1972 C3 Corvette all original
Thread Starter
1st Gear
Joined: Jul 2023
Posts: 1
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1972 C3 Corvette all original
This is a numbers matching car, with a 350/200 horsepower motor. What is the best way to get more horsepower? I want something I can drive reliably.
Thanks' in advance for your help.
Tommyd53
Thanks' in advance for your help.
Tommyd53
1967 Pedal Car Champion
Joined: Mar 2020
Posts: 9,137
Likes: 4,248
From: US-PNW
Do you really want more horsepower or perhaps more torque? More "get up and go"? Torque shows itself off the line while horsepower shows itself at high speed.
What is the stamped rear axle ratio? (code on the underside of the carrier) You may also need to count revolutions of a rear tire and drive shaft to be sure the differential has not been changed internally.
Engine mods for more torque are usually camshaft and perhaps raising compression. The rear axle gearing, though, plays a huge role in seat of the pants feel.
What is the stamped rear axle ratio? (code on the underside of the carrier) You may also need to count revolutions of a rear tire and drive shaft to be sure the differential has not been changed internally.
Engine mods for more torque are usually camshaft and perhaps raising compression. The rear axle gearing, though, plays a huge role in seat of the pants feel.
Race Director
Joined: Sep 2001
Posts: 10,560
Likes: 439
From: Wellington, FL
St. Jude Donor '11 thru '25
You are probably not going to like my reply but I personally would sell it and put the proceeds into a much newer Vette with more HP. More than likely you'll never get back the $ you put into it. In the early 70's car manufacturers started detuning their engines due to the "oil crises" taking place at the time.
1967 Pedal Car Champion
Joined: Mar 2020
Posts: 9,137
Likes: 4,248
From: US-PNW
Jud's comment about detuning is a good one... Have you tuned the engine for performance or merely followed the emissions tag on the firewall? There is much to be gained by tuning for performance without putting out much money at all. Search for "Lars tuning" and then send him an email to request his papers on step by step. <v8fastcars@msn.com>
Race Director
Joined: Oct 2008
Posts: 19,227
Likes: 1,672
From: Long Island
You loose more money on the depreciation on your daily driver. It's not about money, if it is you are in the wrong hobby/
I would do headers, change rear to 3:55 or 3.70 and a over drive transmission kit.
My 71 is a blast to drive with a 3:55 rear and Tremic 5 speed kit (.6 overdrive) from silver sport. Just keep the original parts. A good rear can be had for $900.
My 72 is original and a different kind of fun... draws a crowd.
I would do headers, change rear to 3:55 or 3.70 and a over drive transmission kit.
My 71 is a blast to drive with a 3:55 rear and Tremic 5 speed kit (.6 overdrive) from silver sport. Just keep the original parts. A good rear can be had for $900.
My 72 is original and a different kind of fun... draws a crowd.
Drifting
Joined: Aug 2019
Posts: 1,510
Likes: 498
set of aluminum heads , headers and a camshaft that works with your gearing for a 4 speed and or works with your Torque converter stall speed if it's an automatic providing you just want to play with the engine and not the rest of the car
Instructor
Joined: Sep 2022
Posts: 145
Likes: 87
With just a Camshaft swap you could very easily awaken this engine. The stock cam is not a go fast item. Assuming all else is healthy . . . a properly selected Camshaft, lifters, timing chain and gasket set is a $500 dollar bill and a weekend in your driveway. As time goes by a set of headers and exhaust continues on the same path. Keeps the value and delivers smiles every time. Need more ?
Build a replacement engine in your spare time and when the time comes, install it. Put the original aside for safe keep later. Selling the car ? keep the HI PO engine for the next project, jet boat or hot rod.
Build a replacement engine in your spare time and when the time comes, install it. Put the original aside for safe keep later. Selling the car ? keep the HI PO engine for the next project, jet boat or hot rod.
