2001 Chevy Camaro Z28 Heads, Headers & Exhaust Upgrade - Budget Badass

Finally, an affordable intake manifold and throttle body were bolted up for this story, but they caused wildly fluctuating air/fuel ratios on the dyno that TTP surmised was from a SBC-style intake gasket problem. Through several days of troubleshooting, nothing was able to fix it, prompting TTP to reinstall the stock intake and TB. FAST's 60-pound injectors were lubed and installed into the fuel rail, and then the rail assembly was installed. The stock manifold/throttle body was dropped onto the LS1, and then the coils and brackets.The injector clips, PCV and evap connections, coolant hoses, throttle position and idle air control connections, bellows, mass airflow, and SLP airlid are installed and tightened down. The MAF and IAT sensors are connected,and the oil tube and dipstick go in.

Six quarts of 5W30 Torco SR-1 synthetic oil were added along with a filter change. Torco's synthetic base oil and additive package is said to boost power and torque by up to three percent while eliminating harmful deposits and providing excellent longevity.

The Hooker Y-pipe and exhaust system are installed.

Hooker's exhaust system emits a great-sounding rumble with a dash of rasp, and its "dual-pipe" tips look great.

With all the goodies bolted up, it was time to hit TTP's dyno for a custom tune by TTP proprietor Matt Sorian.

The staff had drilled the stock throttle body's IAC hole to 7/32 to assist in a smooth idle with the big cam, and Matt adjusted the tune in HP Tuners.

When it was all said and done, the LS1's power jumped from 329 to 410 horses and 349 to 389 lb-ft of torque at the wheels. That's a total gain of 81 horses and 40 lb-ft.The final air/fuel ratio was between 12.6 and 12.7 to 1 at WOT. This LS1 ees 28 degrees of timing from 5,600 rpm on up to the 6,800 redline.