76 vette needs some horses
Thread Starter
5th Gear
Joined: Apr 2007
Posts: 5
Likes: 0
From: Robbins NC
76 vette needs some horses
Well, my 76 stock corvette doesnt pack the punch i would like to have, so i was wandering if someone could give me a few things that would increase horsepower without killing my pockets. Im really just looking for the most bang for my buck, probably around the $500 range, should i just save my money?
Drifting
Joined: Apr 2002
Posts: 1,716
Likes: 4
From: New Baden Illinois
You need to get some true dual exhaust on there. The stock exhaust was pretty restrictive. You can have an exhaust shop make the pipes, get an "off-road" dual exhaust system from Mid America, or you can just order the stock exhaust components for a 1974 (no catalytic converter).
If you keep everything else stock, you probably won't need headers at this point. After you have the exhaust put on, that opens up the door to future upgrades such as intake manifold, cam and heads.
If you keep everything else stock, you probably won't need headers at this point. After you have the exhaust put on, that opens up the door to future upgrades such as intake manifold, cam and heads.
Burning Brakes
Joined: Oct 2006
Posts: 1,006
Likes: 28
From: Lutz Florida
I put on a true a dual system - 2.5" aluminized pipe w/magnaflows from Corvette Central. No catalytic converters. Bolted right up to the factory exhaust manifolds with no modifications. BIG difference. After that, check your timing and carburetor adjustment. If needed, rebuild your carburetor and/or distributor. The originals, properly functioning, are as good or better than a lot of the aftermarket stuff you can buy today.
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Melting Slicks
Joined: Sep 2002
Posts: 2,783
Likes: 2
From: Engineers do it better.
Headers
Exhaust without cats
cam
If you can do the work yourself, the above will set you back about 500-700 dollars and you are looking at 220-250 rwhp depending on whether auto or manual
Exhaust without cats
cam
If you can do the work yourself, the above will set you back about 500-700 dollars and you are looking at 220-250 rwhp depending on whether auto or manual
Le Mans Master
Joined: Jan 2007
Posts: 7,952
Likes: 3,316
From: Omaha NE
2025 c3 ('74-'82) of the Year Finalist - Unmodified
2023 C3 of the Year Finalist - Unmodified
2022 C3 of the Year Finalist - Unmodified
2020 C3 of the Year Finalist - Unmodified
Not only will your Vette run better but it will sound like what a Corvette should sound like! Best change I ever made to mine and it cost around $325 including shipping.. 
Le Mans Master
Joined: Apr 2007
Posts: 7,353
Likes: 72
From: Graceland in a Not Correctly Restored Stingray
Plus a K&N filter and some fine-tuning of the ignition and carb. are the first places to look for power on a budget. But stay away from "quick advance" kits.
You do have cold air induction, right?
Last edited by TheSkunkWorks; May 1, 2007 at 02:07 AM.
Instructor
Joined: Jun 2006
Posts: 116
Likes: 0
From: Prairie Village Kansas
AMEN i bought the true duals from Mid America, it made the biggest difference than any other mod I have done, (bsides the new suspension from VBP
Intermediate
Joined: Apr 2007
Posts: 33
Likes: 0
From: Confusion
The one single best performance boost you can make to your car is not under the hood. Making a Vette "sound good" doesn't make it go faster. It just makes it noisier. Before I lifted the hood and even touched the motor, I'd take a look at the back of the car. Most likely you have a cruiser gear in the rear end. Something that gives great mileage but kills good performance. Switching to a high 3 series (3.73, 3.91) or low 4 series (4.11, 4.33) will give the most dramatic performance change you can readily see and feel. Definitely do all the other stuff that these guys suggested, just start at the back and work forward
BTW...K&N filters gets marginally better "performance" by letting in more air...and more DIRT. This has been discussed at length on the forum. Do a search if you don't beleive me
Also, a stiffer gear in back will reduce your gas mileage. But you didn't buy a Vette for it's great gas mileage, did you?
DD
BTW...K&N filters gets marginally better "performance" by letting in more air...and more DIRT. This has been discussed at length on the forum. Do a search if you don't beleive me
Also, a stiffer gear in back will reduce your gas mileage. But you didn't buy a Vette for it's great gas mileage, did you?
DD
Le Mans Master
Joined: Apr 2007
Posts: 7,353
Likes: 72
From: Graceland in a Not Correctly Restored Stingray
On street tires, my 0-60 times suffered slightly when I changed from 3.55 to 4.11, and I saw no significant improvement in 1/4 times. But, I did lower my top-end and spend more money on gas. Went back to the 3.55. On slicks, I'm sure it would have been better, but if you can't put the increase of multiplied torque down, you won't see real gains. So, I'd consider traction before re-gearing.
Intermediate
Joined: Apr 2007
Posts: 33
Likes: 0
From: Confusion
On street tires, my 0-60 times suffered slightly when I changed from 3.55 to 4.11, and I saw no significant improvement in 1/4 times. But, I did lower my top-end and spend more money on gas. Went back to the 3.55. On slicks, I'm sure it would have been better, but if you can't put the increase of multiplied torque down, you won't see real gains. So, I'd consider traction before re-gearing.
What does "I'd consider traction before re-gearing" mean??? You aren't gonna have traction problems with a cruiser rear gear. Heck, this guy sounds like traction problems are the least of his worries.
Melting Slicks
Joined: Aug 2004
Posts: 2,165
Likes: 950
From: Keizer Oregon
Le Mans Master
Joined: Apr 2007
Posts: 7,353
Likes: 72
From: Graceland in a Not Correctly Restored Stingray
So what you are saying in a roundabout way, is you bolted in a 4.11 gear and used street tires at the strip. And they went up in smoke. That is a result of a lot of power getting to the rear wheels. Bolt some slicks on and then go to the strip.
What does "I'd consider traction before re-gearing" mean??? You aren't gonna have traction problems with a cruiser rear gear. Heck, this guy sounds like traction problems are the least of his worries.
What does "I'd consider traction before re-gearing" mean??? You aren't gonna have traction problems with a cruiser rear gear. Heck, this guy sounds like traction problems are the least of his worries.
Before you presumed I'd made such an elemental rookie mistake, you didn't bother to take into account that, during the 20 plus years spent drag racing and road racing, I might have learned just a little about tires and traction and throttle modulation and gearing and power. So happens that I've been through a few sets of 14x32W's in my time, thank you.
The reason I sited the particular street car example in question was that the original poster's inquiry didn't necessarily appear to be for a car on slicks at the strip. Hence, the limited traction of steet tires and compromises of a shorter gear could both come into play, depending on how performance is defined.
Hope that puts my previous post into better perspective...
Last edited by TheSkunkWorks; May 2, 2007 at 07:14 PM.
Pro
Joined: Mar 2004
Posts: 584
Likes: 0
From: Okemos MI
Me too, Corvette Central System with Magnaflows, fit was great , easy to do and Sounds like a Corvette should !!!
