The time had come to get under the hood and pop our LT1 Formula's cherry. If you remember from our last installment of this project, the Formula was put back to stock and the old fluids were swapped for high-performance Royal Purple synthetics. The automatic, 2.73-equipped 'Bird produced a predictable 14.02 at the track, and your author was left yearning for 13s. The most cost effective and reliable solution was to start with some bolt-on power in our 94,000-mile project car.
Quite often common bolt-on parts don't live up to their promises of increased horsepower and decreased ETs; however, Thunder Racing's LT1 Performance Package (PN LT1PP2) was created with proven components that actually work. Take, for example, Thunder's Throttle Body Air Foil for LT1 and L98 48mm throttle bodies. By plugging up the dead space and channeling air to the twin throttle blades with a sculpted, smooth airfoil, air turbulence is reduced and airflow is increased. Similarly, a K&N Fuel Injection Performance Kit (FIPK) is included, which further enhances intake flow while still providing 50-state legality. The specially designed intake tube reduces restriction and places K&N's exposed conical filter below the engine compartment to suck in plenty of fresh, cool air. The last component to the Thunder Racing package is a MagnaFlow mandrel-bent stainless steel cat-back exhaust system. The use of larger diameter, rust-free tubing will not only do wonders for an F-body's appearance, but will also uncork a bottleneck of trapped horsepower. Thanks also in part due to the high-flow MagnaFlow muffler, the LT1 will sound less like a docile marine motor and more like a fire-breathing 350ci V-8. Though total price for all of these parts equals a little under $650, Thunder Racing now offers this package for about $500.
 |  The Thunder Racing LT1 Performance...  The Thunder Racing LT1 Performance Package (PN LT1PP2) consists of a MagnaFlow cat-back, K&N cold air kit, and a Thunder Racing Throttle Body Air Foil. For just under $500 you can help your LT1 F-body breath a little deeper--without a price that would take your breath away. The principle behind why all of these mods work is very simple--increased flow. The airfoil eliminates the unshapely gap between the LT1's twin throttle blades, and smoothly splits the air in either direction, effectively reducing turbulence. The K&N intake gulps a fresher dose of atmosphere from behind the front bumper, while straightening and smoothing the intake path. The use of 3-inch mandrel bent stainless steel exhaust tubing achieves similar goals with the spent gases before terminating aft in MagnaFlow's traditional, perforated core muffler. |  While most aftermarket throttle...  While most aftermarket throttle bodies come with an airfoil built into them, purchasing Thunder Racing's airfoil (PN 99-AF) will save you about $300-$500. If bolt-ons are about as far as you plan to go with your LT1 (or L98), the stock 48mm throttle body should be sufficient with the help of this bad boy (for a mere $46.50). Unlike the piece I found on the car at the time of purchase, the Thunder Racing airfoil screws in through an existing hole in the throttle body and into a bullet-shaped piece of aluminum (not pictured). This semi-permanent mounting keeps the airfoil flush to the throttle body. |