81 hp upgrade
Pro
Joined: May 2008
Posts: 582
Likes: 9
You do not need to be a mechanic to work on these very simple basic classic cars.I learned how from forums like these, videos and books..A good portion of the owners of these classic cars enjoy actually working on them. And honestly I bet a good portion of the people here in the "tech performance" section are not here because they enjoy having someone else work on their hobby...And many here wish they did but are just intimidated or afraid. Some aren't interested its true but I doubt its most of the people here....I think most of those guys those guys are in the general section comparing car show trophies or pics of their wives and other stuff a non technical sport car owner would do with another nontechnical owner...
I think most of the guys in this section either want help with what they are working on themselves or are trying to learn more about how their cars work...not that they are all building engines or anything but I bet most here do their own repairs and maintenance
(Or did when they could)
I think most of the guys in this section either want help with what they are working on themselves or are trying to learn more about how their cars work...not that they are all building engines or anything but I bet most here do their own repairs and maintenance
(Or did when they could)
Burning Brakes
Joined: Oct 2011
Posts: 956
Likes: 86
From: McDonough Georgia
Most things are not that difficult. Even removing and building an engine.
There is a lot to be said for personal pride in having a bit of "sweat equity" in your car.
Drifting
Joined: Dec 2011
Posts: 1,743
Likes: 289
From: Chardon Ohio
When I first got my 81, I knew nothing about it and very little about working on cars. Now I am considering replacing the heads. Any more threads like this and I am heading to the summit racing website! 
Burning Brakes
Joined: Feb 2011
Posts: 849
Likes: 0
From: Woodland California
Great that you know every bolt and nut on your car Ralphbf but you can not really think that every Corvette forum member have the skill to build the engine of their cars?
I think most forum members have mechanics to do that kind of work or some friends that are car mechanics to help with the engine, mechanical work like i have
I think most forum members have mechanics to do that kind of work or some friends that are car mechanics to help with the engine, mechanical work like i have
I would be glad to help someone bring there car to a point where they could drive it. I've done that kind of stuff for a long time. And not just with cars. I love shooting, I've been a Ham operator ect.
I enjoy the fellowship and the shared accomplishment.
My grandson just turned 17 and found out girls can be fun.
So I don't see much of him anymore.
There are opportunities out there, if your willing.
I don't know how people pay $100.00 an hour for a mechanic.
By the way I paid $1250.00 for my Corvette. It had been sitting for 10 years in a make shift garage. It ran but the transmission wasn't very good.
Le Mans Master
Joined: May 2007
Posts: 5,028
Likes: 1,120
From: North tonawanda NY
Here's a great deal for someone who can weld.... I wish I had the 2500 laying around... the manual transmission and interior are worth it alone...
http://buffalo.craigslist.org/cto/4498599278.html
http://buffalo.craigslist.org/cto/4498599278.html
Burning Brakes
Joined: Feb 2011
Posts: 849
Likes: 0
From: Woodland California
Here's a great deal for someone who can weld.... I wish I had the 2500 laying around... the manual transmission and interior are worth it alone...
http://buffalo.craigslist.org/cto/4498599278.html
http://buffalo.craigslist.org/cto/4498599278.html
Advanced
Joined: May 2014
Posts: 56
Likes: 0
From: Lake Forest Park WA
Hmm, not sure if anyone is reading this thread anymore but since most everyone is spot on of options and limitations, I am wondering to what end you refer to as no power.
This is because even thought these mid 70s to mid 80s small blocks where not the most powerful things, they still should have some happy sunny day kick.
IF - What you are referring to is an unreasonable LOW power condition these very engines ALL suffered soft cam shafts that shave the lobes down to nothin way before the engine is tired.
Could be you just slide in a mild cam and you got your weekend sun rider.
I have encountered many mid 70 to mid 80 SB with 3 or more lobes that barely measured any movement at all, new cam, well not a race motor but good power was restored, cheap fast, to the point.
Also, try not to get much overlap on the new cam makes for delayed headlight action, and is hard to get to idle with the stock low stall torque converter.
I totally agree, the 700r4 are also good for engine life and mileage as stated by others.
This is because even thought these mid 70s to mid 80s small blocks where not the most powerful things, they still should have some happy sunny day kick.
IF - What you are referring to is an unreasonable LOW power condition these very engines ALL suffered soft cam shafts that shave the lobes down to nothin way before the engine is tired.
Could be you just slide in a mild cam and you got your weekend sun rider.
I have encountered many mid 70 to mid 80 SB with 3 or more lobes that barely measured any movement at all, new cam, well not a race motor but good power was restored, cheap fast, to the point.
Also, try not to get much overlap on the new cam makes for delayed headlight action, and is hard to get to idle with the stock low stall torque converter.
