Upgrading time!
Thread Starter
Heel & Toe
Joined: Dec 2007
Posts: 15
Likes: 0
From: Lanexa VA
Upgrading time!
Hello all,
I have a little money (about $1000) to spend on my stock 87. I really want to get some decent power increases. I was thinking a set of rockers/lifters/cam. Does anyone have any suggestions on how to stay within my budget and get a noticeable increase in power. I am open to anything but i am thinking cam because we all love that sound of a cammed 350!
I have a little money (about $1000) to spend on my stock 87. I really want to get some decent power increases. I was thinking a set of rockers/lifters/cam. Does anyone have any suggestions on how to stay within my budget and get a noticeable increase in power. I am open to anything but i am thinking cam because we all love that sound of a cammed 350!
Burning Brakes
Joined: Aug 2007
Posts: 915
Likes: 0
From: salinas ca
Well you could port your plenum and runners, get a new base plate. The hot cam kit can be bought pretty reasoanble just search around. But remember that no matter what you do, your going to need to stash away $300 for the custom tune. You could always just get new gears for your rear, thats the best bang for the buck! Good luck man.
Pro
Joined: Jan 2008
Posts: 584
Likes: 1
From: Near Lockport NY Black 1986 Coupe
Exhaust!
Search for anything with L98 and you'll find that exhaust opens up a world of difference for you in terms of power. After that, you work on your intake and heads. LT Headers and a set of dual pipes w/x-pipe will give you roughly 25rwhp and around 40flbs. of torque. That will run you around $1200 if you do the work yourself, and $15-1800 if it's done for you. Save some money up and make it count for something.
Search for anything with L98 and you'll find that exhaust opens up a world of difference for you in terms of power. After that, you work on your intake and heads. LT Headers and a set of dual pipes w/x-pipe will give you roughly 25rwhp and around 40flbs. of torque. That will run you around $1200 if you do the work yourself, and $15-1800 if it's done for you. Save some money up and make it count for something.
Melting Slicks
Joined: Oct 2006
Posts: 2,238
Likes: 10
From: College Station TX
Exhaust is clearly the place to start. A cam with the stock intake and exhaust won't do much of anything. Long tube headers is definitely the first thing, and then some intake porting or replacement (LT1 intake swap is affordable).
Pro
Joined: Aug 2006
Posts: 682
Likes: 1
From: SpringHill florida
what i would do: combo 1: gears and headers, and cut off your mufflers and put some staight pipes on it, good sound and not too loud.
combo 2: roller rockers, underdrive pullies, and long tubes ( same muffler advice) and if you do it yourself you might be able to get some gears in there!
combo 2: take your money now and put it in a savings, take your next 2 paychecks and pay your bills and with the left overs stick it with your other grand and go big!!!
combo 2: roller rockers, underdrive pullies, and long tubes ( same muffler advice) and if you do it yourself you might be able to get some gears in there!
combo 2: take your money now and put it in a savings, take your next 2 paychecks and pay your bills and with the left overs stick it with your other grand and go big!!!
Thread Starter
Heel & Toe
Joined: Dec 2007
Posts: 15
Likes: 0
From: Lanexa VA
I do have a set of muffler eliminators on it. I like the idea of getting long tube headers but they are hard to find. Anyone know where to get them rather than the expensive ones at ecklers?
Le Mans Master
Joined: Sep 2006
Posts: 6,050
Likes: 147
From: Phoenix AZ
2021 C4 of the Year - Modified Finalist
power
I would get a set of vortec heads redrilled and tapped for your intake, just have them milled a little to bring your compression back a little because you have dished pistons. do a tune up. $700 and you have money left over.
It's an easy 50 HP. Plus, you can run on regular gas!!!!
It's an easy 50 HP. Plus, you can run on regular gas!!!!
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Burning Brakes
Joined: Jul 1999
Posts: 768
Likes: 0
From: St. Petersburg FL
on my dad's stock 86 we noticed a big difference when we installed the headman hedders 1 5/8" primary. they were not that expensive. cheap enough to send them for thermal coating before installing them 
sent his to airborne coatings, had them recoat my 8 year old hooker super comps and they seem to have done a good job.
but the 1 5/8" long tubes seem to really wake up the stock 350. he had the maf de-screened, and the air filter lid cut. i think we also burned him a stock 89 chip as well. that was it until we pulled the motor after someone ran it without a belt for a while....
sent his to airborne coatings, had them recoat my 8 year old hooker super comps and they seem to have done a good job.but the 1 5/8" long tubes seem to really wake up the stock 350. he had the maf de-screened, and the air filter lid cut. i think we also burned him a stock 89 chip as well. that was it until we pulled the motor after someone ran it without a belt for a while....