'93 Vortech Supercharged Lingenfelter F-1 Camaro
Engine rebuild pics finally here!
If anyone has any questions regarding modifications, feel free to e-mail me and I'll respond ASAP.
More updated pics to come once car show season nears...
Note: Supercharging is great for adding quick horsepower, but keep in mind the compression ratio of the LT-1 (10.5:1). I made the mistake of just installing the Camaro Vortech system and ran into a ton of troubles. Head gaskets love to blow out on these aluminum heads, especially under boost! It seemed detonation occured very frequently unless the temperature was cooler with no humidity. I installed Felpro copper gaskets and then lightning struck, three piston ring lands shattered including two cracked pistons. TPIS said that factory LT-1 pistons are notorious for shattering with a supercharger. These engines are not really ready to be used with a supercharger unless you go through a complete rebuild. I learned the hard way.
Anyone considering this application might want to invest their Benjamins into a set of ported heads, a camshaft and a port matched intake manifold before purchasing one of these systems. The car will run more consistently and produce just as much, if not more horsepower naturally aspirated. My Lingenfelter heads made this car scream stronger than the supercharger did alone! Once you do this, a supercharger may be in order if you desire more horsepower. Keep in mind to lower the compression ratio when doing the rebuild. I dropped to 9.03:1 and have had great success.
If anyone is in need of engine removal, diagnostics, or performance parts installation at a very reasonable price, contact Kenny Solem in Canton, SD. He is extremely awesome when it comes to working with late model cars. He is ASE certified, and also has years of experience with Mercedes training school and shop work. I figure if he can work on a $100,000 car, he can work on mine. Like promised, the engine was installed in three days. Not a single scratch was found either! This guy is damn good. Give him a call if you're in the area. Kenny Solem (605) 987-2741.
List of modifications:
Lingenfelter (LPE) ported and polished heads (2.0 in 1.56 ex. stainless steel valves)
LPE port matched intake manifold (powdercoated red like LT4 GS Corvette)
High energy valve springs
1.6 roller rockers
LPE camshaft PN # 74211 (Soon to be swapped for a custom grind S/C cam designed by Hi-Tech Motorsport)
Magnesium LT-1 Corvette valve covers (Soon to be powdercoated black)
Edelbrock 1 5/8" headers (Soon to be replaced with Jet Hot off road long tube headers with off road y-pipe)
emissions and EGR removed
Borla 3" adjustable cat back exhaust
3" offroad pipe
BBK/Edelbrock 52mm throttle body
Throttle body coolant bypass
Hypertech 160 degree thermostat
over 5 hours of custom tuning by Hi-Tech Motorsport in Minneapolis, MN
6 speed manual trans with Spec stage III clutch
Vortech S-Q S-trim supercharger
Vortech T-Rex inline fuel pump
42 lb. SVO fuel injectors
355 cu in engine bore
decked and honed block
SRP/JE forged 9.03:1 c/r. blower pistons
Total Seal file to fit rings
Oliver forged connecting rods
Crane cams fireball ignition
3.73:1 Richmond rearend gears
SLP speed processor (adjusts speedometer for new gear ratio)
Paxton rear trailing arms
Energy suspension torque arm bushing
Eibach 2" drop lowering springs
Autometer boost gauge and pillar mount
F-1 custom embroidered seats
GM Performance Parts floor mats and decals
GM Performance Parts F-1 aero package
GM Performance Parts racing stripes
White CAMARO windshield banner and rear urethane lettering
17" chrome ZR-1 Corvette wheels wrapped with 275/45/ZR17 BF Goodrich Comp T/A tires
Best ET to date:
12.780 @ 113.78 mph.
ET was on stock motor with Vortech supercharger, Richmond gears, and exhaust upgrades.
Page 2: Photos of latest mods and engine rebuild. More to come!
