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Old Aug 9, 2010 | 12:13 AM
  #1  
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Default Looking For More Horses!!!!

Hey guys,

I'm looking to get more horsepower out of my 81' Vette. I want to consider every option, but I want the best option, and in what order should I approach this first, so that I am not waisting time or money. Carburetor may in question, but the engine is original, strong and runs great, and I want to get the most for my money even if it means a engine rebuild. or minor purchases to get me started???

Thanks.
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Old Aug 9, 2010 | 12:21 AM
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how much money are you willing to pay.. for $20,000..............................
or
how much horsepower do you want?

1 of these is more important.. decide which and you will be headed for a great start.
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Old Aug 9, 2010 | 09:43 PM
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Your BEST bang for the buck is a 700-R transmission. 1st gear is 30% steeper than your tranny. So if you have 3:55s in your rear end now - your car will react like it had 4:61s. How much money do you have to throw into your motor to get 30% more torque off the line? AND you get the gas mileage bonus - AND it is so much more enjoyable on the highway!


Bowtie Overdrives can fix you up with everything OR just the do-dads that you don't want to fart around with yourself
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Old Aug 9, 2010 | 10:16 PM
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Dual exhaust,overdrive tranny (200r4 or 700r4 or a 5-speed) and vortec heads. In that order.
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Old Aug 9, 2010 | 10:34 PM
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383 crate motor
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Old Aug 10, 2010 | 08:18 PM
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Speed is a question of money...well you know the rest.
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Old Aug 10, 2010 | 08:27 PM
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Originally Posted by couperdecar
Your BEST bang for the buck is a 700-R transmission. 1st gear is 30% steeper than your tranny. So if you have 3:55s in your rear end now - your car will react like it had 4:61s. How much money do you have to throw into your motor to get 30% more torque off the line? AND you get the gas mileage bonus - AND it is so much more enjoyable on the highway!


Bowtie Overdrives can fix you up with everything OR just the do-dads that you don't want to fart around with yourself
imo i would start with the gears and replace your cat .
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Old Aug 10, 2010 | 09:49 PM
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I would start with:
1. replacing the 2:87 gear for a 3:54,
2. true dual 2.5" exhaust cat removal (if emission laws where you live permit). this should waken it up a lot.
3. heads,
4. cam
5. transmission with over drive. (not required but makes for better highway driving)

So far i have done 1 and 2 on my '81 and it helped a lot. mods 3, 4 and 5 are coming soon. If your car has the CCC keep it the mods like a cam and heads will not affect anything. just my 2 cents.
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Old Aug 10, 2010 | 09:55 PM
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Originally Posted by fishfryer
Speed is a question of money...well you know the rest.
Directly proportional
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Old Aug 10, 2010 | 10:10 PM
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Originally Posted by Skip Burney
383 crate motor
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Old Aug 12, 2010 | 07:24 PM
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Thanks fellas...
I was waiting to get some feedback from a few experts. So... let me get this right, it looks like I have more of a census on the tranny first. a 200r4 or a 700r4. secondly dual exhaust. (just purchased stainless steel performance exhaust w/front & rear Y-pipes, w/cat 2.5) - hey "larryg3" when you said replace the gears... are suggesting have someone upgrade the tranny instead of purchasing a new one?????
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Old Aug 12, 2010 | 07:34 PM
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He's recommending the gears in the rearend, go from a 3.08 to 3.55 or 3.73
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Old Aug 12, 2010 | 07:40 PM
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Originally Posted by Attfay Elleybay
He's recommending the gears in the rearend, go from a 3.08 to 3.55 or 3.73
Thank you sir... so, you went with the dual exhaust first, and then the vortex heads???? do you still have your original engine? how did that work for you?
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Old Aug 13, 2010 | 12:40 PM
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Did my engine first (stroker), installed a 700r4 and 3:73s after that. If the engine is strong I would do the tranny and rearend first.
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Old Aug 13, 2010 | 12:58 PM
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Originally Posted by Attfay Elleybay
He's recommending the gears in the rearend, go from a 3.08 to 3.55 or 3.73
that is what i was referring to
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