Gut less wonder…..
Thread Starter
Instructor
Joined: Dec 2006
Posts: 131
Likes: 0
From: Flushing Mich
Gut less wonder…..
Snow finally melted and got a chance to drive the 81… for the first time since getting it.
I got a stark reminder…. of when I used to smoke these things from the light with my 79 turbo 2.3 Mustang…..
I have to say numbers matching….who gives a Rats A**! What a boat anchor…..
Looks like the shark gets the DZ 302 motor a little faster than the wallet can afford…
I can’t stomach this for the whole summer….. Bust out the Credit Card…..
I got a stark reminder…. of when I used to smoke these things from the light with my 79 turbo 2.3 Mustang…..
I have to say numbers matching….who gives a Rats A**! What a boat anchor…..
Looks like the shark gets the DZ 302 motor a little faster than the wallet can afford…
I can’t stomach this for the whole summer….. Bust out the Credit Card…..
Thread Starter
Instructor
Joined: Dec 2006
Posts: 131
Likes: 0
From: Flushing Mich
Would that get me at least 16's or 17's in the quarter.....
I bought the car to put the motor in anyway.... but it just looks like a sports car and does not run like one... Then again.... those were not Detroit finest hours.....
I bought the car to put the motor in anyway.... but it just looks like a sports car and does not run like one... Then again.... those were not Detroit finest hours.....
Team Owner
Joined: Nov 2004
Posts: 20,715
Likes: 25
From: Sorrento Italy
you'll need a new engine, new brakes, suspensions and get rid of about 600/700 lbs of overweight...then you'll have a vette that will run like it looks...
Thread Starter
Instructor
Joined: Dec 2006
Posts: 131
Likes: 0
From: Flushing Mich
Melting Slicks
Joined: Apr 2004
Posts: 2,083
Likes: 2
From: Montreal Qc.
Would that get me at least 16's or 17's in the quarter.....
You can go ahead and throw crazy money at a new motor, but headers/heads/cam will get you nearly as far for a lot less $$$.
Race Director
Joined: Dec 1999
Posts: 19,610
Likes: 778
From: Forked River NJ
If you are that worried about performance why are you only going to use 302 cubic inches. That is a tiny motor by todays standards. At least put in a stroker or better yet if you want some high HP go with 502+ cubic inches. A decent built Sb or BB will still smoke a 302 equipped Vette.
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Melting Slicks
Joined: May 2001
Posts: 2,131
Likes: 4
From: May help you? You can sure as hell try!
Sell the DZ302 to a guy restoring his '69 Z-28 and use the proceeds to build 383 (minimum) small block. The DZ motor was a fine motor for what it was intended, i.e., homologate the Z28 for trans-am racing, but it was displacement limited and low on low end torque. I know, I used to have a '69 302 Z28. There's no replacement for displacement. Besides, if your '81 is an auto, the DZ302 won't like it and it probably won't like the low rear axle ratio that likely came in your '81 either. The early Z's were sold only with 4 speeds and steep rear axle ratios for a reason.
Thread Starter
Instructor
Joined: Dec 2006
Posts: 131
Likes: 0
From: Flushing Mich
Sell the DZ302 to a guy restoring his '69 Z-28 and use the proceeds to build 383 (minimum) small block. The DZ motor was a fine motor for what it was intended, i.e., homologate the Z28 for trans-am racing, but it was displacement limited and low on low end torque. I know, I used to have a '69 302 Z28. There's no replacement for displacement. Besides, if your '81 is an auto, the DZ302 won't like it and it probably won't like the low rear axle ratio that likely came in your '81 either. The early Z's were sold only with 4 speeds and steep rear axle ratios for a reason.
Everyone and their brother is running a 383 or similar. Kinda like saying I have a 350 Camaro….. big deal me and 20 million other people.
I had a 69 mustang with a 302 and it ran 12.50s all day long. I like high revving small blocks.
I k now this is going to spark a ton of bench racing….. but you can go fast on less cubes…. I’ll race you’re Chinese rotating assemblies…. Any time.
The replacement for displacement is Nitrous or forced induction. You just need to be smart about it that’s all.
I’m getting old wanting one of these boat anchors… when I was younger… they were just Disco buggies…. Now I like them….doooooooh I’m old!
May need some recommendations for diff work and such though.
Pro
Joined: Feb 2005
Posts: 571
Likes: 0
From: Harleysville pa
Yes…. I see your point …. The motor came out of a 69 Z. No resto rocker would want it because it’s far from stock. I.E Pistons, crank, rods, heads or cam. Last car it was in was a 66 Nova. 2,800 lbs and ran 10.63s with a 2spd slip n slide.
Everyone and their brother is running a 383 or similar. Kinda like saying I have a 350 Camaro….. big deal me and 20 million other people.
