Easy Performance Boosts
Instructor
Joined: Feb 2007
Posts: 108
Likes: 0
From: PA
when i first got my 77 L82 i took the heads off and after the machine shop gave them back i used a realy thin gasket... i think it was metal... but i was told it was good for like .3 or .4 compression increase...
i did the true dual, headers, new carb, electric fan... made a noticable difference...
but in the end not enough...thats why is in a million peices now...
r
i did the true dual, headers, new carb, electric fan... made a noticable difference...
but in the end not enough...thats why is in a million peices now...
r
Instructor
Joined: Feb 2007
Posts: 108
Likes: 0
From: PA
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Drifting
Joined: Dec 2002
Posts: 1,946
Likes: 28
From: Long Beach CA
Hor$epower costs money, how fa$t do you want to go?
You say relatively inexpensively -- what does that mean? The more you're willing to spend, the more dramatic the changes you can make, the bigger the kick in the pants you'll feel when you jump on the loud pedal.
You say relatively inexpensively -- what does that mean? The more you're willing to spend, the more dramatic the changes you can make, the bigger the kick in the pants you'll feel when you jump on the loud pedal.
Thread Starter
Cruising
Joined: Jan 2008
Posts: 10
Likes: 0
From: St. Louis MO
**I am thinking about only a couple grand. Exhaust will eat up a chunk of that so I expect I have about $1K left to work with. The result I am looking for is a fun car with some kick. I have two boys - 16 and 18 - who will drive it some so I don't want a 12 second car; just something fun and peppy.
Le Mans Master
Joined: Jan 2006
Posts: 9,192
Likes: 27
From: Boca Raton Florida
For $2k you can make it downright scary!
Any performance package needs to include Headers and true duals, so start there.
The next thing is to get it breathing, a better intake and heads. Vortec is a great and relatively inexpensive rout to go, about $1000. The stock Quadrajet that came on the car is a very good unit, sent it to Lars and have him do his thing. I like HEI, its a good system, some guys like points.. you can get your dizzy reworked or replace it, mant good choices out there. GM HEI is a very clean install. Lookup DUI, you can be good to go for under $300 http://www.performancedistributors.com/gmssdui.htm
Add in a bumpier cam and your still under $2k
Any performance package needs to include Headers and true duals, so start there.
The next thing is to get it breathing, a better intake and heads. Vortec is a great and relatively inexpensive rout to go, about $1000. The stock Quadrajet that came on the car is a very good unit, sent it to Lars and have him do his thing. I like HEI, its a good system, some guys like points.. you can get your dizzy reworked or replace it, mant good choices out there. GM HEI is a very clean install. Lookup DUI, you can be good to go for under $300 http://www.performancedistributors.com/gmssdui.htm
Add in a bumpier cam and your still under $2k
Team Owner
Joined: Aug 1999
Posts: 42,487
Likes: 47
SPARTAN
CI 3-4-5-6-8-9-10 Vet
CI-9 AutoX Winner
CI-3 Go Kart Champ
St. Jude '03-'04-'05-'06-'07-'08-'09-'10-'11
http://store.summitracing.com/partde...9&autoview=sku
Throwing something like that Edelbrock power package at it would make a huge difference. Working your exsting heads, new cam, new intake, and a new exhaust would be a big step in the right direction, too.
Instructor
Joined: Aug 2007
Posts: 224
Likes: 1
From: SHERMAN TEXAS
i have a set of these headers and im happy with them. also check into mufflers from summit called force. its a flowmaster knockoff but they sound great. those two added up and your under 200 bucks.
http://store.summitracing.com/partde...5&autoview=sku
http://store.summitracing.com/partde...5&autoview=sku
Team Owner
Joined: Jul 1999
Posts: 65,492
Likes: 230
From: Orange Park Florida
I dunno guys, everyone jumps on the vortec vortec vortec thing like it's a gift from heaven or something....AFAIK, with out spending a fortune on parts, you can't easily get DPFI on it, and without THAT, you will never get any decent fuel economy and with gas at 3+/gal who wants something getting 12-15 mpg???
IMO....gotta at least put DPFI on the thing, and nearly double your economy as I did with my vette 12 years ago...starting out....
conditions changed, and I addedn overdrive....long story....
the additon of DPFI on a decent engine to start with is about the single largest additon you can do to the car.....in the engine compartment that is.....
YMMV, but that's my direct hands on experience anyway....
IMO....gotta at least put DPFI on the thing, and nearly double your economy as I did with my vette 12 years ago...starting out....
conditions changed, and I addedn overdrive....long story....
the additon of DPFI on a decent engine to start with is about the single largest additon you can do to the car.....in the engine compartment that is.....
YMMV, but that's my direct hands on experience anyway....
Team Owner
Joined: Aug 1999
Posts: 42,487
Likes: 47
SPARTAN
CI 3-4-5-6-8-9-10 Vet
CI-9 AutoX Winner
CI-3 Go Kart Champ
St. Jude '03-'04-'05-'06-'07-'08-'09-'10-'11
He said fuel injection is a must, with gas prices the way they are today, in order to get some reasonable economy out of it.
Really. he did 
Really. he did
