81 vette from calif.
Thread Starter
Burning Brakes
Joined: Dec 2004
Posts: 825
Likes: 0
From: Hanging out back with the dark horses. Wa.
81 vette from calif.
After ten years I just picked up my brothers 81 350/350 blk/blk. Nice car but she has been sitting for 9 years. I live in Wa. and the car is from Ca.(so it have all that smog stuff) I plan on side pipes and new intake & carb, getting rid of all the stuff that makes it slow.
Before I do will I have any issues replacing the HEI with a non-smog GM HEI, side pipes, intake and carb. I'm guessing it have a computer someplace that ran the dist, carb, trans. What do I need to do. I'm not looking for stock( engine # not matching) I'm building a street car.
Thanks again......
PS.. anybody need the exhaust, smog parts off this car? if not I'll be sure to box it all up and sell it w/ the car.
Before I do will I have any issues replacing the HEI with a non-smog GM HEI, side pipes, intake and carb. I'm guessing it have a computer someplace that ran the dist, carb, trans. What do I need to do. I'm not looking for stock( engine # not matching) I'm building a street car.
Thanks again......
PS.. anybody need the exhaust, smog parts off this car? if not I'll be sure to box it all up and sell it w/ the car.
Pro
Joined: Nov 2007
Posts: 741
Likes: 1
From: Woodstock GA
You shouldnt have any problems; my 81 is currently set up exactly like that, with a non-computer contolled HEI and conventional Carter carb on an Edelbrock intake. Just disconnect the computer stuff, and make suer you have 12 volts going to the HEI. The trans isn't computer controlled, so no issues there.
Pro
Joined: Nov 2007
Posts: 741
Likes: 1
From: Woodstock GA
Race Director
Joined: Jul 2004
Posts: 12,703
Likes: 329
From: Scottsdale Arizona
The lock up needs 12 Volts to it to work. the computer will do this for you in 3rd if all the other conditions are met. if you remover the CCC, all you need is to wre a switch to do the lockup.
Or not. Not having the lockup isn't the end of the world either. Worked fine for the decade preceeding 81, thought it does improve your mileage a little.
Melting Slicks
Joined: Mar 2006
Posts: 2,465
Likes: 0
From: Orange Park Fl
What you are missing here is that replacing the carb and distributor will give you ZERO performance gains.
When set up correctly, the stock E4ME Quadrajet will flow 750 cfm (more than the car will ever use) and give awesome throttle response. It will keep the mixture at ideal efficiency during normal driving for fuel economy and flow correctly for ultimate performance at WOT. It will automatically make adjustments to keep things perfect. It is the most advanced carburetor ever made, why downgrade?
The distributor will advance timing for ultimate performance with a $120 chip, and will automatically retard 2 degrees if it senses detonation, protecting your engine from major damage.
Instead of throwing money away for nothing, get a new cam and headers (you can get rid of the A.I.R. with no problems). God bless, Sensei
When set up correctly, the stock E4ME Quadrajet will flow 750 cfm (more than the car will ever use) and give awesome throttle response. It will keep the mixture at ideal efficiency during normal driving for fuel economy and flow correctly for ultimate performance at WOT. It will automatically make adjustments to keep things perfect. It is the most advanced carburetor ever made, why downgrade?
The distributor will advance timing for ultimate performance with a $120 chip, and will automatically retard 2 degrees if it senses detonation, protecting your engine from major damage.
Instead of throwing money away for nothing, get a new cam and headers (you can get rid of the A.I.R. with no problems). God bless, Sensei
Safety Car
Joined: Oct 2000
Posts: 3,547
Likes: 12
From: Carbondale Pa.
What you are missing here is that replacing the carb and distributor will give you ZERO performance gains.
When set up correctly, the stock E4ME Quadrajet will flow 750 cfm (more than the car will ever use) and give awesome throttle response. It will keep the mixture at ideal efficiency during normal driving for fuel economy and flow correctly for ultimate performance at WOT. It will automatically make adjustments to keep things perfect. It is the most advanced carburetor ever made, why downgrade?
The distributor will advance timing for ultimate performance with a $120 chip, and will automatically retard 2 degrees if it senses detonation, protecting your engine from major damage.
Instead of throwing money away for nothing, get a new cam and headers (you can get rid of the A.I.R. with no problems). God bless, Sensei
When set up correctly, the stock E4ME Quadrajet will flow 750 cfm (more than the car will ever use) and give awesome throttle response. It will keep the mixture at ideal efficiency during normal driving for fuel economy and flow correctly for ultimate performance at WOT. It will automatically make adjustments to keep things perfect. It is the most advanced carburetor ever made, why downgrade?
The distributor will advance timing for ultimate performance with a $120 chip, and will automatically retard 2 degrees if it senses detonation, protecting your engine from major damage.
Instead of throwing money away for nothing, get a new cam and headers (you can get rid of the A.I.R. with no problems). God bless, Sensei
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Advanced
Joined: Jan 2007
Posts: 62
Likes: 0
From: LaGrange Georgia
What you are missing here is that replacing the carb and distributor will give you ZERO performance gains.
When set up correctly, the stock E4ME Quadrajet will flow 750 cfm (more than the car will ever use) and give awesome throttle response. It will keep the mixture at ideal efficiency during normal driving for fuel economy and flow correctly for ultimate performance at WOT. It will automatically make adjustments to keep things perfect. It is the most advanced carburetor ever made, why downgrade?
