Thinking about a Lingenfelter Rebuild?

3332 Views 23 Replies 6 Participants Last post by ChemDawg99, Aug 9, 2007

ChemDawg99

Discussion Starter · Jun 6, 2007

Hey guys, in my free time over here in Iraq, I came across Lingenfelter Perfomance Engineering's website and took a gander at the 430 HP C5 package. Its a bit pricey for me, but I'm pretty good at saving cash for things that I want and I can function saving up the $7550 (more with related expenses I'm sure) to have the job done. I was wondering if anyone on the forum has had this done to their car and what they think of it.

I have only had this particular Vette for about 2 months before I deployed over here (it will be a full year in August) and I am very concerned about applying any kind of performance products that will leave me with a $40,000 hunk of junk if its not done right.

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Brokenparts

· #2 · Jun 6, 2007

Lingenfelter definitely does things right so you cant go wrong there

artyon:

vettecop

· #3 · Jun 6, 2007

Lingenfelter is certainly a trusted name and they do great work. However you may also want to consider doing some bolt on mods yourself and get a good tune to save a ton of money and still pump up the power. Either way, good luck and have fun!!

Stay safe over there.

ChemDawg99

Discussion Starter · #4 · Jun 6, 2007 (Edited)

That's the rub. I am not mechanically inclined and to be honest with you, I really wouldn't know where to start to get that much HP out of my car. The Corsa Touring exhaust (which I am quite happy with) and the K&N filter I have on the car now were already on it when I bought it. I got a great deal on the car before I came over here. One-owner, 13,900 miles, still under factory warranty (which I recently extended while on leave), loaded with every option available that year. I am really not into street racing or dragging, but just want that extra punch in the 1500-3500 rpm range (low power band). Lingenfelter is a bit pricy, but I am willing to save up the dough (it will take me about a year from now or less before I am comfortable giving up that much cash all at once) but the real sticking point with me is that I don't want to do something to the car where a. I will end up regretting it in the end, and b. I have no recourse or guarantees on the work done. Of course I am open to suggestions that will be just as effective as Lingenfelter. My goal is to get my C5 up to C6 HP or slightly better.

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Blue Vette

· #5 · Jun 7, 2007

ChemDawg99 said:
Hey guys, in my free time over here in Iraq, I came across Lingenfelter Perfomance Engineering's website and took a gander at the 430 HP C5 package. Its a bit pricey for me, but

LPE is very reputable tuner. I used them and have no regrets. Dealing with both LPE and ECS have been a pleasurable experience. I got what I paid for. They both stand behind their products.

Some people have saved a lot of money by doing it themselves. But there are others who did it themselves or used a bargin basement tuners for mods and end up being frustrated and spending more money in the long run than if they had it done properly the first time.

Stay safe in IRAQ...God Bless

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ChemDawg99

Discussion Starter · #6 · Jun 7, 2007

Blue Vette said:
LPE is very reputable tuner. I used them and have no regrets. Dealing with both LPE and ECS have been a pleasurable experience. I got what I paid for. They both stand behind their products.

Some people have saved a lot of money by doing it themselves. But there are others who did it themselves or used a bargin basement tuners for mods and end up being frustrated and spending more money in the long run than if they had it done properly the first time.

:agree:

I am 100% sure I am going with LPE to get my Vette the way I want it. I from all the resources I have read and from listening to you all on the forum, I feel that course of action is most comfortable to me. I figure you get what you pay for. :laughing:

I plan to concentrate on saving the extra cash I'll need between now and this time next year save dropping few hundred on some aesthetic items that I have my eye on.

I just have one question for the group: What options do you have to get the work done? Do you have to ship your Vette to Indiana or can you have the parts shipped to a reputable shop that can do the work with their products?

Thanks in advance:thumbsup: :cheers:

Blue Vette

· #7 · Jun 7, 2007

Suggest you write, e-mail or call LPE. I am not certain on this but I think they may have an authorized tunner in Texas.

ChemDawg99

Discussion Starter · #8 · Jun 8, 2007

Thanks for the advice, I will most certainly do that

lordbones

· #9 · Jun 9, 2007

Well, I have thought a lot about the 430 horse rebuild through LPE. It sounds like a great investment. One of my coupes has 145000 miles on it so I imagine that before too long that I will want to take this plunge. Way I look at it, I would rather spend $7500 with LPE than to spend a few thousand for local guys to get it right. I have never seen anything bad or even questionable from LPE. That's where my money will go... :thumbsup:

ChemDawg99

Discussion Starter · #10 · Jun 9, 2007

lordbones said:
Well, I have thought a lot about the 430 horse rebuild through LPE. It sounds like a great investment. One of my coupes has 145000 miles on it so I imagine that before too long that I will want to take this plunge. Way I look at it, I would rather spend $7500 with LPE than to spend a few thousand for local guys to get it right. I have never seen anything bad or even questionable from LPE. That's where my money will go... :thumbsup:

:agree: That is why I am going with them the day after my boots hit the ground when I come home from Iraq. After cooresponding with John at 21st CenturyMuscle cars in Texas, via email, I was very impressed with the professionalism displayed so far. I could spend twice as much coin trying to piecemeal the same upgrades that LPE will apply all at once.

lordbones

· #11 · Jun 9, 2007

ChemDawg99 said:
I could spend twice as much coin trying to piecemeal the same upgrades that LPE will apply all at once.

