1980 Engine Mods?
Thread Starter
4th Gear
Joined: Nov 2006
Posts: 4
Likes: 0
1980 Engine Mods?
Hey everyone, 1st time poster here....
I've spent the last few days reading through the C3 forums here, and holy shiznit theres a lot of info here! So much so that my brain is starting to hurt
Heres the story - I'm look'n at a 1980 C3 here locally, its needs some TLC, but nothing too crazy. It has a 350, and an Auto tranny. The engine & tranny are pretty much stock, so I have some plans. Unfortunately, I am on a strict budget....
I'd like to get around 350hp out of the thing (if possible), and this is what I already have on my shortlist:
* HEI V/A Dist, probably an Accel
* Holley TBI Kit (I can get one at cost)
* Headers (still open on what brand), and 2.5" exhaust, Magnaflow's at the back
I know that will only get me part of the way there (hp), so I suppose I might be able to get there with different heads, and a good intake manifold. Perhaps change the cam if necessary to get there? The question is, which ones for a tight budget, that get decent results? I have no problem running 91/92 octane for it either.
If anyone has suggestions, or can point me to an existing thread that will help, that'd be great.
Thanks all
Griff
I've spent the last few days reading through the C3 forums here, and holy shiznit theres a lot of info here! So much so that my brain is starting to hurt
Heres the story - I'm look'n at a 1980 C3 here locally, its needs some TLC, but nothing too crazy. It has a 350, and an Auto tranny. The engine & tranny are pretty much stock, so I have some plans. Unfortunately, I am on a strict budget....
I'd like to get around 350hp out of the thing (if possible), and this is what I already have on my shortlist:
* HEI V/A Dist, probably an Accel
* Holley TBI Kit (I can get one at cost)
* Headers (still open on what brand), and 2.5" exhaust, Magnaflow's at the back
I know that will only get me part of the way there (hp), so I suppose I might be able to get there with different heads, and a good intake manifold. Perhaps change the cam if necessary to get there? The question is, which ones for a tight budget, that get decent results? I have no problem running 91/92 octane for it either.
If anyone has suggestions, or can point me to an existing thread that will help, that'd be great.
Thanks all
Griff
5th Gear
Joined: Oct 2006
Posts: 5
Likes: 0
From: Land O Lakes Fl
1980 motor mods
Hi, I have a 1980 also, 190hp stock.... if the motor is a match # you may want to bag it and pick up a create motor. But the 1980 motor should have a alum intake from the factory, also include was a set of notched pistons which allowed you to run that cheap gas and lowered comp. 300hp is posibble. I started with 30over flat top pistons, crane 270/480 cam and lifters, had the heads redone, accel dist, cyclone ceramic coated headers, 2.5" exhuast, I kept the intake for now, edelbrock 600 carb, removed all smoog pump and egr equipment. 308hp at the rear wheels. would not expect much more, Cost for me was about $1400.00 doing all RR my self. the #'s are on the front of the block should match last part of vin# an the intake should have a date code stamped in it.....Good Luck. I started with a L48 if you have a L88 you have better heads, and 235hp...
Last edited by narlyass; Nov 28, 2006 at 09:58 PM.
Drifting
Joined: Jul 1999
Posts: 1,542
Likes: 43
From: Plano TX
I have an 80 and replaced the motor with a ZZ4 crate engine since it had the latest technology of roller cam and aluminum heads. The orginal motors can be upped a bit however to make good power you need heads and a roller cam. Roller cams give great power without the side effects of a large overlap flat tappet cam.
Motor is $2K to $3.5K however maybe a bit less if the orginal motro has a very good bottom end and is usable.
Focus on making sure the car has very good brakes ($600 if not), check for paint which can cost a lot to have done, spings and suspension bushings, leaks are hard to fix, rubber seals , interior parts can add up.
Dave
Motor is $2K to $3.5K however maybe a bit less if the orginal motro has a very good bottom end and is usable.
Focus on making sure the car has very good brakes ($600 if not), check for paint which can cost a lot to have done, spings and suspension bushings, leaks are hard to fix, rubber seals , interior parts can add up.
Dave
Thread Starter
4th Gear
Joined: Nov 2006
Posts: 4
Likes: 0
Originally Posted by DaveL82
Focus on making sure the car has very good brakes ($600 if not), check for paint which can cost a lot to have done, spings and suspension bushings, leaks are hard to fix, rubber seals , interior parts can add up.
Dave
Dave
No worries Dave, got all the basics covered. Its gonna get painted anyways, so good to go there. Just mostly concerned with getting the most out of that engine I can, without breaking the bank.
narlyass makes a good point, I gotta figure out which 350 is in there, L48 or L82? Hell, if 300hp is all I can manage, then it'll be fine.
So if these stock heads are aluminum, I can have my friend mill'em. How much is safe to take off to raise the CR?
Le Mans Master
Joined: Jan 2006
Posts: 9,192
Likes: 27
From: Boca Raton Florida
Hmmm, an 80 is a good building block to start with but think bout this rout:
New heads (AFR 180)
Full Length headers, hi flo cats if needed and good mufflers
Bumpier cam
Serious rebuild on the Quadrajet that should be on there already.
Reasons: Bang for the buck, AFRs are great heads and worth every penny, better cam with those heads and you can scare the hell outts 300 to 350hp. Add in the free flowing exhaust so it can breathe, there is nothing wrong with the stock HEI distributor on there, might need some work on it. The Quad that came on that car is a good one as is the stock intake.
New heads (AFR 180)
Full Length headers, hi flo cats if needed and good mufflers
Bumpier cam
Serious rebuild on the Quadrajet that should be on there already.
Reasons: Bang for the buck, AFRs are great heads and worth every penny, better cam with those heads and you can scare the hell outts 300 to 350hp. Add in the free flowing exhaust so it can breathe, there is nothing wrong with the stock HEI distributor on there, might need some work on it. The Quad that came on that car is a good one as is the stock intake.
Thread Starter
4th Gear
Joined: Nov 2006
Posts: 4
Likes: 0
Originally Posted by SIXFOOTER
Hmmm, an 80 is a good building block to start with but think bout this rout:
New heads (AFR 180)
Full Length headers, hi flo cats if needed and good mufflers
Bumpier cam
Serious rebuild on the Quadrajet that should be on there already.
Reasons: Bang for the buck, AFRs are great heads and worth every penny, better cam with those heads and you can scare the hell outts 300 to 350hp. Add in the free flowing exhaust so it can breathe, there is nothing wrong with the stock HEI distributor on there, might need some work on it. The Quad that came on that car is a good one as is the stock intake.
New heads (AFR 180)
Full Length headers, hi flo cats if needed and good mufflers
Bumpier cam
Serious rebuild on the Quadrajet that should be on there already.
Reasons: Bang for the buck, AFRs are great heads and worth every penny, better cam with those heads and you can scare the hell outts 300 to 350hp. Add in the free flowing exhaust so it can breathe, there is nothing wrong with the stock HEI distributor on there, might need some work on it. The Quad that came on that car is a good one as is the stock intake.
AFR 180 heads huh? Any idea on cost?
Good info on the stock intake mani, that'll save a little money right there
The stock HEI, Vac' Adv? Or Computer controlled?
I'm definitely getting the Holley TBI, I can get one pretty darn cheap. I'll Save the QJ for a rainy day
Suggestion on a specific cam?
Suggestion on header brand?
