Gentlemen, I've decided to go with only a mild engine build-up on my 80'. I've quickly learned about the expense of major modifications. My car will be painted next year and I'd like for the engine to look as nice as the exterior. In order to accomplish this I'll be detailing the entire compartment. Since this will involve the removal of the engine, what types of upgrades can I do to increase power to around 250HP? I'll only be able to spend around $2000. Future upgrades may come in the future.

Thanks,

Tony

 

Getting to 250 hp at the engine is VERY easy.
Throw in a cam, a pair of headers, true dual exhaust and you're pretty much done. (~500)

For $2000, you could easily blow past 300 hp. Slap on a nice pair of cylinder heads like TFS(Trick Flow), and throw in a slightly more serious cam, and you could hit about 330-350 easily.

-Steve

 

Steve got it right. Cam/Heads/Intake/Exhaust under $2000 and I didn't have to pull the engine out. :) My site has info on the cam and heads install.
-terry

 

Trick Flow is offering a kit now with alum heads, cam, lifters, timing set, intake manifold, pushrods, roller rockers and gasket set for $2,000.

 

You can get to 250 HP VERY easy and for less than $1,500:
http://www.sdpc2000.com/cart.asp?act...tart&catid=128

36 month/50,000 mile warranty too.

 

Steve and I both have that engine, mine is little warmed up. :D Unless you need a new engine i would I go with the Trick Flow kit. Holley and edlebrock both make similar kits at about the same price.

 

I would do (in order) Complete exhaust, K&N air filter in stock air cleaner or other, cam then heads. This will get you over 225 - 250 without any prob. And you will be using the motors natural breathing; you'll be suprised!

 

I think you can pull 300 or more easily even with a good set of iron heads. Something from world products for $750 or so in the summit catalog. Moderate cam, intake, carb and headers plus do a bottom end rebuild since motor will be out anyway and still keep it under $2000. Just my opinion. :cheers:

 

Complete cam kit from Comp Cams- $250-300
Edelbrock intake- $150
Complete exhaust with headers- $500 or less (see my sig- $500 for mine)
Trick Flow Cylinder heads- $800 form a place in Dallas, there was a recent post on this with their website link, do a search.
Rebuild and tweak the Q-jet carb- $ :confused: , but can't be too much.
Total- under $2,000

This is just parts, not including labor if you're not doing it yourself.

 

See my sig.......300HP (well almost!) w/o a head change. Thats next.

 

Yup... and until it's a little warmed up, it's utter crap.

I am not kidding you. Stick with the L-48. They're identical, except the L-48 won't cost you $1350 to buy....er, it's $1500 now!!! :eek:

10067353 -- that's what Fevre and I have. It's got a good block... JUNK pistons, JUNK heads, JUNK EVERYTHING. Same cam as L-48. I was awed at first by the thought of getting a 250 hp motor in my car...

...well, with my edelbrock performer intake, TRUE dual exhaust, and adjusted timing curve, I'm probably making about 220 engine hp. That 249 # is a number you'll only be able to achieve in a car with no alternator, A/C, power steering, etc.. if your L-48 is solid, build that up, or get a new block to start with from scratch.

I really don't mean to make people feel stupid who advertise the GW350, but you don't know what you're talking about if you think switching to that motor is a good idea as a performance step. You'll find little to no benefit, other than a little less burnt oil. (And my damn thing leaks oil as it is! I'll give you a hint, it's not built in the USA...). Please, please, please, avoid the Goodwrench 350 (LM-1) like the plague!

-Steve

 

I have a 75 C3, and here's what I've done....I added a thinner head gasket($40-Summit) to boost compression from 8:5:1 to 9:5:1. This will help quite a bit. I added a Comp Cam Extreme Energy Cam, and Valve Springs to Match($140-Summit). The Intake is a Edlebrock Performer RPM ($100-Summit)and is good from Idle to about 5,500 to 6,500 RPM and matches the cam & springs used. I got some full roller rockers (1.6 Ratio) and added pushrods .100 over stock length to add more lift($150-Ebay)!!! I bot a set of Cermaic Coated Headers made for Corvette's 68-82 from Summitt Racing for under $200 (Back Ordered) These are very nice and extent past the Turbo 400 Bellhousing about 6 inches(3 1/2 in Collectors). I bought a Pertronix HEI Upgrade kit($120-Summit), which is Excellent so far. I removed the fan and shroud and added an electric fan($89-Summit), which will give you back lots of lost power from the fan drag. I removed the Mechanical Fuel pump and I'm adding an Holley Blue Electric Pump($50-Ebay) to cut more parasitic power loss.

All together, I've probably spent about $889 so far and this should easily get me into the 320 to 350 hp range. Most of the parts I bought from Summit Racing, but Ebaymotors.com has a load of bargains for those of us on a budget and a little know how!!!Just make sure that the product is Guaranteed by the Seller!! Oh, I almost forgot, I also got a 750 Holley Double Pumper, Dual Feed Carb (Shiny Finish) on Ebay for $130. It Kicks!!! So I guess that brings my total to about $1020. One of these easiest ways to get power, is to free up some of your engines power that is lost to parasites!!! Try it and Good-Luck!!!! :cheers:

 

What I've done is bought a crate motor from a place out of Houston,tx. called precision engine rebuilders. Hopefully its going to be a good motor. 350 four bolt main block, stock crank, speed pro hypereutectic pistons, moly rings, chevy heads(70cc) with port job and 2.02intake1.60exhaust stainless valves. Double roller timing chain, speed pro cam and lifters. Desktop dyno at 350hp. Cost $1369 total. For $100 dollars more they will add in screw in studs and guideplates. Should get this motor in car soon. Will post results. Built with stock parts, Federal-mogul, and speed pro.

 

I'd much rather pay for that than the GW350. You could play with the 90's vettes with that in your car. :)

Sounds like quite a deal.

-Steve