Newbie here. Some help please....
Thread Starter
Heel & Toe
Joined: Aug 2008
Posts: 23
Likes: 0
From: St Joseph Mo
Newbie here. Some help please....
First want to say, hell of a nice forum, lots of info here.
I just recently took a 85(C4 right) in on trade, don't know a hole lot about the car or all the LT1 stuff yet, but learning.
It supposedly has a 383 in it, without tearing it apart, is there anything speacial I can look for to verify? I know its a long shot, but maybe are the heads different or anything? I know on older motors it is basically internal,, cranks, rods, machine work, correct?
I have already went through a lot of older posts, it seems to lack on power under accleration, and mabye a little hesitation when you mash in to it. My questions is, if it is indeed a 383 what or approximately should be my timing and do i check at WOT or idle?
Any help here for a newbie would be great.......
I just recently took a 85(C4 right) in on trade, don't know a hole lot about the car or all the LT1 stuff yet, but learning.
It supposedly has a 383 in it, without tearing it apart, is there anything speacial I can look for to verify? I know its a long shot, but maybe are the heads different or anything? I know on older motors it is basically internal,, cranks, rods, machine work, correct?
I have already went through a lot of older posts, it seems to lack on power under accleration, and mabye a little hesitation when you mash in to it. My questions is, if it is indeed a 383 what or approximately should be my timing and do i check at WOT or idle?
Any help here for a newbie would be great.......
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 '85 Vette...
Yes it's a C4 but not a LT1 (unless a LT1 was swapped in); it's L98 powered.
Indeed a 383 consists primarily of internals changes but usually comes with intake, exhaust, cam, heads changes for optimum effect and power. If it's a 383 it should fry the tires on launch.
Stock timing is 6deg BTDC, measured at idle after opening the connector in the Tan/Blk wire that comes out of the large bundle in front of the brake booster.
BTW, if you turn wrenches, the best "tool" you can have for your Vette is a copy of the FSM from HELM. This is a rather thick red bound single volume for your year that contains very useful mechanical, electrical and trouble shooting info.
I just recently took a 85(C4 right) in on trade, don't know a hole lot about the car or all the LT1 stuff yet, but learning.
Indeed a 383 consists primarily of internals changes but usually comes with intake, exhaust, cam, heads changes for optimum effect and power. If it's a 383 it should fry the tires on launch.
Stock timing is 6deg BTDC, measured at idle after opening the connector in the Tan/Blk wire that comes out of the large bundle in front of the brake booster.
BTW, if you turn wrenches, the best "tool" you can have for your Vette is a copy of the FSM from HELM. This is a rather thick red bound single volume for your year that contains very useful mechanical, electrical and trouble shooting info.
Corvette Enthusiast
Joined: Oct 2007
Posts: 6,794
Likes: 2,706
From: So. Cal.
2025 C7 of the Year Finalist- Unmodified
2024 C7 of the Year Finalist - Unmodified
2023 C7 of the Year Finalist - Unmodified
welcome
Welcome to the forum. You have picked the right place. Lots of knowlageable people willing to help.
Thread Starter
Heel & Toe
Joined: Aug 2008
Posts: 23
Likes: 0
From: St Joseph Mo
Welcome to the Forum and congrats on your new '85 Vette...
Yes it's a C4 but not a LT1 (unless a LT1 was swapped in); it's L98 powered.
Indeed a 383 consists primarily of internals changes but usually comes with intake, exhaust, cam, heads changes for optimum effect and power. If it's a 383 it should fry the tires on launch.
Stock timing is 6deg BTDC, measured at idle after opening the connector in the Tan/Blk wire that comes out of the large bundle in front of the brake booster.
BTW, if you turn wrenches, the best "tool" you can have for your Vette is a copy of the FSM from HELM. This is a rather thick red bound single volume for your year that contains very useful mechanical, electrical and trouble shooting info.
Yes it's a C4 but not a LT1 (unless a LT1 was swapped in); it's L98 powered.
Indeed a 383 consists primarily of internals changes but usually comes with intake, exhaust, cam, heads changes for optimum effect and power. If it's a 383 it should fry the tires on launch.
Stock timing is 6deg BTDC, measured at idle after opening the connector in the Tan/Blk wire that comes out of the large bundle in front of the brake booster.
BTW, if you turn wrenches, the best "tool" you can have for your Vette is a copy of the FSM from HELM. This is a rather thick red bound single volume for your year that contains very useful mechanical, electrical and trouble shooting info.
Thanks for replies, it has intake runners like my 96 Trans Am had, I assume it is a LT1 and he told me it was. What is the differece between the L98 and LT1?
To answer the question about frying the tires, it does but not like it should, if doesn't burn em off for more than about foot, seem right? Seems to me like it should be way better.
And where can I get that book?
Also, and not to sound dumb here but isn't the distruibuter cap behind the water pump? If so how do you adjust the timming?
Sorry I know I'm a dumb a**.....But really appreciate the help...
Melting Slicks
Joined: May 2007
Posts: 2,171
Likes: 1
From: Warwick RI
Sorry didn't get back to ya guys any sooner, server wouldn't let me log back in.
Thanks for replies, it has intake runners like my 96 Trans Am had, I assume it is a LT1 and he told me it was. What is the differece between the L98 and LT1?
To answer the question about frying the tires, it does but not like it should, if doesn't burn em off for more than about foot, seem right? Seems to me like it should be way better.
And where can I get that book?
Also, and not to sound dumb here but isn't the distruibuter cap behind the water pump? If so how do you adjust the timming?
Sorry I know I'm a dumb a**.....But really appreciate the help...
