[2023_ZL1-AUTO]

EDIT:

Wanted to start a new threat to cover this topic as I didn't want to bury my original mod thread with off topic posts. But this evening I had a very interesting conversation with a performance shop. We went over what mods I’ve done, what I have that I’ve not added yet and what my goals were for additional mods.

The question seemed to come down to how much HP I was looking for. But interesting enough, I'm on the other side of that specific goal. My mods are more for creating a head turner and a conversation starter when I roll up somewhere. I figured the HP would follow the mods I did and whatever HP I ended up with so be it.

I don’t have a desire to track it or even roll race. My goal was to cruise around, show up at cars and coffee and have a head turner, and obviously want a great sounding ride, lope idle and exhaust. But, I don't want to hurt my cars power by doing any mod.

**** EDIT *****
I want to be transparent, I really must of misunderstood the conversation points I had with the performance speed shop last night. Probably read this post! He just called and cleared up our conversation. I'll reflect that in the points below. Sorry for what I misunderstood:

So basically, here is the take away:

1) For power, go with a Big Gulp, a 103mm TB and an e85 Kit and a tune. This is the quickest and cheapest way to get big power and be done, 2) Don't do a CAM alone (26 hours for the work only to add 20 to 30 HP, not worth it) if that's all I'm doing. and if doing a CAM, heads come off and the push rods, springs, lifters should be replaced, 3) Keep the stock coils no need for aftermarket coils and he personally doesn't like Granatelli's, 4) Don't just add headers, do at least an axle back with it as well, and 5) Possibly do a Kong x port (but don't need if I go e85)

I feel he explained, what I said my goals were, wasn't matching up with what mods I was asking about. There was quite a bit of back and forth that probably caused conversation creep to happen.

**** END EDIT ****

Does any of that make sense to those you have modded their LT4 ZL1’s?

Thanks

[RobZL1]

I'd talk to a different shop. Some points there make me cringe.

[Vigilante375]

So you want a good sounding car with a lope but don't want to change the cam and want to leave the exhaust stock?

A cam is what gives the car its lope and if you want a good sound on the car then you need to change out the exhaust. You can do a cat back or axle back and leave the headers alone. You won't lose HP and if you do, are you really going to feel that 1rwhp loss? No.

Just do a something like a rotofab to get a little wine while from the supercharger. A big gulp is only really needed for pushing ~700 or more rwhp. The stock airbox is efficient up to that or maybe a bit more.

Why change the pistons and connecting rods? Unless you're planning on making 1000rwhp. Cam, lifters and springs should be all you need to change.

Just stick with a cam, cat back or axle back exhaust and a tune. If all you want is a head turner while going to a car meet then why tons of power if you're never going to use it? And why change unnecessary parts that don't need to be changed?

[JBones81]

if you want a head turner, do what I did. Wrap it, tint the windows a bit, do an axle back for sound and an intake for blower whine. That's head turning 101

[CW3SF]

You said no flex fuel if you do the Kong Xport. That has been proven wrong. There are huge performance gains to had there, but you have to do the fuel system to support it (see my sig).

[LT4Greg]

I would talk to Ted Jannetty if you haven’t already. I thought about doing the mods to my ZL1 but decided on just installing a RotoFab and call it done. Everyone is different though and it is your Camaro!

[RobZL1]

Their points 3,5, and 6 are killing me. Con rods and pistons on an LT4 at a mild HP level?? Headers aren't worth it?? Losing power with an aftermarket exhaust?? Lol. Run from this shop, man.

[BROCKgoFAST]

Originally Posted by RobZL1

Their points 3,5, and 6 are killing me. Con rods and pistons on an LT4 at a mild HP level?? Headers aren't worth it?? Losing power with an aftermarket exhaust?? Lol. Run from this shop, man.

I agree!
I would definitely talk to another shop. The fact that they want to build a full motor just because they are doing a cam seems ridiculous. They could be a great shop but not for this platform. I would go to someone or talk to a shop that specializes in the LT4 and how it performs.

[hawk02]

JBones81 has given some good advice to start the "head turner" process for the cars and coffee crowd. I'll go further and say there’s a lot that can be done under the hood and inside the car. And don't forget wheels. It doesn't require expensive performance mods to make folks take notice of your car. Just a little imagination.

[Smokin19]

"My mods are more for creating a head turner and a conversation starter when I roll up somewhere".

