Need Some Power
Thread Starter
Intermediate
Joined: Jan 2007
Posts: 29
Likes: 0
Need Some Power
Looking to power up my 80 vette, 350 L-48 automatic. Dont want to take the motor out until i have more money, just looking to replace old parts with newer performance ones, and try not to go under buying them. Anyone has any suggestions i would appreciate it. Just bought headers, looking for some side pipes.
Drifting
Joined: Sep 2006
Posts: 1,986
Likes: 21
From: Columbus MN
IMO, the stock '80 was year before car manufacturers started to figure out how to meet emissions standards without bringing output to the levels of modern V6 engines. The best way to power up your '80 is to increase both breath-in and breath-out ends of your engine:
I have an '80 too. I happened to find a fantastic deal on a slightly used GM Performance Parts 350 HO (330 HP) crate engine. (They're out there. It's worth a patient search.) It came with Vortec heads and matching intake and cam.
On the breath-out end, I added full length ceramic Dynomax headers and 2 1/2" true dual exhaust system.
The performance is awesome with the original BW Super T-10. Sure, I'd be breathing the exhaust of some CF members in a head-to-head, but my car has as much HP and torque as I can use daily.
I get 18 mpg if I tip toe the throttle and avoid stop and go, and 14-15 mpg if I drive for fun (if you know what I mean).
You're not going to power up an '80 without some major improvements, but you don't have to go wild to get another 80-100 HP out of the original short block.
We really enjoy our '80. We wouldn't want a Vette of another year.
- Intake and heads on the breath-in end.
- Headers and performance exhaust on the breat-out end.
I have an '80 too. I happened to find a fantastic deal on a slightly used GM Performance Parts 350 HO (330 HP) crate engine. (They're out there. It's worth a patient search.) It came with Vortec heads and matching intake and cam.
On the breath-out end, I added full length ceramic Dynomax headers and 2 1/2" true dual exhaust system.
The performance is awesome with the original BW Super T-10. Sure, I'd be breathing the exhaust of some CF members in a head-to-head, but my car has as much HP and torque as I can use daily.
I get 18 mpg if I tip toe the throttle and avoid stop and go, and 14-15 mpg if I drive for fun (if you know what I mean).
You're not going to power up an '80 without some major improvements, but you don't have to go wild to get another 80-100 HP out of the original short block.
We really enjoy our '80. We wouldn't want a Vette of another year.
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Instructor
Joined: Mar 2005
Posts: 183
Likes: 0
let it breathe
what i did to mine too get more power.
1) get rid of the emisions junk; air pump, cats etc.
2) install mild cam
3) install aftermatket intake with quick fuel carb
4) install headers with free flowing exhuast.
this will make all the difference in the world
5) upgrade the ignition won't hurt either. MSD 6a controller with MSD Digital Distributer is what i used.
of course i'm not telling you to break any laws here, this is for of raod use only
1) get rid of the emisions junk; air pump, cats etc.
2) install mild cam
3) install aftermatket intake with quick fuel carb
4) install headers with free flowing exhuast.
this will make all the difference in the world
5) upgrade the ignition won't hurt either. MSD 6a controller with MSD Digital Distributer is what i used.
of course i'm not telling you to break any laws here, this is for of raod use only
Veteran
Joined: Oct 2005
Posts: 1,284
Likes: 81
From: Nashville, TN
http://store.summitracing.com/partde...1&autoview=sku
Le Mans Master
Joined: Apr 2006
Posts: 5,403
Likes: 95
262 advertised duration, one like I'm talking about has a
212 .050 int duration that will work with his low 8.25 comp
ratio and a stock converter.
Crane Z-cam and lifters part #113512
power range 1600-5400
.050 int. dur. 212
.050 ex. dur. 218
int. adv. dur 262
ex. adv. dur 268
LSA 114
Lift int .446
lift ex. 459
8.5 to 10.0 comp. ratio advised
212 .050 int duration that will work with his low 8.25 comp
ratio and a stock converter.
Crane Z-cam and lifters part #113512
power range 1600-5400
.050 int. dur. 212
.050 ex. dur. 218
int. adv. dur 262
ex. adv. dur 268
LSA 114
Lift int .446
lift ex. 459
8.5 to 10.0 comp. ratio advised
Last edited by Little Mouse; Feb 8, 2007 at 08:26 PM.
Veteran
Joined: Oct 2005
Posts: 1,284
Likes: 81
From: Nashville, TN
262 advertised duration, one like I'm talking about has a
212 .050 int duration that will work with his low 8.25 comp
ratio and a stock converter.
Crane Z-cam and lifters part #113512
power range 1600-5400
.050 int. dur. 212
.050 ex. dur. 218
int. adv. dur 262
ex. adv. dur 268
LSA 114
Lift int .446
lift ex. 459
8.5 to 10.0 comp. ratio advised
212 .050 int duration that will work with his low 8.25 comp
ratio and a stock converter.
Crane Z-cam and lifters part #113512
power range 1600-5400
.050 int. dur. 212
.050 ex. dur. 218
int. adv. dur 262
ex. adv. dur 268
LSA 114
Lift int .446
lift ex. 459
8.5 to 10.0 comp. ratio advised
Last edited by King Lear; Feb 8, 2007 at 10:08 PM.