1981 Engine question....

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Nov 4, 2006 | 08:22 PM

Richard Cooper

Thread Starter

Melting Slicks

Joined: Feb 1999

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From: New Paltz, New York USA

1981 Engine question....

Anyone here put a "Universal Crate Motor" in their 81? I am going to buy this motor , but I am NOT going to use the computer anymore. can you tell me what carb and distributor I would need for this? I talked with Summit but they can't tell me anything because of the Clean Air Act of 1991. Thanks for any help.

Nov 4, 2006 | 08:27 PM

3rd_Vette

Drifting

Joined: Aug 2006

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From: Oregon

Quote:

Originally Posted by Richard Cooper

GM 350/260 hp crate $1450.
Edelbrock 1406 Carb $ 250.
Edelbrock 2701 Intake $125
GMPP HEI Dist $179 or a cheap Jegs dist for $89

With that and a new 2 1/2 exhaust, you should be somewhere near 300 hp. A far cry from the 180 or 190 stock HP motor. If you have the smog natzi's in your home town, you will need the Edelbrock EGR carb and manifold.

Hope this helps..

Nov 4, 2006 | 08:50 PM

3rd_Vette

Drifting

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From: Oregon

Out with the stock, In with the new.

Ir runs like a raped ape!

Nov 4, 2006 | 09:01 PM

Mark G

Safety Car

Joined: Jul 2005

Posts: 3,687

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From: WI

I can understand ditching the computer controlled carb, but no way would I go back to a regular carb unless I absolutely had to. Doing this upgrade, you are in the perfect position to perform a throttle body coversion. Have you considered that? Cost-wise, it might be as cheap or cheaper than a carb, potentially give you more power, definitely better throttle response, better idle, meet emissions and so on. Even retains stock look with air cleaner on.

There are a number of guys doing low dollar conversion using early 90's truck T/B systems from a boneyard. Corvette Fever did a feature on it this past summer. I scanned the article. I can send it to you if you are interested (send P/M). But it's definitely something to consider. I have an 81. I'm half tempted to do it.

Mark G

Last edited by Mark G; Nov 4, 2006 at 09:28 PM.

Nov 5, 2006 | 03:31 AM

Kalway

Safety Car

Joined: Dec 2004

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From: San Diego CA

Before you outright decide to ditch the puter you should really consider keeping it. If you do it correctly, it'll actually run very well with the CCC. If you're not going for a huge performer, stick with the CCC system, you'll thank yourself in the end.

Nov 5, 2006 | 12:24 PM

Rich N.

Instructor

Joined: Sep 2006

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From: Upper Darby PA

Rich, when I bought my ' 81 4 spd, it had a new ZZ4 with CA pollution equipment. I changed it to a PA classic car registration, so I could get the most out of the engine. after taking off the smogg stuff (computer still on), a friend tuned (& rebuilt Lars specs)the q-jet and dist. the performance gain was dramatic. I have since installed a Demon and MSD. the ZZ4 has a lot more going for it than your engine and I felt the new carb and dist could get more out of my engine. it has. however, if I had your crate motor, I would stick with the original CCC carb/dist setup. I've had several 'vettes with q-jets and they're not bad carbs. there is money saved to consider also. good luck. Rich N.

Nov 5, 2006 | 04:03 PM

Richard Cooper

Thread Starter

Melting Slicks

Joined: Feb 1999

Posts: 2,473

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From: New Paltz, New York USA

Thank you all very much. I am for sure going to ditch the computer. I have had enough trouble with the computer over the last 4 years that I don't care what it takes, its gone.
I just found out that my daughter (who is in 2nd year of college) has been accepted into a travel program and is going to Rome the day after Christmas for 16 days. So, there goes my motor AGAIN! Maybe by the time I get this motor I will feel different about the computer. Thanks again.