94 Formula, Need To Know Where To Start With Mods

MonsterSuburban · 10-21-2004, 04:26 PM

I am new to the formula's LT1 engine and everything is stock except the wheels and the muffler. I don't have a lot of knowledge when it comes to performance part besides cold air intake, and throttle body spacers. The guy who sold it to me said to go with a 100 shot Nirtous express system that runs about $450. I don't know if that would hurt the car more than help it. WHERE SHOULD I START?

FormulaLT1 · 10-21-2004, 04:36 PM

Oh, these are my favorite type of questions and I just want to know. what are you looking for performance wise are you looking for just minor mods to make it keep up with whats out there now or are you looking to turn it into a seriously bad ass car and want to start with the base to build this.
Also welcome to the Forum.
John

FormulaLT1 · 10-21-2004, 04:44 PM

Also is this a auto or Six speed?

MonsterSuburban · 10-21-2004, 04:44 PM

I am looking to turn it into the pavement burning banshee it has the potential to be. I don't have the budget to go all out right away though. Also like I said I have very limited knowledge on the LT1 engine and it's mods.
Thanks for the welcome by the way.

MonsterSuburban · 10-21-2004, 04:45 PM

auto with a, so I'm told, a rare transmission perform button that, as much as I can tell, is a factory installed shift kit for first and second gears.

FormulaLT1 · 10-21-2004, 04:49 PM

The biggest bang for the buck mods on the LT1 are Header's, Gears and Cold Air intakes.
But there are also alot of free mods such as relocating the IAT, throttlebody bypass, descreening MAF(some people say this is actually not a good idea to do but I did it and it was fine). Iknow I'm forgetting some free mods but I will update when I remember.

FormulaLT1 · 10-21-2004, 04:52 PM

The perform button is actually a very good thing for 3 reasons. 1. it means you have the much better 3.23 gears 2. You have a Corvette Servo installed instead of the Fbody one . 3. You have the newer style computer controlled torque converter lock up.

MonsterSuburban · 10-21-2004, 04:52 PM

Forgive me, but what is the IAT, and how do you do these free mods

FormulaLT1 · 10-21-2004, 04:55 PM

I'll get you links to them. Just give me a couuple of hours and the IAT is Intake Air temp Sensor. These are located stock on the Intake elbow and heat soak from being so close to the waterpump/engine and by moving it closer to air filter you get a more accurate reading of the incoming air and some what of a power gain (its not huge but every bit helps.)

MonsterSuburban · 10-21-2004, 05:17 PM

If it's on the outside of the intake elbow then I have found the IAT. Do I have to cut the wires and splice them to longer wires? Do I need to drill a hole for the sensor and if so where is the best place for it? What do I do about the original hole? and finally will splicing the wires for the sensor hinder or hurt the sensor or the car?
I feel like an idiot for asking this but what is corvette servo vs. a fbody one and what is the benefit of the newer style torque converter lock up?
By the way, thanks for the help and for your patience man.

FormulaLT1 · 10-21-2004, 05:38 PM

Yes it would require cutting and splicing the wire but they also sell a extender on ebay for pretty cheap and yes most likely you will have to drill a hole for the new location. It would also be a good idea to change the stock intake for the 1LE intake Elbow its a 5 HP is pretty cheap. Usually $70 or less. Also the Corvette Servo deliver's a faster firmer 1-2 Shift. and The pre-96 4L60-e tranny's in F-body's didn't controll the point when you torque converter lock's up with Flywheel usually around 35 MPH and the cars with the perform button used this style 4L60-e tranny. Which is noted by the extra wire in the harness.

FormulaLT1 · 10-21-2004, 05:47 PM

OK here these 2 site's both have the free mod's I told you about plus pretty much anything anyone who's new to the LT1 could want to know.
http://shbox.com/1/4th_gen_tech1.html
www.projecttransam.com
if you need anything else let me know but you probably won't have anymore questions about anything after going over those sites.
John

FormulaForce · 10-28-2004, 02:58 PM

I have a 95 Formula and can recommend the following mods.

Cat-back exhaust (I use a flowmaster system)
March Power Pulleys (get the one-piece kit without the alternator pulley, it will charge ok)
Hypertech programmer (a must if you change rear gear and adds horsepower)
GMS MAF Sensor
Rear Gear (3.73 for an automatic, 4.10 for manual)
Cold air intake

Depending on emissions laws in your state, you can oversee a "discussion" between your catalytic convertor and a broomstick.

Aluminum driveshaft helps high-speed vibration problems.

Nitrous scares me, I just got a new engine due to a blown head gasket.
These mods are a lot safer for the motor IMHO.

Matthias_ · 11-08-2004, 03:35 PM

i personally like the lt1 to lt4 kit. intake manifold, cam, and heads. pretty good bang for your buck...check out summit racing if you want to see a kit.

FormulaLT1 · 11-08-2004, 03:44 PM

actually for a 94 a LT4 kit requires too many parts to change to be able use the kit. Its also pricey for horsepower gained. I would recommend a custom grind cam and ported stock intake. You will see just as good gains as Lt4 package at 1/8 the cost

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