7 Best LS Mods for More Power or Speed
The GM engineers did a great job with the LS motor, and they all make super power for their size and weight, but there is always room for improvement. Here's 7 mods that will make your car more powerful, faster, or at the least better sounding.
1. Cold Air Intake
A cold air intake kit is designed to pull cold air from outside of the engine compartment and feed it right into the warm engine. Properly designed it can increase power, as well as lowering the fuel consumption, and adding a nice roar to your engine. Stock air filters are designed with lots of compromises, and with quiet running and durability coming before performance on the list of priorities. Yes, most CAI are not much better at making power than stock on a warm day, but all of them will let you hear that intake honk.
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2. Performance Pulley Kit
The performance pulley kit for the LS-engine can reduce accessory drag, but it really like in the old days where you could get huge improvements. These kits are engineered to increase the power and efficiency of the engine at higher RPMs, by slowing down the alternator, water pump, power steering pump and AC compressor. Not only does a slower turning pulley have less drag, it is less likely to throw the belt. March Performance Pulleys claims you can get 11-12.5 horsepower at the wheels.
If you have a factory supercharged car, however, all that changes, and you can really add power by spinning the blower faster, up to the boost limits of the motor at least.
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3. Cat-Back Exhaust
Your stock exhaust isn't all that restrictive, but replacing it with an aftermarket cat-back system can add up to 18 horsepower, according to manufacturer claims. Aftermarket systems, like Mufflex, come in a 3.5-inch diameter, which makes for better exhaust flow, but maybe even more importantly a much nicer sound.
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4. Exhaust Headers
Replacing the factory exhaust manifold with aftermarket performance headers can really free up your engine at high RPMs. Performance headers make it extremely easy for exhaust gasses to get out of your engine, which eliminates back pressure. The long tube header system pictured from SLP will give you more than 25 more horsepower and lb-ft or torque.
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5. Torque Converter
No, a torque converter won't add power, but it will let your motor spin up higher at launch so it will feel like it did. Replacing the stock torque converter with an aftermarket performance one with a higher stall speed can really boost your engine's punch, because the factory torque converters are tuned for fuel economy, to lock up much quicker. Yes, you will get worse mileage, but you will be quicker, so that's worth it for most people. Check out the TCl Torque Converter options HERE.
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6. Performance Intake Manifold
The stock manifolds are great for low-end torque, however, once you go past 5,000 rpm, your engine can start suffering for air. Aftermarket intake systems, like the Holley mid rise manifold pictured, can add some real top end to your engine. The stock manifolds are designed to be quiet, durable, and cheap, but the aftermarket ones are designed to be effective, especially at high RPM. Check out this Hot Rod Magazine dyno test of assorted LS intake manifolds HERE.
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7. Aftermarket Heads
Stock LS motor heads flow plenty for most applications, especially if you have a smaller displacement motor, but to make big power with large displacements aftermarket heads work wonders. Hot Rod magazine did a scientific comparison with a bunch of different heads on a 408 cubic inch LS based motor, and got horsepower, torque and flow numbers. You can read their entire story here, but every one of them added more than 50 peak horsepower at red line. If you are building up an old truck motor, these will drop some weight off the nose of the car as well.
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for help with maintenance and mods on your LS check out the how to section of LS1Tech.com