As you may have read, we're in the process of doing a budget-conscious performance buildup on a '96 LT1/4L60-E coupe. Any thoughts on what you'd like to see us do to the car?

Ed.  

ed, I would like to see a handling monster in the bluegrass state we dont have roads straight enough  to go balls to the wall flat out but we do have the twisties and that is in my book is part of its bluegrass herritage.

Phillip Barrow
danville, ky
1994 coupe six speed  

Swap out the composite monoleaf springs for adjustable coilovers for handling. Will probably need to install sway-bars too after the composite springs are gone.

For the typical build-up stuff, standard budget engine build-up (pocket port the heads, upgrade the rockers, swap out intake manifold, Cam swap, etc, say no more than about $200 per engine part tops).  Swap out exhaust manifolds for headers, change mufflers, change computer chip, intake & air filter, etc.  Possibly simple NOS application.


Not really sure what the budget area is, but getting over 400hp the 4L60E will likely need reinforced, something that people would want to keep in mind that they may need to do the more power they put into it.  Get cost comparisons between rebuilding the 4L60E and replacing it outright with a reinforced/heavy duty 4L60E (eg: Mad Dog, thmonster.com, Bowtie Overdrives, etc).


Higher priced options for consideration would also be a Gear Vendors auxiliary overdrive (alleviates wear on the transmission, makes it an 8spd close-ratio automatic, increases overall acceleration and final gear fuel economy), supercharger (Vortec, ATI, etc), swap out the cat(s) for higher flowing cats, etc.  Probably not within your project budget, but still could be considered.  

And of course, to go all out if you could (which most people couldn't), add in a Greenwood G4 series aero package to top it off    

It would be nice to see a car that looks so expensive but is actually cheaply designed.  

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