Engine Suggestions
Instructor
Joined: Oct 2011
Posts: 131
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From: Asuncion
Racer
Joined: Oct 2011
Posts: 318
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From: NP Nebraska
Advanced
Joined: Mar 2011
Posts: 69
Likes: 0
From: West Milford New Jersey
From the seller, it is equipped with following: true dual exhaust with flowmaster mufflers, edelbrock alluminum intake with original carb, and all smog intact.
I have no idea what my HP (or Torque) is at this point, as the seller didn't know.
When someone talks about the smog, are they talking about the cat. converters?
I will drive it plenty before I make changes. But I wanted to get a head start so I have a good idea what to save for or start looking for so I can get the best deals. It could end up being for nothing, but I will still learn something.
I have no idea what my HP (or Torque) is at this point, as the seller didn't know.
When someone talks about the smog, are they talking about the cat. converters?
I will drive it plenty before I make changes. But I wanted to get a head start so I have a good idea what to save for or start looking for so I can get the best deals. It could end up being for nothing, but I will still learn something.
there are 2 huge determining factors when it comes to the horsepower difference between mid 70's+ cars and the "real muscle car" generation. (please by all means correct me on anything i misinterpreted, or elaborate more on the subject, im only 22, i wasn't around for the glory days)
1, is the way horsepower was rated in these two time periods.
earlier on, engines were dyno'd with no accessories, therefore reading moderately unrestricted power. later on, they were tested with all of the accessories, giving you a more accurate rating of what youre really going to be driving off of the lot.
2, the epa. emissions went berserk. America saw the attempted assassination of muscle cars. cams became more mild, exhaust and intake systems more restricted. at the time, the strict emissions laws made pavement melting horsepower too difficult to reach due to lack of technology.
id say with a new cam and intake manifold you should see the power youre looking for, btw i think youre at around 200 hp, and 300 ft lbs of torque but not sure about that
Burning Brakes
Joined: Jun 2006
Posts: 1,148
Likes: 5
From: South Dakota
Even with lower compression heads, just get a CompCams 268H cam,lifterand timing chain kit. Use a Weiand Stealth intake manifold.....or reuse your old intake. You will notice a difference either way and still run cheaper pump gas.
Thread Starter
Le Mans Master
Joined: Feb 2011
Posts: 5,783
Likes: 400
From: Paoli, IN
St. Jude Donor '17, '19
How does this work? I gain horsepower and performance, but my gas usage goes down too.
Race Director
Joined: Apr 1999
Posts: 11,520
Likes: 13
From: CORVETTE 77 385 C.I. TEXAS
He was saying "still run cheaper pump gas".
Increasing efficiency increases HP & fuel economy like duals, low restriction mufflers & headers. The 260H cam is good for over 300HP & Comp says will improve gas mileage.
If you drive hard the 268H is very good for 4spd. I have rec. it many times.
Increasing efficiency increases HP & fuel economy like duals, low restriction mufflers & headers. The 260H cam is good for over 300HP & Comp says will improve gas mileage.
If you drive hard the 268H is very good for 4spd. I have rec. it many times.
Thread Starter
Le Mans Master
Joined: Feb 2011
Posts: 5,783
Likes: 400
From: Paoli, IN
St. Jude Donor '17, '19
If I can get to 300 or 350 without any significant engine modding that would be great. According to another poster I am around 200, so I have a long way to go.
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Thread Starter
Le Mans Master
Joined: Feb 2011
Posts: 5,783
Likes: 400
From: Paoli, IN
St. Jude Donor '17, '19
How much would I be spending for these few replacement parts?
Also, is there any advantage to using the exposed air filters you see in many of the vette pictures on here? Do they require any modification to the engine or just take off the old air filter and put on these new ones?
Also, is there any advantage to using the exposed air filters you see in many of the vette pictures on here? Do they require any modification to the engine or just take off the old air filter and put on these new ones?
Burning Brakes
Joined: Jun 2006
Posts: 1,148
Likes: 5
From: South Dakota
How much would I be spending for these few replacement parts?
Also, is there any advantage to using the exposed air filters you see in many of the vette pictures on here? Do they require any modification to the engine or just take off the old air filter and put on these new ones?
Also, is there any advantage to using the exposed air filters you see in many of the vette pictures on here? Do they require any modification to the engine or just take off the old air filter and put on these new ones?
If you want good mileage....give it a good tuneup and run cheap gas.
If you want horsepower, put in a cam kit, get a good exhaust, carburetor, heads, intake, air filter and ignition system.
If you want it to look cool when you lift the hood, buy some valve covers, air cleaner, other chrome goodies and clean up your engine compartment.
You are kind of asking for everything without spending money or doing much to the engine. Ain't gonna happen.
Burning Brakes
Joined: May 2004
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From: Frederick Md
Bob G.
64 72 76 79 88 (35th anniv) and 98 Corvettes ...
Thread Starter
Le Mans Master
Joined: Feb 2011
Posts: 5,783
Likes: 400
From: Paoli, IN
St. Jude Donor '17, '19
Do some of these mods require other changes to the engine? For example, changing the headers means changing the head gasket? Will changing the headers or intake effect the heat inside the engine bay, therefore, in the cab?
Thanks.
Thanks.
Thread Starter
Le Mans Master
Joined: Feb 2011
Posts: 5,783
Likes: 400
From: Paoli, IN
St. Jude Donor '17, '19
Le Mans Master
Joined: Mar 2008
Posts: 5,948
Likes: 72
From: Oxford MA-----You just lost the game!!!!
I have a 1980 L-48 and have put less than $1500 into the engine without pulling it from the car. It now has a little over 300 honest horsepower by the dynoprograms. I easily do 60 in less than 6 seconds. I upped the compression and gave it better breathing by putting Dart SR 165 72 cc heads. This moved the compression to around 9.3 very doable on premium. I know these arent the best heads for the draggers but they are great if you want your power down low where it counts on the street and they can be had for less than $700. Next I put in a melling 204/214 cam which is identical to the edelbrock performer. I mated the cam to compcam 1.52 roller tipped magnum rockers. It now has a very slight lope but still good with air conditioner, etc. I put a true 2.5 inch dual exhaust on and junked the one pipe choked original. I blocked off the EGR plate on the manifold and installed an edelbrock 1406. I set the timing to 12 degrees with warm idle at 900 in park and 650 in gear. The car is very quick and extaordinarily responsive in the low end with power up to the mid 5000s. I would suggest you replace or check your harmonic balancer given the age of the engine and rubber rot. A std replacement is fine as you won't see 6000 with this set up.
Scott
