C4 Tech/Performance L98 Corvette and LT1 Corvette Technical Info, Internal Engine, External Engine

How do I get more torque from my LT1?

Thread Tools
 
Search this Thread
 
Old 01-17-2003, 04:45 AM
  #1  
eagleone
Advanced
Thread Starter
 
eagleone's Avatar
 
Member Since: Oct 2001
Location: Chino Hills CA
Posts: 52
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes on 0 Posts
Default How do I get more torque from my LT1?

I want more pull down low. What do I need to do to my engine to accomplish this? I have attached my signature below as to what mods I've done. A 3.07 rear is as low as I want to go. Don't want any driveability issues with high stall converters either. Just engine mods please. Of course, performance is a function of cost - but I would be interested in the less expensive ones first. Wishing I had a stick though than an auto. Thanks for any help.

Ed in Southern California
Old 01-17-2003, 07:19 AM
  #2  
Lone Ranger
Le Mans Master
 
Lone Ranger's Avatar
 
Member Since: Feb 2002
Posts: 7,858
Likes: 0
Received 2 Likes on 2 Posts

Default Re: How do I get more torque from my LT1? (eagleone)

Start by losing the Bosch Platinums and put in a set of NGK TR-55ix iridium plugs. Or stock AC 41-906 plugs. They can say what they want about the stock plugs, but they do give the best low end torque.
Old 01-17-2003, 08:23 AM
  #3  
vader86
Team Owner
 
vader86's Avatar
 
Member Since: Sep 2001
Location: Athens AL
Posts: 59,649
Received 1,401 Likes on 1,017 Posts
C7 of the Year - Unmodified Finalist 2021
C4 of Year Finalist (performance mods) 2019

Default Re: How do I get more torque from my LT1? (eagleone)

Not much you can do besides changing the cam to a grind that makes its power lower in the band.
Old 01-17-2003, 09:27 AM
  #4  
95AquaC4
Le Mans Master
 
95AquaC4's Avatar
 
Member Since: Apr 2000
Location: Amateur driver on open course.
Posts: 6,294
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes on 0 Posts

Default Re: How do I get more torque from my LT1? (eagleone)

I know you said you didn't want to change gears, however, I too have an A4 and I went with 3:54's. It has great snap off the line, and no drivability issues.
Old 01-17-2003, 09:49 AM
  #5  
weracemo
Advanced
 
weracemo's Avatar
 
Member Since: Nov 2002
Location: Chicago Suburbs
Posts: 77
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes on 0 Posts

Default Re: How do I get more torque from my LT1? (95AquaC4)

Compression is a good way to build torque but radical cams is the only way to avoid detonation so not too much compression :thumbs:
Old 01-17-2003, 10:38 AM
  #6  
Jimbo93
Drifting
 
Jimbo93's Avatar
 
Member Since: Sep 2002
Location: Swanzey N. H.
Posts: 1,269
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes on 0 Posts
Default Re: How do I get more torque from my LT1? (eagleone)

Looks to me like your 0 - 60 time in 4.79 sec. is pretty good. I agree that a cam is probably the way to go. :cheers:
Old 01-17-2003, 10:47 AM
  #7  
ROADAPPLE
Drifting
 
ROADAPPLE's Avatar
 
Member Since: Jul 2001
Location: Winter Park Fl
Posts: 1,511
Likes: 0
Received 1 Like on 1 Post
Default Re: How do I get more torque from my LT1? (Jimbo93)

You could change to an L98 TPI intake system, it makes gobs of touque. :jester

Seriously, I know its ezpensive but changing the rear gears will realy make a bib diffrence.
Old 01-17-2003, 11:07 AM
  #8  
MTVette
Race Director
 
MTVette's Avatar
 
Member Since: Jun 2001
Location: Marlboro country MA
Posts: 10,854
Received 477 Likes on 133 Posts

Default Re: How do I get more torque from my LT1? (C44ever)

