Mod choices...looking at a ZL1

[flyjbaker]

I see people modding their ZL1s extensively. Heads and cam on a F/I car...I know habits die hard for the LSX folks but is all that really necessary to get some decent power out of this engine? I say that somewhat in jest of course reference "old habits"...

I guess my real question of getting beat over the head by the Ford crowd for so long is:

Is there a simple tune/pulley(s)/exhaust mod kit that can get you "respectable power" without breaking the bank??? I would define "respectable power" around 600rwhp. And I will define the "bank" as somewhere in the $2000 range....not to exceed $4000. I guess just looking for high gains in HP without a lot of cash spent....something that has not been the case(save for nitrous) in the LSX commuity and something my Ford friends have always boasted about.

Does it exist in the ZL1???

Sorry if this is an ignorant question and have been trying to get up to speed by reading this forum. My previous Cars were 2000 Corvette Coupe, 2002 ZO6, 2006 GTO

[jimmy5]

ADM has a good package for around that price range.

[1st Gen Forever]

I think for 600rwhp, your $4000 budget is more realistic than than $2000. And you'll need to do as much of the work yourself as you can.

The major parts alone like a heat exchanger, lower balancer and pulley, and cold air intake will take you to right about $2000. Then you have the lower cost items like thermostat, spark plugs, belts, fluids and a tune. Those will nickel and dime you up another $500 to $700 depending on how good of a deal you get on the tune. Throw in headers and high flow cats, now you hit $4000.

Getting 600rwhp doesn't cost that much. It starts to get expensive when you want to get over 700rwhp. And by expensive, I mean you start spending $1000 to $3000 for single components that may get you 30-40hp.

To your point of "old habits", at the end of the day, we're just balancing how much we're willing to spend to improve the efficiency of our old fashioned pushrod air pump!

[KD Innovations]

Our stage 1 kit put 601 to the rear wheels on 93 octane on my car. It consists of:

Ported supercharger
NW102 TB
2.5" upper pulley
New Era intake
Punched cats


Those parts are $2495. The install is very straight forward and you will only need to add in the cost of tuning if you won't be doing that yourself.

You may also want to add injectors and our heat exchanger.


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[flyjbaker]

KDI, is that just a box of parts or does it come with directions? I am basically a novice but know my way around an engine.

Thanks for the replies, folks. Keep 'em coming!!! Just went and saw my first ZL1 in the flesh tonight! Brought the wife and she really isn't that big on Camaros. She did say she liked it a lot more than she thought she would. If it would have had the black wheels I think it would have knocked her socks off. Anyway, I will admit, I am cross shopping Gt500s and Corvettes against it....even 4 year old Certified Carerra S's!!!! I even considered Boxster S but don't think I have enough credit on my man card to take that hit!

[KD Innovations]

I will walk you through it. Swaping out the blower is no big deal.


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[2010 SSRS]

More Horsepower

[flyjbaker]

Originally Posted by KD Innovations

I will walk you through it. Swaping out the blower is no big deal.


Sent from my iPad using Tapatalk HD

Cool!!! I wouldn't think it to be a big deal. And to be honest with you, if I went that direction I would think it only proper to put headers on it for what I would assume to be another 20-30ish at the wheels??? ANd would we be getting into heat issues and also fuel issues at that point without the new HE and injectors?

[MTNdew]

headers, CAi, crank pulley and a good tune.

[KD Innovations]

Originally Posted by flyjbaker

Cool!!! I wouldn't think it to be a big deal. And to be honest with you, if I went that direction I would think it only proper to put headers on it for what I would assume to be another 20-30ish at the wheels??? ANd would we be getting into heat issues and also fuel issues at that point without the new HE and injectors?

You should be ok. Headers are bit bit more money than some of the initial mods available and the gains received. It all depends on your budget but headers are a great mod.


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[1st Gen Forever]

Originally Posted by flyjbaker

Cool!!! I wouldn't think it to be a big deal. And to be honest with you, if I went that direction I would think it only proper to put headers on it for what I would assume to be another 20-30ish at the wheels??? ANd would we be getting into heat issues and also fuel issues at that point without the new HE and injectors?

My build started with simple stuff...

[Guard dog]

Originally Posted by 1st Gen Forever

My build started with simple stuff...

And they never seem to end that way, do they?

[jimmy5]

Originally Posted by KD Innovations

Our stage 1 kit put 601 to the rear wheels on 93 octane on my car. It consists of:

Ported supercharger
NW102 TB
2.5" upper pulley
New Era intake
Punched cats


Those parts are $2495. The install is very straight forward and you will only need to add in the cost of tuning if you won't be doing that yourself.

You may also want to add injectors and our heat exchanger.


Sent from my iPad using Tapatalk HD

That's not a bad price at all, and all that work is pretty simple to do.

[ADM PERFORMANCE]

Originally Posted by flyjbaker

KDI, is that just a box of parts or does it come with directions? I am basically a novice but know my way around an engine.

Thanks for the replies, folks. Keep 'em coming!!! Just went and saw my first ZL1 in the flesh tonight! Brought the wife and she really isn't that big on Camaros. She did say she liked it a lot more than she thought she would. If it would have had the black wheels I think it would have knocked her socks off. Anyway, I will admit, I am cross shopping Gt500s and Corvettes against it....even 4 year old Certified Carerra S's!!!! I even considered Boxster S but don't think I have enough credit on my man card to take that hit!

Gives us a call and I'll get you on the right track.Being in TX has its advantages!