Need tips for modding my 78' vette
Thread Starter
3rd Gear
Joined: Apr 2006
Posts: 3
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Need tips for modding my 78' vette
I recently got a 78' corvette silver anniversary edition and I want to make it fly. I'm interested in a crate motor, GM's ZZ454 Big Block seems like it would be a nice fit. Eventually I plan on putting a super charger on it. I hope to net somewhere over 600 hp. I'm leaning towards a flowmaster exhuast kit, and the car will need new radial tires. I was wondering if anyone here had any experience with modding 78's or with the ZZ454 Big Block. Thanks in advance for any advice.
-Pvt. Cannon
-Pvt. Cannon
Racer
Joined: Dec 2005
Posts: 399
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From: Kearns UT
I've got a zz502 in my 78 and with some head work and a new cam I've been told by gm performance and several others that I can get around 600HP from the motor alone, so if it's a total of 600 HP your looking for then for about $8000-$8500 you might just get it. And you'll probably keep your stock look, without a supercharger sticking through the hood.
FYI, if you get the zz502, then go with the ramjet 502 and fuel inject that bad boy. I HATE MY CARB!
As A1Sensei said, I hope you have lots of $$$ laying around, because your going to need it.
FYI, if you get the zz502, then go with the ramjet 502 and fuel inject that bad boy. I HATE MY CARB!
As A1Sensei said, I hope you have lots of $$$ laying around, because your going to need it.
Melting Slicks
Joined: Sep 2004
Posts: 2,412
Likes: 3
You need to know before you buy the motor whether or not it will be supercharged. As I recently learned.
You need about 8 or 8.5:1 compression for a blower and a cam with a 112 or a 114 LSA.
Also, if you decide to buy an engine fit for a supercharger, it will make less power than it could have with more compression. Until you put the supercharger on.
And GM crate engines are nice, no guess work.
I also have a 78, 383 6 Speed. If you have lots of money to blow, look into a T56 swap.
You need about 8 or 8.5:1 compression for a blower and a cam with a 112 or a 114 LSA.
Also, if you decide to buy an engine fit for a supercharger, it will make less power than it could have with more compression. Until you put the supercharger on.
And GM crate engines are nice, no guess work.
I also have a 78, 383 6 Speed. If you have lots of money to blow, look into a T56 swap.
Thread Starter
3rd Gear
Joined: Apr 2006
Posts: 3
Likes: 0
Money shouldn't be a problem, God Bless Uncle Sam 
. I should have about $12,000 to start the project and I'll have more as the project progresses. The T56 looks nice, how hard is it to adjust from a 5 speed manual to a 6 speed like the T56? Has anyone here supercharged their c3? Or would a fuel injected big block like the ramjet yield more power? Thanks for all the input so far guys.
-Pvt. Cannon
Edit: It looks like I'll have clearance issues with the Ramjet or the supercharged engine so I think I'll custom build a hood.
. I should have about $12,000 to start the project and I'll have more as the project progresses. The T56 looks nice, how hard is it to adjust from a 5 speed manual to a 6 speed like the T56? Has anyone here supercharged their c3? Or would a fuel injected big block like the ramjet yield more power? Thanks for all the input so far guys.-Pvt. Cannon
Edit: It looks like I'll have clearance issues with the Ramjet or the supercharged engine so I think I'll custom build a hood.
Last edited by Pvt. Cannon; Apr 16, 2006 at 03:35 PM.
