Meet the Tuner's Car!
What kind of car does the one offering these tips and tuning service have? See the mods and necessary tuning done for an example of what you can do!
My Camaro Z28
This tuning tips and service website ultimately came to be because of owning my own LT1 equipped car since the year 2000: a six-speed 1995 Chevy Camaro Z28. Over the years, I've come to appreciate its power, handling, and reliability. It even gets good gas mileage on the highway!
This page is to show you how my tips on this website come directly from personal experience, and just to showcase another LT1 car for those considering buying one used.
From the Factory
- Sebring Silver Exterior
- Black Roof and Side Mirrors
- Charcoal/Light Gray Two-Tone Cloth Interior
- T-Tops
- Borg Warner T-56 Six-Speed Manual Transmission
- 3.42:1 Differential Gear Ratio
- Air Conditioning
- Oil Cooler
- 140 Amp Alternator
- Cruise Control
- Keyless Entry
- Power Windows
- Power Locks
- Power Driver's Seat
The Mods
Below is a detailed list of mods done to the car, including any relevant part numbers.
Engine
External
- 4" cold-air intake with large K&N filter; custom-made by me with flexible dryer hose and Fernco couplings
- 1LE Rubber Intake Elbow (no air silencer)
- ASP Integrated 24% Underdrive Pulley & Dampener (ASP-945100)
- Hypertech 160°F PowerStat (HYP-1008)
- CSI Electric Water Pump
- True Double-roller Timing Chain
- Bosch/SVO 30# Fuel Injectors
Internal
- Cam Motions cam: 236/242 duration, 0.577"/0.600" valve lift (@ 0.050"), 114 LSA (custom ground)
- Gold 1.6RR
Electrical/Ignition
- GM LT4 Knock Module (16214681)
- Autolite 104 spark plugs (gapped at 0.044")
- Accel 300+ Race 8.8mm spark plug wires
- Accel SuperCoil (ACC-140011)
- Accel Opti-Spark
Exhaust
- Flowtech 3" Exhaust Cutout (53031)
- DMH Performance Electric Cutout Controller
- Allows opening and closing of the exhaust cutout from inside the cockpit
- Fully adjustable between the "open" and "closed" positions
Clutch/Transmission
- Pro 5.0 Shifter (82-T56)
- Lou Salzano's Short Stick (Special for MOMO knob)
- Black/Silver Knob
- McLeod Street Twin Clutch Setup
- Dual-Mass Aluminum Flywheel
- Custom Twin Discs
- Custom Pressure Plate
- Custom Throw-out Bearing
- Custom Aluminum Master Cylinder (139001)
- GM Roller Pilot Bearing (14061685)
- Valvoline Synthetic DOT 3 & 4 Brake (Clutch) Fluid (059)
- Honda Synthetic ZL-1 ATF (08206-9001)
- GM 3" Aluminum LS1 Driveshaft (12564004)
- Energy Suspension Polyurethane Transmission Mount (Black, 3-1108)
- Energy Suspension Polyurethane Torque Arm Bushing (Black, 3-1111)
- Energy Suspension Polyurethane Engine Mounts (ENS-3-1127Y, ENS-3-1116Y)
Interior
Gauges
- AutoMeter Electric Fuel Pressure Gauge (ATM-3363)
- AutoMeter Electric N2O Pressure Gauge (ATM-3374)
- AutoMeter Electric Oil Temperature Gauge (ATM-3347)
Sound Suppression
- Sound deadener installed fully on floor basin, rear seat back, doors and B-pillars
- Sound dampener (closed-cell foam) installed on top of deadener
Carpeting
- Deluxe Black Carpet
Suspension/Body
Brakes:
- Earl's Stainless Steel Braided 5-Line Brake Kit (EAR-28A030)
- Performance Friction Carbon Metallic "Street" Pads (0623.20, 0413.20)
- Valvoline Synthetic DOT 3 & 4 Brake Fluid (059)
Rear-End
- Polished & Clear-Coated MAC 7 5/8" 10-Bolt Aluminum Differential Cover
- Pre-loaded Bearings @ 10ft/lbs
- Grade 8 Bolts
- Red Line Synthetic 75W90 Differential Fluid (90-205)
- GM Synthetic Limited Slip Differential Additive (1052358)
- Slotcar Performance Adjustable Panhard Bar
- Billet aluminum
- Teflon-coated heim joints
- DMH Performance Rear Lower Control Arms
- Polished Aluminum
- Circles Cut (Weight Savings)
- Polyurethane Bushings
- Anti-Binding Brackets
- DMH Performance Rear LCA Relocation Brackets
- Kenny Brown Double Diamond Subframe Connectors (19204)
- Suspension Techniques 35mm Front & 25mm Rear Sway Bars (Gray)
- PST Graphite-Impregnated Polyurethane Bushings (Red)
- BMR Shock Tower Brace (Silver)
- Valvoline/Mobil-1 Synthetic Chassis Grease
Wheels/Tires
- Konig Monsoon 17x9.5 Aluminum Wheels
- Nitto NT 555R "Extreme Drag" Radials (Rear, 275/40-R17)
- Radials (Front, 275/40-ZR17)
Nitrous Oxide
- Nitrous Express (NX) Shark Nozzle kit (100 or 150HP)
- NX Bottle Heater
- NX Remote Valve Opener
- NX Purge Kit
- Custom switch panel
Still being updated!
