All the above
Getting a 81, C-3
Thread Starter
Burning Brakes
Joined: Dec 2004
Posts: 825
Likes: 0
From: Hanging out back with the dark horses. Wa.
Getting a 81, C-3
After 10 years my brother is coming off his 81 Blk/Blk, auto. getting it for $5,5. I remeber the car being in good shape, true spokes everything works, paint good, ect. Bad news is it's a Ca. car and is smoged 
My last Vett was a C-4 so this should be fun. Anything I need to know about 81's ? How hard is it to pull the smog off and what will I need?
think it is a computered car.
As always thanks. jeff
My last Vett was a C-4 so this should be fun. Anything I need to know about 81's ? How hard is it to pull the smog off and what will I need?
think it is a computered car.As always thanks. jeff
Instructor
Joined: Aug 2007
Posts: 116
Likes: 0
From: Temple TX
I yanked my smog stuff right off my 81. No probs what so ever...then Bought a new cam...new heads...intake, carb,dizzy,tranny and convertor. Have fun 
If your computer works fine id suggest sticking with it b/c there isnt really anything wrong with using it. But other than that it controls your carb, dizzy and the lockup tranny.
If your computer works fine id suggest sticking with it b/c there isnt really anything wrong with using it. But other than that it controls your carb, dizzy and the lockup tranny.
Drifting
Joined: Feb 2005
Posts: 1,738
Likes: 2
From: San diego ca
81 was the transition year between St. Louis and bowling green ,so cars came off both lines that year.
All the cars were 190 hp 350's IIRC so CA. origination doesnt make much difference.
The smog can come off fairly easy if thats your cup of tea..though it doesnt have to if you want to make more power. Pretty sure it was a feedback Qjet on that car so yes a rudimentary computer was involved.
All the cars were 190 hp 350's IIRC so CA. origination doesnt make much difference.
The smog can come off fairly easy if thats your cup of tea..though it doesnt have to if you want to make more power. Pretty sure it was a feedback Qjet on that car so yes a rudimentary computer was involved.
Safety Car
Joined: Nov 2004
Posts: 4,359
Likes: 57
From: Mundelein Illinois
I have an 81. If I was in your shoes, leave it alone. By pulling off smog you might pick up 5HP at rear wheels. Big deal. It you want power rebiuld the motor it is only 190HP, or pull it. I pulled mine and put the GM crate in it.
Melting Slicks
Joined: Mar 2006
Posts: 2,465
Likes: 0
From: Orange Park Fl
Removing the AIR and EGR won't make a noticable power increase. The computer carb/ dist combo work well, even with performance mods, so I would not change them. I got rid of my AIR and cats when I replaced the exhaust with headers and 2.5" duals. That was a big "seat of the pants" improvement. God bless, Sensei
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Thread Starter
Burning Brakes
Joined: Dec 2004
Posts: 825
Likes: 0
From: Hanging out back with the dark horses. Wa.
Thanks for the info.... would be headed down this weekend from Wa. To Ca. but its snowing all down I-5. to worth the risk with a trailer. I'll let you know how she runs.
Also, what would be the first of power upgrade on these c-3. carb, exhaust, headers, ect......
Also, what would be the first of power upgrade on these c-3. carb, exhaust, headers, ect......
Race Director
Joined: Jul 2004
Posts: 12,705
Likes: 329
From: Scottsdale Arizona
First off, don't know how far south you're coming, but the weather is going to be very wet this weekend. be warned.
Second, best have a plan, but if you intend to do it piece by piece, I'd start with the exhaust. The stock set up is VERY restrictive. If you remove the carb, the computer or the distributor, you'll have to replace the other two as well. They are very much tied together and won't work well separately.
I'm with the guys above though. until you get into high compression, bigger displacement or cams with a lot of overlap, stick with the stock, computer controlled carb. it really works very well and should support HP well into the 300s.