help me get more HP
Thread Starter
Intermediate
Joined: Mar 2005
Posts: 34
Likes: 0
help me get more HP
Well im getting my vette ready for may and i want to get all the power out of it as i can...its a 1971 stingray 350/ 270HP auto ALL STOCK!!! #'s Matching and i was wondering what the BEST improvements without removing any original parts like intake..can change the timing and put different parts in the carb or tune it for most performance? im looking for low budget mods, im 17 without a job and my grandpa just handed over the keys i'll do everything myself. i have good mechanic skills, right now the carb is running bad HUGE bog when i stab the gas from a dead stop..rebuild will be done this month.
Le Mans Master
Joined: Apr 2004
Posts: 7,106
Likes: 38
From: Newark DE
my advice, first get it running right before thinking about doing any types of mods to it.
Get the carb rebuilt if it needs it and make sure the timing is correct, the points are fresh, and dwell is set correctly on the distributor.
If you check the dwell and it flucuates than you will need to rebuild the distributor also to get it back into proper operating specs.
Once you have the carb rebuilt and the distributor and timing are all good than just drive it and enjoy it.
don't worry about looking for a lot of extra power right now. You are 17 and no offense intended but you don't have enough driving experience at your age to handle much more power than your car will provide assuming it's running correctly.
In a few years when you get more experience behind the wheel (and get a job to pay for engine mods) than you can think about increasing the power.
Besides, other than getting the carb rebuilt to run correctly and checking the distributor for the same there isn't really much else you can do to make any significant performance increases without changing some of the parts such as headers for better breathing, head swap or machining for increased flow, cam change, etc.
Get the carb rebuilt if it needs it and make sure the timing is correct, the points are fresh, and dwell is set correctly on the distributor.
If you check the dwell and it flucuates than you will need to rebuild the distributor also to get it back into proper operating specs.
Once you have the carb rebuilt and the distributor and timing are all good than just drive it and enjoy it.
don't worry about looking for a lot of extra power right now. You are 17 and no offense intended but you don't have enough driving experience at your age to handle much more power than your car will provide assuming it's running correctly.
In a few years when you get more experience behind the wheel (and get a job to pay for engine mods) than you can think about increasing the power.
Besides, other than getting the carb rebuilt to run correctly and checking the distributor for the same there isn't really much else you can do to make any significant performance increases without changing some of the parts such as headers for better breathing, head swap or machining for increased flow, cam change, etc.
Drifting
Joined: Jul 2002
Posts: 1,944
Likes: 20
From: The only Corvettes in Highett Victoria
I was 17 once and can still remember how it felt to get my first car. All I wanted to do was hot it up and I did, but with hindsight, I wish I had just got it running well and learned to drive it properly. Do as I tell you, grasshopper, and you will have plenty of time to learn the ways of the horsepower warriors as you mature.
Regards from Down Under
aussiejohn
Melting Slicks
Joined: Sep 2002
Posts: 2,783
Likes: 2
From: Engineers do it better.
You are 17 and a new owner of a bumper car? Well right there, you are ahead of most of owners here 
My advise is to leave the car alone for a while. Just tune it and drive SAFELY for at least one season before even thinking about performance upgrades. Sometimes these RWD cars with old suspension and breaks can be a handful for a new driver.
Also, if the car is numbers matching, you are better off leaving it alone. After keeping it for a while and getting some time behind the wheel, if you still want upgrades....the possibilities are endless. Just depends on how deep your pockets are
Good luck and congrats!
My advise is to leave the car alone for a while. Just tune it and drive SAFELY for at least one season before even thinking about performance upgrades. Sometimes these RWD cars with old suspension and breaks can be a handful for a new driver.
Also, if the car is numbers matching, you are better off leaving it alone. After keeping it for a while and getting some time behind the wheel, if you still want upgrades....the possibilities are endless. Just depends on how deep your pockets are
Good luck and congrats!
Last edited by desi; Apr 14, 2007 at 09:00 AM.
Thread Starter
Intermediate
Joined: Mar 2005
Posts: 34
Likes: 0
yea thats what i was thinking i just want to get the car dialed in really good, the suspension is good we restored the whole car..still needs little things i just think that the 350 isn't fast at all but i guess i can deal with that i have an 80 trans am thats fast....cam,headers,intake ignition, port work,stall converter, thats my speedy car, but i just want this one to have a little more get up and go...i have an AC Delco distributor kit has new rotor points and all that stuff, i've never tuned a points dist..i assume that the original ones are still in there. heres a pic
maybe i post a new thread with pics and details
maybe i post a new thread with pics and details
Race Director
Joined: May 2005
Posts: 10,674
Likes: 122
From: Millington Illinois
St. Jude Donor '08-'09
yea thats what i was thinking i just want to get the car dialed in really good, the suspension is good we restored the whole car..still needs little things i just think that the 350 isn't fast at all but i guess i can deal with that i have an 80 trans am thats fast....cam,headers,intake ignition, port work,stall converter, thats my speedy car, but i just want this one to have a little more get up and go...i have an AC Delco distributor kit has new rotor points and all that stuff, i've never tuned a points dist..i assume that the original ones are still in there. heres a pic
maybe i post a new thread with pics and details
maybe i post a new thread with pics and details
Le Mans Master
Joined: Apr 2004
Posts: 7,106
Likes: 38
From: Newark DE
As for checking and setting up your distributor see the sticky post at the top of this section called "Info on Timing - long post". Follow the info in the post and especially be sure to read and reread the referenced tech articles. This should help you with almost everything you will need to properly set up your points distributor.
Initially it may take you an hour or two to check and set it up if you have never done it before (more time required if you discover that the distributor needs rebuilding) but afterwards once it's set up correctly than about the only maintinance you will need to do with it is approx 10 minutes once a years.
Le Mans Master
Joined: Jan 2007
Posts: 8,000
Likes: 3,339
From: Omaha NE
2025 c3 ('74-'82) of the Year Finalist - Unmodified
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I would get the carb straight along with putting that kit in. New plugs and wires too..........
And then if it runs good I'd just leave it alone.....................
And then if it runs good I'd just leave it alone.....................
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TheCorvetteBen
Joined: Feb 2007
Posts: 4,987
Likes: 144
From: Van Alstyne, TX
yea thats what i was thinking i just want to get the car dialed in really good, the suspension is good we restored the whole car..still needs little things i just think that the 350 isn't fast at all but i guess i can deal with that i have an 80 trans am thats fast....cam,headers,intake ignition, port work,stall converter, thats my speedy car, but i just want this one to have a little more get up and go...i have an AC Delco distributor kit has new rotor points and all that stuff, i've never tuned a points dist..i assume that the original ones are still in there. heres a pic
maybe i post a new thread with pics and details
maybe i post a new thread with pics and details