I had a 69 mustang with a 302 and it ran 12.50s all day long. I like high revving small blocks.
I k now this is going to spark a ton of bench racing….. but you can go fast on less cubes…. I’ll race you’re Chinese rotating assemblies…. Any time.
The replacement for displacement is Nitrous or forced induction. You just need to be smart about it that’s all.
I’m getting old wanting one of these boat anchors… when I was younger… they were just Disco buggies…. Now I like them….doooooooh I’m old!
May need some recommendations for diff work and such though.
Everyone and their brother is running a 383 or similar. Kinda like saying I have a 350 Camaro….. big deal me and 20 million other people.
I had a 69 mustang with a 302 and it ran 12.50s all day long. I like high revving small blocks.
I k now this is going to spark a ton of bench racing….. but you can go fast on less cubes…. I’ll race you’re Chinese rotating assemblies…. Any time.
The replacement for displacement is Nitrous or forced induction. You just need to be smart about it that’s all.
I’m getting old wanting one of these boat anchors… when I was younger… they were just Disco buggies…. Now I like them….doooooooh I’m old!
May need some recommendations for diff work and such though.
If you already have the motor put it in......Gear it low and blast off...
Burning Brakes
Joined: Dec 2005
Posts: 1,009
Likes: 0
From: St. Charles MO.
yep i'm thinkin something could be wrong...my 81 runs like champ and all I've done is cut off the smog crap and put on a good exhaust. Its probably a 15 second car, plenty for a 22 yr. old to drive since i get pulled over every other trip anyway.
Le Mans Master
Joined: May 2006
Posts: 7,708
Likes: 266
From: indy indiana
here you go,complete 1998 c-5 running gear for $6,500. Thats trans,motor and rearend.driveshaft.
http://auto-rv.com/browse.aspx?AdName=8-324876
http://auto-rv.com/browse.aspx?AdName=8-324876
Last edited by ghoastrider1; Mar 13, 2007 at 11:49 AM.
Thread Starter
Instructor
Joined: Dec 2006
Posts: 131
Likes: 0
From: Flushing Mich
here you go,complete 1998 c-5 running gear for $6,500. Thats trans,motor and rearend.driveshaft.
http://auto-rv.com/browse.aspx?AdName=8-324876
http://auto-rv.com/browse.aspx?AdName=8-324876
Burning Brakes
Joined: Jun 2004
Posts: 1,012
Likes: 5
From: Granbury, TX
I was tired of driving a boat anchor, too. I started with a L-83 CFI. Edelbrock heads, cam, intake and Holley 670 got me to the 9.0s in the 1/8. W/ nitrous turned an 8.44 and didn't shoot until 3500 rpm. This is equivalent to very low 13's in the 1/4. I tried to shoot off the line but my street tires almost melted. Total cost was < $3000.
You can read this link for details. Good luck.
http://www.crossfire.homeip.net/cfte...ID=18&CAT_ID=1
You can read this link for details. Good luck.
http://www.crossfire.homeip.net/cfte...ID=18&CAT_ID=1
Drifting
Joined: Apr 2002
Posts: 1,716
Likes: 4
From: New Baden Illinois
Not much of a challenge there.
Everyone and their brother is running a 383 or similar. Kinda like saying I have a 350 Camaro….. big deal me and 20 million other people.
Burning Brakes
Joined: Jul 2006
Posts: 830
Likes: 1
Not really, if you look at the other cars it was competeing against:
FOR THE RECORD:
1980 Corvette
It was faster than a Porsche 928 and less $
It was much faster than the Ferarri 308 and MUCH less $
You already sound mechanically inclined so,
Put on headers, nice aluminum AFM heads, decent lumpy cam and a carb/intake manifold and you're back where you want to be. That's the beauty of these small block chevy's.
You can do the exact small block gig as you did with your ford...but for a lot less MONEY!
Not to mention, from an engineering standpoint, there are many engineers who will suggest the SBC is one of the most efficient powerplants designed.
(please know, I come from a long line of FordFanatics in my family) My first car was a 66 Galaxie. Then a 67 Mustang. Then a 1970 Ranchero GT (wicked fast 351C). Then a 1980 Mustang, Then a 1988 Mustang, then a 1970 Comet GT (crazy hot 302SBF)....
But they were all ugly as turds...I started approaching the big FOUR OH (aka 40) and the crazy stingray Vettes started looking cool to me. So I got one
AP
FOR THE RECORD:
1980 Corvette
It was faster than a Porsche 928 and less $
It was much faster than the Ferarri 308 and MUCH less $
You already sound mechanically inclined so,
Put on headers, nice aluminum AFM heads, decent lumpy cam and a carb/intake manifold and you're back where you want to be. That's the beauty of these small block chevy's.
