l81 performance book
Thread Starter
Intermediate
Joined: Mar 2005
Posts: 33
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l81 performance book
You see everywhere performance books for the ls1-ls2 etc... and they show every part combo possible and what #'s you will get from each... does anyone know if there is a specific book for the l81 sb? or mabye a l81 book combined with some other similar motor?
Racer
Joined: Jul 2000
Posts: 303
Likes: 0
From: groveland, ca
toyvette81 - the best place for you to go with your question regarding anything on your 81 is www.L81vetteregistry.com 
They also have a sub-forum under the C-3 section over at www.corvetteactioncenter.com ... and I'm not plugging that site over the CorvetteForum, just trying to get you to the best spot for your questions on your '81 
Good luck
They also have a sub-forum under the C-3 section over at www.corvetteactioncenter.com ... and I'm not plugging that site over the CorvetteForum, just trying to get you to the best spot for your questions on your '81 Good luck
Burning Brakes
Joined: Aug 2002
Posts: 1,146
Likes: 10
From: Scottsboro Alabama
JMO but if you're looking for performance forget trying to mod the L81. There is nothing worth saving except maybe the bare block. If money is tight you're better off pulling the L81 and installing a new 260 hp crate engine, otherwise you're just wasting your time and money.
Safety Car
Joined: Mar 2000
Posts: 4,077
Likes: 27
From: Northeast South Dakota
If you do a rebuild on the L81 you can do that same 260HP for a whole lot less than a crate motor if you do the work yourself. It all depends on how much you want to spend. The L81 fuel and ignition system will work fine as long as you stay with a 9.5 or lower compression. Above that the only problem is the distributor. It's hard to recurve it to retard timing on the upper end without upsetting off idle acceleration. The carb will do it's thing just fine and work flawlessly with engine modifications.
-Justin
-Justin
Pro
Joined: Sep 2002
Posts: 690
Likes: 1
From: near Memphis TN
Originally Posted by Older Than Dirt
JMO but if you're looking for performance forget trying to mod the L81. There is nothing worth saving except maybe the bare block. If money is tight you're better off pulling the L81 and installing a new 260 hp crate engine, otherwise you're just wasting your time and money.
People it's just a carburated chevy small block just like any other chevy has built for decades. It responds to the same performance mods as any other chevy small block and the aftermarket parts for the most part are interchangeable. Pull off the pollution and computer crap, add headers, cam, heads, intake and you have a 350-400 HP engine just like any other chevy small block with these modifications. If money is tight you save the short block and build it up, don't throw it out.
Safety Car
Joined: Dec 2004
Posts: 4,071
Likes: 0
From: San Diego CA
Originally Posted by SpyderD
L81, L82, L48....
People it's just a carburated chevy small block just like any other chevy has built for decades. It responds to the same performance mods as any other chevy small block and the aftermarket parts for the most part are interchangeable. Pull off the pollution and computer crap, add headers, cam, heads, intake and you have a 350-400 HP engine just like any other chevy small block with these modifications. If money is tight you save the short block and build it up, don't throw it out.
People it's just a carburated chevy small block just like any other chevy has built for decades. It responds to the same performance mods as any other chevy small block and the aftermarket parts for the most part are interchangeable. Pull off the pollution and computer crap, add headers, cam, heads, intake and you have a 350-400 HP engine just like any other chevy small block with these modifications. If money is tight you save the short block and build it up, don't throw it out.
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Melting Slicks
Joined: May 2003
Posts: 2,253
Likes: 1
From: Rochester Kent
Originally Posted by SpyderD
L81, L82, L48....
People it's just a carburated chevy small block just like any other chevy has built for decades. It responds to the same performance mods as any other chevy small block and the aftermarket parts for the most part are interchangeable. Pull off the pollution and computer crap, add headers, cam, heads, intake and you have a 350-400 HP engine just like any other chevy small block with these modifications. If money is tight you save the short block and build it up, don't throw it out.
