Good HP gains for cheap for LS1's?

[-cy-]

Alright, i have a formula (no one browses the bird forum except blackbird, and he is here too, lol) with an LS1. Its an M6, and i have a cut-out and a skip-shift eliminator. Those were the first things i wanted to do. Now i wanna see if i can get some cheap HP out of it. I don't have a ton of money to spend, so headers are sorta out of it (unless i get really cheap headers). I am thinking along the lines of a lid and filter, then maybe something else about that cost. I don't wanna spend a ton of $$$ b/c i don't have much, but what are some good upgrades for not too much cash. If you can list them with approx. prices and all that good stuff (as well as some general info) i'd appreciate it. Thanks.

[Blackbird01]

SLP Induction Lid - $139.95
Holley Powershot Filter - $44.99
SLP Cold Air Induction - $129.99

I will guarantee you drop almost 2 tenths and gain almost 2 mph in the 1/4 with those mods alone!
Check out: www.LS1Speed.com
They've got better prices then ANYONE. Not to mention, GREAT customer service!

[-cy-]

This place is selling a used (they put it in a project car for a bit) Vinci LS1 Punisher Cam for $150, but i am guessing install and stuff needs to be done by a shop, how much is install. They mentioned you wouldn't really need to reprogram the chip, but it might throw and random misfire code every now and then. Any thoughts on that?


Thanks for the info, i guess getting air into the engine is now the goal (since out if a little better).

[-cy-]

I just read up on some cam stuff, and the guys seem to be getting a lot of gains from just a cam and a couple mods. Am i right to assume that the engine has to be take out to put the cam in, so how much would the install on normal cost for the cam? Also, any good cams for a stock engine, would get short headers or something like that but probably no engine mods for a while.

[Blackbird01]

I've heard of the Vinci cam, but haven't heard of many people using it.
If you're looking for a cam that will give you a nice LOPE and great power gains, look into the "T1", "B1" and "C1" cam from MTI.
Along with a new cam, you also will need new pushrods, springs, retainers, gaskets, etc.
For a cam + everything else + install, you're looking at around $900 bucks. Also, don't forget new oil, coolant and refridgerant.
However, you can install the cam by yourself (if you're experienced) and the engine DOES NOT have to be removed from the car.

I wouldn't waste my time on shorty headers, but if you really want a set of GOOD headers for CHEAP, I believe Speed Inc. is holding a Group Purchase on a set of MAC Midlength headers with Y-Pipe for somewhere around $450.

Get the lid/filter/cold air kit first.
After you've done those, you can get an ASP underdrive crank pulley, Star SPEC Stage 3 clutch (carbon kevlar), Nitto Drag Radials and a set of HAL front Shocks/Springs.

The clutch will dramatically improve driving. Allowing you to dump the clutch at ANY RPM and just GRAB. With this, you're going to need some sticky tires. Nitto Drag Radials would work best for street use.
The HAL Shocks/Springs up front will allow you to adjust the front suspension to either stiffen the ride around town (give excellent handling) and set them loose for the track (allowing your car to transfer weight easier and bring those front tires UP!)

Any other questions, you can email me.

[Jerry Baumgarner]

I have a suggestion. First, remove the air box lid. Inside you will find ribs. With a dremmel tool and cutting wheel, CAREFULLY remove the ribs. That will give you a better air flow. Then raise the air box about 1/4 inch. You do that by taking out the 4 bolts that holds the air box in place and put washers under the air box to raise it, when replace the bolts. By doing this, you have straightened out the air flow and given the engine the ability to breath a bit deeper which will in turn, give you a bit more CHEAP power.

[Blackbird01]

Jerry, I like to call that the "GHETTO LID".
It will give ya a lil extra power, unfortunetly, you've still got those 2 big clunky air silencers in the way!
If you wanted to do away with those too, you could fill em with that expandable foam so nothing can get in there....

[-cy-]

Thanks for the great suggestions and help, i just gotta figure out what i an afford in the future and what to get.

[-cy-]

I guess i'm aiming sorta high right now, but i like this stuff. For some reason i am really getting pulled towards a new cam, i dunno why but i am. I'm not exactly sure of what the install incorporates, but considering i have a few friends that know a bit about this stuff, and i can probably take it to auto shop at school if i think i'll need the help fron the teacher i might consider trying it (of course i'd need all the instructions on install and all). I was thinking do some of the mods that include cuting the air box and sorta hooking up a ram air mod instead of just buying a new lid and all right now. For at least a temporary improvement, could i just do one of those and get the cam, then later get a new lid and filter? The thing is i have like $1k on me right now to spend, but i wanna have around $400 or $500 left to hold on to for repairs just in case. If i wait a month or so, i can have the extra $$$ and have the money for cam stuff, but how much would it be without the install roughly and where can i get install tips and info? Thanks a lot.


p.s. I know i should probably do the intake stuff now, but i probably won't have this much to spend at one time in the nearer future, so i'd rather get something a bit bigger, then buy stuff like the lid later on a touch. Is this an ok path to follow?

