I'm getting a new engine put in my 1981 vette. It's a 383 with 550hp. I'll be getting it tommorow (saturday) and I was wanting to know what I can do with it. The rear end was rebuilt about four years ago (I was 13 at the time, and didn't know anything about cars), and now my dad doesn't remember exactly what was done to it. He thinks they put just normal (stock) parts replacing the old stuff (maybe half-shafts, u-joints and that stuff? It cost us $1000, so they must have done something to it). It also has the stock transmission in it (I believe it's a th-350).

Well, with this new engine, I was wanting to take it to the drag strip every once in a while. I got to talking to the guy who is putting in the engine today, and he said that I should never drag race it because of the back end. He said I would throw it out really easily! I was really excited about this new engine......until I heard this. I mean, why have 550hp if you can't even use it?
Well, what I really want to know is how far can I push it? If I were to take it to the drag strip, how should I launch it? A brake stand, and if so, at what rpm? I'm really just worried about blowing out the back end, mostly because I have no money left to pay for it if I were to do any damage....but I also want to have a bit of fun with it. The guy said if I were to drag race it, give the new engine atleast 1,000 easy miles before I race to make it last longer. What do you guys reccomend I do? Could I atleast smoke the tires sometimes without worrying about it? And just how far can I push it? Well thanks for the help! Anything you have to say will help me, anything at all.


[Modified by lanceh007, 9:31 PM 3/22/2002]

 

engine break in time is 500 miles and dont beat on it till later. the vette rear is pretty strong and I have been smokinn the tires on mine with the stock set up for many years no problem. The problems start when you go to the track with tires that can really hook the car up. like slicks cause the car grabs and thats when the increased stress on the drive train components start and thats when you find out whats not in good shape. oh yeah NO NEUTRAL DROPS :lol: :yesnod: :cheers: :cool: lots of luck with the new engine

 

More info. is needed, what are engine specs. like cam, etc.

:cool:

 

Well, the engine runs great. It barely fits under the hood! They put a Holley Street Avenger carb on the new engine, and when they went to put the old air cleaner on it, it wouldn't fit due to the big bolts on both sides of the carb, so they got some tiny little airfilter and just stuck that on there :rolleyes: I know that won't do very good, but the hood is too low to get anything else under there. What would you guys reccomend? I was thinking about getting one of those hoods with the big air scoops in it, and has a bit more rise, but how much would it cost to get one of those, and then get it painted?
Well, about the engine...from what the dude told me about it, it has...
Holley Street Avenger Carb (670 I believe)
Edelbrock Air Gap intake manifold
Alimunim Cylinder heads
High Volume oil pump
Hypertich Pistons
Camp cam (I can't read the writing)
Comp Roller Rockers
MSD Distributor
New Flywheel
Taylor plug wires
and some other stuff I can't read. He said it should have about 550hp....and it sure does feel like it. What do you guys think about the back end now? :confused:

 

I was also wondering if anyone knows what the stock gear ratio is on my '81? Another thing is that we told them to put on a new Torque Converter on it when they installed the new engine...but they somehow forgot to do it!? Well, we're taking it back in the shop monday and getting them to put one on...but I was wondering, is the torque converter the same thing as the stall converter? They asked me what stall speed I wanted, so what would you guys reccomend? thanks!

 

Stall converter and torque converter are the same thing. Without specs on the cam I don't think that anybody can help much. Also, hyper pistons with 550HP? I will be interested to see how they hold up. I was thinking about putting some in my engine, but will probably go with forged.

 

If you can get some kind of lowrise (what do they call them, drop base?) air cleaner, do whatever you can to keep the stock hood. 81s are such great looking bods!! try to keep the stock look while you have well taken care of the only problem with those cars, ie lack of power!

I think you have the right idea - take it to the track. Why not run it real easy (after engine is fully broken in). You are still better off at the track even if you baby it. With that hp you might be in the 13s over 100 mph without even spinning the tires. Where else can you safely do that?

You are going to need a lot of self control to drive that thing. I dont think I would have survived owning a 550hp vette at age 17 !! MJ

edit: you know, I'm not sure I could handle it now either !!! :)


[Modified by MNJack, 8:30 PM 3/24/2002]