Engine dress up?
Thread Starter
Racer
Joined: Sep 2004
Posts: 298
Likes: 0
From: Comstock Park Michigan
Engine dress up?
Have a '73 coupe w/ a stock L48. At this point I don't really feel a need for big hp gains, but a little more would be nice. Just want to be proud of the appearance when I lift the hood, and I want it to sound nice too. I really love the sound of a lumpy idle! Of course, I don't want the engine to run poorly because of using a higher lift cam without making other changes to get the most out of the cam.
I'm thinking of a Demon carb 650-750, cam, dual plane aluminum intake, aluminum valve covers, and just powder coating the heads aluminum.
Really don't know what I should do on the exhaust end? Maybe just powder coat the exhaust manifolds aluminum & different mufflers? Or would I want to go with headers, and an all new exhaust run?
Any thoughts on specific components which would work well together? And would give me the look and sound I'm after? I'm looking to spend around $1500 or so. Thanks for any advise & suggestions!
This picture was taken and posted previously by another form member from a car show. I'm just posting it here, because this is the basic look/color scheme I love.
I'm thinking of a Demon carb 650-750, cam, dual plane aluminum intake, aluminum valve covers, and just powder coating the heads aluminum.
Really don't know what I should do on the exhaust end? Maybe just powder coat the exhaust manifolds aluminum & different mufflers? Or would I want to go with headers, and an all new exhaust run?
Any thoughts on specific components which would work well together? And would give me the look and sound I'm after? I'm looking to spend around $1500 or so. Thanks for any advise & suggestions!
This picture was taken and posted previously by another form member from a car show. I'm just posting it here, because this is the basic look/color scheme I love.
Thread Starter
Racer
Joined: Sep 2004
Posts: 298
Likes: 0
From: Comstock Park Michigan
To keep it a little more simple...Should I just invest a little more, and go with a crate engine. Then add the items that finish the look I desire? Keeping in mind their recommendations for good performance.
Corvette Stories
The Best of Corvette for Corvette Enthusiasts
Top 10 Most Explosive Corvettes Ever Made: Power-to-Weight Ratio Ranked!
Joe Kucinski
150 hp to 1,250 hp: Every Corvette Generation Compared by the Specs That Matter
Joe Kucinski
8 Coolest Corvette Pace Cars (and Replicas) of All Time
Verdad Gallardo
Top 10 Corvette Engines RANKED by Peak Torque (70+ Years of Muscle!)
Joe Kucinski
Corvette ZR1X Will Be Pacing the Indy 500, And Could Probably Race, Too!
Verdad Gallardo
Top 10 Corvettes Coming to Mecum Indy 2026!
Brett Foote
Top 10 C9 Corvette MUST-HAVES to Fix These C8 Generation Flaws!
Michael S. Palmer
10 Revolutionary 'Corvette Firsts' Most People Don't Know
Joe Kucinski
5 Reasons to Upgrade to an LS6-Powered Corvette; 5 Reasons to Stay LT2
Michael S. Palmer
Le Mans Master
Joined: Mar 2002
Posts: 7,456
Likes: 2
From: Coming home from Luckenbach Texas
Ceramic coating is preferable to powder coating in high heat applications. On the exhaust manifolds, it helps reduce heat radiation considerably! 
Plus it helped there was a ceramic coating shop just up the road...
Plus it helped there was a ceramic coating shop just up the road...
Race Director
Joined: Sep 2004
Posts: 11,874
Likes: 263
From: Arlington Va Current ride 04 vert, previous vettes: 69 vert, 77 resto mod
your $1500 will get eaten up fast....450 for speeddemon and fuel line, 150 new distributor or 80 to rebuild your own, 130 for intake, 200 for valve covers....
[IMG]
[/IMG]
[IMG]
[/IMG]
[IMG]
[/IMG] [IMG]
[/IMG]
Melting Slicks
Joined: Dec 2000
Posts: 2,198
Likes: 2
From: Eastern Connecticut
I'd keep the q-jet and get a performer intake manifold. Paint/coat the factory cowl induction air filter silver, it works better than any aftermarket filter. I like the LT-1 valve covers, but there are dozens of good looking ones out there. GM makes a cool angular set. The L48 heads and cam are very weak, don't put any money in them. I just upgraded mine, can't wait to drive it. If you get aftermarket heads you can also use center bolt valve covers. Headers will give more wow factor when you lift the hood, get ceramic coated for the look and sound you are after. $1500 goes fast, don't spend it foolishly. Joe
Race Director
Joined: Sep 2004
Posts: 11,874
Likes: 263
From: Arlington Va Current ride 04 vert, previous vettes: 69 vert, 77 resto mod
Originally Posted by oregonsharkman
yup......new rpm heads with revised chamber..... 
i hope they threw in a free t shirt or 2 with that whole set up!!!!
