HEI recurve kit install and timing question
Thread Starter
Le Mans Master
Joined: Apr 2003
Posts: 7,154
Likes: 1
From: I blame my Dyslexia MD
HEI recurve kit install and timing question
I have a recurve kit for my 76 HEI and if I install it do I need to have the engine retimed. If so im going to put it in wiht the new cam and have a shop time it, $25 at the shop and I have neither the tools no knowledge to time it myself. Also which of the three springs should I use. nOw its a stock L48 w/ new carb and no emissions equipment. But when I do the cam it will get new cam intake and heads to push around 330-350hp estimated.
MAtt
MAtt
Drifting
Joined: Oct 2000
Posts: 1,825
Likes: 56
From: Shawano WI
Re: HEI recurve kit install and timing question (pillowmeto)
Yes you should have the timing reset. The total amount of timing can change with different weights.
As to which springs to run, that will vary with every motor. You may need a differnt spring combination with the new heads/cam then you will need now.
As to which springs to run, that will vary with every motor. You may need a differnt spring combination with the new heads/cam then you will need now.
Drifting
Joined: Oct 2000
Posts: 1,825
Likes: 56
From: Shawano WI
Re: HEI recurve kit install and timing question (battsup)
Recurve kits are not all the same. Each kit will bring in the rate and total advance differently. Lars has ground his so the ramps closely match what an average Corvette likes for timing. Plus he will give you a good starting point for spring selection.
Pete
Pete
Tech Contributor
Joined: Aug 1999
Posts: 15,177
Likes: 3,994
From: Connecticut, USA
Re: HEI recurve kit install and timing question (Pete79L82)
Pete has very good advice. Lars kits are great I just used an HEI kit I bought a couple of years ago. You might find you or the mechanic may have to play with timing a bit to get it where you like it- where the engine likes it. My suggestion is to watch how your guy times it and invest in a Sears adjustable timing light so you can start to do this yourself. You'll get a good feeling knowing you can modify and time your car yourself. Of course this feeling will then lead to other things like rebuilding suspensions,trannies, rear bearings,etc!!
Good luck,
Gary
Good luck,
Gary
Team Owner
Joined: Jul 1999
Posts: 26,545
Likes: 46
From: Huntersville NC
Re: HEI recurve kit install and timing question (gtr1999)
Matt, $25 seems cheap compared to $75 +- for a timing light, but you will likely want to play around with the timing a bit to see how your car responds, so it is a good investment to buy a dial-back timing light. Also, once you set the timing yourself it is such a simple operation that even $25 will seem like you paid too much to have someone else do it. There are so many things I CAN'T do I like to do the things I am able, and setting timing is one of the easier ones! Lars has written a great paper on setting the timing for performance. :) MJ
(Yes, what Gary said! :lol: )
[Modified by MNJack, 10:55 AM 1/3/2004]
(Yes, what Gary said! :lol: )
[Modified by MNJack, 10:55 AM 1/3/2004]
Le Mans Master
Joined: Mar 2002
Posts: 7,456
Likes: 2
From: Coming home from Luckenbach Texas
Re: HEI recurve kit install and timing question (pillowmeto)
I'm afraid to learn how to time your engine. The first thing you need to do is download Lars' timing paper from http://www.corvettefaq.com. It explains the step-by-step procedure to PROPERLY time your engine for maximum potential performance.
Unless you have an excellent working relationship with your shop and they are willing to follow Lars procedure, either do it yourself or find a fellow forum member in your area who would be willing to help.
Why do I swear by Lars timing procedures? Because I've seen the man in action and experienced before and after results first-hand. Oh, and he bought me a :cheers: :lol:
Unless you have an excellent working relationship with your shop and they are willing to follow Lars procedure, either do it yourself or find a fellow forum member in your area who would be willing to help.
Why do I swear by Lars timing procedures? Because I've seen the man in action and experienced before and after results first-hand. Oh, and he bought me a :cheers: :lol:
Melting Slicks
Joined: Jun 2002
Posts: 2,844
Likes: 99
From: Orrtanna Pa.
Re: HEI recurve kit install and timing question (MNJack)
When I did mine I went through 2 different kits,2 sets of timing tape and a Proform balancer cover in a month before I settled on my curve.Carried the timing light with me and made tweaks on the road.There's a lot to try to get right here that can't be done if you set it and forget it.Cold start,hot start,light throttle,WOT,cruise surge,cool weather,hot weather,poopiety gas,yada yada yada.
Buy a timing light and take your time to get it right. :yesnod:
Buy a timing light and take your time to get it right. :yesnod:
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Burning Brakes
Joined: Oct 2001
Posts: 842
Likes: 3
From: Woodruff SC
St. Jude Donor '10
Re: HEI recurve kit install and timing question (battsup)
are all recurve kits the same? just wondering because the Lars recurve kits seem to be quite popular on the forum.
I bought a famous LARS kit several months ago. Was hoping to do a cam change and install his kit but never changed the cam.
My question is, will the re-curve help in a stock L-48 with headers, duals, performer, & Q-Jet??
Thread Starter
Le Mans Master
Joined: Apr 2003
Posts: 7,154
Likes: 1
From: I blame my Dyslexia MD
Re: HEI recurve kit install and timing question (DP77Vette)
I think Ill get the light and read Lar's articles. Ill install it with the new heads and cam. Oh and the timing light isnto goign to be what going to lead me to doign all that. My T350 is slipping, front splines i belive. I told myself if it has to come out than the one i want is going back in, Super T10. That means its going to be a while now till the heads and cam :cry
whats another 150 hp worth if i cant get what ive got to the ground anyways.
MAtt
whats another 150 hp worth if i cant get what ive got to the ground anyways.
MAtt
Le Mans Master
Joined: Mar 2002
Posts: 7,456
Likes: 2
From: Coming home from Luckenbach Texas
Re: HEI recurve kit install and timing question (DP77Vette)
DP77Vette: The answer is yes...as long as your distributor hasn't already been recurved and adjusted per Lars technique.
When Lars came to town, we had 7 cars for him to look at. EACH ONE has something wrong that was fixed and resulted in a performance increase!!! :cheers:
When Lars came to town, we had 7 cars for him to look at. EACH ONE has something wrong that was fixed and resulted in a performance increase!!! :cheers:
Thread Starter
Le Mans Master
Joined: Apr 2003
Posts: 7,154
Likes: 1
From: I blame my Dyslexia MD
Re: HEI recurve kit install and timing question (battsup)
I would of gotten the lars kit but seeing as i was at the performce store and there wa sone right there for 9 dollar i jumped on it. I also intend for it to be a nonstock motor and since Lars are ground for what the vettes like...
Now I wanna know what he would find wrong with my car
MAtt
Now I wanna know what he would find wrong with my car
MAtt
Le Mans Master
Joined: Sep 2000
Posts: 6,036
Likes: 2
From: Westfield Indiana
Cruise-In III Veteran
Cruise-In IV Veteran
Cruise-In V Veteran
Re: HEI recurve kit install and timing question (gtr1999)
Pete has very good advice. Lars kits are great I just used an HEI kit I bought a couple of years ago. You might find you or the mechanic may have to play with timing a bit to get it where you like it- where the engine likes it. My suggestion is to watch how your guy times it and invest in a Sears adjustable timing light so you can start to do this yourself. You'll get a good feeling knowing you can modify and time your car yourself. Of course this feeling will then lead to other things like rebuilding suspensions,trannies, rear bearings,etc!!
Good luck,
Gary
Good luck,
Gary
