1988 Vette performance
Thread Starter
Intermediate
Joined: Jul 2007
Posts: 34
Likes: 0
1988 Vette performance
I was wondering what kind of performance I can expect out of my stock 88 vette the only upgrade is the bosh 3 injectors and eliminated the midconvertor but still have the precats on. I have a 4+3 tranny with 275-40-17 all the way around(stock). I was at a stop light with a mustang and dumped the cluch at about 3500 and i was lucky to get 10 feet of rubber, It seems a little doggy in midrange 2500-3800 is this all I get for 245 horse or should I start throwing more parts at it.
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
I was wondering what kind of performance I can expect out of my stock 88 vette the only upgrade is the bosh 3 injectors and eliminated the midconvertor but still have the precats on. I have a 4+3 tranny with 275-40-17 all the way around(stock). I was at a stop light with a mustang and dumped the cluch at about 3500 and i was lucky to get 10 feet of rubber, It seems a little doggy in midrange 2500-3800 is this all I get for 245 horse or should I start throwing more parts at it.
Pro
Joined: Jun 2008
Posts: 531
Likes: 0
From: Calgary Alberta
Respectfully - I doubt that leaving rubber on the ground was your intention when racing a Mustang. If you've got a good set of rubbers, hook up the traction and go.
There are many threads on here about how to make our l98's make more power, anything that will make a big difference will cost you some $$$.
Not knowing your final drive ratio - I can't tell you the best launch rpm to use.
- - - Did you beat the mustang ? - - - Was it a comparable car ? or was it a brand new Roush ? - - -
There are many threads on here about how to make our l98's make more power, anything that will make a big difference will cost you some $$$.
Not knowing your final drive ratio - I can't tell you the best launch rpm to use.
- - - Did you beat the mustang ? - - - Was it a comparable car ? or was it a brand new Roush ? - - -
Le Mans Master
Joined: Jul 2007
Posts: 5,043
Likes: 8
From: Tampa Florida
Don't feel bad if it was one of the Ford Shelby GT500 rated at 500 horsepower from the factory.
Your old injectors fuel atomization may weak (clogged)....new injectors would bring you back to speed.
Get a free flowing exaust system...no cats if you have no emissions testing where you are.
Get a free flowing intake system....K&N style oil air filter
Need more:
Get some deeper gears in the rear
Get a cam with greater lift & duration....
Get a set of performance heads
Get some long tube = length headers
Your old injectors fuel atomization may weak (clogged)....new injectors would bring you back to speed.
Get a free flowing exaust system...no cats if you have no emissions testing where you are.
Get a free flowing intake system....K&N style oil air filter
Need more:
Get some deeper gears in the rear
Get a cam with greater lift & duration....
Get a set of performance heads
Get some long tube = length headers
Team Owner
Joined: Dec 2000
Posts: 90,675
Likes: 304
From: SE NY
Cruise-In II Veteran
Some 8yrs ago my '88 with an A4 was bone stock and ran very low 14s in the 1/4 mile. A few years later, with (mostly) rather simple bolt on mods, at its best it ran very low 13s.
Drifting
Joined: Oct 2006
Posts: 1,934
Likes: 3
From: Citrus Heights California
It's easy to get into the low 13s. I have had an 1988 auto for a while. It ran a 14.4 completely stock. My new best was 13.7. The engine is still stock. All I did was open up the intake and exhaust. I still have the stock shorty headers. I bolted on a superam, threw away the frisbee, installed underdrive pullys, a 2400 tc and 1.6 RRs.
That's all it took to take .7 off the 1/4.
Burning Brakes
Joined: May 2008
Posts: 1,008
Likes: 5
From: Greensburg PA
I'm buying a 1988 shortly [saturday] and I'm trying to setup parts now.
I dont mean to thread jack, but General Discussion wont answer me.
I'm thinking
Melrose LT's - What Cat's will i need to run with these? I want to run cats.
Corsa Catback
And do the 1.6 RR's do anything by themselves? Or are they a "supporting mod"
I dont mean to thread jack, but General Discussion wont answer me.
I'm thinking
Melrose LT's - What Cat's will i need to run with these? I want to run cats.
Corsa Catback
And do the 1.6 RR's do anything by themselves? Or are they a "supporting mod"
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Drifting
Joined: Oct 2006
Posts: 1,934
Likes: 3
From: Citrus Heights California
I'm buying a 1988 shortly [saturday] and I'm trying to setup parts now.
