5.7 V8 (trans am) LS1 power up question

[TransAm]

Hey guys I'm new to the forum. I just wondered if there is an ECU upgrade available for my motor (it's the same engine as a C5 corvette)

If so, will I get better or worse MPG? I guess I am trying to ask if I'll make the car more efficient or not?

What power gains can I expect from just performing an ECU upgrade? The car runs 325hp/350lbft stock by the way.

Assuming there are 2 or 3 chips available, can anyone reccommend a particular brand over another?

Finally, I live in TX USA but I'm English so nto so sure of the laws here; do I have to inform my insurance co. if I make any upgrades?

[FoxFour]

You can check various sites on the web such as LS1.com for info on mods and such. There are a ton of manufacturers that do ECU reprogramming. I would think that your computer can be reflashed via the diagnostic port. Check with manufacturers like Diablo, Superchips, Hypertech, JET. And no, you don't tell the insurance company what you are doing to your car. I know you have to do that in England, but here; not yet.

[graywolf624]

Try ls1 edit. You can make your own custom chips. The regular chips are usually tuned for stock so there kinda useless. Jet is one of the worst for this.

And no dont tell the insurance company. You are not required too and they will only raise insurance if you do. They will never cover your mods.

[RC45]

There are a number of tuning shops in the DFW area that can assist you in extracting anything from 10hp to 1000hp gains on your ride.. :)

http://www.ls1tech.com/ would be a good starting point for sure.

Considering emissions and other requirements leave stock cars tuned on the lean side, any ECU mapping/tuning will more often than not involve enrichening and have an appropriate increase in fuel consumption.

But remember - you live int eh land of cheap gas and drive a 5.7l V8 - the LAST thing on your mind should be fuel economy.. :P

[TransAm]

But remember - you live int eh land of cheap gas and drive a 5.7l V8 - the LAST thing on your mind should be fuel economy.. :P

Agreed. I'm not one to take advantage, but at $1.80 a gallon - well it'd be rude to have anything smaller than 8 cylinders, wouldn't it?

If I win the Texas Lotto on Wednesday I'll be trading in for a Z06 anyways...

Thanks for all your advice guys. Much appreciated...

[TransAm]

Thanks for the LS1 website link.

Well, I'd like to get more air flowing in, using the 'free' modifications such as taking a dremel to the bottom of the airbox, taking the restrictor out of the throttlebody, and one or two other things I found on www.installuniversity.com. I have a mate with an SS (a wiser and older guy than I) who's already pointed out some of these things.

My car, being the WS6, has the upgraded exhaust thus my next question is: can I get away with doing the intake work described above to let more airflow into the motor, and remapping the ECU, and then get say another 50-60hp while keeping the stock WS6 'upgraded' muffler/cat/headers? I don't really want a noiser exhaust system (although intake roar is fine) nor do I want to spend $500 on a catback for 8hp!!

I just wanted a rough idea of the likely power gain, the only tuned car which I've owned before now (1380cc 1983 Mini) I bought tuned, and thus have no prior experience of this sort of stuff!! Yes, I'm a newbie.

Any advice appreciated

Thanks again guys.

[hemi_fan]

Exhaust isnt really a performance mod so much as a Sound mod... I wouldnt be looking at it for added performance unless your engine made some SERIOUS HP and was being restricted by stock pipes.

[RC45]

Exhaust isnt really a performance mod so much as a Sound mod... I wouldnt be looking at it for added performance unless your engine made some SERIOUS HP and was being restricted by stock pipes.

Long tube headers, high flow cats and cat-back on an LS1 or LS6 can be good for about 35+hp with the appropriate ECM tuning.

Add a set of heads and a lumpier cam under there and you are talking about 100hp or more increase.