My first corvette
Thread Starter
6th Gear
Joined: May 2008
Posts: 6
Likes: 0
My first corvette
I bought myself a nice little 89 vette about a week ago and am somewhat new to 'under the hood' stuff. The only things i've really done are change a battery and replace a radiator and a hose. What I am wondering is, what is a straight up simple mod for this corvette (if there is one) that I could do on my own without anything hard involved? By hard I mean cutting/welding, going deep into the engine, or using advanced tools and such. I don't have access to any sort of lift, so exhaust is crossed off my list for now. I have some things I need to get done on this car before I can even install any kind of mod, but I just want to know what might be available to me with the knowledge i have so far. Thankss
Team Owner
Joined: Dec 2000
Posts: 90,675
Likes: 304
From: SE NY
Cruise-In II Veteran
Welcome to the Forum and congrats on your new '89 Vette...
Some simple mods that give a little more power are:
-cut open the air filter lid and install a K&N filter
-install a 160deg T-stat and fan switch
-bump base timing from the stock 6deg BTDC to 8deg
-remove the "frisbee" from the front of the water pump pulley
-do the throttle body coolant bypass, routes coolant around the TB from the water pump outlet directly into the heater hose
The above mods will add about 30chp to your base 240chp.
The best "tool" for working on one of these C4s is the GM factory service manual set from HELM; cost is around $100 but will pay for itself very quickly.
Some simple mods that give a little more power are:
-cut open the air filter lid and install a K&N filter
-install a 160deg T-stat and fan switch
-bump base timing from the stock 6deg BTDC to 8deg
-remove the "frisbee" from the front of the water pump pulley
-do the throttle body coolant bypass, routes coolant around the TB from the water pump outlet directly into the heater hose
The above mods will add about 30chp to your base 240chp.
The best "tool" for working on one of these C4s is the GM factory service manual set from HELM; cost is around $100 but will pay for itself very quickly.
Last edited by 65Z01; May 18, 2008 at 10:16 PM.
Drifting
Joined: Oct 2006
Posts: 1,934
Likes: 3
From: Citrus Heights California
Welcome, I started with a stock 88 and no knowledge of mods.
I noticed that my 88's performance improved with catbacks and an open air lid. I also threw away my frisbee. That's where I started.
These mods are simple and inexpensive.
I noticed that my 88's performance improved with catbacks and an open air lid. I also threw away my frisbee. That's where I started.
These mods are simple and inexpensive.
Pro
Joined: Jan 2008
Posts: 584
Likes: 1
From: Near Lockport NY Black 1986 Coupe
Buy a pair of tire ramps, remove your stock mufflers, and buy/make a set of eliminators. It will improve performance slightly, but the most noticable part will be the sound. If loud isn't your thing, pick up a set of Corsa or Flowmaster mufflers. Stockers suck for flow.
Thread Starter
6th Gear
Joined: May 2008
Posts: 6
Likes: 0
Buy a pair of tire ramps, remove your stock mufflers, and buy/make a set of eliminators. It will improve performance slightly, but the most noticable part will be the sound. If loud isn't your thing, pick up a set of Corsa or Flowmaster mufflers. Stockers suck for flow.
Corvette Stories
The Best of Corvette for Corvette Enthusiasts
150 hp to 1,250 hp: Every Corvette Generation Compared by the Specs That Matter
Joe Kucinski
8 Coolest Corvette Pace Cars (and Replicas) of All Time
Verdad Gallardo
Top 10 Corvette Engines RANKED by Peak Torque (70+ Years of Muscle!)
Joe Kucinski
Corvette ZR1X Will Be Pacing the Indy 500, And Could Probably Race, Too!
Verdad Gallardo
Top 10 Corvettes Coming to Mecum Indy 2026!
Brett Foote
Top 10 C9 Corvette MUST-HAVES to Fix These C8 Generation Flaws!
Michael S. Palmer
10 Revolutionary 'Corvette Firsts' Most People Don't Know
Joe Kucinski
5 Reasons to Upgrade to an LS6-Powered Corvette; 5 Reasons to Stay LT2
Michael S. Palmer
2027 Corvette vs The World: Every C8 vs Its Closest Competitor
Joe Kucinski
Slingshot
Joined: Dec 2001
Posts: 3,817
Likes: 24
From: Charlotte NC
