'85 Where should I start?
Thread Starter
Heel & Toe
Joined: Dec 2004
Posts: 15
Likes: 0
From: Cape Coral Fl.
'85 Where should I start?
I just bought a '85 vette and its my first. Not sure as to where to start modifying it. I know the runners on the TPI does nothing but choke it so ill be looking for either a SuperRam system or switch over to LT1 style. My biggest questions would be cam, heads, intake...where to start??? Any recommendations would be very appreciated. Thanks....Doc 
Safety Car
Joined: Sep 2003
Posts: 3,599
Likes: 24
From: Orange County NY
St. Jude Donor '10-'11-'12-'13
it all depends on your ultimate goal in the end, and how much $$$ you want to spend. the super ram by itself won't get you all that much without additional modifications (like heads, cam, etc), but it is a very versatile intake manifold with a lot of potential.
a good set of long tube headers, free flowing cat, and your choice of mufflers is a nice start. you didn't mention if the car was a stick or auto, but either way a nice set of gears is also a good bang for the buck.
always remember - how fast you go is directly proportional to how much you spend
a good set of long tube headers, free flowing cat, and your choice of mufflers is a nice start. you didn't mention if the car was a stick or auto, but either way a nice set of gears is also a good bang for the buck.
always remember - how fast you go is directly proportional to how much you spend
Burning Brakes
Joined: Nov 2003
Posts: 914
Likes: 1
From: Redding Ca
Yup, these things are pricey to modify so it is very important to decide where you want to end up before you get started. Usually that decision will dictate the range or types of mods you will make. You tend to do several at one time because just one change usually does not accomplish much. These engines are already very efficient so just changing a few "bolt on" items can be dissappointing. One Systems" approach is in the cam, heads, chip and induction area. Very important to coordinate. This can dictate a converter change as well.
Melting Slicks
Joined: Jun 2004
Posts: 3,032
Likes: 4
I have an '85 also...
I would recommend starting with the exhaust.
Get underneath your car sometime and look at that stupid exhaust setup, and you'll understand why.
A good exhaust can only help you. Then when you (or if) you decide to build up the front end, your engine won't be choking itself. Besides... even the stock engine chokes itself with that exhaust.
I would recommend starting with the exhaust.
Get underneath your car sometime and look at that stupid exhaust setup, and you'll understand why.
A good exhaust can only help you. Then when you (or if) you decide to build up the front end, your engine won't be choking itself. Besides... even the stock engine chokes itself with that exhaust.
Team Owner
Joined: Sep 2001
Posts: 62,159
Likes: 1,732
From: Athens AL
C7 of the Year - Unmodified Finalist 2021
C4 of Year Finalist (performance mods) 2019
I would not look into the Miniram/LT1 intakes unless I had a manual transmission already.
To start, get a set of Hooker 2149/2151 or TPiS headers, a Random Tech or Carsound cat, and whichever catback you prefer based solely on sound. They all perform the same. At that point you should have some idea of how much further you want to take it.
The 85's heads are crappy, so you would need to upgrade those to something like Dart Pro 200cc, TFS, AFR 195s or the like. AFR would be best but expensive and a long waiting list. 85 also has a hydraulic flat tappet cam instead of a roller, so with the Superram an Accel 213 would go well, or you could convert over to roller and get the 219 thats made for the SR.
To start, get a set of Hooker 2149/2151 or TPiS headers, a Random Tech or Carsound cat, and whichever catback you prefer based solely on sound. They all perform the same. At that point you should have some idea of how much further you want to take it.
The 85's heads are crappy, so you would need to upgrade those to something like Dart Pro 200cc, TFS, AFR 195s or the like. AFR would be best but expensive and a long waiting list. 85 also has a hydraulic flat tappet cam instead of a roller, so with the Superram an Accel 213 would go well, or you could convert over to roller and get the 219 thats made for the SR.
Racer
Joined: Sep 2004
Posts: 495
Likes: 0
From: berwick pennsylvania
from all the reading about the tpi system on the l98, i gathered that a a free flowing intake base,large tube runners and 190-195cc heads,zz3-zz9 cam,headers and a free flo exh will give ya quite a wicked ride for the street. i have a tpis torque secrets cam to go in but may opt for the new comp cams #4-#7 firing order swap cam for a little extra punch.all in all it just depends what you are lookin for and as mention earlier how much$$$ you want to spend
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Team Owner
Joined: Sep 2001
Posts: 62,159
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From: Athens AL
C7 of the Year - Unmodified Finalist 2021
C4 of Year Finalist (performance mods) 2019
I wouldnt waste money on a cold air intake, they dont give the advertised gains, by far.
Over a stock setup, they do give gains, but not over 10hp. One other thing to keep in mind is that they redirect airflow that should be going through your radiator, in Florida, that means your temps will rise by 10-20F on average, and thats not good unless you have the chip reprogrammed to reset fans. Also, you shouldnt spend money on the chip until after you do the cam.
Over a stock setup, they do give gains, but not over 10hp. One other thing to keep in mind is that they redirect airflow that should be going through your radiator, in Florida, that means your temps will rise by 10-20F on average, and thats not good unless you have the chip reprogrammed to reset fans. Also, you shouldnt spend money on the chip until after you do the cam.
Race Director
Joined: Feb 1999
Posts: 12,772
Likes: 17
From: Indianapolis IN
Originally Posted by DocBowtieSS
I just bought a '85 vette and its my first. Not sure as to where to start modifying it. I know the runners on the TPI does nothing but choke it so ill be looking for either a SuperRam system or switch over to LT1 style. My biggest questions would be cam, heads, intake...where to start??? Any recommendations would be very appreciated. Thanks....Doc
Cam, heads, intake and headers, and if you can afford it go to a new Accel or TPIS intake base and ASM runners, then you can buy the Superram plenum later and sell the runners and recoup some $$$.
Le Mans Master
Joined: Apr 2000
Posts: 6,341
Likes: 1
From: Shelton CT
Comes on what your budget is.
If you want to go cheap, I'd do a catback exhaust, free-flowing mufflers, SLP Ram air system and a set of good pulleys. Shouldn't cost you more than 600 or so and should give you about 30HP or so. If your budget allows, get headers, if you are worried about emissions, only intake you can use legally is the Superram Intake. On my slightly modified vette after installing the Longtube headers and superram intake the car REALLY woke up.. I was running low 13's after those mods..
If you want to go cheap, I'd do a catback exhaust, free-flowing mufflers, SLP Ram air system and a set of good pulleys. Shouldn't cost you more than 600 or so and should give you about 30HP or so. If your budget allows, get headers, if you are worried about emissions, only intake you can use legally is the Superram Intake. On my slightly modified vette after installing the Longtube headers and superram intake the car REALLY woke up.. I was running low 13's after those mods..