Is my vette stock?? HAHA
Joined: Oct 2015
Posts: 20,216
Likes: 9,354
From: Im not allowed to tell you
2020 C3 of the Year Finalist - Modified
2020 Corvette of the Year Finalist (performance mods)
2019 C3 of Year Winner (performance mods)
2016 C3 of Year Finalist
next to nothing..36 all in by 3000 rpm tune
$500-$1000...... and headers, intake, 2.5 inch exhaust
$1500-$2500.... and add cam and vortec heads
$3000-$4000....and get really good brand name heads like AFR
above $5000..... or drop in a crate motor and get a 5 speed or rebuild your current motor with higher compression but its easier to put all the numbers matchi8ng stuff in storage for later when you want to go back
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Melting Slicks
Joined: Sep 2006
Posts: 2,815
Likes: 470
From: Wichita Kansas
[QUOTE=FastCarsNMeanGuitars;1606839241]With just a Camshaft swap you could very easily awaken this engine. The stock cam is not a go fast item. Assuming all else is healthy . . . a properly selected Camshaft, lifters, timing chain and gasket set is a $500 dollar bill and a weekend in your driveway. As time goes by a set of headers and exhaust continues on the same path. Keeps the value and delivers smiles every time. Need more ?
Build a replacement engine in your spare time and when the time comes, install it. Put the original aside for safe keep later. Selling the car ? keep the HI PO engine for the next project, jet boat or hot rod.[/QUOTE
What will he get for additional hp with this? Thanks
Build a replacement engine in your spare time and when the time comes, install it. Put the original aside for safe keep later. Selling the car ? keep the HI PO engine for the next project, jet boat or hot rod.[/QUOTE
What will he get for additional hp with this? Thanks
Instructor
Joined: Sep 2022
Posts: 145
Likes: 87
Great Question ! Instead of me typing , below is a video with Richard Holdener testing a small block Chevy in mild form, comparable to the gentlemans engine in this thread and only a camshaft upgrade. He also goes on to show how the same stock engine would respond to further enhancements in the mild category.
In addition to this one test example, the video I selected is also set inside the entire category of " Naturally Aspirated Small Block Chevy ". Of course you want to acknowledge that the LS1 and newer SBC engines are superior, however the "trends" of upgrades and power produced is reproduced again and again in Richards tens of thousands of hours of Dyno testing on this site.
This is often explained by Richard in his Dyno Graphs and he often dispels rumors and internet hype with facts and actual dyno tests of every single facet of these areas. This includes every boost application, stroker application and virtually every single concept along every American brand. So feel free to venture beyond just this one video, its a mountain of knowledge ! Below this video will be another video from a 60 year race engineer, again with many value packed dyno tested and race winning knowledge. Enjoy !
In addition to this one test example, the video I selected is also set inside the entire category of " Naturally Aspirated Small Block Chevy ". Of course you want to acknowledge that the LS1 and newer SBC engines are superior, however the "trends" of upgrades and power produced is reproduced again and again in Richards tens of thousands of hours of Dyno testing on this site.
This is often explained by Richard in his Dyno Graphs and he often dispels rumors and internet hype with facts and actual dyno tests of every single facet of these areas. This includes every boost application, stroker application and virtually every single concept along every American brand. So feel free to venture beyond just this one video, its a mountain of knowledge ! Below this video will be another video from a 60 year race engineer, again with many value packed dyno tested and race winning knowledge. Enjoy !
Dr. Detroit
Joined: Mar 2012
Posts: 10,097
Likes: 4,027
From: New Braunfels Texas
whats your budget....
next to nothing..36 all in by 3000 rpm tune
$500-$1000...... and headers, intake, 2.5 inch exhaust
$1500-$2500.... and add cam and vortec heads
$3000-$4000....and get really good brand name heads like AFR
above $5000..... or drop in a crate motor and get a 5 speed or rebuild your current motor with higher compression but its easier to put all the numbers matchi8ng stuff in storage for later when you want to go back
next to nothing..36 all in by 3000 rpm tune
$500-$1000...... and headers, intake, 2.5 inch exhaust
$1500-$2500.... and add cam and vortec heads
$3000-$4000....and get really good brand name heads like AFR
above $5000..... or drop in a crate motor and get a 5 speed or rebuild your current motor with higher compression but its easier to put all the numbers matchi8ng stuff in storage for later when you want to go back
Headers, 2101 Intake, 2.5" exhaust and a 268H cam will see an additional 80 horsepower to the tire if tuned properly.....
Jebby