Need more power!
Thread Starter
Racer
Joined: Jan 2006
Posts: 458
Likes: 0
Need more power!
Today I decided to take my 79'L48 to work.I like to cruise in with the tops off,through the twisties,great fun.Well this morning I get stuck behind a nitwit in a Dodge Ram who is doing 40-45 in a 55 for 20 or so miles.I finally get the oppurtunity to pass him and put my signal on,downshift to third and pull out.A couple cars behind follow as well.Just as I get up next to this guy he stands on the gas
.....Oh Crap!Bone stock L48 and nowhere to go but foward.Well I got around him after throwing fourth,but what an ***!
So with that,I'd like to get a little more out of this motor,even if it's just 20-30 hp.I DO NOT want to change the appearance of the motor.I know the Vortec heads will give me a major bump but that will change the whole look,I would like to keep it stock, right down to the EGR Valve.The low Compression is nice as well with our wonderful fuel prices.So what do you guys think?Is there a cam that will work with low comp?Ported Rams Horns will go in as soon as I get the time,and it's already got true dual exhaust without cats.
.....Oh Crap!Bone stock L48 and nowhere to go but foward.Well I got around him after throwing fourth,but what an ***!So with that,I'd like to get a little more out of this motor,even if it's just 20-30 hp.I DO NOT want to change the appearance of the motor.I know the Vortec heads will give me a major bump but that will change the whole look,I would like to keep it stock, right down to the EGR Valve.The low Compression is nice as well with our wonderful fuel prices.So what do you guys think?Is there a cam that will work with low comp?Ported Rams Horns will go in as soon as I get the time,and it's already got true dual exhaust without cats.
Thread Starter
Racer
Joined: Jan 2006
Posts: 458
Likes: 0
Originally Posted by big_G
Build it like an L-82...a little bump in the compression, a little more cam and some L-82 cylinder heads..ported if you can swing the $$$$$. An easy 30-50 horsepower boost.
Thread Starter
Racer
Joined: Jan 2006
Posts: 458
Likes: 0
I understand the breathing,but I like the looks of the stock motor,that's why I am using ported exhaust manifolds.I guess what I want to know is the best cam for the low compression motor,with the stock carb and intake.Just want a little more pull,not a race car.
Drifting
Joined: Nov 2005
Posts: 1,795
Likes: 1
i think the best thing i did was to open the exhaust and add an open air filter element on my 78.
i went the side pipe route with mine. im not sure of the NY laws
but if you can get a true dual exhaust on there without cats
it will still look stock but breath a lot better.
i also bought a zz4 intake manifold so could retain my stock
look and EGR.
the ports look a lot bigger and i was told that is free flowing
compared to the stock intake plus its aluminum.
dont know how its going to be as i havent installed it yet.
i went the side pipe route with mine. im not sure of the NY laws
but if you can get a true dual exhaust on there without cats
it will still look stock but breath a lot better.
i also bought a zz4 intake manifold so could retain my stock
look and EGR.
the ports look a lot bigger and i was told that is free flowing
compared to the stock intake plus its aluminum.
dont know how its going to be as i havent installed it yet.
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Thread Starter
Racer
Joined: Jan 2006
Posts: 458
Likes: 0
You guys miss the part where I said it had true duals and no cats?There is no other emissions other than the EGR.No smog on this car.So it's breathing alot better than stock already.So what kind of cam to use?The GM Replacement Crate is rated at like 250hp,that can't be much more efficient.What size cam is in that motor?My last streetrod had a Comp 268H but that's a tad large for a stock motor.How about somthing in the low 400's for lift and around 200-220 for duration @ 50?Like I said,a little more pull,not a race car.
Le Mans Master
Joined: Jan 2006
Posts: 9,192
Likes: 27
From: Boca Raton Florida
A bumpier cam and iron eagle heads will get you closer to where you want to be. EGR intake from Edlebrock a hotter coil and a dyno tune and your there. Paint it all chevy orange and rub a lil dirty oil on it and you got a sleeper
Thread Starter
Racer
Joined: Jan 2006
Posts: 458
Likes: 0
Originally Posted by SIXFOOTER
A bumpier cam and iron eagle heads will get you closer to where you want to be. EGR intake from Edlebrock a hotter coil and a dyno tune and your there. Paint it all chevy orange and rub a lil dirty oil on it and you got a sleeper
Safety Car
Joined: Aug 2001
Posts: 4,714
Likes: 299
From: Concord VA, U.S.A.
St. Jude Donor '05 thru '26
Open exhaust (true duals) will get you another 20 to 30 HP. You can always change back to stock easy. If emissions and state laws are an issue, then...something else.
Safety Car
Joined: Aug 2001
Posts: 4,714
Likes: 299
From: Concord VA, U.S.A.
St. Jude Donor '05 thru '26
Originally Posted by ESC3
You guys miss the part where I said it had true duals and no cats?There is no other emissions other than the EGR.No smog on this car.So it's breathing alot better than stock already.So what kind of cam to use?The GM Replacement Crate is rated at like 250hp,that can't be much more efficient.What size cam is in that motor?My last streetrod had a Comp 268H but that's a tad large for a stock motor.How about somthing in the low 400's for lift and around 200-220 for duration @ 50?Like I said,a little more pull,not a race car.
Instructor
Joined: Sep 2005
Posts: 194
Likes: 0
From: Hamilton Ontario
ESC3
What rear end gears are you running? You might be looking to change the wrong end of your car. What you need is more torque, not hp. If you are running a sloppy highway gear right now, bumping up to a higher gear, say a 355 or 370, would do the trick.
As far as cams for h.p., you could do a mild cam upgrade without having to change anything else, but you may find the few extra horsies don't make up for lack of torque.
Good luck with the project.
What rear end gears are you running? You might be looking to change the wrong end of your car. What you need is more torque, not hp. If you are running a sloppy highway gear right now, bumping up to a higher gear, say a 355 or 370, would do the trick.
As far as cams for h.p., you could do a mild cam upgrade without having to change anything else, but you may find the few extra horsies don't make up for lack of torque.
Good luck with the project.
Thread Starter
Racer
Joined: Jan 2006
Posts: 458
Likes: 0
Originally Posted by Mark PittPayne
ESC3
What rear end gears are you running? You might be looking to change the wrong end of your car. What you need is more torque, not hp. If you are running a sloppy highway gear right now, bumping up to a higher gear, say a 355 or 370, would do the trick.
As far as cams for h.p., you could do a mild cam upgrade without having to change anything else, but you may find the few extra horsies don't make up for lack of torque.
Good luck with the project.
What rear end gears are you running? You might be looking to change the wrong end of your car. What you need is more torque, not hp. If you are running a sloppy highway gear right now, bumping up to a higher gear, say a 355 or 370, would do the trick.
As far as cams for h.p., you could do a mild cam upgrade without having to change anything else, but you may find the few extra horsies don't make up for lack of torque.
Good luck with the project.
Thread Starter
Racer
Joined: Jan 2006
Posts: 458
Likes: 0
Originally Posted by PRNDL
So was the guy intentionally going under the speed limit so that he could race you when you attempted to pass? Don't bother with engine mods, pack heat. 