Performance mods for my 79 vette?
Thread Starter
Instructor
Joined: Sep 2014
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Performance mods for my 79 vette?
I love my vette. Me and my father and brother have worked on it and practically built it, so I plan on never getting rid of this car. I know doing resto mods on these old cars destroys value,but I don't care about that. So that being said.., this thing is wicked, however It is stock performance wise and I need to up the horse power. What are some ways without going out and buying an 8k engine, that I can up the horsepower big time. I love working on my car, my area of expertise is fixing it not modifying it.... I'm not actually sure what to do. Please help! Thank you in advance
Race Director
Joined: Jan 2000
Posts: 12,399
Likes: 247
From: San Jose CA
Put a performance curve in the distributor and build out the exhaust system. 1 5/8" headers and dual 2.5" exhaust. You'll add a lot of power and torque.
From there on, I'd be looking at engine building, especially if the motor is original and has some miles racked up.
From there on, I'd be looking at engine building, especially if the motor is original and has some miles racked up.
Burning Brakes
Joined: Jun 2005
Posts: 1,113
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From: LaUgH, mOrE!
If you put on the Corvette Central dual exhaust system (true dual), and then do the infamous "Lars timing" with appropriate distributor springs and advanced timing over stock, you might be amazed at how it wakes it up. Then go from there if you'd like…
Le Mans Master
Joined: Oct 2010
Posts: 6,930
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From: melbourne florida
2023 C3 of the Year Finalist - Modified
dont be worried about hurting the value of a car your not going to sell anytime soon. and don't worry about the value of a 79 corvette as it has little, i own one less than 14k actual miles .
i agree set up your distributor and 2 1/2 in dual exhaust with headers and you will be much happier. and richen up the carb a bit .
i agree set up your distributor and 2 1/2 in dual exhaust with headers and you will be much happier. and richen up the carb a bit .
Thread Starter
Instructor
Joined: Sep 2014
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dont be worried about hurting the value of a car your not going to sell anytime soon. and don't worry about the value of a 79 corvette as it has little, i own one less than 14k actual miles .
i agree set up your distributor and 2 1/2 in dual exhaust with headers and you will be much happier. and richen up the carb a bit .
i agree set up your distributor and 2 1/2 in dual exhaust with headers and you will be much happier. and richen up the carb a bit .
Racer
Joined: Oct 2013
Posts: 254
Likes: 3
From: Tampa Bay Florida
Thread Starter
Instructor
Joined: Sep 2014
Posts: 145
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Agreed with 7t9l82 on the resale value point. 1979 was the highest production year for the C3, so collector value is a moot point. Long tube headers will offer best power improvement and Hookers seem to be most popular. Go for the ceramic or Jet-Hot coated as they will last longest and transfer the least amount of heat underhood. You didn't mention which engine you have, L-48 or L-82. L-82 is already fairly hotly cammed so you won't have to open up the engine for a cam swap. Maybe some 64cc heads (say bye-bye to regular gas though) and 1.6:1 roller tip rockers down the road, and
Last edited by FlippinCorvette; Oct 4, 2014 at 04:29 PM. Reason: Can you tell the difference looking at it? If so pm me an email address so I can send you pics of the engine
Burning Brakes
Joined: May 2014
Posts: 884
Likes: 128
From: Rhine Georgia
Flowtech makes some nice ceramic headers that fit a 79 and wont break the bank.
http://www.summitracing.com/parts/big-31106flt
http://www.summitracing.com/parts/big-31106flt
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Le Mans Master
Joined: Oct 2010
Posts: 6,930
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From: melbourne florida
2023 C3 of the Year Finalist - Modified
headman,hooker as mentioned flow tech all make headers .
use the Lars papers for distributor set up and quadrajet tuning. email him someone I'm sure will chime in with his email address. you may try the search function.
use the Lars papers for distributor set up and quadrajet tuning. email him someone I'm sure will chime in with his email address. you may try the search function.
Drifting
Joined: Oct 2005
Posts: 1,916
Likes: 48
From: Angier nc
Headers will help with a true dual exhaust setup(though the true dual swap will be beneficial on it's own).The distributor curve will help a lot.If you are not satisfied with this you have to go into the motor or trans/rear end.
A stall converter can wake things up as will a set of rear gears depending on what you want the car to do.
Another option is a head swap or heads/cam upgrade but exhaust is mandatory for this or you are just wasting time.
