Power You Can Feel

Nail the go-pedal and watch the tach climb. If you're behind the wheel of one of today's late-model musclecars, you'll not only enjoy the thrill of a broad and powerful torque curve, but also the civil street manners that computer-controlled engine tuning offers.

After purchasing a super-clean F-body to brave Southern California's freeways, Ed Calaba wanted to refine his LS1's performance while still maintaining the reliability and mileage the original package offered. He began by allowing the LS1 powerplant to breath a little better and his performance assault began with the addition of an Andy Granatelli mass airflow sensor, a BBK 80mm throttle-body, and an LS1 Motorsports airbox fitted with a K&N air filter. Out back, the stock exhaust system was trashed for a freer-flowing Flowmaster package.

With these parts installed, Calaba immediately noticed the improvements in performance, but realized that the stock computer configuration could be reprogrammed to provide a performance synergy. He chose one of Hypertech's Power Programmers, which easily plugs into the Camaro's underdash data link connector (DLC). Then by answering a series of simple Power Programmer prompts, the Camaro's computer could improve the vehicle's onboard tuning and also alter the transmission shift points. In a nutshell, he'd be able to increase the Camaro's fun factor.

We wanted to learn how well this worked, so we joined Calaba as he added his Hypertech Power Programmer with the help of Magnuson Products tuning guru John Germanson. Germanson has spent the last few decades running dynos on computer-controlled Camaros and modifying plenty of late-model iron. He is also very familiar with Chevrolet's latest LS1 performance tuning requirements.

With the Power Programmer in hand, Germanson simply connected the lead under the dash and tabbed through a series of questions displayed on the programmer screen. The Hypertech programmer is able to alter the engine tuning, engine rev limiter, coolant fan operating range, and top speed limiter. If the tire size or axle ratio is different from stock, the programmer allows the user to enter those changes. It also allows the shift points of the automatic transmission (in 1-mph increments) and shift firmness to be altered. Calaba chose to increase the firmness by 25 percent. The real beauty of the programmer is that any of these changes can be modified or returned to the stock setting by simply reconnecting the unit. With all of Calaba's choices entered, Germanson simply pressed "Y" to program while we waited for the reprogramming to complete. The entire process took about one hour.

Ed fired up his LS1, and we test-drove it through some open roads where we quickly noticed the crisper shifts and broader torque curve. The LS1's performance from off-idle and through the midrange was noticeably increased. After driving the car for a few miles, Calaba acknowledged that he'd like to further increase the transmission shift firmness. That'll be easy to do with the Power Programmer hooked up again.

So with just an afternoon's work and a few entries into the programmer, you too can modify your late-model Camaro's performance--and more importantly increase your fun level. That translates into performance you can feel.