even on a stock rebuild, duals 
performance ideas?
Thread Starter
Intermediate
Joined: Jun 2004
Posts: 35
Likes: 0
From: newfane ny
performance ideas?
after reading some threads on engines building i am going with a rebuild and leaving stock one on a stand. what should i do for exhaust ...headers?,duals?and what are the best combos of headers. i am not putting cat on! i am having the engine built to have some good power as wll as dependable . not going sick on it but it will be beefy.also what carb and intake is a good combo. my builder told me stick with q-jet as he know a good q-jet man to tune it. i like the look of the eldebrock performer package! polished intake...6oo carb.any feedback is greatly appreciated 
thanks,
done4fun
also what is up with the computer thing on the 81? how do i get around it with new engine? will be replacing most things under the hood
thanks,
done4fun
also what is up with the computer thing on the 81? how do i get around it with new engine? will be replacing most things under the hood
Last edited by done4fun; Jul 22, 2004 at 10:50 PM.
Le Mans Master
Joined: Mar 2004
Posts: 7,493
Likes: 1,501
From: Little Rock AR
Build a flat top piston 383, Edelbrock Perfomer RPM heads, and a L-46/L-82 cam, and recurve the ignition. Keep the rest stock if you want. Headers are OK if you like the extra power but you will have a very reliable, torquey small block either way with that setup. These late C3's need all the torque help they can get.
I almost built a 383 for mine recently but decided to keep the forged factory bottom end because the block was still in great shape. If it had needed a bore job with new pistons, I would have built the 383 without question.
I know a guy who is running that setup. His engine builder recomended it and he realy likes it.
You can build a more radical engine if you want, this is just one of a million different ways to do it.
-Mark.
I almost built a 383 for mine recently but decided to keep the forged factory bottom end because the block was still in great shape. If it had needed a bore job with new pistons, I would have built the 383 without question.
I know a guy who is running that setup. His engine builder recomended it and he realy likes it.
You can build a more radical engine if you want, this is just one of a million different ways to do it.
-Mark.
Racer
Joined: May 2002
Posts: 280
Likes: 0
From: Poughkeepsie New York
I ran 2.5" duals on my 79. No Cats. Used an X-pipe and the Flowmaster Delta 50s. Originally had Ram horn Exhaust manifolds, but recently put on Heddman Headers. Very happy with it. I think Flowmaster 40s will be louder, but I had the 50s, so I went with them.
This is all on a ZZ4 with Speed Demon 650. Now looking for a better cam. You can a lot of great info on this forum, better than most. Good luck!
PS once you get started, you will always want more. Plan out the project, and go for it on the first try. Read as much as you can, and make your decisions based on that!
This is all on a ZZ4 with Speed Demon 650. Now looking for a better cam. You can a lot of great info on this forum, better than most. Good luck!
PS once you get started, you will always want more. Plan out the project, and go for it on the first try. Read as much as you can, and make your decisions based on that!
Race Director
Joined: Jan 2003
Posts: 15,176
Likes: 87
From: State of Confusion
Originally Posted by done4fun
also what is up with the computer thing on the 81? how do i get around it with new engine? will be replacing most things under the hood
I'm 'blessed' with an '82 Cross-Fire...
... but i believe the '81 has a computer-cotrolled lock-up torque-converter (THM-350c?), and that the distributor may not 'work' in a non-computer set-up.
I'd think the 383" SBC described earlier by stingr69 would be extremely streetable (and DEFINITELY more powerful than your L-81), but possibly 'disappointing'.
The stock L-46/L-82 cam is fairly mild, and wouldn't allow as much HP/TQ as an after-market cam might, 'specially if you 'pop' for the RPM heads.
I'd think a flat-top/RPM-headed 383" with a 262/268 cam would be a real stump-puller, yet idle be civilized.
Just my $.02 worth; but check into that '81 distributor, working w/o the computer, tho...
Burning Brakes
Joined: Aug 2000
Posts: 1,239
Likes: 0
From: NY
Just unplug the computer and use a B&M lock up switch. Plugs right in...lock it up in any gear at most any speed.
Distributor...hmmmmm good point. Mine is HEI. dont know about the orig dist.
Distributor...hmmmmm good point. Mine is HEI. dont know about the orig dist.
Last edited by 81ZZ4; Jul 23, 2004 at 12:56 PM.
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Burning Brakes
Joined: Oct 2001
Posts: 1,146
Likes: 0
From: Milford NH
Originally Posted by done4fun
... and leaving stock one on a stand.
Edelborock also makes crate engines (a little mor expensive) and so does GMPP.
The ZZ4 engine isn't a bad engine. about $3800, 355 Hp and 400 # ft. of torque.
Last edited by 69stingray; Jul 25, 2004 at 03:58 PM.