[Blackbird01]

Though the cam would probably give you great power, you'll quickly need to upgrade many other things with the addition of the cam.
The stock lid/filter will stave the engine of air with a bigger cam.
The clutch will go rather quickly with the added power.
The tires will NOT hold....

My recommendation, don't get too far ahead of yourself.
Buy yourself a bunch of little things.
Some things to concider:

SLP Lid/K&N
SLP Cold Air Kit
Star SPEC Stage 3 clutch
Nitto Drag Radials
4.10 gears

Those mods alone will net you power gains ALMOST as much as a cam would.
In my opinion, it's the best way to go.

[-cy-]

The tires are almost gone anyways, and my parents are gonna at least pay most of that, so new tires are a must anyways (i will do my best to get drag radials on back). With the ram-air type mod and a couple other free flow mods (something to the MAF, i forget what it was) wouldn't flow be at least adequit? Right now i don't plan on racing seriously, if anything just a little screwing around on the streets. Clutch, well that is one thing i will have to consider. The clutch however i'm not sure what condition its in right now (how worn it is) but with driving conservatively it shouldn't destroy the clutch too quickly, should it? The gearing is something i'd like to do in the future, but as you mentioned with install its near $500. So the concern right now will be engine starving for air, but i'd guess with the ram air mod (cutting out the bottom of the air box, making a funnel type thing to catch cold air from in front from under the car), raising the lid a bit, and some other small one (i think there is a little mod to the MAF you can do pretty easily) that for my driving purposes right now it will suffice. How much power will a cam be adding, and what sites have the cam's you suggested? Do you suggest a more aggressive cam or not? I want to get a nice mod right now while i have the cash, then over the next few months buy some of those you listed. Thoughts?

[Jerry Baumgarner]

Blackbird, you may call it the "GHETTO LID", but it works. Cy wanted a CHEAP way the get a little more go, and nothing is much cheaper than finding a fix that works and doesn't cost anything except a little time. The GHETTO LID, as you call it, will probably do the job just about as well as the $139.95 lid. Don't you think so? Now, be honest!!! Also, that $139.95 lid still doesn't do a thing about changing the air flow through the air box due to the silencers. The cold air induction, may be a good idea and which would do away with the need for the air box lid, again defeats Cy's statement expressing a need for an inexpensive way to get a little more go.

I understand about the two big silencers on either end of the air box and agree that something should be done about them to straighten out the air flow. But don't fill them with foam. That stuff will flake away and will be pulled into the engine. I am thinking and I will come up with a way to block off the silencers and extending the line to the air pump into the inlet, that will offer a straight air flow. Ofcourse, one could remove the air pump line and put a small filter on the pump. But, I want to keep mine looking stock. You know, one of those that one might call a sleeper. I will come up with a good Idea, one that will work well and keep the air box, and everything else, looking stock at the same time.

[Blackbird01]

Cy, if you're worried about $500 for a gear, don't even concider a cam swap. It's going to cost a lot more then $500 for the cam and install.
Also, if you're concidering "porting" the MAF, be careful. A few people have reported a lean condition caused by porting the MAF. Again, some people have good gains with it, others do not. However, on thing you CAN do that will give you slightly better airflow and wont affect the engine in a negative way is to remove that big 'ol SCREEN. The screen is there to straighten the air, but it also slows it down. Pull that sucker outta there!

[-cy-]

I know about the cam costing more, but the thing is it will add power, the gears will just allow me to use the power better (and i've been told that 4.10's are too much for low traction conditions, like street, i think i was told 3.73's are good if you will do any street racing). You mentioned the cam will cost around $900, which i can abosorb, as long as its the only thing i am doing, except for the free/really cheap flow mods that have been mentioned in this thread. Tires, my parents are gonna give me a certain amount of cash for tires, and i buy them so i am guessing i'll have to toss in a little more to get radials on back, but not much more. Will the clutch get destroyed quickly if i'm not racing around dropping it? Right now i'm trying to find out a way to get a cam installed without taking it in so i can avoid the most likely high high labor cost.

Like i said, right now i wanna get a larger (or 2 sorta medium cost) mods done that will be improved upon later. I wanna add power more than get gears or something like that. Larger like around $900 total, medium around 2 $400 things. I don't know if i wanna do lots of small mods. What mods will i get the most hp and torque from that are in my range?

[Blackbird01]

See, here's the thing. A cam is going ot give you more power, however, the gains are going to be minimal. The reasons being that not only is your intake going to be highly restrictive, compared to an aftermarket setup, but your exhaust manifolds are also restrictive. So, the gains you'll see with a cam aren't going to be as big as you normally would.

Regarding the 4.10s, my friend had them and drove on them all the time over summer. They were fine, and he thought they were PERFECT for a 6 spd car. Remember, you have 3.42s stock, so stepping up to 3.73s isn't going to be as big a change as you may think.

If I were you, I'd stick with the minor bolt ons. They will add up and give you extra hp that is similar to what a cam would give you.
Dont get ahead of yourself...
Take it 1 step at a time