The Tune
You didn't think I'd talk about the car without giving you info on how I've tuned it, did you? :)
Since having a "bigger" cam installed, tuning has become even more important, and requires tweaking of more tables than is normally necessary for a stock car.
Basics
I removed my skip-shift (CAGS/CARS) by simply toggling the switch. I also disabled VATS (anti-theft), because my key doesn't always make contact with the ignition (old, etc.). Then EGR was disabled, because my aftermarket cam provides a natural exhaust reversion, and my EGR valve is old and sticks somewhat anyway.
Next, I had to tune for my 30# Bosch/Ford SVO fuel injectors. Because these injectors are rated at a different fuel pressure than the stock GM, you have to do some multiplication. 43.5 (GM psi) / 39 (Ford psi) = 1.115. Then take the square root, 1.056. Then multiply by 30 (the Ford injector's rating), for a value of 31.68.
Spark Timing
I redid my spark timing tables, graduating up until the new torque peak (around 4000-4500 according to Desktop Dyno), rather than the stock peak of 2800. More advance was needed in the lower RPM/load sections, to accomodate the lower VE of the engine due to significant valve overlap. I upped the WOT timing advance as well, peaking it at around 4000 RPM. Lastly, I upped the closed TPS advance, especially at idle.
AFR
I leaned out the fuel mixture when in open loop, to increase MPG. I used VEmaster while in speed density mode to calibrate my VE tables. They needed deductions of over 25 points in some cells. I also leaned out the AFR at WOT, also reorienting where it began getting richer/leaner; coming from richer than 13.2 until just before the torque peak at ~4500 RPM, leveling there until just before the power peak at ~6300 RPM, then getting richer again.
Still being updated!
Now Enjoy Yours!
I hope this has been a help to you! Be sure to visit my free tips page or see my inexpensive tuning service. Use the contact form to get in touch with me!
Tune Testimonials
1994 Caprice Classic
224-224-112LSA Cam
I got the computer today and the car runs great. That little L99 really moves now. Thank you very much again.
Richie
Plover, WI
April, 2008
Tips Testimonials
First off, excellent job with the write-up! It has no doubt helped a great deal thus far... Thank you very much for your help!
John G.
Lenox, MI
Now Tuning LS1s!
You can now order a Basic Tune ($85) or Power Tune ($150) for your 1997-2002 F- & Y-Body LS1 PCMs; this includes the Camaro Z28/SS, the Formula/Trans Am, and the Corvette. Order now!
DIY Tuning Package
Do you need a tune, but cannot afford the down-time of mailing your PCM to me? Do you not have any interest in long-term tuning where you would need to buy your own cable and tuning software? Now I can loan your one of my cables and software to allow me to fine-tune your 1987-1995 PCM to your individual setup without you needing to send me your PCM. No more downtime, and a fully tuned vehicle!
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After payment, the 20+ page printable PDF will be emailed to you.
Ordering a Tune
Simply signup as a customer and then order a PCM tune! If you still have any questions after reading this, then use the form to contact me!
DIY Tuning
If you decide you like the idea of tuning on your own, visit TunerCat and purchase the C.A.T.S. Tuner software to get started ($69.95). For working on your '94 or '95 LT1 PCM, you'll also need the $EE definition file ($19.95).
Then just get yourself an OBDI ALDL cable and compatible computer, and you're ready! Use my free "Tips" page or buy the PDF version for a small fee, and get started!