Headers or heads?
Thread Starter
Racer
Joined: Oct 2010
Posts: 395
Likes: 0
From: winterville NC
Headers or heads?
Ok guys i hope i am not too vague here but i would like some more pep out of my 79 vette. The PO put a crate 350 motor in car and it has less than 6000 miles on it. The original heads and intake manifold was placed back on it. i just had my uncle go thru Q Jet carb and we fired her back up last night and I must say that that helped some ....car does respond better from say 25 mph up to 70 mph but from a dead start it might break the tires loose for 2 ft. I am not trying to smoke the tires for 60 ft but car just seems a little lazy from 0 to 25. I have not checked timing yet not sure what timing should be, some advice there would be great also.............. 
I was told I might would want to change out TQ in transmission. The car has stock exhaust manifolds . I would like to get some input from some more experienced peeps here, oh BTW I DO NOT HAVE 5 or 6 thousand dollars to spend here......LOL
I was told I might would want to change out TQ in transmission. The car has stock exhaust manifolds . I would like to get some input from some more experienced peeps here, oh BTW I DO NOT HAVE 5 or 6 thousand dollars to spend here......LOL
Race Director
Joined: Jan 2000
Posts: 12,399
Likes: 247
From: San Jose CA
Headers will have more bang for the back then heads, especially if "buck" includes time invested.
To get the best motor possible, you really should be building a package. When it comes time to do heads I'd rather do a complete engine overhaul, so you know what you're working with. Pick a compression ratio, cylinder heads, cam, intake that all work together.
To get the best motor possible, you really should be building a package. When it comes time to do heads I'd rather do a complete engine overhaul, so you know what you're working with. Pick a compression ratio, cylinder heads, cam, intake that all work together.
Le Mans Master
Joined: Jun 2004
Posts: 6,231
Likes: 65
From: Seattle WA
St. Jude Donor '14
I'd tune it completely before you make any changes at all. There's a sticky in the FAQ index that will walk you through getting the timing right, then search for any vacuum leaks and spend some time tuning the carb - or given that it's a Q-Jet that's long in the tooth, investing in a quality performance rebuild.
That said, long-tube headers and a free-flowing exhaust are often the best initial investment as they'll allow you to maximize any other changes you make down the line.
A torque converter upgrade can make a good SOTP improvement - but need more information on gear ratio to offer a suggestion.
That said, long-tube headers and a free-flowing exhaust are often the best initial investment as they'll allow you to maximize any other changes you make down the line.
A torque converter upgrade can make a good SOTP improvement - but need more information on gear ratio to offer a suggestion.
Le Mans Master
Joined: Jul 2000
Posts: 6,663
Likes: 162
From: columbia city in
what hp does the crate motor have ?you can change the cam and intake and gain some .a better exhaust is always a plus. have you looked at what rear end gears you have . do a good tune up you dont know what the other guy did or did not do.
Thread Starter
Racer
Joined: Oct 2010
Posts: 395
Likes: 0
From: winterville NC
I am 99% sure gear ratio is 3.55:1. I really want to check the timing on it..it does not ping or miss.
here is the motor i have.........http://www.jegs.com/i/GM-Performance...67353/10002/-1
Oh motor has a base HP rating of 195.....according to internet i looked at
here is the motor i have.........http://www.jegs.com/i/GM-Performance...67353/10002/-1
Oh motor has a base HP rating of 195.....according to internet i looked at
Last edited by McVette; Nov 17, 2011 at 08:08 PM.
Advanced
Joined: Oct 2011
Posts: 63
Likes: 0
From: Clear Lake Texas
a set of jegs or summit 1.6-1 roller tip stamped rockers will be your best single bang for the buck. Expect a good 4 tenths off your quarter and a increase in sotp feel when nailing the throttle. Making sure your timing and tune is correct is free and only time consuming. With 355's, the rockers and a nice exhaust you should be able to step smartly off the line with some grin inducing tire spin 
Race Director
Joined: Nov 2002
Posts: 12,142
Likes: 54
From: Taylor Michigan
leave it alone, enjoy the Vette.... that year was one of the slowest Vettes made/produced...it ain't ever going to be fast period...or you can turn it into a gas hog and still not be fast....its a no win deal unless thousands were available....put nice radio in it and go cruising.......