People it's just a carburated chevy small block just like any other chevy has built for decades. It responds to the same performance mods as any other chevy small block and the aftermarket parts for the most part are interchangeable. Pull off the pollution and computer crap, add headers, cam, heads, intake and you have a 350-400 HP engine just like any other chevy small block with these modifications. If money is tight you save the short block and build it up, don't throw it out.
Well said
Instructor
Joined: Nov 2003
Posts: 129
Likes: 0
From: Ringgold GA
[QUOTE=SpyderD]Originally Posted by SpyderD
L81, L82, L48....
People it's just a carburated chevy small block just like any other chevy has built for decades. It responds to the same performance mods as any other chevy small block and the aftermarket parts for the most part are interchangeable. Pull off the pollution and computer crap, add headers, cam, heads, intake and you have a 350-400 HP engine just like any other chevy small block with these modifications. If money is tight you save the short block and build it up, don't throw it out.
Good advise, as long as the short block is sound that is the way to go.
All the short blocks are the same and will respond to the same mods.
There are many different combos but one of the best bangs for the buck would be a set of vortec heads, appropriate intake manifold for vortec heads, Comp Cams Xtreme energy 274 cam (maybe 1 size smaller) Holley or Edelbrock carb, headers (I like the DynoMax 1 3/4 coated headers for the C3), dual exhaust, eliminate computer and pollution controls.
L81, L82, L48....
People it's just a carburated chevy small block just like any other chevy has built for decades. It responds to the same performance mods as any other chevy small block and the aftermarket parts for the most part are interchangeable. Pull off the pollution and computer crap, add headers, cam, heads, intake and you have a 350-400 HP engine just like any other chevy small block with these modifications. If money is tight you save the short block and build it up, don't throw it out.
Good advise, as long as the short block is sound that is the way to go.
All the short blocks are the same and will respond to the same mods.
There are many different combos but one of the best bangs for the buck would be a set of vortec heads, appropriate intake manifold for vortec heads, Comp Cams Xtreme energy 274 cam (maybe 1 size smaller) Holley or Edelbrock carb, headers (I like the DynoMax 1 3/4 coated headers for the C3), dual exhaust, eliminate computer and pollution controls.
Last edited by silverdroptop; Apr 9, 2005 at 09:11 PM.
1st Gear
Joined: Feb 2022
Posts: 1
Likes: 0
From: Zasavje
L81, L82, L48....
People it's just a carburated chevy small block just like any other chevy has built for decades. It responds to the same performance mods as any other chevy small block and the aftermarket parts for the most part are interchangeable. Pull off the pollution and computer crap, add headers, cam, heads, intake and you have a 350-400 HP engine just like any other chevy small block with these modifications. If money is tight you save the short block and build it up, don't throw it out.
People it's just a carburated chevy small block just like any other chevy has built for decades. It responds to the same performance mods as any other chevy small block and the aftermarket parts for the most part are interchangeable. Pull off the pollution and computer crap, add headers, cam, heads, intake and you have a 350-400 HP engine just like any other chevy small block with these modifications. If money is tight you save the short block and build it up, don't throw it out.
Because I am from Slovenia - Europe, it is a little more difficult for me to access parts that would increase the power of the engine. Can anyone give me some links where to get good replacement parts to increase the power, and that they will fit this engine. (L81).
I have already converted the exhausts to be completely "flat" with direct mufflers. The sound is really badass, but some more horses would be useful
Race Director
Joined: Jul 2015
Posts: 13,082
Likes: 3,399
From: SW Florida.
hi. welcome. old threads are for research. please start a new thread when you wanna ask or say something instead of pulling up 17 year old thread that we have to read through to get to you. the most important thing you can do for more power is get it timed correctly. people say 2 degrees of advance can cost up to 40 hp. you want 36 degrees at full advance with vacuum unhooked. speaking of which. you mentioned the 81 carb is no more. did you replace the distributor? if not, you have essentially NO advance at all.which will be a HUGE power loss.
