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Messing with perfection?

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Old Sep 23, 2001 | 12:48 AM
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Default Messing with perfection?

Hi All,

I have an opinion question for all. I have a stock "numbers matching" 80 L-82 that is fairly clean. The poll is: Do I keep the car the way GM intended or modify the car to my tastes and power levels while keeping it at a point of easy conversion back to stock. i.e. don't cut anything up. Thanks
Check out my web site for pics of the car.

Joe

[Modified by Xracer, 11:51 PM 9/22/2001]

http://home.rochester.rr.com/thewebpage


[Modified by Xracer, 11:53 PM 9/22/2001]
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Old Sep 23, 2001 | 11:50 AM
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Default Re: Messing with perfection? (Xracer)

I would say modify the crap out of it, but your car looks so nice that it would be kind of a shame to change a lot of stuff, IMO.

AC
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Old Sep 23, 2001 | 03:25 PM
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Default Re: Messing with perfection? (A C)

Personally, I would slightly mod it for more fun but keep the original parts in case someone wants to put it back to NCRS at a later date. Of course, this all depends on what mods you will be doing and how much storage space you have.
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Old Sep 23, 2001 | 03:57 PM
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Default Re: Messing with perfection? (Xracer)

"messing with perfection" ... I figured you'd be talking about a *** car :lol:

Anyway, I prefer to have things factory stock down to the a/c delco battery, and factory valve stem covers.... Then, again, a few mods would be nice too. The day you go sell it, just remember you aren't going to get what you put into the car with the mods. And, it might turn away some buyers (like me).

When I go buy a car or motorcycle, if it has mods, I know for sure the owner likes flooring it or racing it and might have done that too much, you never know :rolleyes: . I guess, you can put it back to stock when you go sell.
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Old Sep 23, 2001 | 04:20 PM
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Default Re: Messing with perfection? (yosshimura)

Mod it to make it you're idea of perfection. You'll get back what you put in everytime you pull on a freeway or pass someone. No you will not get as much on a resale as you put in but decide right away. Are you building the car for the next guy or your self? Just my 3cents, at leas make it faster then a civic, it will avoid future problems.
Scotty :reddevil :reddevil
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Old Sep 23, 2001 | 09:13 PM
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Default Re: Messing with perfection? (2HottyNY)

Joe, I'll let you figure out how I voted. Rod :cheers: Modify it and keep all the original parts for the next guy.


[Modified by Red73, 7:23 PM 9/23/2001]
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Old Sep 23, 2001 | 09:20 PM
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Default Re: Messing with perfection? (Red73)

It depends on what your definition of modifing is :crazy: If updating your car to perform better/ safer than it came from GM is something that interest you, by all means go for it ! If your car only has 15,000 original miles and is riding on it's original air in it's tires, then you might want to look to another car to make more power, handle & brake better and get better mpg than any that rolled off of GM's assembly line the year your car did ;) .

I have a feeling I voted like Red73 :D !
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Old Sep 23, 2001 | 11:07 PM
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Default Re: Messing with perfection? (Red73)

Rod,

What I think I am going to do is sneak up on it until I scrape up enough money to do a nice motor for it. Just some little things here and there. I love the car; it looks good, sounds good but is slow as heck. Anyway are you doing the Hilton Apple fest? I have to work that day cause of quarter close so I am not putting the car in the show. However if you what to go let me know. I live 5 minutes from the grounds and I certainly would love to have you use the house as a go to place if the weather turns while your there. Let me know. Also any car mods are contingent on the wife’s approval .

Joe :nonod:
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Old Sep 24, 2001 | 09:13 AM
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Default Re: Messing with perfection? (Xracer)

Joe, I'm not sure if I'm going to the Hilton Apple Festival (weather is always a factor) and if I do I'll let you know. Let me know what mods you are thinking of doing. I may have some parts laying around that might help you until you drop that big block in that thing. Rod
:cheers:
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Old Sep 24, 2001 | 01:43 PM
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Default Re: Messing with perfection? (Red73)

Rod,

I am currently putting together a proposal to present to the wife for approval. Any motor that will go in will be a nice driveable small block. 355 cid, WP heads, XE262 cam, 650 Holley spreadbore, stock intake and exhaust manifolds, MSD etc. Nothing killer at all, just something to keep it closer to the C-5's and the ricers. My days of having a mucho hp motor are over. Hopefully the weather will hold for a few more weeks although it does not look good.

Joe
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Old Sep 24, 2001 | 01:48 PM
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Default Re: Messing with perfection? (Xracer)

My 80 L-82 has matching numbers and is stock except for the bubble taillights I added.
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Old Sep 24, 2001 | 03:29 PM
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Default Re: Messing with perfection? (Xracer)

Modify it as you see fit. If you want it faster, make it faster. It's your car. Do what you want. :D
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Old Sep 24, 2001 | 04:57 PM
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Default Re: Messing with perfection? (Chris Fowler '80)

Keep it stock with Bolt-on's ..."For Go" that can switched to original parts...."For Show" :seeya :lol: :yesnod:
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Old Sep 25, 2001 | 08:49 AM
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Default Re: Messing with perfection? (Alwyn678)

switch to a holly carb and run a nitrous in air cleaner setup

more power when you need it and better tuning for more fun with the holly

ZD
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Old Sep 25, 2001 | 10:31 PM
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Default Re: Messing with perfection? (Xracer)

Well guys and gals,

With the help of all on the forum I have decided to start helping the economy by improving the Vette. I will post what I plan to do sometime in the near future. Thanks again for the support.

Joe
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Old Sep 25, 2001 | 10:45 PM
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Default Re: Messing with perfection? (Xracer)

This is strictly just a personal opinion but I went through the same decision making process at the bigining of summer. What it came down to was that I was embarrased to be the first one at the stop light. I had nice rims, paint job, and exhaust with abseloutely no power. I also have a 1980 and it had all of about 190 HP. My honda could take it off the line. What's up with that?????

I put a 383 stroker engine in from speedomotive.com and now not even the C5's can keep up. I actually increased my gas milage in the process to 20 miles to the gallon. Not Bad!!!! What I want to know is how come GM didn't do this in the first place. How could the only American Sports car at the time only have 190 HP? What were they thinking.
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Old Sep 26, 2001 | 03:31 PM
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Default Re: Messing with perfection? (Suprdave)

How could the only American Sports car at the time only have 190 HP? What were they thinking.
If I remember right, it had something to do with fuel prices/economy/new emissions restrictions. Now they've figured out how to make them go fast when desired and still provide overall good fuel mileage. I agree, they should have done that back then but that's why it's called progress. I've been working on making my 79 the way it should have been too but it's a long $$$$ hogging process. I'll get there eventually.
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Old Sep 26, 2001 | 09:43 PM
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Default Re: Messing with perfection? (Xracer)

Thanks again everyone for the opinions and tips. The answer is obvious; I will start the project this winter. The goal is to get 275 hp out of my 230 hp motor. The specifics have not yet been worked out but the general direction is a Holley Carb Spread bore (Cause I made over 800 hp with a box stock 4779 750 DP on my 385 and I know them a lot better than the Quad's), No Converter and DynoMax mufflers, Emission Control removal, needless belt removal and a K&N Filter. This will hold me over until the market comes back. Once again, THANKS!

Joe
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