There are plenty of aftermarket aluminum heads with smaller cc that will make power and still allow regular gas with the aluminum heads.You can usually find a set used(I paid $600 for my Trick Flow 195's.)
Another option is to swap to some vortec heads/intake and keep your cam.
Figure out what you want the car to do and how you will be using it and then build a plan.Matched componets work well together.
A stall converter can wake things up as will a set of rear gears depending on what you want the car to do.
Another option is a head swap or heads/cam upgrade but exhaust is mandatory for this or you are just wasting time.
There are plenty of aftermarket aluminum heads with smaller cc that will make power and still allow regular gas with the aluminum heads.You can usually find a set used(I paid $600 for my Trick Flow 195's.)
Another option is to swap to some vortec heads/intake and keep your cam.
Figure out what you want the car to do and how you will be using it and then build a plan.Matched componets work well together.
Safety Car
Joined: Jan 2009
Posts: 3,736
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From: anchorage ak
Assuming your lower end is good and with out knowing budget, goals, rear gearing and stall if automatic tranny, a good set of heads afr, Dart ect, a roller cam, headers and duals with an aluminum intake probably dual plane working off the previous assumptions get most folks were they want to be. If you can inform us on the forementioned assumptions we can get more specific.
DO MA NEU!
DO MA NEU!
C3 Corvette Enthusiast
Joined: May 2008
Posts: 1,071
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If your tranny is in good shape, think about a turnkey ZZ4 Performance engine with true dual exhaust (I have cat-back 2.5 inch exhaust with Flowmaster Delta Series 50 mufflers). It's a direct fit, the accessory drives are a direct fit and the engine has a warranty.
Or, if you have the patience to do it, a LS transplant seems the way a lot of people are going. Reliability coupled with good fuel mileage makes for a great combination.
Or, if you have the patience to do it, a LS transplant seems the way a lot of people are going. Reliability coupled with good fuel mileage makes for a great combination.
Le Mans Master
Joined: Oct 2007
Posts: 7,445
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From: Tennessee/Rhode Island
Agreed with 7t9l82 on the resale value point. 1979 was the highest production year for the C3, so collector value is a moot point. Long tube headers will offer best power improvement and Hookers seem to be most popular. Go for the ceramic or Jet-Hot coated as they will last longest and transfer the least amount of heat underhood. You didn't mention which engine you have, L-48 or L-82. L-82 is already fairly hotly cammed so you won't have to open up the engine for a cam swap. Maybe some 64cc heads (say bye-bye to regular gas though) and 1.6:1 roller tip rockers down the road, and
Last edited by jb78L-82; Oct 5, 2014 at 03:57 PM.
Racer
Joined: May 2009
Posts: 286
Likes: 11
From: LA CA
I love my vette. Me and my father and brother have worked on it and practically built it, so I plan on never getting rid of this car. I know doing resto mods on these old cars destroys value,but I don't care about that. So that being said.., this thing is wicked, however It is stock performance wise and I need to up the horse power. What are some ways without going out and buying an 8k engine, that I can up the horsepower big time. I love working on my car, my area of expertise is fixing it not modifying it.... I'm not actually sure what to do. Please help! Thank you in advance
As someone stated already not hurting the value by modifing it as it is a high production car.
Race Director
Joined: Dec 1999
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From: Forked River NJ
I have a real nice 79 in the garage right now. The owner is not to worried about value and honestly I believe it will be more valuable after this work. I am swapping in a 425 HP 383 and a 700R4 automatic. It will have more power and get better mileage and be a lot quicker than any 79 ever built. I also put in a VB. Suspension system on it In The spring with some decent 17 inch rubber. This was not an inexpensive venture for him but the car will be a hoot to drive when done.
Le Mans Master
Joined: Apr 2007
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From: Graceland in a Not Correctly Restored Stingray
IMHO '78 & '79 C3s make very good candidates for resto-modding, as you might actually increase its value if you know what you're doing and do it well. 427 BB '78 SAE here. My $.02
Safety Car
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From: anchorage ak
DO MA NEU!
Le Mans Master
Joined: Apr 2007
Posts: 7,353
Likes: 72
From: Graceland in a Not Correctly Restored Stingray
Safety Car
Joined: Jan 2009
Posts: 3,736
Likes: 56
From: anchorage ak
DO MA NEU!