Absolutely! I personally would rather spend the money for a serious pro job from LPE than try & see if Big Jim down at the hotrod shop can get it right.
A lot of guys haven't had experience with LS1's & that scares me...I feel like LPE knows everything there is to know about them & I can sleep well at night knowing my money has been invested wisely... I can't wait to get it done!

artyon:

ChemDawg99

Discussion Starter · #12 · Jun 9, 2007

lordbones said:
Absolutely! I personally would rather spend the money for a serious pro job from LPE than try & see if Big Jim down at the hotrod shop can get it right.
A lot of guys haven't had experience with LS1's & that scares me...I feel like LPE knows everything there is to know about them & I can sleep well at night knowing my money has been invested wisely... I can't wait to get it done! artyon:

:agree:
Since I am stuck here in Baghdad for a few more months, I am sure you will have your work done before I do. I plan to post pics of my once it is finished. If you do get it done before me, please post pics and let me (and everyone else) know how it turns out.

artyon:

lordbones

· #13 · Jun 9, 2007

ChemDawg99 said:
:agree:
Since I am stuck here in Baghdad for a few more months, I am sure you will have your work done before I do. I plan to post pics of my once it is finished. If you do get it done before me, please post pics and let me (and everyone else) know how it turns out.artyon:

Sure thing bro! I hope to do mine early fall/winter & you better believe I'll be posting up when I get it done. I am also going to inquire with LPE when the time comes about cool fuel rail covers or if it looks nice enough I may just leave them off... I am sure I'll be wanting to show off the new work so fuel rail covers might just be in the way...lol

ChemDawg99

Discussion Starter · #14 · Jun 9, 2007

lordbones said:
Sure thing bro! I hope to do mine early fall/winter & you better believe I'll be posting up when I get it done. I am also going to inquire with LPE when the time comes about cool fuel rail covers or if it looks nice enough I may just leave them off... I am sure I'll be wanting to show off the new work so fuel rail covers might just be in the way...lol

There are some great vendors that carry good engine dress-up parts, West Coast Corvettes has a handsome looking carbon fiber kit that I have my eye on. However, I am adjusting my budget while I am over here so I can pay cash up front for the LPE job on my return. Look forward to seeing and reading about your LPE rebuild:thumbsup:

Blue Vette

· #15 · Jun 10, 2007

lordbones said:
Sure thing bro! I hope to do mine early fall/winter & you better believe I'll be posting up when I get it done. I am also going to inquire with LPE when the time comes about cool fuel rail covers or if it looks nice enough I may just leave them off... I am sure I'll be wanting to show off the new work so fuel rail covers might just be in the way...lol

I like the looks of the LPE's fuel rail covers.

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ChemDawg99

Discussion Starter · #16 · Jun 12, 2007

Blue Vette said:
I like the looks of the LPE's fuel rail covers.

:agree:
I hope when I have my package put on that I have enough to spare to have those put on as well.

midnite902

· #17 · Jun 12, 2007

ChemDawg99 said:
:agree:
I hope when I have my package put on that I have enough to spare to have those put on as well.

The LPE covers come with the package. 21st Century Musclecars made these for my car when I upgraded to the LPE 403.

:cheers:

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ChemDawg99

Discussion Starter · #18 · Jun 12, 2007

Unfortunately, right now I am on my Government computer so I can't see the pics of your rails, but I will check them out later on my personal computer when I get the time. Good to know that they come with the package

:cheers:

ChemDawg99

Discussion Starter · #19 · Jun 14, 2007

Let me preface what I am about to write by saying that I am pretty commited to having the Lingenfelter work done, but I am rethinking the timing of when I will have it done, mostly for financial reasons and timing of my eventual homecoming from Iraq.

I came across a book that recommended the following performance upgrades for C5s that are supposed to yield 20-75 horsepower:

-replacing the stock air box with a Blackwing or SLP intake

-installing a 160 degree themostat

-exhaust upgrade (Corsa Touring)

-Superchips tune

The Blackwing and thermostat were going to be performed by Lingenfelter anyway and I already have the Corsa Touring Exhauast for the package I want. I figure, I can install the intake and thermostat myself and get some kind of immediate gain (even if it is very modest) and just hold off until sometime next summer when I'll have adjusted my budget and can have the total package put on without dipping into accounts that I don't really want to dip into plus save myself some cash on the backside by having things already upgraded that were part of the package. Please advise

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ChemDawg99

Discussion Starter · #20 · Aug 9, 2007

Plan Finalized!!!!!!!!!!

I am targeting September 2008 for the LPE upgrade (if not sooner). Any C5ers out there that have the 430HP package from LPE on their Vettes? Additionally, I have GMPP, I know they won't cover the work LPE does, but 21CMC is an authorized GMPP shop + they give a warranty for their work. Just want to know if I will still be covered on everything else. Thanks in advance for any info:thumbsup:

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