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Old Jul 16, 2004 | 10:15 PM
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Default Value Question

'81 4-Spd with Raja Turbo Charger. 18,000 miles.
$18,000.00
Good Buy ? Or - too risky?
Also, when a TurboCharger is added - what other components normally require upgrading / changing?
I've added the complete description below - I'd appreciate comments. Thanks.

Last edited by Corvector; Jul 17, 2004 at 08:39 PM. Reason: Reason: Additional question and full description of vehicle.
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Old Jul 16, 2004 | 10:33 PM
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Risky to say the least
Get her up in the air and give her a REAL CLOSE look
ANYTHING look out of place walk away IMHO
A good turbo Install will look like the car was built with it!!!!
18K doesn't sound out of line for an exceptionaly nice '81 with a turbo
but for what It's worth I can buy a running '81 for 4K (???) and weld-up a junk yard Turbo for next to nothing
ALOT more Info is needed!!!!
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Old Jul 16, 2004 | 11:16 PM
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Originally Posted by jcswm
Risky to say the least
Get her up in the air and give her a REAL CLOSE look
ANYTHING look out of place walk away IMHO
A good turbo Install will look like the car was built with it!!!!
18K doesn't sound out of line for an exceptionaly nice '81 with a turbo
but for what It's worth I can buy a running '81 for 4K (???) and weld-up a junk yard Turbo for next to nothing
ALOT more Info is needed!!!!
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Old Jul 16, 2004 | 11:24 PM
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Originally Posted by Stoge
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Old Jul 17, 2004 | 11:39 AM
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Default More Info on '81 w/Turbo. Whadayathink?

18K miles, Charcoal Metallic w/ Silver Grey interior, numbers matching 350 L81 engine, MM4 4-speed trans, G92 rear, FE7/F51 suspension, AU3 power locks/windows/driver’s seat, CC1 t-tops, C49 defogger, UM6 am/fm cassette stereo, U75 power antenna, one of 5,757 made with this combination.
Updates & aftermarket improvements include; Martin Raja Turbo Charger II (approx. 350hp at 9 lbs. boost), 3:73 posi (ZOOM gears), 1969 Corvette side exhaust, Hurst Competition Plus shifter, 140 mph speedometer, Delco gas shocks, Weld Draglite wheels (15x8 w/ 255/60/15 Goodyear Eagle GTs), stainless steel brake calipers, Russell braided hoses w/ AN fittings.
This car has been garage kept since new and has never seen rain. All documentation, receipts, and service materials are included, as are the OEM parts that have been removed (i.e. original wheels & original exhaust). The formal appraisal evaluation on this Corvette quotes “Exceptional example. Very low mileage, tastefully personalized, and an excellent collectible.�
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Old Jul 17, 2004 | 01:27 PM
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I am not into speed add-ons but that sounds like a nicely modified and well-kept car. The documentation is a real plus!

BTW you mentioned an appraisal. What value did the appraiser put on it?
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Old Jul 17, 2004 | 07:23 PM
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Default "Value Question"

He didn't include any $$$. Just the verbiage. BTW - the pic's included
are great. Looks like e Very Clean specimen.
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Old Jul 17, 2004 | 10:30 PM
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I'm getting married and have to clean out my toy box. I purchased this kit a few years ago to install on a small block 350 I was working on... never got the car to put in and and well... now I'm sellin the whole thing.

Martin turbo kit with custom manifold
Rajay Turbo
Exhaust Manifolds and crossover pipe
Mallory unilite distributor
Mallory Promaster Coil
Mallory HyFire IVc RPM Limiting Ignition System
MSD Boost Timing Master (timing retard for boost)
Extra chrome valve covers

This kit will add 5 psi of boost, but can be adjusted to boost higher. It is possible to double the hp of an engine with a turbo kit, no promises other than this will add hp to any 350 SB chevy.

With the ignition modules it will allow you to run higher amounts of boost without detonation on regular pump gas. How many engines can bost over 400 hp on pump gas and a streetable cam? With this kit you get the best of both worlds.
This guy is on a Hot rod forum and wants $1,000 for the kit
I'll bet it would cost less than 1k to pay someone to install/set up the engine
so what a perfect low milage '81 without a turbo worth???
E-mail me the pics I'd like to see it!!!
JChristopher01@comcast.net
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Old Jul 18, 2004 | 07:43 AM
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That looks like a nice, Clean car
But no pictures of the Turbo???
It looks like it's behind the AC compressor but it's hard to tell from that angle
I'd ask for a couple more pictures of the turbo and the frame & post them on here for all to see.
I'd think out of all the members of CF someone has got to live pretty close to this car......
IMHO so far It sounds like a good deal, at least worth looking into more!!!
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Old Jul 18, 2004 | 11:52 AM
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Default Value Question

What's the "IMHO" for?
Also, does the Turbo add enough "stress" to the engine that one should be concerned with the overall engine reliability after
having been "turbo'd" for any considerable period of time?
And, just how - in 25 words or less - does the turbo "...boost HP 85%..."?
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Old Jul 18, 2004 | 12:54 PM
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I'm not real good at words but it has been boosted to raise hotput 85%
there has been some stress, piston rings & lands and bearing at least
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Old Jul 18, 2004 | 01:05 PM
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IMHO= In My humble opinion
The chevy 350 is a pretty tough motor with that milage it should be ok, A built-in rev limiter would make me feel better if I were buying it.
Have the car taken to a corvette shop for an Inspection and compression test. At this point it's money well spent if your ready to buy it.
25 words or less......
a piston pulls air/fuel into the cylinder on the intake stroke
A turbo pushes the Air/fuel in, ALOT more than the piston can pull in on it's own!!

Last edited by jcswm; Jul 18, 2004 at 01:11 PM.
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Old Jul 18, 2004 | 04:55 PM
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Default Value Question

Thanks. Good advice. I'll look up a Vette Shop in his area when / if I decide to buy. Asked seller to send more pic's of the Turbo.
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