Recently we showed you how easy it was to tinker with the late-model LS1 and make power by simply installing a throttle-body, a larger mass air meter, and using Hypertech's Power Programmer III. In the end, we were pleasantly rewarded with 325 hp and 334 lb-ft of torque to the rear wheels.
This tiem, we latched onto a '99 Camaro Z28 with similar mods, but opted to install an underdrive pulley to reduce the amount of power required to drive the accessories. We also tried all the tricks that the F-body guys have developed. This included a homemade ram-air system, an EGR mod, and the throttle-body bypass. The final dyno tally on Morgan Motorsports' chassis dyno revealed results as impressive as last month's considering that the Z28 didn't have the benefit of the larger exhaust and factory ram air of the SS, and we surpassed the power numbers produced by a stock SS. So read on to find out how you can gain more power over the weekend with a few simple tricks!
Start by using a 24mm deep...
Start by using a 24mm deep socket to loosen the crank-pulley bolt--but don't remove it. Just loosen it enough to place either a two- or three-prong pulley remover over it and screw the center push-bolt down onto the crank-bolt head. Once properly fitted, turn the center bolt clockwise and gently remove the pulley.
The Auto Specialties Performance...
The Auto Specialties Performance (ASP) underdrive pulley (top) is much smaller than the factory unit and will slow the accessories by 25 percent to reduce parasitic drag on the engine and free up a little horsepower.
Less rotational mass means...
Less rotational mass means less weight to accelerate. The ASP unit weighs only 5 pounds versus its portly, 9.25-pound factory counterpart. This allows for quicker revs and reduces stress on the crankshaft.
Before installing the new...
Before installing the new pulley, be sure to place Loctite (arrows) at the end of the bolt thread and at the base of the bolt head. This acts as both a lubricant and a seal in case any oil should seep past the pulley. Finally, torque the crank bolt down to 240 lb-ft, or if you have an air gun, crank it until it stops (see "Crank It Down" sidebar).
More air means more horsepower....
More air means more horsepower. Using a tin snip, trim the excess plastic inside the airbox as seen with the stock unit. Then cut a 11/2x8-inch strip off the plastic below the airbox (inset photo) and voila, you've created a ram-air system.
If you own a '98-2000 Camaro,...
If you own a '98-2000 Camaro, you can gain valuable power by removing the portion of the EGR that obstructs the incoming air through the throttle-body. The EGR on the right has been modified with a cut-off wheel yet still allows proper EGR operation.
Bypassing the throttle-body...
Bypassing the throttle-body coolant lines will free up additional power by not heating up the incoming air. Simply remove the two coolant lines (arrows) and reconnect them with a 5/16-inch hard line.