Hey guys,
I have recently decided to keep my black 89 vette. I want to start adding some more power. Where's a good place to start? Alittle info about pros and cons of the motor would be nice too.
Thanks

 

There are probably more threads on this subject than you could ever want. Do a search on "engine mods". Use the advanced search feature and limit yourself to C4 Tech

 

Here's a good place to start:

http://temp.corvetteforum.net/c4/vader86/

 

check out vader 86's site,he's the man!

 

http://www.gmhightechperformance.com...s/group_3.html

 

First Place I would start is with an exhaust upgrade.
Get some Long Tube Headers, HI-Flow Main Cat , and a big Cat-Back System. This will be good for 20 - 25 RWHP.

Vic

 

Damn, apparently Vader's site is down for some reason. The short story on the L98 is:

Headers and other exhaust mods are a great gain, 10-20 RWHP.

The stock intake set-up sucks. It will limit you severly. The other options are the super ram, the mini-ram, a converted LT1 intake, or a stealth ram. The stealth ram won't clear the stock hood though. Without going to one of these intakes, you won't ever make more than about 300 RWHP. If you search for each of those intakes on google or in this sites search engine, you should find enough information to answer most of your questions.

The only way to make decent power with the stock L98 intake installed is with a power adder like nitrous, a super charger, or a turbo charger. Of those three, nitrous is the only one that isn't super cost prohibitive.

Power chips are usually a waste of money. However, a custom tune from one of the board sponsors can be beneficial. www.pcmforless.com comes up often, and most have great luck with them.

Your stock 6 speed is pretty stout, as is the stock rear end. If you drag race the car often, or begin to add power the most likely thing to go will be the clutch. You will hear lots of opinions on the clutch, there are some corvette specific parts in there, and some of them are very expensive. Eventually, when you need to replace the clutch, you'll need about $1,000 to do it properly. I wouldn't worry about it now, but just something to think about/save for as you modify the car.

The car is old, things are going to need to be replaced. Try to have some extra cash in a savings account or something for emergencies. Tow bills, replacement parts, etc...

Good luck, let us know what you decide to do!

 

I agree, that's the first place to start. The L98 exhaust is pretty restrictive.

 

neat's post above is a very good one.

if you don't want to dig into the engine for the most power (heads and cam combo), i would opt for intake and exhaust upgrades. this will provide the "some more" power you seem to be looking for, on the order of 300 to 320 chp by adding both; there you can play along with LT1's........the intake meaning at the very least a tpis bigmouth, accel superram, or edelbrock base + large tube runners + work over your stock plenum......exhaust meaning long tube headers (mandatory), and either dual exhaust (preferred) or front Y-pipe (no pre-cats) and hi flow main cat.

and really as a minimum in an L98, you have to go for exhaust + intake together when you consider upgrading. in stock form, they BOTH suck as a system and kill the thrill.

if you are also willing to upgrade heads & cam you have a wide world of choices, and chp on the order of +50 to 80 more as it synergizes with the intake (assuming you go full superram or miniram intake) and exhaust package, depending on the combo.

whatever you do, synergize your upgrades with a custom tune from www.pcmforless.com --- talk to Alvin Anderson, our premier tuner here on the firm. this is a solid choice and best value.

 

i'm reorganizing the site a bit, it'll be screwy

 

Hey im looking at getting a custom exhaust fro my c4 (no cats) some other people awhile back from the forum said it was a noticible difference. Just looking for some mufflers. Found some nice borlas i might pick up.

any other ideas for mufflers???

I am looking into the aintake now( going to do alittle more hw on it)

You guys have been great.

 

you can check out my site for some intake ideas:

Corvetteplenum.com

Are emmisions an issue where you live?

-Mike

 

emissions arent a serious issue where i live.