New to this forum. Active member of Camaro5.com. I'm building a 2012 camaro ss with all Bolt - ons cam and gears. Next mod procharger. Currently pushing 465 rwhp 415 rwt. Just purchased an 88 vette super clean with low miles. I would like to hear what's the most cost effective way to unleash more power out of this baby. Any ideas?

 

Congrats on the purchase and being a first time Corvette owner. Can't help much on the performance end though, I am more of a purist and have kept my rides bone stock original.

 

Start with a tune up to make sure everything is set up right. Here is some good info:
http://temp.corvetteforum.net/c4/vader86/

 

Congrats and welcome.

 

An exhaust will help make it feel like a lot more power

 

The video on that site is awesome. 176 MPH ?!! I cant even imagine driving that fast. I took my 90 just over 100MPH and that felt like i was flying.
Welcome to the madness that Corvette ownership is. Have a ball and enjoy the ride.

 

Welcome and enjoy the toy.

 

The same basics apply to them all. Depending on how much money you are willing to invest will determine HP output. Without getting into the engine, I would put on some long tube headers and install a 2.5" true dual exhaust. Upgrade your intake to one of the aftermarkets available from Accel, Tpis, Holley. Then make sure you get a proper tune for your mods.

More air in+more air out=more HP.

Oh and welcome to the madness!

 

Congratz! Welcome to the madness and the permagrin!

The Bosch TPI was designed initially to provide some reasonable performance out of the 305 cid motor headed for the Camaro. After some negotiations, a deal was reached between Bosch and GM, and a modified (read: bigger runners) version was provided for the 350 cid V8 - and the L98 was born.

Stuff can/has been done to enhance the L98's performance; cams, heads, bigger runners, exhausts - ALL good. But, fundamentally, the length of the runners determines the harmonic characteristics of the intake air column, and that length just ain't conducive to usable torque above 4500 rpm (stock) or around 5000-5500 rpm with cams and heads and exhaust mods all kicking in to offset that runner length. (Did I mention compression ratio at 9.0 to 9.5).

That said, with the exception of situations where high rpm torque rules, perhaps 90% of driving situations, including public roads in mountainous regions, 4500 rpm (max stock for the TPI motors) gets the job done and will put a grin on the faces of Corvette drivers. OR, dropping in an LSx...is a win/win too, depending on budget.

And, we're only talking about the motor. I think you'll find the Corvette will carve up the twisties far better than those rides you've mentioned, if you've the skills it takes to truly explore the C4s capabilities.

Good luck!

 

Just like any small block Chevy ,big cam more gas air gear about 450 Hp is all the lower end is good for ...

 

You won't get 465 rwhp out of the motor in the vette with the stock displacement or naturally aspirated. Don't expect it to be as fast as that Camaro unless you go bigger or go with a power adder. Congratulations on the Corvette though!

 

Thanks for all the advice. At this point I think the future holds a bigger cam, intake and full exhaust. Now I have to figure out how to throw some headers in. Under the hood there is a lot less space than I'm used to.

 

Welcome to the forum. I am a newbie here too (only about 2-3 months) but there is a wealth of information on here and a great bunch of guys and gals who are willing to share. Congrats on the new buy and hope you enjoy it and enjoy the forum.
Tommy