new guy here...
Thread Starter
Navigator
Joined: Feb 2003
Posts: 9
Likes: 0
From: Chicago IL
new guy here...
hey, I have a navy blue corvette, you can see a picture of it here http://www.angelfire.com/hi5/firebird but i want to make it decently fast by putting a cam and heads, maybe some nitrous or something of the sort, my dad had the engine rebuilt and it only has about 500 miles on it, if that many and has just been sittin in our garage so ive actually worked on it all last summer and made it driveable, now its on to the performance stuff. so if anyone has any suggestions or experience with this, any info will be appreciated.
Le Mans Master
Joined: Jun 2002
Posts: 8,339
Likes: 24
From: I can walk to MA
Re: new guy here... (18withan81)
Welcome !!
It's tough to recommend tearing a fresh rebuild apart, but I think you are
definitely going to see some 'go' from new heads and cam.
If you can get away (inspection) with a true-dual exhaust, you should get
a seat-of-the-pants improvement with that - and no engine tear-down.
Also new rear-gears can help to multiply the torque up - but that can be
a job that no-one wants to get into. Removing the rear suspension for the
first time SUX.
I'd say keep reading here - and posting your ideas. The folks here will
help to guide you down the twisty (but fun) road.
Good Luck :seeya and stick around :seeya and don't forget to wave :seeya
It's tough to recommend tearing a fresh rebuild apart, but I think you are
definitely going to see some 'go' from new heads and cam.
If you can get away (inspection) with a true-dual exhaust, you should get
a seat-of-the-pants improvement with that - and no engine tear-down.
Also new rear-gears can help to multiply the torque up - but that can be
a job that no-one wants to get into. Removing the rear suspension for the
first time SUX.
I'd say keep reading here - and posting your ideas. The folks here will
help to guide you down the twisty (but fun) road.
Good Luck :seeya and stick around :seeya and don't forget to wave :seeya
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Michael S. Palmer
Race Director
Joined: Oct 2000
Posts: 17,102
Likes: 7
From: Fair Oaks, OK
Re: new guy here... (18withan81)
First of all, welcome to the madness, er uhh I mean the forum.
Second, nice vette!!!
Now then, I will say this. If you are still using those Eagle GT's that are on your car, they are probably close to 16 - 20 years old. Be careful on those old tires. I have a set of them in my attic... put some new 255/60/15's on last year and couldn't believe how much better the car drove.
If I am wrong, and you bought those tires new recently, where did you get them? I want another set!!!!!!!!
Second, nice vette!!!
Now then, I will say this. If you are still using those Eagle GT's that are on your car, they are probably close to 16 - 20 years old. Be careful on those old tires. I have a set of them in my attic... put some new 255/60/15's on last year and couldn't believe how much better the car drove.
If I am wrong, and you bought those tires new recently, where did you get them? I want another set!!!!!!!!
Racer
Joined: Nov 2002
Posts: 359
Likes: 0
Re: new guy here... (18withan81)
hey, I have a navy blue corvette, you can see a picture of it here http://www.angelfire.com/hi5/firebird but i want to make it decently fast by putting a cam and heads, maybe some nitrous or something of the sort, my dad had the engine rebuilt and it only has about 500 miles on it, if that many and has just been sittin in our garage so ive actually worked on it all last summer and made it driveable, now its on to the performance stuff.
Blowers or nitrous requires the use of forged rotating parts for reliability. Do it wrong and you can convert that fresh 500 mile rebuild into scrap in another 500 miles or less.
Le Mans Master
Joined: Apr 2000
Posts: 7,562
Likes: 9
From: B'Ville NY
Cruise-In III Veteran
St. Jude Donor '05
Re: new guy here... (18withan81)
For heads, I'd consider the Sportman II's if cost is any issue. As far as a cam, I'd consider your compression ratio & rear gearing when choosing one :yesnod: . I'm assuming you have headers on your car as it's not worth getting more air into your engine if you can't get rid of it ;) .
And welcome to the forum :seeya .
And welcome to the forum :seeya .
Le Mans Master
Joined: Aug 2000
Posts: 6,362
Likes: 7
From: Brazos TX
Cruise-In IV Veteran
Cruise-In V Veteran
Re: new guy here... (18withan81)
Nice looking car, glad to have you here with us. What is your goal for power output and what is your budget? If you need to go cheap you can port the heads yourself (that will get you maybe 30hp) and then swap the cam. Or you can get some World Products Sportman II's or Dart Iron Eagle's for around $700 or 800. Those should be worth 30 to 50 hp. Swap the cam as well.