I know you said you didn't want to change gears, however, I too have an A4 and I went with 3:54's. It has great snap off the line, and no drivability issues.
:iagree: :thumbs: :yesnod:
Old 01-17-2003, 11:36 AM
  #9  
Zora
Le Mans Master
 
Zora's Avatar
 
Member Since: May 1999
Location: Louisville,KY
Posts: 6,839
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes on 0 Posts
Cruise-In I Veteran
Cruise-In II Veteran

Default Re: How do I get more torque from my LT1? (MTVette)

I know you said you didn't want to change gears, however, I too have an A4 and I went with 3:54's. It has great snap off the line, and no drivability issues. :iagree: :thumbs: :yesnod:
:iagree:
Old 01-17-2003, 03:03 PM
  #10  
Raistlin
Burning Brakes
 
Raistlin's Avatar
 
Member Since: Jan 2001
Location: Manhattan
Posts: 1,169
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes on 0 Posts
Default Re: How do I get more torque from my LT1? (eagleone)

383 or 396 stroker
Old 01-17-2003, 03:16 PM
  #11  
Chief Muktar
Racer
 
Chief Muktar's Avatar
 
Member Since: Oct 2001
Location: Surrey BC
Posts: 481
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes on 0 Posts
Default Re: How do I get more torque from my LT1? (Raistlin)

I was taught a saying..... :D Go big or Go home :D
421 ci. stroker baby :reddevil
Old 01-17-2003, 04:34 PM
  #12  
jstkrsn
Racer
 
jstkrsn's Avatar
 
Member Since: Jun 2002
Location: Parrish FL
Posts: 395
Received 40 Likes on 20 Posts

Default Re: How do I get more torque from my LT1? (eagleone)

Ed, my best has been 5.01 to 60. I've been wanting to get the Ed Wright Chip. The Hypertech does nothing. How much improvement did you get fron the Ed Wright chip.

Thanks

Jim


[Modified by jstkrsn, 9:34 PM 1/17/2003]
Old 01-17-2003, 05:01 PM
  #13  
Rick93Z07
Drifting
 
Rick93Z07's Avatar
 
Member Since: Apr 2000
Location: PA
Posts: 1,803
Likes: 0
Received 1 Like on 1 Post

Default Re: How do I get more torque from my LT1? (jstkrsn)

It's rare you see a sports car owner trying to find more bottom end torque in an LT1. You're damn lucky you don't have an LT4. IMHO, you should:

1) trade for an L98 or 2) go the torque multiplication route by adding deeper gears or 3) Install a stroker. These 3 options will provide more rear wheel torque for wildly varying cost, labor hours and project complexity. However, the stroker route does not provide a massive gain as some expect. It is approximately proportional to the increase in cubes...a little more if stock cam and heads are retained (~20%).


[Modified by Rick93Z07, 5:02 PM 1/17/2003]
Old 01-17-2003, 05:06 PM
  #14  
silver & red CE
Melting Slicks
 
silver & red CE's Avatar
 
Member Since: Jan 2000
Location: NW Chicago Suburbs
Posts: 3,418
Likes: 0
Received 1 Like on 1 Post

Default Re: How do I get more torque from my LT1? (eagleone)

...A 3.07 rear is as low as I want to go. Don't want any driveability issues with high stall converters either. Just engine mods please....
If you change your rear gear from 3.07 to 3.54, you'll increase your rear wheel torque multiplication factor by 3.54/3.07 or 15%. That's the same as going from 340 ft*lbs to 392 ft*lbs.

The torque multiplication numbers are similar for a higher stall speed TC. The fact remains a higher stall speed TC and a lower gear are the two best go fast mods to be done on an LT1. Nothing else will drop your times quicker or cheaper, except for maybe a 200HP shot of nitros.

It's going to take some serious engine mods to add the kind of torque multipler a gear gives. I'd go with long tube headers, a cam, a little bowl porting you should be there (after a dyno tune).