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Le Mans Master
Joined: Mar 2008
Posts: 5,948
Likes: 72
From: Oxford MA-----You just lost the game!!!!
What you have there is basically a nice, fresh version of a '70s style smog motor. But fear not! It's a small block Chevy 350, and it will respond to the traditional hotrod stuff, just like any other sbc 350. Check out this article on what one of the hotrodder mags did with a Goodwrench engine. Don't pay any attention to the prices, it was written in 1999.
http://www.chevyhiperformance.com/te...ild/index.html
Here is a set of headers that several people on this forum have had great luck with, no fitment issues, etc.
http://www.summitracing.com/parts/SUM-G9003/
Scott
http://www.chevyhiperformance.com/te...ild/index.html
Here is a set of headers that several people on this forum have had great luck with, no fitment issues, etc.
http://www.summitracing.com/parts/SUM-G9003/
Scott
Le Mans Master
Joined: Dec 2006
Posts: 5,557
Likes: 9
From: Oquirrh Mountains
St. Jude Donor '09
#1 best improvement for the $$$ will be to yank that distributor and recurve it per Billa's recommendation. Then tune the carb.
A close second will be a set of heads. For the money, a good set of Vortec heads are hard to beat.
http://sdparts.com/details/gm-perfor...parts/12558060
A set of these will give you one more cc of compression and would really wake up your motor since they actually breathe compared to the boat anchors you have now! You will need a vortec intake, self-aligning rockers, and center bolt valve covers for these to work. These can also be found on 96-02 chevy trucks (and others) with the 5.7L motor at a wrecking yard near you for a lot less and you get the rockers and valve covers at the same time. Limit your cam lift to <0.450". With a 210 duration or so cam you will be amazed at the difference.
A close second will be a set of heads. For the money, a good set of Vortec heads are hard to beat.
http://sdparts.com/details/gm-perfor...parts/12558060
A set of these will give you one more cc of compression and would really wake up your motor since they actually breathe compared to the boat anchors you have now! You will need a vortec intake, self-aligning rockers, and center bolt valve covers for these to work. These can also be found on 96-02 chevy trucks (and others) with the 5.7L motor at a wrecking yard near you for a lot less and you get the rockers and valve covers at the same time. Limit your cam lift to <0.450". With a 210 duration or so cam you will be amazed at the difference.
Last edited by Ben Lurkin; Nov 17, 2011 at 10:50 PM.
Race Director
Joined: Jan 2000
Posts: 12,399
Likes: 247
From: San Jose CA
leave it alone, enjoy the Vette.... that year was one of the slowest Vettes made/produced...it ain't ever going to be fast period...or you can turn it into a gas hog and still not be fast....its a no win deal unless thousands were available....put nice radio in it and go cruising.......
Been there, done that.
Racer
Joined: Oct 2010
Posts: 474
Likes: 0
From: Bishop CA
Safety Car
Joined: Oct 2005
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From: Algonac Michigan
Le Mans Master
Joined: Mar 2008
Posts: 5,948
Likes: 72
From: Oxford MA-----You just lost the game!!!!
Scott
Thread Starter
Racer
Joined: Oct 2010
Posts: 395
Likes: 0
From: winterville NC
Le Mans Master
Joined: Mar 2008
Posts: 5,948
Likes: 72
From: Oxford MA-----You just lost the game!!!!
has anyone tried these headers also?.......http://www.summitracing.com/parts/SUM-G9003
Scott
Le Mans Master
Joined: Mar 2008
Posts: 5,948
Likes: 72
From: Oxford MA-----You just lost the game!!!!
As far as an exhaust system goes, I have a system from Corvette Central Exhaust, and I like it pretty well.
Scott