engine/hp question
Thread Starter
Heel & Toe
Joined: Jul 2003
Posts: 18
Likes: 0
From: mendocino ca
engine/hp question
Hi, heresy though it may be, I am about to buy an Iso Grifo, a fairly rare italian car from late 60's that used corvette engines and italian bodywork. They are pretty cool cars. This particular car had a cam and some other work done at the factory, yielding the 327/365hp variation.
Question I have is are there headers/exhaust setups that will allow better breathing and yield more power?
What kind of options would I have to raise the hp output to low 400's?
Any ideas great appreciated.
I am going to try and post a pic for the curious!
Question I have is are there headers/exhaust setups that will allow better breathing and yield more power?
What kind of options would I have to raise the hp output to low 400's?
Any ideas great appreciated.
I am going to try and post a pic for the curious!
Last edited by riverflyer; Oct 2, 2007 at 03:37 AM.
Melting Slicks
Joined: Oct 2004
Posts: 3,345
Likes: 87
From: Northern MN
St. Jude Donor '13-'14-'15-'16-'17
If the car in the foreground is the unit or a photo of the production unit, it is a very nice looking car. With respect to getting more HP from the 327 I would have to believe that changing the upper end would get you where you want to go. Intake, heads, cam, etc. May be a little spendy but with all the new tech stuff out there 400+ HP shouldn't be that far out of sight. Since I haven't worked that much with a small block I don't have any exact parts that would work but someone who has done this will chime in. Good luck.
Steve
Steve
Instructor
Joined: Feb 2005
Posts: 160
Likes: 3
Hello John,
"Question I have is are there headers/exhaust setups that will allow better breathing and yield more power?
What kind of options would I have to raise the hp output to low 400's?"
The question is WHY? The car is FAST with 365 hp.
The header/exhaust will make more horsepower.
This will need to be a custom one of a kind fabrication build. It will be a long and costly job to build.
The other question how much room is the engine to area to install the pipes and other components to fit around objects.
The noise level will be louder in the car and out side.
These are just a few thoughts to consider.
Regards,
Drew Papsun
"Question I have is are there headers/exhaust setups that will allow better breathing and yield more power?
What kind of options would I have to raise the hp output to low 400's?"
The question is WHY? The car is FAST with 365 hp.
The header/exhaust will make more horsepower.
This will need to be a custom one of a kind fabrication build. It will be a long and costly job to build.
The other question how much room is the engine to area to install the pipes and other components to fit around objects.
The noise level will be louder in the car and out side.
These are just a few thoughts to consider.
Regards,
Drew Papsun
Team Owner
Joined: Sep 1999
Posts: 41,732
Likes: 1,718
From: Springfield MO
One question. Do you plan on driving the car (which I assume since you are asking about modifications to up the performance) or to park it in the garage and go out and stare at it ever so often? I would be very concerned about it being driven much. One rock to the windshirld, where do you buy a replacement?
Drifting
Joined: Dec 2005
Posts: 1,973
Likes: 5
From: Valrico Florida
Good looking car. The roof line and bumper placement is similar to a C2. Looks kinda like a C2 with a droop nose and tail.
I wouldn't modify it, but have you considered just dropping a GM crate engine in it and storing the original. Good luck.
I wouldn't modify it, but have you considered just dropping a GM crate engine in it and storing the original. Good luck.
Team Owner
Joined: Oct 2000
Posts: 38,897
Likes: 1,926
From: Washington Michigan
By the time you spend enough money to get (real) low 400's out of a 327, you're going to have a not-very-street-friendly engine; a better choice would be to build a 383 (or get the GM 383 crate engine), and enjoy the low and mid-range torque that makes it fun to drive without all the compromises of high-strung tuning. The ISO is stunning! 
Burning Brakes
Joined: Aug 2005
Posts: 1,133
Likes: 2
From: Corona CA
I can't answer your question, and I would agree with JohnZ that 400HP out of a 327 will probably end up being pretty high strung....which I guess is normal for an Italian car but probably not what you want to drive....
That said, that is a REALLY nice looking car, and if that is an actual photo of the one you are buying it looks like it is in mint condition....bet it will cost a mint too, let me know when you get tired of it and want to unload it cheap...
I would probably not try to make it faster and just keep it running and when things needed it I would return it to stock, a 327/365 is a nice motor and seems like it would suit the car well....this coming from a guy that is just finishing a total resto/modification project on his original 65 corvette.
Darren
That said, that is a REALLY nice looking car, and if that is an actual photo of the one you are buying it looks like it is in mint condition....bet it will cost a mint too, let me know when you get tired of it and want to unload it cheap...
I would probably not try to make it faster and just keep it running and when things needed it I would return it to stock, a 327/365 is a nice motor and seems like it would suit the car well....this coming from a guy that is just finishing a total resto/modification project on his original 65 corvette.
Darren
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Thread Starter
Heel & Toe
Joined: Jul 2003
Posts: 18
Likes: 0
From: mendocino ca
thanks guys, appreciate the responses. Seems a general agreement to enjoy the motor as is. But, as I am sure some of you painfully know only too well, hp is a stern mistress!!
I have thought about the 383 crate motor. Does anyone have a ballpark figure on the cost of doing one, incl labor?
Yes, the styling of the grifo brings to mind mid year cars for sure. Pierro Rivolta, the manufacturer, also made 20 some cars with a 427 big block. Story goes that he had ordered a 427 to put in a speed boat and got a wild hair and decided to try it in one of his cars instead. Hood line had to be modified but unlike corvette, he went a different direction. Sort of grows on you but I prefer the simple hood bulge like the 327 has or the stinger hood like corvette did.
Its known as the pagoda. What do you think?
http://i173.photobucket.com/albums/w.../bluecanam.jpg
I have thought about the 383 crate motor. Does anyone have a ballpark figure on the cost of doing one, incl labor?
Yes, the styling of the grifo brings to mind mid year cars for sure. Pierro Rivolta, the manufacturer, also made 20 some cars with a 427 big block. Story goes that he had ordered a 427 to put in a speed boat and got a wild hair and decided to try it in one of his cars instead. Hood line had to be modified but unlike corvette, he went a different direction. Sort of grows on you but I prefer the simple hood bulge like the 327 has or the stinger hood like corvette did.
Its known as the pagoda. What do you think?
http://i173.photobucket.com/albums/w.../bluecanam.jpg
Thread Starter
Heel & Toe
Joined: Jul 2003
Posts: 18
Likes: 0
From: mendocino ca
And yes, I plan on driving the car. Parts are still available to some degree and there are still shops in europe that make custom glass for rare cars. Not cheap but fairly reasonable all things considered. I love to look at nice cars in the garage but the real thrill is driving imo.
While I love an italian 12cyl, one of the coolest parts of the Iso is the reliable, easy to source parts and repairs for, etc etc corvette drivetrain.
While I love an italian 12cyl, one of the coolest parts of the Iso is the reliable, easy to source parts and repairs for, etc etc corvette drivetrain.
