Hate to ask,,BUT
Thread Starter
Instructor
Joined: Apr 2006
Posts: 206
Likes: 0
From: Ofallon MO
Hate to ask,,BUT
I just purchased my first vette after wanting one since I was 13. It is a 1981 (I know, buy a bigger engine) but I like the car and I was wondering if anybody could give me suggestions to give it a little more. I got 2K...
Le Mans Master
Joined: Jan 2004
Posts: 8,295
Likes: 30
From: one night in Bangkok you are never lonely
Do a search on this forum been there done that
Recent post.
http://forums.corvetteforum.com/show....php?t=1366666
Recent post.
http://forums.corvetteforum.com/show....php?t=1366666
Drifting
Joined: Mar 2005
Posts: 1,806
Likes: 3
From: Burlington WI
Congratulations on your new car!!
Welcome to the forum!!
Best (and cheapest) way to wake up a small block is to get free flowing exhaust on it.
There are a thousand other things you can do, but I would start there.
I just put headers and 2-1/2" dual exhaust on my 78 and it's a different car now.
Best (and cheapest) way to wake up a small block is to get free flowing exhaust on it.
There are a thousand other things you can do, but I would start there.
I just put headers and 2-1/2" dual exhaust on my 78 and it's a different car now.
Le Mans Master
Joined: Jan 2006
Posts: 9,192
Likes: 27
From: Boca Raton Florida
I agree with these guys, first off (if you can) headers, true duals, no cat, no air pump(under $500) Better Manifold and new heads ( $1500). These will wake it up a lot, not break the bank and not be concidered Serious Mods that most anyone with a little skill and experience can do.Post pics and let us know how its going.
And Welcom to the Forum
Melting Slicks
Joined: Aug 2005
Posts: 2,606
Likes: 5
I'm gonna take a different tact: Keep the engine stock and spend the $2k on making it look "pretty". Chicks don't care how fast the car goes...and instead of spending money on gas, you'll have money to take the babes to dinner.
Note: If you are married, please disregard the above advice. Spend the money on the engine!
Note: If you are married, please disregard the above advice. Spend the money on the engine!
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Melting Slicks
Joined: Dec 2004
Posts: 2,101
Likes: 3
From: Cruising somewhere in St. Louis, Missouri
Welcome....
I would first check with your state and see if your car needs to be smogged at anytime... If it does then you will be restricted in what you can do.
If not then you can do most anything you like for the money you have for go fast goodies.
Remember: Chrome = Fast
I would first check with your state and see if your car needs to be smogged at anytime... If it does then you will be restricted in what you can do.
If not then you can do most anything you like for the money you have for go fast goodies.
Remember: Chrome = Fast
Last edited by luerja; Apr 23, 2006 at 06:52 PM.
Pro
Joined: Jan 2006
Posts: 599
Likes: 0
From: New York
1st shark..
best of luck...i just got my 1st shark back in june...something i wanted since high school....n i'm 46....well i drove her home,then one day while at idle in my driveway i blew the fusable link-[alt. 2 close 2 the valve cover]-and now 10 months n 7,000.00 later i sit here hoping they fire her up in a week or 2......i started with a rebuild of the engine,front suspension rebuild n it snowballed from there...n the crazy thing is i still have a list of things i want 2 do.....so when u say u want 2 step it up a notch ..b carefull......it's a beautiful thing but it's sure contageous....LOL.......enjoy n best of luck....
Racer
Joined: Dec 2005
Posts: 399
Likes: 0
From: Kearns UT
A cheap upgrade is a nice K&N air filter, maybe an MSD ignition box, plugs and wires.
You might also want to consider having the 350 rebuilt for performance, but I'm not sure how much that will cost you.
If you leave it stock then definately get headers and exhaust.
GOOD LUCK!
You might also want to consider having the 350 rebuilt for performance, but I'm not sure how much that will cost you.
If you leave it stock then definately get headers and exhaust.
GOOD LUCK!
Thread Starter
Instructor
Joined: Apr 2006
Posts: 206
Likes: 0
From: Ofallon MO
Thanks...
Thanks to everybody for the good ideas . I just had my car inspected at JUST CORVETTES in St. Charles, MO. I was pretty pleased when they said it was the "cleanest C3 they ever had in there". So now the fun begins! I'll get some pics posted soon.
Tech Contributor
Joined: Aug 1999
Posts: 14,379
Likes: 6,390
From: At my Bar drinking and wrenching in Lafayette Colorado
BigEarl -
Be careful in starting mods to that '81. The '81 is the first year for fully computer controlled (ECM) functions. You have an ECM-controlled carb and distributor, and you have an ox senser tying it all together. Start yanking parts off and replacing components, and you're going to end up with drivability problems and a "check engine" light on that nice stock car...
Be careful in starting mods to that '81. The '81 is the first year for fully computer controlled (ECM) functions. You have an ECM-controlled carb and distributor, and you have an ox senser tying it all together. Start yanking parts off and replacing components, and you're going to end up with drivability problems and a "check engine" light on that nice stock car...
Burning Brakes
Joined: Jan 2006
Posts: 1,154
Likes: 1
From: St Augustine FL
Well if you start doing mods. Take the computer stuff off. Change the carb, Headers, 2.5 exhaust etc. If you can afford it, buy new heads, install a cam and a nice ignition system.
My suggestion is if you want a fast vette, sell yours and buy a pre 71, 92 and newer C4 or a C5. These came fast from the factory and are much easier to modify. That is my 2 cents.
My suggestion is if you want a fast vette, sell yours and buy a pre 71, 92 and newer C4 or a C5. These came fast from the factory and are much easier to modify. That is my 2 cents.
Thread Starter
Instructor
Joined: Apr 2006
Posts: 206
Likes: 0
From: Ofallon MO
Well, I just my mechanic order me a true-dual exhaust kit with turbo mufflers from Allens. Should be installed by next weekend. Will my "Check engine" light be lit due to the cat/oxygen sensor being removed? Is there a way around this? I hope to get some pics posted, but all my digital pics are too big to be posted 
Thanks for everybody's input!!!
Thanks for everybody's input!!!