I own an 81 4spd, T-top, two-tone, 48K original miles, entire car is original (body, interior, tires, rims, engine, etc...) Only add are a highflow cat. Stock engine with cat maybe 195/200 HP. Not NCRS detailed, but has won some trohphies (shine & show) in local car shows. I try to keep it clean as possible. Not a daily driver, primarily occassional weekend and Wx nice. Licensed in FL, no smog laws.

Have been considering various options to give some more performance. Have looked at:
-crate engine (383 stroker)
-engine rebuild (cams, headers, intakes, etc...)
-gear ratio change up
-dual exhaust with high flow mufflers
-get rid of smog gear (although, not too familiar what to take off and what to leave--81s have a CCM helping the engine perform)
-others...too many opinions to make your head spin...

Novice at hand, but willing to learn and be a gear head. Looking for some quality advice (not the kind that says "do what makes you happy..."). I've heard about some gear head experts on the web that might be able to help.

Here are my requirements...
Keep original as possible; have some performance gains (much quicker off the line, bring stock engine up to about 300 total HP). No hood/body changes. Not looking for anything too rad...

This may appear like a "pipe dream", but I've heard it has been done before, I'm just not familiar enough on what to ask for/do when leaving it at a local Vette shop in Kansas City...

Christmas wishes, tis the season,
I have a dream...thanks in advance
Scott

 

You can do a lot with the stock engine to add HP. Search the forum, there has been many wirteups on this. I have a '82 crossfire, I'm pretty much stuck with the 200hp.

 

Click the "for sale" link in my signature and see all the work I did on my 1980. You can do the very same things.

I would highly recommend doing an engine swap, 700R4 trans, 3.55 or 3.73 gears, dual exhaust, 17-18" wheels and tires and Steeroids.

 

When I first started building my engine I sent Edelbrock an Email with my gas octane problems here and the high temps we have also. They came back with a package suggestion plus recommendations on pistons to use. I ordered all the parts they suggested from Summit including the 64cc heads and pistons, rods and rockers. I sometimes have a dieseling problem when the engine is hot as the fuel here is not regulated. With any stock 81 Corvette any thing you do improves performance. I am running the summit high output distributor and dynomax headers. I did have to install a plate under the carb due to high engine temps plus a fuel gauge and flow regulator due to the Holley high output fuel pump. In the future I may install a slightly bigger cam but not right now. I’m guessing about 350 HP as it is now. So from 190 to 350 it is a big improvement.

 

A cam change and roller rockers + true duals made a world of difference for me. But by far, the overdrive tranny is probably the best upgrade I've done. 2k at 75 is a thing of beauty

 

Switch from a stick shift to an auto??? NOOOOOOOOO!!!!!! If you need the cruising gear go to a 5 or 6 speed, I can't stand manual cars that were converted to auto.... I'd love to convert my car from auto to manual....

 

well, no - don't change. But get an overdrive. That is what I was getting at.

 

If I were going to do a modest build that I did not drive daily, but enjoyed on the weekend from time to time...

I would get slightly more aggressive gears (3.27 or so), keep 4 speed, get a better carb (no computer), replace the ignition with vacume advance HEI (that and the carb will eliminate the computer control), gm vortec heads with the reworked studs, gm vortec intake, cam (cam gurus chime in).

If you are going to upgrade wheels (17's or better) I would invest in a better steering mechanism because better tires will bring out the stock short comings. Steeroids is popular, but some members have done their own rack and pinion at a fraction of the cost.

 

 

I thought that 81's only had comp. on the dist. Right or wrong? Larry

 

That year had a computer controlled Q-jet.

 

Thanks to all of those who replied. Now its time to sort and fuse your suggestions and make some decisions. Thanks again

Cheers
Scott