need advice
Thread Starter
1st Gear
Joined: Sep 2013
Posts: 1
Likes: 0
need advice
I just bought a 88 corvette today and i was wandering what would be the best performance parts to add, I have never had a corvette and i know nothing about them I just figured I would try one out and see how well i liked them, I don't need it to be the fastest one out there but, i want it to take off and rip when i want it too, so what do you guys think?
Melting Slicks
Joined: Jun 2010
Posts: 2,528
Likes: 2
From: PA
Change all the fluids, tune it up and drive it a while first, to see what little things need fixing.
A stock 88 Corvette will push you back in the seats and burn rubber just fine. On the track where it's legal, of course.
Then I'd look into a cat-back exhaust to give you that loud rumble that makes you feel faster. After that, how fast you want to go depends on how much you want to spend.
A stock 88 Corvette will push you back in the seats and burn rubber just fine. On the track where it's legal, of course.
Then I'd look into a cat-back exhaust to give you that loud rumble that makes you feel faster. After that, how fast you want to go depends on how much you want to spend.
Le Mans Master
Joined: Oct 2004
Posts: 6,314
Likes: 508
From: South-central Missouri
I agree with driving it for a while. We all love the seat of the pants aspect, but a Corvette is soooo much more than a straight line thriller. Just wait till you find a twisty road or road course. Then you'll begin to truly understand what a Corvette is all about: Quick AND nimble! (Especially NIMBLE!)
Instructor
Joined: Mar 2013
Posts: 149
Likes: 2
From: Long Island NY
Congrats on your purchase DannonLane. I had an 89 and did: K&N air filter, Autolite double platinum plugs, Taylor wires, Hypertech chip that uses 160 thermostat and Accel adjustable fuel pressure regulator. Good gains for the buck.
Race Director
Joined: May 2006
Posts: 10,691
Likes: 71
From: Phoenix Arizona
Change all the fluids, tune it up and drive it a while first, to see what little things need fixing.
A stock 88 Corvette will push you back in the seats and burn rubber just fine. On the track where it's legal, of course.
Then I'd look into a cat-back exhaust to give you that loud rumble that makes you feel faster. After that, how fast you want to go depends on how much you want to spend.
A stock 88 Corvette will push you back in the seats and burn rubber just fine. On the track where it's legal, of course.
Then I'd look into a cat-back exhaust to give you that loud rumble that makes you feel faster. After that, how fast you want to go depends on how much you want to spend.
One of the big mistakes people make is buy a vette, and then buy a bunch of stuff for it. Drive it for a while (I'd say 4-6 months) and then only buy things you really need to make it the way you want.
Drifting
Joined: Mar 2012
Posts: 1,492
Likes: 61
From: New Jersey
Change all the fluids, tune it up and drive it a while first, to see what little things need fixing.
A stock 88 Corvette will push you back in the seats and burn rubber just fine. On the track where it's legal, of course.
Then I'd look into a cat-back exhaust to give you that loud rumble that makes you feel faster. After that, how fast you want to go depends on how much you want to spend.
A stock 88 Corvette will push you back in the seats and burn rubber just fine. On the track where it's legal, of course.
Then I'd look into a cat-back exhaust to give you that loud rumble that makes you feel faster. After that, how fast you want to go depends on how much you want to spend.
and with zr1fred.Before purchasing and installing any performance parts, check off the necessary maintenance - its a 26 year old car. Check ball joints, wheel bearings, rubber bushings, shocks, spark plugs, wires, dist. cap and rotor, fuel filter, etc. After a tune up and other maintenance you may find it is a lot quicker and handles better than you thought. And some of the performance add-ons may not be necessary.
Drifting
Joined: Mar 2012
Posts: 1,492
Likes: 61
From: New Jersey
Oh and don't forget about your tires. I had old, hard and cracking tires and they definitely weren't safe. Changed them first thing and what a difference - my wife wanted to know what I had done to the car when we went out the day the tires were changed because it rode so much better.
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Racer
Joined: Jun 2006
Posts: 361
Likes: 6
and with zr1fred.Before purchasing and installing any performance parts, check off the necessary maintenance - its a 26 year old car. Check ball joints, wheel bearings, rubber bushings, shocks, spark plugs, wires, dist. cap and rotor, fuel filter, etc. After a tune up and other maintenance you may find it is a lot quicker and handles better than you thought. And some of the performance add-ons may not be necessary.
I also have an 88 and replaced all bushings, shocks, tires and alignment, trans fluid, radiator flush, fuel filter, oil and filter, wheel hubs, suspension rebuild(ball joints inc.) and all tune-up items before really pushing her hard. 7 1/2 years and 120,000 miles later she still runs hard. Now have SLP mega ported runners, ported Edelcrock intake, custom shorty headers that pass the visual, cat back exhaust, 24lb injectors, DeWitts radiator, port matched heads, rebuilt trans, 6E$ with 9th injector delete and custom tune. I had installed a 355 earlier this year but she died early, had to put the old motor back in. 256,000 miles and still going strong.
Race Director
Joined: Dec 2000
Posts: 17,551
Likes: 26
From: El Paso Texas
I get a kick out of people buying high dollar stuff trying to squeeze more power out of a 120,000 mile engine that's on it's original timing chain and gears. They're losing 4-8 degrees of advance from the sloppy timing set. Replacing that in a high mile motor usually feels like you just added 50 hp on the Butt dyno.
Race Director
Joined: Dec 2000
Posts: 17,551
Likes: 26
From: El Paso Texas
Well, that should do it. The n00b OP is sufficiently scared now. His speed stiffie just hit the ground. 
If you want an easy HP increase, change titles and get an LT-1. Boom....instant 50 + HP gain with zero sacrifice in reliability.
Bottom line is this: Speed = $$$$ How fast do you want to go?
If you want an easy HP increase, change titles and get an LT-1. Boom....instant 50 + HP gain with zero sacrifice in reliability.
Bottom line is this: Speed = $$$$ How fast do you want to go?
Le Mans Master
Joined: Mar 2004
Posts: 5,107
Likes: 171
From: Dublin CA
Start here.......
http://temp.corvetteforum.net/c4/vader86/
Read Vader86's home page. A wealth of information on what works and what does not.
Welcome to the Forum.
http://temp.corvetteforum.net/c4/vader86/
Read Vader86's home page. A wealth of information on what works and what does not.
Welcome to the Forum.
Racer
Joined: Jun 2006
Posts: 361
Likes: 6
I get a kick out of people buying high dollar stuff trying to squeeze more power out of a 120,000 mile engine that's on it's original timing chain and gears. They're losing 4-8 degrees of advance from the sloppy timing set. Replacing that in a high mile motor usually feels like you just added 50 hp on the Butt dyno.
When I replaced the timing chain with a double roller the old chain was stretched at least an inch and the old valve seals just crumbled. Pain to do but worth it.
Team Owner
Joined: Aug 2005
Posts: 34,988
Likes: 515
From: Riverside County Southern California
Co-winner 2020 C4 of the Year - Modified
2018 Corvette of Year Finalist
2017 C4 of Year
2016 C7 of Year Finalist
St. Jude Donor '09 thru '20
I just bought a 88 corvette today and i was wandering what would be the best performance parts to add, I have never had a corvette and i know nothing about them I just figured I would try one out and see how well i liked them, I don't need it to be the fastest one out there but, i want it to take off and rip when i want it too, so what do you guys think?