Hey guys,

I have a near stock '94 Z28 with a 6 speed. The only engine mods currently installed is an MSD Optispark and coil. I also have a K&N fipk and a long tube headers/Borla exhaust waiting to go on in the garage.

Unfortunately I noticed that intake manifold (and possibly valve covers) are leaking oil. I read that this is a semi common problem for the LT1. I want to get these leaks fixed, but also something popped into my head as well. I'll be under the intake and valve covers anyway, is there any type of performance upgrades I can do since I'll be in there anyway? I hear the terms "Cams" and "rocker rollers" used a lot as big power adders. I'll admit I'm a complete beginner with all this internal modification. I don't want to go any deeper into the engine than just right under the intake, but hopefully I can swap in some new parts while doing the seal/gaskets. Any advice?

Thanks,
Paul

 

1.6 rockers or roller rockers would be good. thats about it. to change the cam you need to take the water pump, opti and front cover off the motor. if you change to 1.6 rockers you will need to measure and purchase new push rods. theres a sticky on it at the top of the forth gen section

 

A set of quality 1.6 roller rockers will be the easiest thing to do without having to get in too deep into the innards of the engine. For street use, steel roller rockers such as Comp Cams "Pro Magnum" would be a good bet. Aluminum rockers are good, but for street use steel is more durable. Do not waste money on stamped steel roller tips only, because the tip is not where the heavy friction load is. You can expect a gain of 10 to 15 HP, but it will be mostly at high RPM. Part of the gain will be due to less friction, and part from the increased valve lift. Changing camshaft will be quite a bit more work and can be unrewarding unless the heads and cam are properly matched. A bad match can give a nice lumpy idle but less power than you started with.

 

Thank you guys. Wow, I didn't realize it was much more complex than literally dropping in a different cam and sealing her up. I will have to do my reading/research tonight. Looks like these upgrades will have to wait until next year at minimum. The car is daily driven until the first snow fall. Then the FWD Contour with all seasons takes her job. So I want to make her fast, but comfortable for daily driving in the summer months. In realistic goals, I'd hope for no more than 50 foot pounds of low end to mid torque in total over stock. No track beast lol.

 

long tube headers
off road y
free flowing catback
CAI
airfoil
tuned for premium fuel

you are there and didn't crack the lid of the engine

and don't get concerned about premium fuel because it probably costs about $2- $3 more per week

 

I actually run premium in her already. The previous owner told me that he's been doing so for years, so I continued the habit.

Looks like I'm on a good path. I have almost everything you listed so far sitting in boxes in my garage . Though I never heard of the airfoil.

 

try ebay as well

http://www.hawksthirdgenparts.com/ca...dyairfoil.aspx


it's good that you are using premium, now get it tuned for it after you put in the headers.

I suggest Solomon at LT1pcmtuning because he captures datalogs and then emails tunes to you as you continue to datalog and tweak the tune.

Oh, one more thing, don't screw around. Buy these gaskets. They are more than worth the $31 because you won't have exhaust leaks.

http://www.summitracing.com/parts/PHP-66031/