I dont mean to thread jack, but General Discussion wont answer me.
I'm thinking
Melrose LT's - What Cat's will i need to run with these? I want to run cats.
Corsa Catback
And do the 1.6 RR's do anything by themselves? Or are they a "supporting mod"
I dont mean to thread jack, but General Discussion wont answer me.
I'm thinking
Melrose LT's - What Cat's will i need to run with these? I want to run cats.
Corsa Catback
And do the 1.6 RR's do anything by themselves? Or are they a "supporting mod"
Race Director
Joined: Jun 2004
Posts: 13,934
Likes: 704
From: WI
If your going to spring for the Melrose headers why not just get the whole system. They sell a bolt on dual exhaust with cats setup for use with their headers. I think it just requires your choice of mufflers.
The higher ratio rockers will help in themselves yes. You may want to replace the valve seals while your there and also get new springs. A better cam would help a bunch, plan your springs around that.
Run a search or two and possibly copy someone elses build that fits your budget and HP goal. Search for Superram or Miniram, '88 upgrades, mods, etc.
Edit, and oh yeah read Vader's site!
The higher ratio rockers will help in themselves yes. You may want to replace the valve seals while your there and also get new springs. A better cam would help a bunch, plan your springs around that.
Run a search or two and possibly copy someone elses build that fits your budget and HP goal. Search for Superram or Miniram, '88 upgrades, mods, etc.
Edit, and oh yeah read Vader's site!
Last edited by Aardwolf; Sep 3, 2008 at 06:51 PM.
Burning Brakes
Joined: May 2008
Posts: 1,008
Likes: 5
From: Greensburg PA
If your going to spring for the Melrose headers why not just get the whole system. They sell a bolt on dual exhaust with cats setup for use with their headers. I think it just requires your choice of mufflers.
The higher ratio rockers will help in themselves yes. You may want to replace the valve seals while your there and also get new springs. A better cam would help a bunch, plan your springs around that.
Run a search or two and possibly copy someone elses build that fits your budget and HP goal. Search for Superram or Miniram, '88 upgrades, mods, etc.
Edit, and oh yeah read Vader's site!
The higher ratio rockers will help in themselves yes. You may want to replace the valve seals while your there and also get new springs. A better cam would help a bunch, plan your springs around that.
Run a search or two and possibly copy someone elses build that fits your budget and HP goal. Search for Superram or Miniram, '88 upgrades, mods, etc.
Edit, and oh yeah read Vader's site!
Cam, etc will come later, it's bolt on's for now, at least until winter, when he engine is going to be rebuilt.
I'd imagine smog will be fine. I have a Borla Catback with Labree HFC on my Audi, and it passed. I also know a guy at a garage that can pass me if anything arises.
And as far as Miniram, etc, I'm unsure. I really don't like high revving engines, after my Audi. I like the low end grunt of the TPI. My end goal will be high 12's, which shouldn't be too hard to accomplish.
Last edited by Alan777; Sep 3, 2008 at 08:29 PM.
Instructor
Joined: Apr 2013
Posts: 178
Likes: 0
It's easy to get into the low 13s. I have had an 1988 auto for a while. It ran a 14.4 completely stock. My new best was 13.7. The engine is still stock. All I did was open up the intake and exhaust. I still have the stock shorty headers. I bolted on a superam, threw away the frisbee, installed underdrive pullys, a 2400 tc and 1.6 RRs.
That's all it took to take .7 off the 1/4.
Le Mans Master
Joined: Mar 2004
Posts: 5,107
Likes: 171
From: Dublin CA
First, not sure that Kool88vette is still around on the Forum. It has been several years since he has been active. I believe that he added high flow cats because we are in California... but I may be wrong. We raced at the same track in Sacramento years ago. My cat bolted in and out. When I went to take the car to the track, I unbolted the high flow cat and bolted in a straight thru pipe. The 85 stock exhaust was very restrictive. So the cat removal and a few more bolt on's put me at 13.6 in the 1/4.
For a thread that is 7 years old, your better off starting a NEW thread to ask your question.
For a thread that is 7 years old, your better off starting a NEW thread to ask your question.
Burning Brakes
Joined: Jan 2000
Posts: 831
Likes: 31
From: Merritt Island Florida
My 88 has a Hyperjunk chip,AFPR,Corsa catback,no screens in MAF,C5 Z06 wheels,CAI and an air foil. All of those mods sans catback are not worth anything and still went 13.9 99MPH with a full tank of gas. Auto with 307 gears.
