91 vette
Thread Starter
6th Gear
Joined: Jul 2007
Posts: 6
Likes: 0
91 vette
Hey guys im new here and I'll be honest im not the smartest car guy, but i just bought a 1991 corvette and wanna do some basic upgrades, I would like to spend 1000-1500 dollars for some basic power upgrades,any suggestions, thanks guys
-Adam
-Adam
Instructor
Joined: Dec 2006
Posts: 216
Likes: 0
From: Silicon Valley California
Please forgive me for not answering your specific question. IF this is the first !000 to $1500 you are putting into the car, I'd suggest you first consider if your shocks and brakes are due for attention or upgrade, and also go through the entire drive train making sure all maintanence matters are fully dealt with. Having all of that in fine order will go a long way toward having a fast and reliable car to drive, and likely will use up most if not all of that cash you have to devote at this time..
Instructor
Joined: Apr 2006
Posts: 117
Likes: 1
From: east haven ct.
I'm not particularly a car guy either matter of fact my 91 vette was the first car I ever worked on, but I learned real fast and it was fun to do all the things I did on my own, which was a complete tune-up tran.fluid,oil change,coolant change all the weatherstrip and also tackled the intake manifold gaskets with a friend and service manual.Another thing you might want to try, is check the injectors I heard on this forum a couple of years ago when I bought my 91 that 89-91 injectors are not that reliable and they were right.I had mine changed of course after the car was put back together, I didn't know at the time the injectors were bad, so I had a local Corvette shop do those and the car runs like it came out of the show room.You will save alot of $$ if you can do alot of the stuff yourself.$1500 will go a long way in getting things done. If you do some of the things mentioned you probably won't be looking to modify.
Safety Car
Joined: Jan 2006
Posts: 3,566
Likes: 4
From: Mt Laurel NJ
St. Jude Donor '06-'07
Welcome to the madness!
The first thing I would do is make sure everything is working the way it should. A full tuneup is not a bad idea, as is checking out and maybe doing a complete brake job, including changing the old brake fluid. 91quasarblue is correct about the injectors, I just changed mine and add a AFPR, and man, what a difference. You may also want to check out the suspension, the wheel bearing and U joints only last 80 to 100K.
All of that being said, if your sure everything is good w/ your car, a new exhaust is the first mod to do (maybe headers?), then I would get a new chip. Forum member Trog did mine, drop him a line, I am sure he will help you out.
Good Luck
The first thing I would do is make sure everything is working the way it should. A full tuneup is not a bad idea, as is checking out and maybe doing a complete brake job, including changing the old brake fluid. 91quasarblue is correct about the injectors, I just changed mine and add a AFPR, and man, what a difference. You may also want to check out the suspension, the wheel bearing and U joints only last 80 to 100K.
All of that being said, if your sure everything is good w/ your car, a new exhaust is the first mod to do (maybe headers?), then I would get a new chip. Forum member Trog did mine, drop him a line, I am sure he will help you out.
Good Luck
Last edited by RandyJ75; Jul 9, 2007 at 11:06 PM.
Team Owner
Joined: Sep 2001
Posts: 62,119
Likes: 1,725
From: Athens AL
C7 of the Year - Unmodified Finalist 2021
C4 of Year Finalist (performance mods) 2019
Give it a full tuneup, cap/rotor/plugs/wires/fuel filter
then sit on the rest for 6 months until you know what it really is you want from the car
and dont even glance at one of these magazines that has a bunch of junk that claims to give HP
then sit on the rest for 6 months until you know what it really is you want from the car
and dont even glance at one of these magazines that has a bunch of junk that claims to give HP
Thread Starter
6th Gear
Joined: Jul 2007
Posts: 6
Likes: 0
hey guys thanks alot for all the great answers, the car is in good condition i got a full inspection form the corvette shop in my area, and my brothers a mechanic aswell, are cold air intakes a good idea?
Safety Car
Joined: Jan 2006
Posts: 3,566
Likes: 4
From: Mt Laurel NJ
St. Jude Donor '06-'07
Just cutting the top of the lid of the aircleaner out works as well as anything. Think exhaust mods first. The exhaust systems on our cars are very restrictive, and it is the best place to pickup HP.