The distributor will advance timing for ultimate performance with a $120 chip, and will automatically retard 2 degrees if it senses detonation, protecting your engine from major damage.
Instead of throwing money away for nothing, get a new cam and headers (you can get rid of the A.I.R. with no problems). God bless, Sensei
When set up correctly, the stock E4ME Quadrajet will flow 750 cfm (more than the car will ever use) and give awesome throttle response. It will keep the mixture at ideal efficiency during normal driving for fuel economy and flow correctly for ultimate performance at WOT. It will automatically make adjustments to keep things perfect. It is the most advanced carburetor ever made, why downgrade?
The distributor will advance timing for ultimate performance with a $120 chip, and will automatically retard 2 degrees if it senses detonation, protecting your engine from major damage.
Instead of throwing money away for nothing, get a new cam and headers (you can get rid of the A.I.R. with no problems). God bless, Sensei
Melting Slicks
Joined: Mar 2006
Posts: 2,465
Likes: 0
From: Orange Park Fl
They are really not that hard to do yourself. If you can rebuild a standard Quadrajet, you should be able to handle an E4ME. Lars will not do them because he does not have a computer controlled car test them on. If you really don't want to try it yourself, PM me and we can talk. I am not a professional carb builder, but I have done several E4MEs and other Q-jets. God bless, Sensei
Le Mans Master
Joined: Jan 2006
Posts: 9,192
Likes: 27
From: Boca Raton Florida
Listen to Sensei grasshopper, he knows of which he speaks.
The E4ME is actually easy to rebuild and despite what the guy at Edlebrock sys it WILL keep up with a moderately modefied motor.
The CCC system has 2 basic jobs: Control fuel/air mix at idle and light throttle, mid throttle and it controlls time throughout the operating range. Changing the chip will improve this a bit by virtue of modifying the Dwell angle and WOT settings, that with a fresh 50kv coil will do all you need.
You can spend the real $$ on cam, lifters, heads, intake, exhust.
The part that makes that car slow, is the low compression and low flowing heads and exhaust. The 81 came with an Edlebrock 2101 aluminum intake which is a pretty good unit/ The 750 CFM carb is one of the best you can get.
The E4ME is actually easy to rebuild and despite what the guy at Edlebrock sys it WILL keep up with a moderately modefied motor.
The CCC system has 2 basic jobs: Control fuel/air mix at idle and light throttle, mid throttle and it controlls time throughout the operating range. Changing the chip will improve this a bit by virtue of modifying the Dwell angle and WOT settings, that with a fresh 50kv coil will do all you need.
You can spend the real $$ on cam, lifters, heads, intake, exhust.
The part that makes that car slow, is the low compression and low flowing heads and exhaust. The 81 came with an Edlebrock 2101 aluminum intake which is a pretty good unit/ The 750 CFM carb is one of the best you can get.
Melting Slicks
Joined: Feb 1999
Posts: 2,473
Likes: 10
From: New Paltz, New York USA
CA-Legal,
Can you tell me how to wire up that switch to make my lock up work without the computer? Thanks.
Joe, I sent you a PM. I have lots of stuff from my 81, including the motor. I too live in New York.
Can you tell me how to wire up that switch to make my lock up work without the computer? Thanks.
Joe, I sent you a PM. I have lots of stuff from my 81, including the motor. I too live in New York.
Drifting
Joined: Apr 2006
Posts: 1,911
Likes: 2
From: gold coast queensland
i have an 81 and threw out the carb, dizz,transmission and computer and anything that was his friend. i changed everything and now it is much better. sure that all costs $$$ . ...... keep in mind if you stick with the TH350C and use the cable to loc it up instead of the computer thats all well and good, but if your building a street car with reasonable hp then this trans is going to be your weak link. you cant just buy an off the shelf torque converter to replace the stock one and im assuming if your going to do all this you will want more than the 1600 stall that is in it now.
Race Director
Joined: Jul 2004
Posts: 12,703
Likes: 329
From: Scottsdale Arizona
Sorry Richard, I missed your question earlier. I'll dig up the write up on the weekend. UK Paul did a very good one and there's one on the BTO web site as well. Paul's I still have, but I need to find it.
Melting Slicks
Joined: Mar 2006
Posts: 2,465
Likes: 0
From: Orange Park Fl
I'm pretty sure it is either 2400 or 2800 stock converter.
Drifting
Joined: Apr 2006
Posts: 1,911
Likes: 2
From: gold coast queensland
If your stuff is screwed up, replacing it WILL make a big difference; The expensive way! Perhaps fixing what's broken is a better aproach.
I wanted an overdrive, so I put mine through **** with my 350-400 hp mill. I finally gave up and just bought the th700r4. Sold the old th350c to another forum member who is still running it.
I'm pretty sure it is either 2400 or 2800 stock converter.
I wanted an overdrive, so I put mine through **** with my 350-400 hp mill. I finally gave up and just bought the th700r4. Sold the old th350c to another forum member who is still running it.
I'm pretty sure it is either 2400 or 2800 stock converter.
Last edited by gingerbreadman1977; Mar 10, 2008 at 05:40 AM.
