Performance Ideas
Thread Starter
Cruising
Joined: Jan 2008
Posts: 14
Likes: 0
From: Columbus GA
Performance Ideas
Hey Guys,
I have a '81 vette and was wondering if you had any ideas for some mods i could do just starting out. Pretty soon here i'm gonna do a tune up on it and change the oil. Got the car from my granddad and was just lookin for some ideas.
I have a '81 vette and was wondering if you had any ideas for some mods i could do just starting out. Pretty soon here i'm gonna do a tune up on it and change the oil. Got the car from my granddad and was just lookin for some ideas.
Melting Slicks
Joined: Mar 2006
Posts: 2,465
Likes: 0
From: Orange Park Fl
Do a good tune up (plugs, wires, cap and rotor) and oil change. Then, unplug the 4 pin plug at the distributor and set the initial timing at 12-14 BTDC. Then plug it back in. You can order a Hypertech Thermomaster performance chip at Autozone for about $125 that helps a little.
After that, you get into more serious mods. The biggest bang for the buck performance mod is to replace the stock exhaust with headers and 2.5" duals. You will really feel a big difference.
Don't let anyone tell you to replace the carb. It is great stock, and with a good rebuild and a few performance mods, it will give performance equal or better than anything else out there, while still giving optimum fuel economy. Any thing else is a downgrade.
God bless, Sensei
After that, you get into more serious mods. The biggest bang for the buck performance mod is to replace the stock exhaust with headers and 2.5" duals. You will really feel a big difference.
Don't let anyone tell you to replace the carb. It is great stock, and with a good rebuild and a few performance mods, it will give performance equal or better than anything else out there, while still giving optimum fuel economy. Any thing else is a downgrade.
God bless, Sensei
Thread Starter
Cruising
Joined: Jan 2008
Posts: 14
Likes: 0
From: Columbus GA
Thanks Sensei..had another question too. I have notice that when driving on the highway the rpms are really high...Im talkin 8K sometimes goin off the tach...is that normal or do i have some some problems?
Melting Slicks
Joined: Mar 2006
Posts: 2,465
Likes: 0
From: Orange Park Fl
Step #1: Buy the original GM Service Manual. Keep an eye on Ebay for one. It is indispensable for doing your own work on the car.
http://cgi.ebay.com/ebaymotors/1981-...3A1|240%3A1318
This is it, although this one seems a bit pricey.
God bless, Sensei
http://cgi.ebay.com/ebaymotors/1981-...3A1|240%3A1318
This is it, although this one seems a bit pricey.
God bless, Sensei
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Drifting
Joined: May 2008
Posts: 1,505
Likes: 7
From: Jacksonville FL
I agree the manual is amazing. Better than any Haynes or whatever manual out there. Step by step and lots of pictures.
I also agree keep the carb and headers would be a huge improvement. I have an 80' and first thing I did was throw on side pipes. Check out the gaskets and everything if you can and make sure it doesnt leak anywhere.
And there is no way you're doing 8k @ 5500 my vette is redline and the temp gauge literally jumps from 200 to 260 in a matter of seconds. I'd say 3rd gear with my auto im hitting 3k at 65mph or so. Highway speed. Loud as hell with the pipes haha.
Edit: Just read your post and I think he means just shifting on his own. I do it in my car all the time... keep it in first to get a little more out of it when im not WOT or just hear it rumble in sidepipes when I slow down
There's nothing wrong with doing that at all... the car does the same thing just dont over rev the engine espically with your tach messed up. Downshifting I would be wary of but if you notice when your car naturally downshifts or just note what rpm you where at when you upshifted and where it jumped to. I downshift sometimes and it will jerk if you're too high. I dont reccommend it with your current tach situation though.
I also agree keep the carb and headers would be a huge improvement. I have an 80' and first thing I did was throw on side pipes. Check out the gaskets and everything if you can and make sure it doesnt leak anywhere.
And there is no way you're doing 8k @ 5500 my vette is redline and the temp gauge literally jumps from 200 to 260 in a matter of seconds. I'd say 3rd gear with my auto im hitting 3k at 65mph or so. Highway speed. Loud as hell with the pipes haha.
Edit: Just read your post and I think he means just shifting on his own. I do it in my car all the time... keep it in first to get a little more out of it when im not WOT or just hear it rumble in sidepipes when I slow down
There's nothing wrong with doing that at all... the car does the same thing just dont over rev the engine espically with your tach messed up. Downshifting I would be wary of but if you notice when your car naturally downshifts or just note what rpm you where at when you upshifted and where it jumped to. I downshift sometimes and it will jerk if you're too high. I dont reccommend it with your current tach situation though.
Last edited by Kadorja; Apr 19, 2009 at 09:18 PM.
I just wanting to make sure i was not messing anything up in the process..lol
Drifting
Joined: May 2008
Posts: 1,505
Likes: 7
From: Jacksonville FL
Haha yeah they make some noise. My sidepipes are amazing anyone with sidepipes would agree with me Even the worst mufflers are great to hear lol. I'm thinking about putting in a 350 or 383 and taking out the mufflers and just running the 4" pipes with some heat shields.
Just keep an eye out on the temp gauge and make sure it doesnt overheat or anything. My car can still take a beating but remember you got a 28 year old car the frame and everything is still pretty old so take it easy till you know it can handle it. Also watch out in wet weather Vettes are known for some nasty snap oversteer.
Even the worst mufflers are great to hear lol. I'm thinking about putting in a 350 or 383 and taking out the mufflers and just running the 4" pipes with some heat shields.Just keep an eye out on the temp gauge and make sure it doesnt overheat or anything. My car can still take a beating but remember you got a 28 year old car the frame and everything is still pretty old so take it easy till you know it can handle it. Also watch out in wet weather Vettes are known for some nasty snap oversteer.