Performance Improvement Advice
Thread Starter
7th Gear
Joined: Sep 2004
Posts: 7
Likes: 0
Performance Improvement Advice
My aunt is giving my husband and I her 1982 vette. She is the original owner, and the car is all original as well. I am very excited about this gift, I remember that car as a little girl (I am only 2 years older than the car.) My husband on the other hand is not nearly as excited. He has to forfeit his side of the garage to store our new vette. We all know that the 82 vette is a really looker, but leaves a little to be desired in the performance arena. What modifications can we make to improve the performace of the car, short of buying a crate engine? If she has some power, my husband will be a little more excited about my new "family heirloom."
C6 the C5 of tomorrow
Joined: Nov 2000
Posts: 6,665
Likes: 2
From: Twin Cities Minnesota
A little goes a long way on those cars.
But I think it depends on how much work and $$ you want to spend.
I mean heads / intake and headers would surely help!
As long as you are in there a cam would REALLY help.
If it's an automatic, a more performance orentied torque converter would let the engine get the power out even better!
But I think it depends on how much work and $$ you want to spend.
I mean heads / intake and headers would surely help!
As long as you are in there a cam would REALLY help.
If it's an automatic, a more performance orentied torque converter would let the engine get the power out even better!
Team Owner
Joined: Jun 2004
Posts: 20,216
Likes: 4
From: Smile, it's just the internet.
Don't really know anything about the '82, but I assume the exhaust is pretty restrictive. Same with the manifolds. Get rid of both and go with ceramic-coated headers and decent set of pipes with good cats and an "X" crossover. Then there's the Intake. Don't know jack about that either, but I bet it sucks...or rather, doesn't. The biggest hurdle, though, might be the computer. Computers and modified cars don't mix, IMO. Ditch it.
Oh, wait. Where do you live? Emissions could be a MAJOR issue.
Oh, wait. Where do you live? Emissions could be a MAJOR issue.
Le Mans Master
Joined: Jun 2004
Posts: 9,289
Likes: 16
From: Skippack PA
St Jude Donor '13
Mine is an 1980 L-82 and all these guys are right... lots of work to improve the performance from the stock engine. What I constantly read is that the biggest offender is the head so until you address that issue everything else is minimal gains.
If I recall correctly, the 82 is going to be crossfire injection - I think that had become standard in 81 - couple of guys around here that are great with CFI and could tell you for sure.
With all the factors involved a crate engine is likely the easiest way to go. Sit the stock on a skid in the garage for resale value down the road and go all new.
Regardless, she'll be fun to own, so congrats and enjoy!
If I recall correctly, the 82 is going to be crossfire injection - I think that had become standard in 81 - couple of guys around here that are great with CFI and could tell you for sure.
With all the factors involved a crate engine is likely the easiest way to go. Sit the stock on a skid in the garage for resale value down the road and go all new.
Regardless, she'll be fun to own, so congrats and enjoy!
Drifting
Joined: Nov 2002
Posts: 1,665
Likes: 1
From: Ontario
Check this out for some good ideas - http://www.corvettefaq.com/gotvette.asp
Headers, dual 2.5" exhaust, dual high flow cats and decent mufflers will probably make your husband enjoy the car more just because it will sound way better than stock, not to mention performance benefits. You would probably have to richen the carb after this mod.
Other relatively easy/inexpensive engine upgrades are aftermarket aluminum intake manifold, bigger cam, retune the carb, recurve the distributor. Emmision regulations may limit your options.
The easiest and cheapest way to free up 10 or so horsepower is to replace the engine's belt driven clutch fan with an electric one.
Of course there are many people who have the opinion that you should keep it stock. Hey its your car do what you want.
Headers, dual 2.5" exhaust, dual high flow cats and decent mufflers will probably make your husband enjoy the car more just because it will sound way better than stock, not to mention performance benefits. You would probably have to richen the carb after this mod.
Other relatively easy/inexpensive engine upgrades are aftermarket aluminum intake manifold, bigger cam, retune the carb, recurve the distributor. Emmision regulations may limit your options.
The easiest and cheapest way to free up 10 or so horsepower is to replace the engine's belt driven clutch fan with an electric one.
Of course there are many people who have the opinion that you should keep it stock. Hey its your car do what you want.
Race Director
Joined: Sep 1999
Posts: 11,358
Likes: 379
From: Plano TX
If you're in LA you are very restricted in what you can do. One thing that is legal and will make a difference is to replace the old pellet type catalytic converter with a modern hi-flow cat. The pellet cats from the 80's were incredibly restrictive. I would not be surprised to see a gain of 20-30 hp or even more if the old cat was plugged. It should make it sound better too. If you have emissions testing where you're at you need to stay with a single cat (can't go dual).
Thread Starter
7th Gear
Joined: Sep 2004
Posts: 7
Likes: 0
Location and Emmisions
We live in Cincinnati, Ohio, and yes our county is one of the 14 Ohio counties that requires emmisions tests. My screen name "82LALady" refers to the car. The car is originally a California car. So I will have to go through emmisions prior to getting the car registered in OH. It does have CFI, that was standard in 82. I checked out the e-check laws, and I have to have it e-checked this year, and 06. After that it will be 25 years old, and will no longer require e-check.
Le Mans Master
Joined: Mar 2002
Posts: 7,456
Likes: 2
From: Coming home from Luckenbach Texas
As stated before, replace the catalytic converter with a high-flow unit. It's legal...and it will give you the most bang for the buck.
Otherwise, enjoy the car for a while and focus on the things that need fixing. (Trust me...you'll find 'em as you go along!
)
Otherwise, enjoy the car for a while and focus on the things that need fixing. (Trust me...you'll find 'em as you go along!
)
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