My daily driver is an Impala SS with a 2500 Stall TC and 3.73 gears, no drivability issues unless you consider the spanking it can give most cars, a 5.68 0-60 time will do that :)

Eric
Old 01-17-2003, 06:20 PM
  #15  
cprgmr
Melting Slicks
 
cprgmr's Avatar
 
Member Since: Sep 2000
Location: Green Bay WI
Posts: 2,710
Likes: 0
Received 1 Like on 1 Post

Default Re: How do I get more torque from my LT1? (95AquaC4)

I know you said you didn't want to change gears, however, I too have an A4 and I went with 3:54's. It has great snap off the line, and no drivability issues.
:iagree: :yesnod:
Old 01-17-2003, 06:58 PM
  #16  
95AquaC4
Le Mans Master
 
95AquaC4's Avatar
 
Member Since: Apr 2000
Location: Amateur driver on open course.
Posts: 6,294
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes on 0 Posts

Default Re: How do I get more torque from my LT1? (silver & red CE)

My daily driver is an Impala SS with a 2500 Stall TC and 3.73 gears, no drivability issues unless you consider the spanking it can give most cars, a 5.68 0-60 time will do that :)

Eric
Sweet! In a family sized sedan!!! :cheers:
Old 01-17-2003, 09:31 PM
  #17  
Gixxer
Racer
 
Gixxer's Avatar
 
Member Since: Jan 2001
Location: MA
Posts: 483
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes on 0 Posts

Default Re: How do I get more torque from my LT1? (eagleone)

How the heck did you get your 0-60 times so low? That's awesome!

Did you time it before your mods? It doesn't look like you have any major mods, is it the gears? I thought an LT1 would be more like 5.5.



[Modified by Gixxer, 9:35 PM 1/17/2003]

Get notified of new replies

To How do I get more torque from my LT1?

Old 01-17-2003, 11:01 PM
  #18  
silver & red CE
Melting Slicks
 
silver & red CE's Avatar
 
Member Since: Jan 2000
Location: NW Chicago Suburbs
Posts: 3,418
Likes: 0
Received 1 Like on 1 Post

Default Re: How do I get more torque from my LT1? (Gixxer)

How the heck did you get your 0-60 times so low? That's awesome!

Did you time it before your mods? It doesn't look like you have any major mods, is it the gears? I thought an LT1 would be more like 5.5.
I never timed my Impala before modding it, but most mags had it at ~6.9-7.2 seconds. My Impala mods are K&N intake, 1.6 GMPP roller rockers, AS&M medium length headers, factory cats, FLP 2.5" catback, SLP 2500 TC, TransGo, aluminum driveshaft, 3.73 gears. I also tweaked the suspension, but that's another post.

It's interesting that the same mods work for both the iron headed LT1 and the Vette's aluminum headed LT1/4.

Eric
Old 01-17-2003, 11:16 PM
  #19  
tpi 421 vette
Melting Slicks
 
tpi 421 vette's Avatar
 
Member Since: Mar 2002
Location: S.L.C. UT
Posts: 3,067
Received 115 Likes on 67 Posts

Default Re: How do I get more torque from my LT1? (silver & red CE)

I would either put some more gear in the car, or go more cubic inches.
Old 01-18-2003, 02:11 AM
  #20  
eagleone
Advanced
Thread Starter
 
eagleone's Avatar
 
Member Since: Oct 2001
Location: Chino Hills CA
Posts: 52
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes on 0 Posts
Default Re: How do I get more torque from my LT1? (eagleone)

Ed, my best has been 5.01 to 60. I've been wanting to get the Ed Wright Chip. The Hypertech does nothing. How much improvement did you get fron the Ed Wright chip.
Thanks

Jim


I went from a previous best of 4.91 to 4.86. I made a conscious effort to go out when the ambient air temperature is about the same as the previous runs so that the results will not be a function of colder air. I always do at least 3 runs. The gain I got from the Ed Wright chip based on the average of 3 runs
was 4.87 from a previous 4.95 - so almost a tenth off. I imagine that the gain would be a bit more over a 1/4 mile stretch, which I did not do ... too risky with the cops.

Ed


Quick Reply: How do I get more torque from my LT1?



All times are GMT -4. The time now is 11:41 AM.