Thanks for replies, it has intake runners like my 96 Trans Am had, I assume it is a LT1 and he told me it was. What is the differece between the L98 and LT1?
To answer the question about frying the tires, it does but not like it should, if doesn't burn em off for more than about foot, seem right? Seems to me like it should be way better.
And where can I get that book?
Also, and not to sound dumb here but isn't the distruibuter cap behind the water pump? If so how do you adjust the timming?
Sorry I know I'm a dumb a**.....But really appreciate the help...
Good luck and welcome
Le Mans Master
Joined: May 2004
Posts: 5,866
Likes: 60
From: Hellinois
Finalist 2020 C4 of the Year - Modified
Team Owner
Joined: Dec 2000
Posts: 90,675
Likes: 304
From: SE NY
Cruise-In II Veteran
If the car has had an LT-1 installed in place of the L-98 the FSM will be almost worthless.
Maybe the seller can give some additional info on what was done with the engine.
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Thread Starter
Heel & Toe
Joined: Aug 2008
Posts: 23
Likes: 0
From: St Joseph Mo
OK sorry it took so l;ong for me to get back to you guys, been working like dog.
OK got some pics for ya, did some playing around this weekend, it does have a distributer but has the intake that looks like a LT1? Just for fun bumped the timing just a nudge to see if it got any better, it did starts a little better and seems to run a little better, but not were it should be.
Thats a different problem, have a new one now, as you can see in the pics i have been sanding on this thing for a couple days now, the clear coat was coming off bad and the paint was crap. Somebody had painted it before but didn't strip it down before they painted it, they just kinda roughed it up a little and sprayed it. So soon as I get it painted will be hard core on getting it running right.....
Here is some pics for ya, any ideas on the motor????
How come can't post any pics???????
OK got some pics for ya, did some playing around this weekend, it does have a distributer but has the intake that looks like a LT1? Just for fun bumped the timing just a nudge to see if it got any better, it did starts a little better and seems to run a little better, but not were it should be.
Thats a different problem, have a new one now, as you can see in the pics i have been sanding on this thing for a couple days now, the clear coat was coming off bad and the paint was crap. Somebody had painted it before but didn't strip it down before they painted it, they just kinda roughed it up a little and sprayed it. So soon as I get it painted will be hard core on getting it running right.....
Here is some pics for ya, any ideas on the motor????
How come can't post any pics???????
Drifting
Joined: Jan 2006
Posts: 1,740
Likes: 2
From: Winchester Virginia
Sounds like you might have yourself a L-98 with a MiniRam, or modded LT1 intake installed. If that's the case, then I would wonder what other mods have been done to the motor, and thats where this could get VERY interesting!
As far as posting pics go, the easiest way that I've found to do this is via this method here:
http://forums.corvetteforum.com/show....php?t=1336867
Goodluck and welcome to the CORVETTE Fourm!
R/Noland Smith, Jr.
STSC(SS) USN Ret.
As far as posting pics go, the easiest way that I've found to do this is via this method here:
http://forums.corvetteforum.com/show....php?t=1336867
Goodluck and welcome to the CORVETTE Fourm!
R/Noland Smith, Jr.
STSC(SS) USN Ret.
Thread Starter
Heel & Toe
Joined: Aug 2008
Posts: 23
Likes: 0
From: St Joseph Mo
Thanks for the heads up on pics..........
http://s527.photobucket.com/albums/cc358/gsgrisso/
Here see if this works..
http://s527.photobucket.com/albums/cc358/gsgrisso/
Here see if this works..
Pro
Joined: Jan 2008
Posts: 584
Likes: 1
From: Near Lockport NY Black 1986 Coupe
Looks like my old motor. I miss that thing..
But 65Z01 is right, that is definitely an L98. Looks stock to me, actually. If that's the case then I highly doubt someone would stroke it to a 383 without changing major components. You may have dealt with a very good con artist, my friend.
But 65Z01 is right, that is definitely an L98. Looks stock to me, actually. If that's the case then I highly doubt someone would stroke it to a 383 without changing major components. You may have dealt with a very good con artist, my friend.
Thread Starter
Heel & Toe
Joined: Aug 2008
Posts: 23
Likes: 0
From: St Joseph Mo
Looks like my old motor. I miss that thing..
But 65Z01 is right, that is definitely an L98. Looks stock to me, actually. If that's the case then I highly doubt someone would stroke it to a 383 without changing major components. You may have dealt with a very good con artist, my friend.
But 65Z01 is right, that is definitely an L98. Looks stock to me, actually. If that's the case then I highly doubt someone would stroke it to a 383 without changing major components. You may have dealt with a very good con artist, my friend.
Burning Brakes
Joined: Apr 2004
Posts: 762
Likes: 2
From: Huntington ma
Bone stock (and probably tired) L-98. Still has all of the AIR stuff on it, along with some shade-tree additional wiring for Something (Fan, perhaps). Good luck with it - and hope that the PO wasn't full of you-know-what about the Rest of the car..
LTI - Sheez...
LTI - Sheez...
Melting Slicks
Joined: May 2007
Posts: 2,171
Likes: 1
From: Warwick RI
Thanks for the heads up on pics..........
http://s527.photobucket.com/albums/cc358/gsgrisso/
Here see if this works..
http://s527.photobucket.com/albums/cc358/gsgrisso/
Here see if this works..
Get the FSM and read it for each project BEFORE you dig in. Ask questions here first if there is something that you don't understand. There are lots of " I can't figure out what I did" posts here that could've been avoided by doing this.
Drifting
Joined: Jan 2006
Posts: 1,740
Likes: 2
From: Winchester Virginia