I totally agree, the 700r4 are also good for engine life and mileage as stated by others.
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Le Mans Master
Joined: May 2007
Posts: 5,028
Likes: 1,120
From: North tonawanda NY
Hmm, not sure if anyone is reading this thread anymore but since most everyone is spot on of options and limitations, I am wondering to what end you refer to as no power.
This is because even thought these mid 70s to mid 80s small blocks where not the most powerful things, they still should have some happy sunny day kick.
IF - What you are referring to is an unreasonable LOW power condition these very engines ALL suffered soft cam shafts that shave the lobes down to nothin way before the engine is tired.
Could be you just slide in a mild cam and you got your weekend sun rider.
I have encountered many mid 70 to mid 80 SB with 3 or more lobes that barely measured any movement at all, new cam, well not a race motor but good power was restored, cheap fast, to the point.
Also, try not to get much overlap on the new cam makes for delayed headlight action, and is hard to get to idle with the stock low stall torque converter.
I totally agree, the 700r4 are also good for engine life and mileage as stated by others.
This is because even thought these mid 70s to mid 80s small blocks where not the most powerful things, they still should have some happy sunny day kick.
IF - What you are referring to is an unreasonable LOW power condition these very engines ALL suffered soft cam shafts that shave the lobes down to nothin way before the engine is tired.
Could be you just slide in a mild cam and you got your weekend sun rider.
I have encountered many mid 70 to mid 80 SB with 3 or more lobes that barely measured any movement at all, new cam, well not a race motor but good power was restored, cheap fast, to the point.
Also, try not to get much overlap on the new cam makes for delayed headlight action, and is hard to get to idle with the stock low stall torque converter.
I totally agree, the 700r4 are also good for engine life and mileage as stated by others.
If one is ignorant to the power output of most of today's cars than the 165-230 HP may be plenty for them in a sportscar but if someone actually wants to drive that sportscar like a sports car and not just to show it off than he or she may want to bring the mechanics up to date a bit and wake up the engine. The potential is there and its mainly terrible early smog era heads holding things back.
Burning Brakes
Joined: Oct 2011
Posts: 956
Likes: 86
From: McDonough Georgia
Well for me I first became unsatisfied with the power from my old 84 corvette when my employer upgraded (or downgraded) me from a ford van to a base model 4 cyl Toyota Camry and that Camry had more getup and go than my corvette.
If one is ignorant to the power output of most of today's cars than the 165-230 HP may be plenty for them in a sportscar but if someone actually wants to drive that sportscar like a sports car and not just to show it off than he or she may want to bring the mechanics up to date a bit and wake up the engine. The potential is there and its mainly terrible early smog era heads holding things back.
If one is ignorant to the power output of most of today's cars than the 165-230 HP may be plenty for them in a sportscar but if someone actually wants to drive that sportscar like a sports car and not just to show it off than he or she may want to bring the mechanics up to date a bit and wake up the engine. The potential is there and its mainly terrible early smog era heads holding things back.
GM just bolted smog stuff onto the car, detuned it and essentially "dumbed down" the mighty mouse engine. I would not trust a stock 75-82 crank for any more than about 280 hp. I believe the factory says 220.
My goodness, a stock Kia today cranks out 280 in the low priced sedan.
If you drive a 1970 350, and then a 1975 350, the difference will be crystal clear.
I would have had more respect for GM if they had just put in a nice 6 cylinder or high performance 4 instead of a pathetic 350.
Le Mans Master
Joined: May 2007
Posts: 5,028
Likes: 1,120
From: North tonawanda NY
GM just bolted smog stuff onto the car, detuned it and essentially "dumbed down" the mighty mouse engine. I would not trust a stock 75-82 crank for any more than about 280 hp. I believe the factory says 220.
My goodness, a stock Kia today cranks out 280 in the low priced sedan.
If you drive a 1970 350, and then a 1975 350, the difference will be crystal clear.
I would have had more respect for GM if they had just put in a nice 6 cylinder or high performance 4 instead of a pathetic 350.
Last edited by augiedoggy; Jun 5, 2014 at 05:00 PM.
Burning Brakes
Joined: Feb 2011
Posts: 849
Likes: 0
From: Woodland California
The first thing I did was rebuild the front end.
The 2nd thing was I took it for a short drive.
The 3rd thing complain about how little power it had.
The 4th thing was rebuild and replace engine parts.
It was pathetically under powered. The key word in that sentence is "was".
Ralph
The 2nd thing was I took it for a short drive.
The 3rd thing complain about how little power it had.
The 4th thing was rebuild and replace engine parts.
It was pathetically under powered. The key word in that sentence is "was".
Ralph