Chuck Harmon

Have been tweaking the carb a bit to smooth things out. I think I’m getting pretty close. I am actually pulling about 12HG at 1250 rpm idle, about 4-5HG higher than I got with the factory L88 cam. My new cam is a Crane solid roller, part #138601, 246/254 @ .050”. The idea behind changing cams was to give me a bit more civility for city driving AND still keep the power of the L88. There is still no question that there is something special under the hood, or would be if I reinstalled the hood, but the engine is more crisp down low. I can actually trundle through the neighborhood in 3rd gear at 1500rpm. To do so for very long would quickly load the plugs, but the factory cam was not happy below 2200 to 2500 rpm period.

The car still smells of unburned hydrocarbons at idle. I prefer to think of this as a very British thing. Reminds me of an old Jaguar or Triumph. I haven’t put the car through its paces yet, but rolling on the throttle in 3rd gear at about 75mph broke the tires loose very easily. I know I have considerably more torque than before. DD2000 suggests about 80 pounds with the cam change comparing seat to seat and net lift measurements for both.

I will report more later.

Chuck
:cheers:

78 Vette

sounds like a nice improvement all around :thumbs:

Older Than Dirt

If I owned your car I would be a terror on the streets. :steering: Anybody want to swap an L88 for a ZZ430? :D

isosceles

:D :D WOW!

kaiserbud

Hey Chuck :cheers:

Are you still using the gas additive - or has that changed?


[Modified by kaiserbud, 9:44 PM 3/30/2004]

sammyb

Breaking the tires loose at 75mph sure isn't British. In my Triumph at 75mph, the only thing breaking loose are the electrical connections!

But yes, I know that smell at idle. My TR3 and '69 Vette both have that loading-up smell.

Double Aught

:cool:

Les

It's nice to hear an update Chuck- sounds like that cam will work out great. Those tires breaking loose will save wear & tear on the drivetrain- what's it like driving a car on dry pavement that acts like other performance cars act on wet pavement??? Be safe bud. :cheers:

MassVette

That's a great car you've got ! And the way Corvettes should be-

:yesnod: :lol: :yesnod:

gerry72

One thing I often wondered about the factory L-88...

Power brake booster on these cars. How did the factory make this thing work with such low vacuum? It hasn't kept me awake at night but I figure they must be using dual chambers or the reserve tank.

BB wowbagger

I belive they came w/o brakeboosters.. :smash: :cheers:

verskel

:iagree: :yesnod: :yesnod: :yesnod: .....it's an Old Chevy thang ! :lol:

gerry72

But I know they did: http://www.fast-autos.net/chevrolet/corvettel883.jpg

NHvette

Sounds like she's running fine, Chuck.
Breaking the tires at 75 while rolling the throttle ? Nice.
Be careful out there. :seeya


[Modified by NHvette, 12:23 PM 3/31/2004]

Marks69BB

Yes - Inquiring minds want to know! :yesnod:

JCL

Chuck. You know my question.........How does it sound??? Keep us posted. JCL :yesnod: :yesnod: :yesnod: :yesnod:

Chuck Harmon

Yes, I am still using the real lead 130. Great stuff!

As well as I am getting the engine dialed in I am frustrated on a couple points:

1) Not enough time to fully wrap this project up.
2) I now have a small oil leak that seams to be coming from the rear main seal. The drip is coming between the scatter shield cover and the scatter shield. :reddevil Suggestions very welcome!
3) Even with the new Bilstein shocks, the handling is not up to par. I suspect that the 550# springs I got from Ecklers may actually be 460# units. The inside rear wheel wants to lift on hard corners. It is much easier to bounce the front than the rear when pushing with my hands. The back end verily wiggles, almost more tire than suspension movement. A trip to Dick's place down south would be fun to have the Master set it up perfect. But this would not be cheap!
4) I still gotta get the car painted!

Chuck

stickboy

nice :thumbs: :cheers:

70BBvert

Sounds familiar, never enought time for all the projects. How's the corvette steering box feel? Thinking about that change as well. Are you running a rear sway bar? Spoke to Dick G last year when I was rebuilding my suspension. He recommended 700# front springs :eek: and no rear sway bar. I believe he said the rear bar would cause what you described.

Can't help on the leak, sounds like the seal. Could just be the pan though, they will leak at the corners if you didn't add a dab of RTV. Did you use a one piece gasket?

Jim