I just installed my new engine (as noted in my sig).
I do know that that in order to get the engine to rev higher we have to:
add larger throttle body
appropriate head and cam
open element or similar air cleaner
eliminate exhaust restrictions
add properly sized injectors
add afpr
properly calibrated prom
some have also stated replacing the factory coil with an MSD or similar.
I am curious to see what others have done to their TBI set ups to broaden the power band of the TBI engine.
I would like this thread to be a comparision and sharing of engine combos. Lets hear what you guys have.

 

its easy to rev past 5 grand just don't shift or throw it in neutral and floor it

 

I'd say for your combo, the LT1 cam is what is limiting your power to 5000 rpms. Even in a stock LT1 engine the power starts dropping off after ~5000-5200 rpm (I think, don't have the dyno graph in front of me) and we all know it's not the intake on those cars.

Probably a bigger cam more like 214-220 intake duration would give you the higher power band you want.

 

I had a 94 Z28 a few years back. A stock automatic LT1 will upshift around 5800 rpms so I dont think the stock LT1 cam is a problem.

 

Here's a close to stock LT1 graph, headers, CAI, etc.

Notice how the tq drops off after 4500 rpm and the power levels out at 4700 rpm.

LT1 dyno graph stock cam.

 

You can also see on that graph that the horse power stays pretty flat from about 5,000 to 5,800 rpms. As a matter of fact, if you have ever driven a 94-97 A4 LT1 F body or a 93-96 A4 LT1 Corvette, you would also know that GM had the 4L60E upshift on its own between 5,800-6,000 rpms.
My '94 ran 13.70's bone stock leaving it in drive. So I guess the stock LT1 cam cant be too terrible.
I personally dont think the LT1 cam with Vortec heads would be the problem. It would be more along the lines of the things I listed to begin with. This thread wasnt posted to pick my combo apart. It was started to compare notes with others.

 

I highly doubt that a stock LT1 shifts between 5800-6000. The redline on an LT1 is 5700, so I really really doubt it shifts after the redline.

 

Now I know GM tachs arent know to be the most accurate instruments in the world, but IF you have driven a A4 LT1 F body you would see what I mean. The upshifts when left in drive will have the tach needle bouncing off of 6,000 rpms.
I had a friend with a 94 Firebird and his was the same way.
It doesnt feel like the power drops off either. Maybe the upshift is only 5500-5600 rpms, but going by the factory tach it is right about 6,000.
Bottom line is I doubt the LT1 cam is bad for power to 5500.

 

I ran World Heads, Comp cams 270* duration roller camshaft, full exhaust headers to catback and intake and everythign else was stock (even the prom, which meant stock fuel tables) and I could shift at almost 6000 if I wanted to. The stock TBI unit has no problem hitting 6k.

 

Exactly, just dont shift gears. I was in a race one night and i held 2nd all the way out to about 95mph at about 6500

 

Well mine shifts between 5500 and 6000 and I put a performance tbi crate motor in it (350). I still have the stock dist., and fuel pump, yadda yadda yadda. I will just add my sig.