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Le Mans Master
Joined: Jun 2006
Posts: 5,642
Likes: 5
From: One day you're a Comet...the next day you're dust... Arkansas
On the L98
Exhaust mods (do lots of searches and reading) you don't have to spend a lot to get good results. A hi flow main cat and dual outlet mufflers help quite a bit. True duals with a X pipe or crossover, and performance mufflers, are even better.
Don't waste money of cold air intakes. cut the cleaner lid and do a K & N filter if you want.
Toss the frisbee on the water pump if you have one.
Bypass the throttle body
Do a full tune up and bump base timing to at least 8* BTDC
Don't waste money on cheap chips or air foils etc.
When you have done the above see how it runs. If you are prudent you can do all the above for well under $1000. From there on it will cost much bigger dollars.
Exhaust mods (do lots of searches and reading) you don't have to spend a lot to get good results. A hi flow main cat and dual outlet mufflers help quite a bit. True duals with a X pipe or crossover, and performance mufflers, are even better.
Don't waste money of cold air intakes. cut the cleaner lid and do a K & N filter if you want.
Toss the frisbee on the water pump if you have one.
Bypass the throttle body
Do a full tune up and bump base timing to at least 8* BTDC
Don't waste money on cheap chips or air foils etc.
When you have done the above see how it runs. If you are prudent you can do all the above for well under $1000. From there on it will cost much bigger dollars.
Thread Starter
6th Gear
Joined: Jul 2007
Posts: 6
Likes: 0
Awesome thanks Badduck, do u think this exhaust kit would be a worhtwhile investment, http://www.zip-products.com/Zip/prod...B4687E217B5E69, sorry the links so huge, but is that the kinda thing your talking about?
Le Mans Master
Joined: Jun 2006
Posts: 5,642
Likes: 5
From: One day you're a Comet...the next day you're dust... Arkansas
Awesome thanks Badduck, do u think this exhaust kit would be a worhtwhile investment, http://www.zip-products.com/Zip/prod...B4687E217B5E69, sorry the links so huge, but is that the kinda thing your talking about?
You can get a bolt on main cat for $150. Removing the precats is up to you. I think it helped.
Thread Starter
6th Gear
Joined: Jul 2007
Posts: 6
Likes: 0
Burning Brakes
Joined: Dec 2000
Posts: 1,161
Likes: 0
From: Orangeburg, NY
The first thing to do is to get hold of a service manual!!!!!
The best course of action is to do a complete tune-up (plugs, wires, filters, oil, etc.), check the brakes (replace the pads change the fluid), change the coolant, new fan belt. Alot of work can be done for free, such as pulling the radiator, cleaning it, and cleaning the surrounding area. New thermostat, hoses, etc. The fuel injectors can be sent out to be cleaned-or replaced (check the other posts for suggestions). While the injectors-rails are out, it wouldn't be a bad idea to change the valve cover gaskets and clean the valve covers and surrounding area. These recommendations should keep you busy for a while and not necessarily spending alot of money. While you are doing these proects, it will allow you time to get to know the car, see what others are doing to theirs, and give you the opportunity to decide what you want to have done, as well as prioritize your projects. Hope this helps. Good luck.
The best course of action is to do a complete tune-up (plugs, wires, filters, oil, etc.), check the brakes (replace the pads change the fluid), change the coolant, new fan belt. Alot of work can be done for free, such as pulling the radiator, cleaning it, and cleaning the surrounding area. New thermostat, hoses, etc. The fuel injectors can be sent out to be cleaned-or replaced (check the other posts for suggestions). While the injectors-rails are out, it wouldn't be a bad idea to change the valve cover gaskets and clean the valve covers and surrounding area. These recommendations should keep you busy for a while and not necessarily spending alot of money. While you are doing these proects, it will allow you time to get to know the car, see what others are doing to theirs, and give you the opportunity to decide what you want to have done, as well as prioritize your projects. Hope this helps. Good luck.
Le Mans Master
Joined: Jun 2006
Posts: 5,642
Likes: 5
From: One day you're a Comet...the next day you're dust... Arkansas
like this one??? http://www.parts123.com/parts123/yb....Z5Z5Z50000050F
