I have just acquired a 1979 l-82 Corvette. I am curious if anyone has any ideas as to what I can do to improve the horse power. I have checked a couple of turbo kit sites and they replied they didn't have any available for this model and referred me here. I am currently stationed in Iraq so I have no way to go check specifics on it just yet, but I enjoy taking time to find out what I will try when I get home. Thank you for your time.

 

If you are looking at force feeding to improve horespower, check this out: http://www.jegs.com/p/Vortech/955187/10002/-1/10763

 

Link to a thread with similar ? for a 77 = http://forums.corvetteforum.com/show....php?t=1989160

I would suggest heads, cam, exhaust and intake. Heads/cam possibly biggest bang for buck short of forced induction.

 

Before messing with the motor or swapping it, the first thing I would recommend is getting the back half of the car optimized for whatever you may do under the hood later, otherwise you're just wasting money.

In other words ... exhaust, gears, transmission (if automatic). In that order. If you're manual, just do exhaust and gears for now.

Exhaust first because the flow is restricted - you don't have to mess with headers yet, but at the very least convert it to a true dual exhaust setup. Use 2.5" pipe and if you don't have emissions testing where you live, cut out the catalytic converter. If you do, get the high-flows. Then for a muffler go with either flowmaster or dynomax, they're both about the same performance-wise so just choose the one you prefer the sound of - I went with the flowmasters on my 1980 L-82, others here like the dynos, so it's just a matter of personal preference. That will unlock some hidden horses right there - if you don't do this first, you won't be getting the most out of whatever else you do.

Gears next because now that everything is flowing properly, gears are pretty much the easiest thing you can do to gain some extra speed for the same HP - all you're doing is making the rear wheels turn faster. I forget what the stock gearing is for the 79, probably 3.08, and it's not doing anything except saving you a couple MPG ... not helping at all with performance. I went with a 3.70 on mine, some prefer the 3.55 because of gas mileage.

Last but not least is the transmission. If you're manual, you can leave it alone but if you're an automatic there are two options here - the least expensive is just keep your stock tranny and add a shift kit, the more expensive is to swap it for a 700 R4 or TH-400 and still add a shift kit to the new one. I went with the 700 R4 myself because the overdrive gear compensates for the higher rear end gear ratio and I actually get better mileage with the 3.70 gear & 700 R4 than I did with the stock gears and transmission. Not that gas mileage was a concern, I was more concerned about over-working the motor at high speeds, but it's definitely a plus. But it's not necessary if you don't want to spend the cash on it, adding the shift kit to the TH-350 will still let you smoke your tires.

If you were to do all three it will feel like a different car and you haven't even touched anything under the hood yet. And the best part is that now that you've dealt with the top 3 power thieves whatever you do decide to do under the hood later won't be restricted by the stock exhaust and gears. And once you get there, if you want to keep the stock motor go for intake, cam, and headers. Otherwise just swap the motor for one of the performance models linked here or have one built. I'm pulling my L-82 this week and dropping in a 550 HP 383 ... haven't decided what I'm going to do with the L-82 yet, I'm either going to keep it as a decoration in my garage (polish it up and put it on a stand) or put it in my Jeep just for the heck of it.

 

Your 79 L82 should have 3.55 gears already. First I'd go a true dual exhaust if you don't have to worry about emissions tests. Next would be 64cc heads. Third would be a Comp Cam XE262 cam.

 

2 1/2" Exhaust pipes, Headers, Heads, Cam, Intake, Carb are all a great start.

 

First of all, Thank you for your service. Second, all the above advise is good. Make a plan and go with it. Most of all, Have fun with your car.

 

You know the old adage, how fast do you want to go and how deep are your pockets, or something like that. First identify how much you have to throw at the project and then set a plan that will stay inside your budget.

My pockets are not very deep, so I kept my 79 L-82 relatively stock and with mild mods. The engine was rebuilt by the PO with a 327 350 HP cam and the heads have 2.02 intake valves and 1.60 exhaust. They were ported and pass through long tube headers and true 2.5 inch dual exhaust with a balance tube. The TH350 trans has a shift kit and 2700 stall converter. The rear has spicer u-joints and a 3:73 gear. The intake is stock with a 600cfm Holley single feed carb. It only runs a 14.30 1/4 mile with 2.03 60' time. It recently ran a 13.96 with favorable air, but that only happened once. If you want to go faster and keep the budget down, swap out the heads and intake and go with a hydraulic roller cam. If I were to throw another $2K at my 79 I could drop a second off my 1/4 mile ET. It runs very consistent as it is, and I bracket race it, so I leave it alone. As already stated, build your trans and rear first, or you will be wasting your money with broken parts.

You might find a mini blower will work with the stock heads and pistons, but it will set you back about $2500+ before finished, and then there is hood clearance issues. There are many directions you can throw your money, so better have a plan.