Based on what YOU want, I would look for a different shop for advice. Your post on what you would like won't be met. Try this.

https://youtu.be/5-SbXrhN8nU

[2023_ZL1-AUTO]

Originally Posted by hawk02

JBones81 has given some good advice to start the "head turner" process for the cars and coffee crowd. I'll go further and say there’s a lot that can be done under the hood and inside the car. And don't forget wheels. It doesn't require expensive performance mods to make folks take notice of your car. Just a little imagination.

NICE !!!!!

[2023_ZL1-AUTO]

Originally Posted by Smokin19

"My mods are more for creating a head turner and a conversation starter when I roll up somewhere".

Based on what YOU want, I would look for a different shop for advice. Your post on what you would like won't be met. Try this.

https://youtu.be/5-SbXrhN8nU

Thanks for the link!

[2023_ZL1-AUTO]

OK, So to make sure my first post was clear! Those points were what was being recommended and not recommended, and not what I thought I wanted/needed for my goals.

So, I do want a CAM for the lope idle and the extra power! I don't really want to remove the heads (may upcoming winter project), and I surely don't want to rebuild my engine!

He claimed that without other mods: Headers and Corsa NPP is best using the rest of the stock exhaust tubes/x-pipe. But replacing to rest of the stock exhaust would actually loose a bit of power?

E85 seems to be the quick big bang for your bucks, and I'm not against it, just don't want to have to run a mix every time I fill up. I'm looking for pull in car show level mods for lack of a better term. Dress up the engine, add carbo fiber, tint windows, replace hood insert with exposed carbon fiber, carbon fiber steering wheel and great sound exhaust with aggress/intimidating idle! Also adding wheels at some point!

I did talk to Ted at Jannetty Racing! I have two estimates from him. First for the 125HP package and then the other for the Terminator package. Biggest issues for me is they are located in Connecticut and I'm in central OH. So, the logistics don't work for me.

I'm still researching and I do value all the input! Thanks

Here’s where I’m at with my current mod list and where I plan ending up with the below on my own before getting an outside shop involved:

1) CSP Stainless Works long tube headers secondary CATs are deleted
Note: Andrew at CSP will do a remote tune once all my mods are complete
2) Corsa NPP Axleback
3) 3" Street Engineering exhaust and X-pipe
4) 100mm Soler TB (probably should have went with a 103mm)
5) 160-degree thermostat and billet housing (got it from CSP)
6) CAI Carbon Fiber Cold Air Intake
7) Elite Engineering E2-X Catch Can
8) Sound damping steel plate removed from under supercharger lid
9) NGK Iridium plugs
10) Granatelli 0-ohm plug wires
11) Granatelli Malevolent coil packs
12) Katech Valve covers
13) Katech coil relocation kit
14) Carbonaddons Custom Steering wheel and misc. interior trim / other
15) Window tint

Then might consider what’s needed for flex fuel kit and cam maybe this fall /winter

[JSH]

Yes, #1 sounds about right and has been detailed here numerous times. The others look sketchy. Personally, I did a custom valve train first, knowing I would likely add power later. If I could do it all over again, I would do a max effort LME 427.

Originally Posted by 2023_ZL1-AUTO

Wanted to start a new threat to cover this topic as I didn't want to bury my original mod thread with off topic posts. But this evening I had a very interesting conversation with a performance shop. We went over what mods I’ve done, what I have that I’ve not added yet and what my goals were for additional mods.

The question seemed to come down to how much HP I was looking for. But interesting enough, I'm on the other side of that specific goal. My mods are more for creating a head turner and a conversation starter when I roll up somewhere. I figured the HP would follow the mods I did and whatever HP I ended up with so be it.

I don’t have a desire to track it or even roll race. My goal was to cruise around, show up at cars and coffee and have a head turner, and obviously want a great sounding ride, lope idle and exhaust. But, I don't want to hurt my cars power by doing any mod.

So basically, here is the take away:
1) For power, go with a Big Gulp, a 103mm TB and an e85 Kit and a tune. This is the quickest and cheapest way to get big power and be done, 2) Don't do a CAM (26 hours for the work only to add 20 to 30 HP, not worth it), 3) If I do a CAM, I should also do rods, springs, lifters and connecting rods, and if I’m doing all that, do pistons too. (and I thought the LT4 CAM could be swapped without removing the heads, see what a computer guy doesn’t know about car mods!), 4) Keep the stock coils and return the Granatelli’s I bought (they are junk), 5) Leave the stock exhaust, no need for headers as they don’t gain that much power, 6) If I do headers, keep stock exhaust pipes (X-pipe) and muffler, or it will actually loose power, and 7) Possibly do a Kong x port (but maybe not if I go e85)

Does any of that make sense to those you have modded their LT4 ZL1’s?
Thanks