01-17-2024, 04:01 PM | #1 |
Drives: 2022 SS 1LE Join Date: Aug 2023
Location: Dallas, TX
Posts: 82
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Is MSD + 103 Too Much?
Hey folks. I've been doing a little homework on popular bolt-on mods for our cars. I've got a SS 1LE. I know this is a common set-up as outlined in some other threads:
-LT2 manifold -LT5 tb -Rotofab -Flex Fuel sensor I already have a Rotofab. I generally like the plan to do a manifold and throttle body. I'm not crazy about the looks of the LT2 manifold vs a MSD, but I'm curious if going with the MSD and a 103tb is overkill or detrimental to performance in any way? |
01-18-2024, 05:26 AM | #2 | |
Drives: 2017 Camaro 1SS Join Date: Aug 2016
Location: NH
Posts: 1,695
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Quote:
-MSD manifold -LT5 tb with mounting holes modded (no restrictor plate) -Rotofab -Flex fuel sensor with tuning The car was then a good bit faster than stock. On the dragstrip for example, it ran as quick as high-10s on a dragpack with the stock torque converter. Drove fine on the street too. As far as the 103 tb, if you're keeping it stock motor (just bolt-on mods), then the 95 (LT5) will likely be your sweet spot is my guess. |
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01-18-2024, 07:49 AM | #3 |
Drives: 23 2SS 1LE Join Date: Feb 2019
Location: GA
Posts: 569
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Its not "overkill" but MSD and 103 is typically for getting higher up in the RPM range. You'll be able to pull harder for longer than you would stock. The downside is that you really never see that driving on the street. If you drag race or just do long pulls often then you will notice the difference, but otherwise its not really the best bang for your buck.
Don't forget you can always get the LT2 Corvette cover and some custom Camaro lettering to make it look nice. I do agree that MSD intake looks really nice though, I just can't justify the price difference for how I drive the car.
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Radiant Red 23' 2SS 1LE 1100: 11/14/22 | BUILT: 3/16/23 2000: 2/17/23 | 4200: 5/8/23 3000: 2/27/23 | 5000/6000: 5/15/23 Black on black 2019 3LT RS Camaro. 1100: 3/7/19 | 4200: 4/15/19 3100: 3/15/19 | 4800: 4/23/19 3400: 3/22/19 | 5000: 4/25/19 Built: 4/8/19 | Home: 4/26/19 |
01-18-2024, 09:14 AM | #4 |
Drives: 2022 SS 1LE Join Date: Aug 2023
Location: Dallas, TX
Posts: 82
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Thanks for the good feedback. I guess I was thinking that any TB smaller than 103 on the MSD would be kind of silly (i.e. you're only getting the benefit of your smallest restriction). Maybe that's overthinking it.
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01-18-2024, 11:01 PM | #5 |
Drives: 2022 SS 1LE Join Date: Aug 2023
Location: Dallas, TX
Posts: 82
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OK, slight revision to my question now that I've got a little more info. How would you compare and contrast: 95tb with MSD vs 95tb with Ported LT2?
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01-19-2024, 08:31 AM | #6 | |
Drives: 2015 Camaro ZL1 Join Date: Oct 2020
Location: Clinton Twp, Michigan
Posts: 249
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Quote:
The MSD/103 is about 10hp better above 6,000rpm and gives up nothing down low vs the LT2/95. This was on a mild heads/cam LT1. Red: LT1/87 Blue: LT2/95 with tapered adapter Black: MSD/103 Green: Plazmaman Billet / 103 |
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01-19-2024, 02:58 PM | #7 |
Drives: 2022 SS 1LE Join Date: Aug 2023
Location: Dallas, TX
Posts: 82
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Thanks Mike. I'm pretty settled on 95mm. Now I'm just trying to determine if there is any pro/con to MSD vs ported LT2. At the moment, I've got an MSD available for the about the same price I was going to pay for a ported LT2.
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01-20-2024, 09:07 AM | #8 |
Drives: 23 2SS 1LE Join Date: Feb 2019
Location: GA
Posts: 569
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From what I remember, porting the LT2 isn't worth the cost. Stock LT2 is most of the gains and very affordable, porting it has pretty minimal results and shoots the price way up. Between those two, id go with MSD. If you want to save money and have most of the gains, stick with a stock LT2.
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Radiant Red 23' 2SS 1LE 1100: 11/14/22 | BUILT: 3/16/23 2000: 2/17/23 | 4200: 5/8/23 3000: 2/27/23 | 5000/6000: 5/15/23 Black on black 2019 3LT RS Camaro. 1100: 3/7/19 | 4200: 4/15/19 3100: 3/15/19 | 4800: 4/23/19 3400: 3/22/19 | 5000: 4/25/19 Built: 4/8/19 | Home: 4/26/19 |
01-21-2024, 01:35 AM | #9 | |
Drives: like an old lady Join Date: Jun 2012
Location: indiana
Posts: 2,396
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Quote:
if i had it to do over, id go with an LT2 manifold, keep the stock tb and spend the money on an ati damper asap. on a basic setup, the damper will make MUCH more improvement in driving and performance than a 103 tb will. best bang for your buck is a stock LT2, especially if you can do the work yourself. i had ~230 in mine and it picked up a lot. very noticeable over the pray ported LT1 that was on it originally. and honestly that pray ported LT1 manifold made good power & ran great.
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01-21-2024, 03:44 PM | #10 |
Drives: 2022 SS 1LE Join Date: Aug 2023
Location: Dallas, TX
Posts: 82
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On a stock LT2, I'm still a little fuzzy on one thing - Is the inlet 87mm? If I ran a stock LT2 with a 95mm TB I'd need a tapered adapter, right?
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01-22-2024, 12:34 AM | #11 | |
Drives: 2018 Camaro 1SS 1LE Join Date: Sep 2019
Location: IL
Posts: 117
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Quote:
Below link has some images if you scroll down a bit that explains the tapered adapter: https://www.solerengineering.com/gen...9871-95-87-lt1
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2018 1SS 1LE - DSX E85 Kit | Full ARH Exhaust | RotoFab CAI | Tuned - 462HP/469TQ
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