86 performance mods
Thread Starter
Drifting
Joined: Feb 2009
Posts: 1,302
Likes: 2
From: colchester CT
86 performance mods
I am a rookie vette wrench, have had it for one year. Rebuilt entire brake system, u-joints,steering rack and front end, and interior. Car looks and runs great. I am thinking about motor upgrades. My thoughts are forced air induction, intake manifold upgrade, larger throttle body and larger tube runners and cat back exhaust. are these worth the money and do they add performance. i Had never worked on a car before this but have done okay using this forum and some books. I am hesitant to go as far as heads, roller rockers, and can shaft. I am just looking for a little more punch at a decent price and something I can handle with my limited experience. Any suggestions and tips would be greatly appreciated. What products have you guys used and how have they worked out. Thanks for all the help and guidance. I am addicted to this car.
Race Director
Joined: Aug 2000
Posts: 14,130
Likes: 7
Cruise-In II Veteran
I owned an 86 for 9 years...let me tell you,that in stock form,its pretty set as it is.Buying all them bolt on intake parts wont do much unless you get inside the engine.I have tried alot of mods and most dont do much on the street or in the real world.
Unless you are taking the car to the track and trying to shave every tenth off your times,you wont see much on the street without getting into the engine.You probably wont even notice the power gains unless you drive it at the track to compare times,or dyno it.
The best mods I know of,are full length headers and higher stall converter if you have an automatic.If you dont have 3.07 gears,then steeper gears upgraded to 3.07 can help alot on the street or track.
A cat back exhaust is OK,if you eliminate the Pre cats at the front Y pipe.Still,that wont do what headers can for the money.
That being said,forum member 65Z01 has alot of info on his site.I believe he has track times or additional data to back up the mods done.If youre looking for all the extra power for track times,you can find alot of info there.
Unless you are taking the car to the track and trying to shave every tenth off your times,you wont see much on the street without getting into the engine.You probably wont even notice the power gains unless you drive it at the track to compare times,or dyno it.
The best mods I know of,are full length headers and higher stall converter if you have an automatic.If you dont have 3.07 gears,then steeper gears upgraded to 3.07 can help alot on the street or track.
A cat back exhaust is OK,if you eliminate the Pre cats at the front Y pipe.Still,that wont do what headers can for the money.
That being said,forum member 65Z01 has alot of info on his site.I believe he has track times or additional data to back up the mods done.If youre looking for all the extra power for track times,you can find alot of info there.
Burning Brakes
Joined: May 2004
Posts: 1,230
Likes: 27
From: Athens Ohio
I have a late 86. I have installed 1.5 RR's, Miniram, 52MM throttle body, Lt4 exhaust with no cats, removed all smog and EGR equipment, and installed a supercharger. I think it runs very well.
If you don't want to do internal engine work, then forced air is the only way to gain a lot of HP.
If you don't want to do internal engine work, then forced air is the only way to gain a lot of HP.
Safety Car
Joined: Jan 2008
Posts: 3,939
Likes: 1
From: Vero Beach Florida
Any thing you can do to move more air in and out of a L98 will help, but without major engine work there will be a bottle neck some where. You just need to think through what you want to do. Good Luck
