1980 corvette 300hp question?
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Cruising
Joined: Oct 2003
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From: barrie ontario
1980 corvette 300hp question?
If I were to make my 1980 corvette (L-48) to 300 hp would I have to change or enhance parts to my vette like change the tires (goodyear eagle gt 255/60/15) or reinforce the frame or rebuild the transmission. If I need to change anything in my vette can you please tell me what so I know what Im getting into?
Drifting
Joined: Feb 2002
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From: Berlin
Re: 1980 corvette 300hp question? (Quinn_Seipp)
It depends on your gears and how hard you launch the car. If you stick with street tires, you'll probably be fine no matter what. You only need to worry if you like dropping the clutch with drag tires and deep gears. I'm basing this off what happens to the earlier C3's though. 80-82's have weaker components.
Race Director
Joined: Jan 2003
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From: State of Confusion
Re: 1980 corvette 300hp question? (aharte)
It depends on your gears and how hard you launch the car. If you stick with street tires, you'll probably be fine no matter what. You only need to worry if you like dropping the clutch with drag tires and deep gears. I'm basing this off what happens to the earlier C3's though. 80-82's have weaker components.
As long as your rear tires can 'spin', you should have no drive-line problems; spinning tires act as a 'relief-valve', protecting weak parts in the rear end.
It's when you get a ' DEAD-HOOK ' that problems arise;
Imagine your motor as the " IRRESTIBLE FORCE " (it's gonna want to keep spinning), and sticky tires as the " IMMOVABLE OBJECT " (firmly planting themselves on the pavement).
As the old '50's movie was titled, " Something's Gotta Give ", which is the weakest link:
U-joints, ring/pinion/carrier, splined-ends of axle shafts, etc.
This is why Vettes make poor drag cars (regarding reliability) once you begin approaching 13-second ETs, ESPECIALLY with the '80-up Dana44 (aluminum) housing.
