword for you, optispark, worse thing ever. When I had my 97 Z28 with 47K on the dash, I kept hearing I should have went LS1, glad I eventually did. The LT1 is a great motor if you plan to leave it as is. Plus if your budget is 3k, you can start a build but nothing will survive if you dont purchase parts to match the power. Then you'll be sitting with a broke vehicle and empty pockets.

I seem to recall a guy who built a junkyard LT1 that went 11s. It was in a Imp though, so I guess that doesnt count.

[GHOSST]

I seem to recall a guy who built a junkyard LT1 that went 11s. It was in a Imp though, so I guess that doesnt count.

I know its not impossible, but like Tom said the guy knew what he was doing.

Like I was when I first dived into muscle with my 97 LT1 Camaro in 2003, I was trying to be budget minded with mediocre mechanical experience and little to no tools at the time. Its just supremely hard to get by with little to no money or experience with LT1, trust me. And if he doesn't want to destroy the motor for a little bit a pleasure and surely 12's, which its sounds like he can't and wont, that's why I say LS1, and the only reason.

[Want_Notch]

eh. spray it until the rods come out

[juicedimpss]

eh. spray it until the rods come out

it takes alot more than most would try..................

my first lt1 was fine with 150-175 shot for more than 100 passes on it(and 120,000 miles) with completely stock motor it would run mid 13s natural,and 12.0s on the kit.
I ported some heads myself(the famous 30 minute port job)and put a baby cam(211/219@050) and the car ran mid 12s natural and went 11.1-11.2 on the "small" shot.

FINALLY kicked a rod out when i started trying to hit it with 300ish on the heads/cam setup. car was over 4000lbs raceweight

RPM is the real killer of these motors. spray CAN be safe.

[BAD LS1]

^^^ He had no fear of the spray though and knew what he was doing with it! Not so sure this guy is gonna be so ready to wack this car with a 250+ hit lol!! LT1's can be made to go fast on a reasonable budget IF you know what your doing on the part selection and tuning end of it.

[Myles]

^^^ He had no fear of the spray though and knew what he was doing with it! Not so sure this guy is gonna be so ready to wack this car with a 250+ hit lol!!

Fine, then he is stuck going 12s with 1000 bucks into the motor. Or for cheaper than going the LS1 route, convert it to the LS1 computer and do whatever the fuck you want to it since you eliminated the weak part.

[Waver]

I seem to recall a guy who built a junkyard LT1 that went 11s. It was in a Imp though, so I guess that doesnt count.

^^^ He had no fear of the spray though and knew what he was doing with it! Not so sure this guy is gonna be so ready to wack this car with a 250+ hit lol!! LT1's can be made to go fast on a reasonable budget IF you know what your doing on the part selection and tuning end of it.

Fine, then he is stuck going 12s with 1000 bucks into the motor. Or for cheaper than going the LS1 route, convert it to the LS1 computer and do whatever the fuck you want to it since you eliminated the weak part.

I seem to remember that same car ran low 13's against a mustang na.....I still have the video.

[95-1LE-Z28]

I appreciate all the suggestions you guys have provided in the past few days. To answer a couple of questions, I'm not looking to build a track car. I don't know much about performance upgrades and I'll probably never make it to GLD. I just want to make my car a bit more fun to drive on the street and make it sound meaner than it currently is. In it's current state, I've been able to beat a couple of stock Mustang GTs so its not a slow car by any means. Although, a 98 Cobra with a Turbo setup beat me on 145 a couple weeks ago and that's one of the reasons why I'm thinking about actually adding some power. However, from what I've deduced so far, LS1 engines are easier to modify and as much as I wish mine were an LS1, its not. I loved the look, condition, mileage and sound of my car when I saw it and that's why I bought it. Maybe my next car will be an LS1 but for now I'm content with the LT1. Mechanically I've only had to replace the Opti Spark, ICU and water pump so I have nothing really to complain about the LT1. I just want it to be a bit faster during initial take off and when I downshift to pass on the highway. It looks like the heads/cam package and maybe a rear end upgrade suggested by a couple of people on here might do the trick. Sometime down the line I'll think about a turbo.