Performance
Thread Starter
Racer
Joined: Aug 2006
Posts: 307
Likes: 4
From: Thousand Oaks Calif.
Performance
Have an 81 C3 from California with all the California smog equipment and rules I have to live with. I don’t have a lot of options with the engine to help with performance. I’m trying to see if replacing the distributor with a hi-performance model is worth it.
Will it make a difference?
What other options do I have to help with performance and still live in California?
Thanks
Will it make a difference?
What other options do I have to help with performance and still live in California?
Thanks
Racer
Joined: Dec 2007
Posts: 341
Likes: 29
From: vancouver washington
You wont be able to do anything with the stock distr. other than change the timing. There is no vacuum advance or mechanical advance. This is all controled by the fred flinstone computer system. Same with the carb. if it is stock. When I got my 81 it was a smog legal Oregon car and really wouldnt get out of its own way. The best hp mod you can do is modify the exhaust. The stock exhaust manifolds are not to bad but the stock cat converter and mufflers are very restrictive. Both exhaust banks go to one 2 1/2" pipe, to the cat and split to dual mufflers. True duals all the way back would be the best but not sure if the smog ***** will allow that. Best option I think would get a high flow cat converter and better mufflers. You also can bump the timing up from stock 8 deg to about 12 to 14 deg which will make a big difference. Set the timing back to stock specs when you have the car sniffed. Ive read alot of things you can do to make these cars run better and still pass smog but you live in the most restricted state in the nation so lots of research will be needed befor you do any modifications. Good luck
Le Mans Master
Joined: Oct 2006
Posts: 7,123
Likes: 433
From: Gladstone MO
C3 of Year Finalist (appearance mods) 2019
Find someone that knows the 81 CCC system and get them to setup the carb. Porbably never be a tire smoking screamer, but a careful set of adjustments to the carb along with a less restrictive exhaust and it will run very nicely.
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Le Mans Master
Joined: Jun 2004
Posts: 6,231
Likes: 65
From: Seattle WA
St. Jude Donor '14
Just be sure to check everything for CARB certification 
Le Mans Master
Joined: Mar 2001
Posts: 5,738
Likes: 644
From: Lincoln, CA
Team Owner
Joined: Jan 2006
Posts: 37,637
Likes: 3,114
From: Crossville TN
You have limited choices for 'performance' from a small block C3 in California:
1. Leave it 'as is', tune it per the factory manual, and meet emissions standards; it is what it is.
2. Transfer license to another county where the emissions requirements are less stringent...then modify the engine per regulations;
3. Install "CA approved, emissions standard capable heads, cam, headers, and CATS on your car and keep that paperwork with you"; car will perform better and will still pass emissions tests/laws; [Note: you want to research this approach with your local BMV to be sure you can comply with local requirements.] This one will cost you some money.
4. Sell your present C3 and find another one with better performance which is still capable of passing CA emissions rules. [Note: C3's built up thru 1973 were not built with CATS and can have timing/carb adjusted for either "good performance" or "good emissions". You can 'have your cake and eat it, too.'
1. Leave it 'as is', tune it per the factory manual, and meet emissions standards; it is what it is.
2. Transfer license to another county where the emissions requirements are less stringent...then modify the engine per regulations;
3. Install "CA approved, emissions standard capable heads, cam, headers, and CATS on your car and keep that paperwork with you"; car will perform better and will still pass emissions tests/laws; [Note: you want to research this approach with your local BMV to be sure you can comply with local requirements.] This one will cost you some money.
4. Sell your present C3 and find another one with better performance which is still capable of passing CA emissions rules. [Note: C3's built up thru 1973 were not built with CATS and can have timing/carb adjusted for either "good performance" or "good emissions". You can 'have your cake and eat it, too.'
Le Mans Master
Joined: Jun 2004
Posts: 6,231
Likes: 65
From: Seattle WA
St. Jude Donor '14
One thought to throw out there as a long shot is the GMPP E-Rod packages - I believe these are CARB-compliant as they represent a 100% retrofit. They are certainly Not Cheap and definitely not Bolt On...but they are interesting. I haven't touched any of this stuff, so I can't offer any personal experience.
http://www.chevrolet.com/performance...n-systems.html
http://www.chevrolet.com/performance...n-systems.html