You can do the exact small block gig as you did with your ford...but for a lot less MONEY!
Not to mention, from an engineering standpoint, there are many engineers who will suggest the SBC is one of the most efficient powerplants designed.
(please know, I come from a long line of FordFanatics in my family) My first car was a 66 Galaxie. Then a 67 Mustang. Then a 1970 Ranchero GT (wicked fast 351C). Then a 1980 Mustang, Then a 1988 Mustang, then a 1970 Comet GT (crazy hot 302SBF)....
But they were all ugly as turds...I started approaching the big FOUR OH (aka 40) and the crazy stingray Vettes started looking cool to me. So I got one
AP
Thread Starter
Instructor
Joined: Dec 2006
Posts: 131
Likes: 0
From: Flushing Mich
Not really, if you look at the other cars it was competeing against:
FOR THE RECORD:
1980 Corvette
It was faster than a Porsche 928 and less $
It was much faster than the Ferarri 308 and MUCH less $
You already sound mechanically inclined so,
Put on headers, nice aluminum AFM heads, decent lumpy cam and a carb/intake manifold and you're back where you want to be. That's the beauty of these small block chevy's.
You can do the exact small block gig as you did with your ford...but for a lot less MONEY!
Not to mention, from an engineering standpoint, there are many engineers who will suggest the SBC is one of the most efficient powerplants designed.
(please know, I come from a long line of FordFanatics in my family) My first car was a 66 Galaxie. Then a 67 Mustang. Then a 1970 Ranchero GT (wicked fast 351C). Then a 1980 Mustang, Then a 1988 Mustang, then a 1970 Comet GT (crazy hot 302SBF)....
But they were all ugly as turds...I started approaching the big FOUR OH (aka 40) and the crazy stingray Vettes started looking cool to me. So I got one
AP
FOR THE RECORD:
1980 Corvette
It was faster than a Porsche 928 and less $
It was much faster than the Ferarri 308 and MUCH less $
You already sound mechanically inclined so,
Put on headers, nice aluminum AFM heads, decent lumpy cam and a carb/intake manifold and you're back where you want to be. That's the beauty of these small block chevy's.
You can do the exact small block gig as you did with your ford...but for a lot less MONEY!
Not to mention, from an engineering standpoint, there are many engineers who will suggest the SBC is one of the most efficient powerplants designed.
(please know, I come from a long line of FordFanatics in my family) My first car was a 66 Galaxie. Then a 67 Mustang. Then a 1970 Ranchero GT (wicked fast 351C). Then a 1980 Mustang, Then a 1988 Mustang, then a 1970 Comet GT (crazy hot 302SBF)....
But they were all ugly as turds...I started approaching the big FOUR OH (aka 40) and the crazy stingray Vettes started looking cool to me. So I got one
AP
I know what you are saying I hit 40 and the disco buggies started looking better and better.
Some of those Fords I think are good looking... but thats my opinion.
The American way has always been if it doesn’t run good add more cubes. Yet they complain about getting spanked by a turbo Neon….
IMHO anyone can make cubes and power…. but making power on less is the real challenge.
I have $1,500 into the 302. Removed the solid cam put a HFT cam in to flatten out the PB…. and I’m on my way. Shift at 7K and call it a day.
To move 2,800 pounds in the quarter like the 302 did…. It takes about 430 hp. No dyno runs but the math should be close. Why should I put a Chinese rotating assembly into a 350 block to get about the same power? Torque will get the anchor moving but HP will keep it alive at traps.
I’m surprised that people still think they can build a Chevy for less. Pick up a Summit cat and compare heads for heads… since the popularity of the 5.0 has dropped prices drastically.
Also what are your thoughts about spending money on a crappy 2 bolt L 81 lower end???
I don’t get it?????
I’m assuming that the L81 has cast pistons in it???? If so can’t squirt much nitrous into that!
Maybe I’m just old school……
Thread Starter
Instructor
Joined: Dec 2006
Posts: 131
Likes: 0
From: Flushing Mich
I was tired of driving a boat anchor, too. I started with a L-83 CFI. Edelbrock heads, cam, intake and Holley 670 got me to the 9.0s in the 1/8. W/ nitrous turned an 8.44 and didn't shoot until 3500 rpm. This is equivalent to very low 13's in the 1/4. I tried to shoot off the line but my street tires almost melted. Total cost was < $3000.
You can read this link for details. Good luck.
http://www.crossfire.homeip.net/cfte...ID=18&CAT_ID=1
You can read this link for details. Good luck.
http://www.crossfire.homeip.net/cfte...ID=18&CAT_ID=1
I hear ya brother..... Are you spraying cast pistons????
Nice lookin motor too! Keep up the good work.