The LT1 engine in my 1996 Impala SS is said to have been detuned to 260 HP from the 300+ HP it delivers in the Corvette? How was it detuned and what could be done to un-de-tune it?
I do not have the engine specs in front of me but most detuning is done by altering the timing advance curve, lowering the compression ratio, and changing the camshaft profile/timing.
Keeping in mind that I’m working from a very hazy memory here, I think the Corvette has different cylinder heads, larger valves, etc, etc.
In a nutshell, boosting the HP up will require some effort and cash to make a substantial difference.
Maybe someone more knowledgeable about the differences will weigh in on this.
“LT-1” has become a marketing term…The 300hp “LT-1” installed in the 'Vette will be considerably different than the one installed in your Impala…Just compare the intake and exhaust systems…
Lets see…
Different intake systems from the airbox to the intake plenum.
Different exhaust systems from the headers to the exhaust tips.
Different intake valve train components, camshafts, ignition timing, head material, and just so many other items, I can’t think of them all.
The only thing the two engines actually have in common is that they are both based off the same block design. Its a selling point, made up by the marketing team.
BC.
Different cam/heads/ and ECU tune mainly. The LT1 used in the Impalla SS is the same variant used in the Silverados of that era it’s different than the one found in the Vette. The LT1 you have has a milder cam that offers more low end torque than one found in the Vette. The Vette’s heads are also alluminum. The ECU programing is different as well. The Vette runs on premium and yours only calls for regular.
…what could be done to un-de-tune it?
You could trade it in for a Corvette.
You could tune this engine to get an additional 40 horsepower with aftermarket parts, but I don’t think it would be a good idea. The Corvette doesn’t just have more horsepower. It also has better brakes, a different suspension system, fatter and stickier sport tires, and a different unibody frame, etc. Then again, if you are trying to kill yourself, you don’t need to worry about things like traction and stopping power…
You could put a more aggressive cam in it, put a less restrictive exhaust on it, and possibly reprogram the computer to deliver more fuel. (you may need new fuel injectors and a higher volume fuel pump) There are a lot of mods for this engine and you could easily achieve better HP and torque than the stock Corvette motor has.
A 40 or 50 HP gain shouldn’t be so insane that you need to radically change the suspension and brakes, but it might be worth thinking about.
But really, I’d avoid doing any mods to this car’s original powertrain if it’s in good shape—these cars are collectors items and increasingly rare, and if yours is in good shape, it will likely be worth a LOT more if you don’t tamper with it.