Re curved distributor
Thread Starter
Heel & Toe
Joined: May 2012
Posts: 19
Likes: 0
From: PA
Re curved distributor
Having read a lot of comments above the benefits of re curving your distributor I decided to replace my worn original with one of these:
http://www.twperformanceparts.com/in...roduct_id=3858
The difference is huge and it has give my L82 a new lease of life. If you are looking for a cheap and simple way to wake up your 79 L82 and don't want to get into heads and cam just yet then this is a really good place to start.
Next I am planning a set of full length headers and true dual exhaust and I'll see where that takes it.
http://www.twperformanceparts.com/in...roduct_id=3858
The difference is huge and it has give my L82 a new lease of life. If you are looking for a cheap and simple way to wake up your 79 L82 and don't want to get into heads and cam just yet then this is a really good place to start.
Next I am planning a set of full length headers and true dual exhaust and I'll see where that takes it.
Instructor
Joined: Jan 2013
Posts: 167
Likes: 0
From: Battle Creek MI
Having read a lot of comments above the benefits of re curving your distributor I decided to replace my worn original with one of these:
http://www.twperformanceparts.com/in...roduct_id=3858
The difference is huge and it has give my L82 a new lease of life. If you are looking for a cheap and simple way to wake up your 79 L82 and don't want to get into heads and cam just yet then this is a really good place to start.
Next I am planning a set of full length headers and true dual exhaust and I'll see where that takes it.
http://www.twperformanceparts.com/in...roduct_id=3858
The difference is huge and it has give my L82 a new lease of life. If you are looking for a cheap and simple way to wake up your 79 L82 and don't want to get into heads and cam just yet then this is a really good place to start.
Next I am planning a set of full length headers and true dual exhaust and I'll see where that takes it.
Melting Slicks
Joined: Aug 2010
Posts: 2,487
Likes: 10
From: Palm Beach Florida
St. Jude Donor '12
Thread Starter
Heel & Toe
Joined: May 2012
Posts: 19
Likes: 0
From: PA
Race Director
Joined: May 2005
Posts: 10,674
Likes: 122
From: Millington Illinois
St. Jude Donor '08-'09
No it didn't. Recurve and vacuum can specs are different and custom for each engine build. very difficult to set up proper curve and vacuum can unless you gave them all the specs on your engine including vacuum readings.
Last edited by 63mako; Mar 13, 2013 at 11:18 PM.
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Thread Starter
Heel & Toe
Joined: May 2012
Posts: 19
Likes: 0
From: PA
This is the link to the product I bought which had Sun Distributor Custom Advance Curving as an option.
http://www.twperformanceparts.com/in...roduct_id=3860
I am not an expert in these kinds of things at all and I have a great mechanic who installed the distributor and tuned the carb (Holley). My Vette is driving way better than it did before.
http://www.twperformanceparts.com/in...roduct_id=3860
I am not an expert in these kinds of things at all and I have a great mechanic who installed the distributor and tuned the carb (Holley). My Vette is driving way better than it did before.
Burning Brakes
Joined: Oct 2001
Posts: 1,241
Likes: 4
From: Okinawa Okinawa
Eddioso,
Look at the top of the forum (red banner) and click on "other." Go into the "tech tips" and look at lars paper on recurving and check yours out this weekend. I think you will be surprised that you still have more to gain and your engine will run better as well.
Look at the top of the forum (red banner) and click on "other." Go into the "tech tips" and look at lars paper on recurving and check yours out this weekend. I think you will be surprised that you still have more to gain and your engine will run better as well.
Team Owner
Joined: Jan 2006
Posts: 37,637
Likes: 3,118
From: Crossville TN
Any distributor can be tuned for mechanical advance specifications without being in the car. But, the vacuum advance can would need to be selected according to the capabilities of the specific engine to which it will be used. If the OP specified a mechanical curve with a maximum of 36* of mechanical advance all-in between 2800-3000, the vendor could do that with a Sun distributor machine.
I would certainly think that should be checked when the dizzy is actually on the engine, just to be sure it's correct.
I would certainly think that should be checked when the dizzy is actually on the engine, just to be sure it's correct.
Thread Starter
Heel & Toe
Joined: May 2012
Posts: 19
Likes: 0
From: PA
Thanks ScottW. I will check it out.
Race Director
Joined: May 2005
Posts: 10,674
Likes: 122
From: Millington Illinois
St. Jude Donor '08-'09
Any distributor can be tuned for mechanical advance specifications without being in the car. But, the vacuum advance can would need to be selected according to the capabilities of the specific engine to which it will be used. If the OP specified a mechanical curve with a maximum of 36* of mechanical advance all-in between 2800-3000, the vendor could do that with a Sun distributor machine.
I would certainly think that should be checked when the dizzy is actually on the engine, just to be sure it's correct.
I would certainly think that should be checked when the dizzy is actually on the engine, just to be sure it's correct.
It can be done but the build specs and vacuum are needed. Factory build might be 36 degrees all in by 2500 for best performance. Aftermarket heads and high compression might want 32 degrees all in @ 3000 RPM. Vacuum can selection is based on your engine vacuum and again a high performance build might want limited Vacuum advance compared to a stock build. Even gearing will effect how quick you can bring the advance in.
6th Gear
Joined: Mar 2013
Posts: 6
Likes: 0
From: Roanoke VA
I spotted this post, and wanted to let you all know the link is working again. We had run out of stock so we temporarily removed this item from our website, but it's back now.
