More power, Little cash
 

Ok, So i have an LT1, Its bone stock besides a K and N air filter (which to me does not even count as a mod). My hours just got cut at work cause we are heading into our slow season, So any one have any tips to pull more power outta my engine? Or am i looking at getting a second job so i can put money into my car lol.

Full exhaust.

Save your money, things break.

150 shot eh? Isn't that how you spun your rod bearing?

Basics:

1.) Get a cold air kit if you've only got a replacement filter
2.) Cat back exhaust
3.) Headers
4.) Mail order tune

I typed out a long response, got mid-way through it & deleted it. The gist of it is: "No horsepower 'til you have a 2,000 to comfortably throw at it." Many will disagree, but many will agree; Bolt-ons are hardly "worth it." Save up and buy the big-ticket stuff. Stall, Cam & valvetrain, quality headers.

I'll spin off of everything that's been said and say: "Don't waste your money." This shouldn't be confused with "Don't modify your car." Rather, spend it wisely.

Why does big engine mods without doing little bolt on's first? Talk about choking a bitch....

I'm gonna go against everyone here and say that with a small budget full exhaust is out of the question. I would do a cold air kit and try to find a cheap catback in the for sale section. I also recommend doing a panhard bar and lower control arms which you can get used for $50-100. The car will feel so much better after the last 2 mods.

I know of a catback going up for sale soon ;-)

I was thinking intake and exhaust just to get the car to sound aggressive, Im leaving for UTI soon and my car is my daily so i really dont wanna be running to much power on something that has to commute. But the cam is my next project. my friend is selling me his borla full exhaust for 600 so i think i got a good start.

Borla doesn't make headers, so that's not a full exhaust. And IMO you don't need a $600 exhaust system. A $150-$200 used Hooker Aerochamber will be fine.

Also your car is a OBD1 car so it might be a little painfull when you start doing bolt ons to pass state inspection! I know my 95 they sniffed it. It just passed and it was all stock.

If you daily your car then I wouldnt worry about cam. I would get a N20 kit and spray a 75 shot and when your not running your car and just DD it the bottle is off and you have a normal car again.

Well its not headers, its Y pipe back. Sorry lol. And im not really into the N20. I like pure engine power

You didn't say what trans is in it, if its an auto, start saving for a built unit. If its an M6, get a a nice clutch or start saving for a 9inch/S60/12 bolt, either way, start investing in your suspension as DF pointed out. Cheaper and easier than bolt ons, cause they never are just a "bolt on"

Sadly it is auto, its the 4l60E. But i have a shift kit with a corvette servo in it. I rebuilt it recently

Yea, not gonna cut it for much behind any decent amount of power.

I would highly suggest a decent built 700r4 and a quality torque converter. Best way to feel faster. And before you ask bout cheap converters, well you get what you pay for.

Garbage in, garbage out.

Well....

Alot to respond to... ok lol. The 93 birds are strange, They are hard to find parts for cause gm changed a bit for the 94's. The 4L60E in them is crap, hence i have done my trans twice in the 4 years of owning it.

I agree that the LT's are cheap I know so many kids with them that I just cant wait to see hit a tree so they get scared and go back to hondas cause they have no idea what the car is they just go and swerve in and outta traffic on 80.

Im gonna end up living out by UTI, And I talked to my rep about BMW, The qualifications are pretty insane but i wanna do it so bad because I love BMW. Something about the stance of those cars is so alluring to me.

I have been working on the look of the car, My suspension is pretty blown so I think that may be my route, But i want the car to sound aggressive as well. I really wanted the SLP loudmouth for it but after reading all the negative posts about them on here im not really so sure anymore. Cold air is gonna be a def, But suggestions on exhaust? I would like to keep it the quad tip, I dont like the single tip pipes.

Oh whoops.

Forgot, 1993.

So the mail order tune is out. Actually, finding a tuner might suck.

99% sure you have a 4L60, not a 4L60-E.

I'd do a cold air and a Hooker aerochamber or Magnaflow. Pocket the rest of the cash. 1993 was a redheaded stepchild year.

You are correct it is the 4L60 sorry about that. and yea, finding parts in general is terrible.

Magnaflow for sure. Not too annoying or droning on long commutes. Went with my buddy to Atlantic City this past weekend in his T/A and it wasn't loud enough to annoy me.

Really not following this whole "parts are hard to come by" thing...

Only differences for 93 only models are intake doesn't have provision for the rail and trans I thought?

Like body parts for it, Like I need a side skirt and passengers side fender and have not been able to find one. Alot of other things as well, Websites only put up the 98-02 as a majority but if it does come down to my year then its mainly 94 and up or 92 and below

Im really not to sure on all the differences

Oh. Yea I only concern myself with going faster :lol:

And 93s have silly chips that can't be flashed, no MAF, a weird spline drive unvented opti, kickdown cable, and non electonic slushbox.

But other than that, a 4th gen is a 4th gen suspension wise