The Mule
A 10.5:1, 355ci small-block with a comp cams Xe268 cam (0.477/0.480 inch lift intake/exhaust, 224/230 degrees duration at 0.050, 110-degree LSA), ported Gm double-hump iron heads, an edelbrock Performer RPm intake, and a 750-cfm Quick Fuel double-pumper carburetor. Power measured at the flywheel.
Our Take
The "IK" stands for Iron Killer, and that's exactly what happened here. You can spend your money on orting a set of old heads r spend it on a set of new eads that produces way ore power.
Before
Max torque: 407 lb-ft @ 4,400 rpm
Max power: 369 hp @ 5,100 rpm
Average torque: 381 lb-ft
Average power: 315 hp
After
Max torque: 431 lb-ft @ 4,400 rpm
Max power: 418 hp @ 5,800 rpm
Average torque: 408 lb-ft
Average power: 334 hp
Difference
+ 24 lb-ft
+ 49 hp
Mass Airflow Sensor
The Bolt-On
A Granatelli mass airflow sensor with nitrous tuning (aka nitrous meter) for use with dry nitrous systems. It works like a normal mAF during normally aspirated operation but adds 5 percent more fuel when it sees the juice. $300
The Mule:
An '01 camaro SS six-speed with an SLP harmonic balancer and high-flow airbox lid, an Accufab 75mm throttle body, QTP long-tube headers with cats, GmmG chambered exhaust, and a highpressure fuel pump.
Our Take:
This camaro made good use of the increased airflow and performance calibration, and it worked well with nitrous.
Before
Max torque: 328 lb-ft @ 4,700 rpm
Max power: 322 hp @ 5,700 rpm
Average torque: 302 lb-ft
Average power: 248 hp
After
Max torque: 340 lb-ft @ 4,700 rpm
Max power: 332 hp @ 5,600 rpm
Average torque: 308 lb-ft
Average power: 244 hp
Difference
+ 12 lb-ft
+ 10 hp
Dyno Thrashin'
Performance Programmer
The Bolt-On
A Granatelli Big-G Flash Tuner, which contains several performance tune configurations. It can also read and erase computer codes, modify top speed and rev limiters, alter shift timing and increase line pressure in automatic trans cars, and recalibrate the speedometer for multiple gear ratios and tire size changes. $375
The Mule
The '01 camaro SS, now with a Granatelli nitrous-tuned MAF. Power measured at the wheel.
Our Take
The peak gains achieved with the performance tune are impressive, but check out the killer average improvement. This car makes more power everywhere, and you can feel it.
Before
Max torque: 340 lb-ft @ 4,700 rpm
Max power: 332 hp @ 5,600 rpm
Average torque: 308 lb-ft
Average power: 244 hp
After
Max torque: 372 lb-ft @ 4,400 rpm
Max power: 358 hp @ 5,500 rpm
Average torque: 345 lb-ft
Average power: 267 hp
Difference
+ 32 lb-ft
+ 26 hp
Nitrous
The Bolt-On
An edelbrock Perfomer Gm eFI dry nitrous system set up for a 100hp shot. $570
The Mule
The '01 camaro SS, now with the ecm reprogrammed with a Granatelli Big G Flash Tuner. Power measured at the wheel.
Our Take
What can we say? Nitrous is the bang-for-the-buck king of bolt-on power adders, and the torque gains here were spectacular. Also noteworthy is the fact that that camaro made 22 more horsepower and 23 more lb-ft on the squeeze with the Big G program in place as opposed to the stock tune.
Before
Max torque: 372 lb-ft @ 4,400 rpm
Max power: 358 hp @ 5,500 rpm
Average torque: 345 lb-ft
Average power: 267 hp
After:
Max torque: 554 lb-ft @ 3,200 rpm
Max power: 437 hp @ 5,500 rpm
Average torque: 452 lb-ft
Average power: 354 hp
Difference:
+ 182 lb-ft
+ 79 hp