The re-curve option does transform performance. Any distributor, not just those we sell, can be re-curved as long as it has mechanical weights and springs.
In our video if you watch at around 2 mins 30 secs you'll see a demo of the vintage machine we use for doing the work. The still you are seeing from the video is of a distributor on the machine.
Also check out our YouTube channel for some of the engines we've done, and I think you may find the odd Vette engine on there
YouTube Channel Link
TW
The re-curve option does transform performance. Any distributor, not just those we sell, can be re-curved as long as it has mechanical weights and springs.
In our video if you watch at around 2 mins 30 secs you'll see a demo of the vintage machine we use for doing the work. The still you are seeing from the video is of a distributor on the machine.
Also check out our YouTube channel for some of the engines we've done, and I think you may find the odd Vette engine on there
YouTube Channel Link
TW
Last edited by TerryWalters; Mar 14, 2013 at 03:28 PM.
Racer
Joined: Jun 2009
Posts: 393
Likes: 3
Having read a lot of comments above the benefits of re curving your distributor I decided to replace my worn original with one of these:
http://www.twperformanceparts.com/in...roduct_id=3858
The difference is huge and it has give my L82 a new lease of life. If you are looking for a cheap and simple way to wake up your 79 L82 and don't want to get into heads and cam just yet then this is a really good place to start.
Next I am planning a set of full length headers and true dual exhaust and I'll see where that takes it.
http://www.twperformanceparts.com/in...roduct_id=3858
The difference is huge and it has give my L82 a new lease of life. If you are looking for a cheap and simple way to wake up your 79 L82 and don't want to get into heads and cam just yet then this is a really good place to start.
Next I am planning a set of full length headers and true dual exhaust and I'll see where that takes it.
Team Owner
Joined: Jan 2006
Posts: 37,637
Likes: 3,118
From: Crossville TN
For C3 production (up through 1980), the factory set the mechanical advance at about 26-28 degrees, all-in around 4000 rpm. That is a far cry from 34-36 degrees, all-in around 3000 rpm.
Yes, you can fine-tune those details (and the vacuum can selection) specifically for your engine. But, not unless your engine is on a dyno or you have the patience of Jobe, lots of extra money for fuel, and a place to do regular acceleration runs if you do NOT have a dyno.
If you know what dizzy parameters you need set in it and the vendor can comply with those details...accurately, great; that will get you close enough for most folks needs. But, the most important aspect of buying a new distributor is the QUALITY of the distributor.
Yes, you can fine-tune those details (and the vacuum can selection) specifically for your engine. But, not unless your engine is on a dyno or you have the patience of Jobe, lots of extra money for fuel, and a place to do regular acceleration runs if you do NOT have a dyno.
If you know what dizzy parameters you need set in it and the vendor can comply with those details...accurately, great; that will get you close enough for most folks needs. But, the most important aspect of buying a new distributor is the QUALITY of the distributor.
6th Gear
Joined: Mar 2013
Posts: 6
Likes: 0
From: Roanoke VA
We do not sell ProComp distributors any longer. I think you may find that those are what he is selling. He is a major customer of PC. We are not in the 'fill a trailer and sell it cheap' business. We sell quality parts and deliver a quality service.
You get what you pay for. You buy from us, you get a no quibble warranty, an expert machine shop, and a pedigree of race and street engine building that goes back 36 years. You can always buy cheaper, and there is no crime in doing that. Just make sure if you have a problem you can take it back
I believe he also sells 800HP crate engines for $4000, but I wouldn't rush to put one in your Corvette
6th Gear
Joined: Mar 2013
Posts: 6
Likes: 0
From: Roanoke VA
No they are not melonized, they are Chrome-Moly Hardened Steel. Since they use Chromoly on planes, both military and civilian, I guess it'll be fine on a distributor.
Chromium brings resistance to corrosion and oxidation, high temperature strength and abrasion resistance. Molybdenum helps maintain a specified hardenability and increases high temperature tensile and creep strengths. These grades are generally heat-treated to specified properties. This is a specification laid down by Society of Automotive Engineers.
They are rated to work with hydraulic roller cams as well.
Melonizing is another type of case hardening, and a competing process to Chromalloy.
Melonite™ and Melonite QPQ™ are thermochemical processes intended for the case hardening of iron based metals. These processes are categorized as molten salt bath ferritic nitrocarburizing. During these processes, nitrogen, carbon, and small amounts of oxygen are diffused into the surface of the steel, creating an epsilon iron nitride layer (e - FexN).
Chromium brings resistance to corrosion and oxidation, high temperature strength and abrasion resistance. Molybdenum helps maintain a specified hardenability and increases high temperature tensile and creep strengths. These grades are generally heat-treated to specified properties. This is a specification laid down by Society of Automotive Engineers.
They are rated to work with hydraulic roller cams as well.
Melonizing is another type of case hardening, and a competing process to Chromalloy.
Melonite™ and Melonite QPQ™ are thermochemical processes intended for the case hardening of iron based metals. These processes are categorized as molten salt bath ferritic nitrocarburizing. During these processes, nitrogen, carbon, and small amounts of oxygen are diffused into the surface of the steel, creating an epsilon iron nitride layer (e - FexN).
Last edited by TerryWalters; Mar 14, 2013 at 04:35 PM. Reason: Spelling