Help me spend some $$$

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Mar 14, 2010 | 03:48 PM

Smoking Gun

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From: Huxley Iowa

Help me spend some $$$

I have a 1980 L-82, all stock with 101k miles. The only thing I have done is I'm currently in the process of replacing all the speakers, CD player and adding a sub and amp. All of that is already purchased and sitting in my house.

Here's where I need your help. The rest of the Vette is stock and I have no more than $600 to spend. I originally thought I would replace the carb and intake but I seem to get mixed reviews on what would work best. What would you recommend I upgrade that best fits this price? I would like to improve performance but don't want to put additional stress on my motor. Fielding all suggestions within my budget.....

Mar 14, 2010 | 03:54 PM

NJVette77

Drifting

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From: NJ

You need help spending money?

send some my way

Mar 14, 2010 | 04:27 PM

Priya

Le Mans Master

Joined: Dec 2009

Posts: 6,397

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From: Saskatoon Saskatchewan

Well, anything you do to increase the horsepower is going to increase stress on the engine, but for 600 you're not going to place a significant amount of additional stress on the engine unless maybe you add nitrous oxide to it.

Other than a carb/intake/ and/or cam there's not a lot you can do for $600.

Mar 14, 2010 | 04:27 PM

jotto

Melting Slicks

Joined: Oct 2005

Posts: 2,056

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From: Redruth Cornwall

Dual exhaust with headers and a cam/lifter swap. Should come in within budget and give you a bit more seat of the pants kick!

Mar 14, 2010 | 04:28 PM

eastltd

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From: Sault Ste. Marie Ontario

Without knowing the overall condition of the car and with the limited budget, I would suggest spending the $600 on general maintenance. Brakes, tune-up, suspension, electrical and exhaust systems are all areas you could look at and improve.

Inspect the car and pick the area that needs the most help.

Mar 14, 2010 | 05:31 PM

mds3013

Melting Slicks

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Quote:

Originally Posted by eastltd

Mar 14, 2010 | 05:48 PM

Smoking Gun

Thread Starter

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From: Huxley Iowa

Quote:

Originally Posted by eastltd

I've already taken care of all the basics like you mentioned. The tune-up kit is already purchased as well.

Mar 14, 2010 | 05:49 PM

Smoking Gun

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From: Huxley Iowa

Quote:

Originally Posted by jotto

Dual exhaust with headers and a cam/lifter swap. Should come in within budget and give you a bit more seat of the pants kick!

Got any sites you would recommend to make these purchases from?

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Mar 14, 2010 | 06:26 PM

Ganey

Race Director

Joined: Apr 1999

Posts: 11,520

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From: CORVETTE 77 385 C.I. TEXAS

Start w/ exhaust.
Headers, duals & low restriction mufflers.
http://www.jegs.com/i/Flowtech/387/31106/10002/-1
These are same as Dynomax. L-82 doesn't need another cam badly as L-48 does.
New ig. module rec. if not done.

Mar 14, 2010 | 06:31 PM

#10

mydejavooo

Burning Brakes

Joined: Oct 2009

Posts: 782

Likes: 1

From: Magic Valley ID

Headers and true-dual exhaust gets my vote as well. http://www.summitracing.com/parts/SUM-G9003/

http://www.summitracing.com/parts/WLK-17657/

Deja

Last edited by mydejavooo; Mar 14, 2010 at 06:34 PM.

Mar 14, 2010 | 07:19 PM

#11

Smoking Gun

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From: Huxley Iowa

How would this set-up work out:

http://www.jegs.com/i/Hooker-Headers/520/2456/10002/-1

http://www.jegs.com/i/Hooker-Headers/520/16521/10002/-1

http://www.jegs.com/i/Hooker-Headers/520/21502/10002/-1

Please keep in mind I have never used headers in the past so if I've made some mistake with this selection please let me know.

Mar 15, 2010 | 01:05 AM

#12

jordan89

Safety Car

Joined: Mar 2009

Posts: 3,558

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From: Oakland California

Quote:

Originally Posted by Ganey

After exhaust you might want to think about a cam, intake, and maybe a carb.

Mar 15, 2010 | 03:40 AM

#13

Mad Vette

Pro

Joined: Nov 2000

Posts: 582

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From: Madison Wisconsin

With 101k your engine you might want to consider a rebuilding your it first. At the same time go for a new rotating assembly maybe up the cubic inches to a 383 or a 406 along with a new cam. Then how about some new heads like AFR or Dart. Then go for your new intake carb and headers.

Last edited by Mad Vette; Mar 15, 2010 at 09:34 AM.

Mar 15, 2010 | 08:40 AM

#14

Tuxblacray

Burning Brakes

Joined: Sep 2006

Posts: 891

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From: Greensburg Indiana

If you want it to soud better go with Gainey's advice...

If you want it to look better and breath easier under the hood Try a package like this Performer pack from Jeg.....

http://www.jegs.com/i/Edelbrock/350/1406/10002/-1

Mar 15, 2010 | 09:23 AM

#15

Ganey

Race Director

Joined: Apr 1999

Posts: 11,520

Likes: 13

From: CORVETTE 77 385 C.I. TEXAS

Actually if someone has a properly functioning Q-J & replaces w/ the Edelbrock carb, don't expect a perf. increase.

For example:

TQ .................HP same +/-1
343 @ 5000 ... 349 @ 6000 ... Q-J JET Perf. ADAPTER used.
328 @ 4800 ... 351 @ 6100 ... Holley 600
329 @ 3900 ... 351 @ 6100 ... Edelbrock 600 1405
327 @ 4000 ... 350 @ 6100 ... Edelbrock 750 1407

Mar 15, 2010 | 09:41 AM

#16

Ganey

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Joined: Apr 1999

Posts: 11,520

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From: CORVETTE 77 385 C.I. TEXAS

Quote:

Originally Posted by Smoking Gun

Looks good.

Mar 15, 2010 | 09:59 AM

#17

Smoking Gun

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From: Huxley Iowa

Quote:

Originally Posted by Ganey

Looks good.

My concern was that all the parts outlet sizes didn't match up. Now that I look at it more closely.

The headers appear to be 3", the dual exhaust is 2.25" and the mufflers are 2.5". Am I missing something?

Mar 15, 2010 | 10:17 AM

#18

Ganey

Race Director

Joined: Apr 1999

Posts: 11,520

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From: CORVETTE 77 385 C.I. TEXAS

The ex. pipe kit should & appears to have reducers to the ex. pipes. You would need 2 1/4 mufflers. This is fine for your setup & since are Mandrel bent may be as good or better than some 2 1/2. If you were going to greatly increase power later, then 2 1/2 pipes.

Mar 15, 2010 | 11:21 AM

#19

Smoking Gun

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From: Huxley Iowa

Looking to keep the same setup except add these mufflers instead:

http://www.jegs.com/i/Borla/157/40652/10002/-1

Mar 15, 2010 | 11:41 AM

#20

Smoking Gun

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Instructor

Joined: May 2009

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From: Huxley Iowa

Any one have any idea how much it would cost to have headers, a true dual exhaust and new mufflers installed? I wish I could do my own work but I can't.

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