Next mod???
Thread Starter
Racer
Joined: Jan 2009
Posts: 312
Likes: 0
From: Waynesville OH
Next mod???
Hey guys for some of you that dont know i am a new corvette owner. I am 18 and bought it myself i am not a rich punk. Anyways It is a 86 with the alluminum heads. It has flowmasters with all 3 cats gone! It has a stock motor L98. Compared to my 305tbi camaro its fast! But now that iv had the car for about 2 months i found that it was not very fast. Not sure what to do?
was thinking....
cam swap?
intake swap?
I would just like to make some more power mabey to give a stock LS1 a run. I also have the i think the 3.23 rear with the Z51 suspension. I only have about 500 dollars right now but am saving. Just want to get an idea on what to do next.
thanks for your help
kevin
was thinking....
cam swap?
intake swap?
I would just like to make some more power mabey to give a stock LS1 a run. I also have the i think the 3.23 rear with the Z51 suspension. I only have about 500 dollars right now but am saving. Just want to get an idea on what to do next.
thanks for your help
kevin
Melting Slicks
Joined: Mar 2008
Posts: 2,141
Likes: 76
From: Santa Maria, CA
Instructor
Joined: Aug 2009
Posts: 137
Likes: 1
From: Easley SC
One option (not cheap) is to rebuild the engine. Re-bore and stroke it out. Of course put in all your custom pistons, cams, valves, etc. Nothing is cheap about an engine re-build. Something a bit cheaper would be to make upgrades so that it breathed better(exhaust, intake, filters, turbo-charger). More air=more power. Also you could create a richer or leaner air to fuel mixture by re-machining your camshaft. I am 16 and am in the same situation as you with creating a faster ride. Good luck.
Thread Starter
Racer
Joined: Jan 2009
Posts: 312
Likes: 0
From: Waynesville OH
Just wondering iv been looking at the mini ram intakes. I think i would like to do that along with a cam. I would like a good size cam or as much as the stock heads could take. Do you think i could mabey put out 280rwhp? Then also with the valve springs how much can they take? I would like to go with something bigger than the hot cam but not as much as the 306cc.
Then how much for the parts and labor?
$400 for the intake?
$250 for the cam?
labor??? no clue?
I think if i did that i would be pretty happy for now. mabey a low 13's?
and yes sorry 3.07 rear i couldnt remeber what it was.
thanks
kevin
Then how much for the parts and labor?
$400 for the intake?
$250 for the cam?
labor??? no clue?
I think if i did that i would be pretty happy for now. mabey a low 13's?
and yes sorry 3.07 rear i couldnt remeber what it was.
thanks
kevin
Drifting
Joined: Dec 2007
Posts: 1,329
Likes: 17
From: woodbury new jersey
i agree, im 18 also and bought my vette less then 2 months ago, a 94 convertible 6 speed. i bought the car with only a few minor things wrong, fixed them, and then saved up enough money to fix any other problems. now that i have the money saved for any repairs i may have to make, now im saving for upgrades. the lt1 6 speed combo is pretty quick compared to the camaro i came from, but id like to do headers/intake/cai next. then eventually h/c. and someday maybe a blown 383? ehh someday
Corvette Stories
The Best of Corvette for Corvette Enthusiasts
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
10 Most Common Corvette Problems of the Last 20 Years!
Joe Kucinski
Burning Brakes
Joined: Jan 2009
Posts: 871
Likes: 15
From: Shepherdsville Kentucky
I agree with most of the posters above that you're going to want a major rebuild to get lots of performance.
However, if you're looking for some cheap minor upgrades in the meantime you can get your plenum ported, get a bigger tb, replace the runners and get a new base plate. You can find the parts fairly cheap used if you have time to shop around and do most of the work yourself.
Add exhaust, injectors and ignition parts and this is pretty much the approach I've taken. I plan a major change in the future, but this keeps me happy until I get that done.
www.corvetteplenum.com does porting and doesn't cost a whole lot.
However, if you're looking for some cheap minor upgrades in the meantime you can get your plenum ported, get a bigger tb, replace the runners and get a new base plate. You can find the parts fairly cheap used if you have time to shop around and do most of the work yourself.
Add exhaust, injectors and ignition parts and this is pretty much the approach I've taken. I plan a major change in the future, but this keeps me happy until I get that done.
www.corvetteplenum.com does porting and doesn't cost a whole lot.
Thread Starter
Racer
Joined: Jan 2009
Posts: 312
Likes: 0
From: Waynesville OH
Le Mans Master
Joined: Dec 2002
Posts: 5,270
Likes: 3
From: Seattle Area WA
The HSR won't fit, also, check out summitracing.com for prices. Even with the standard flat-rate 8$ for S&H they usually beat parts stores.
You can modify the HSR by shaving down the front and welding the top on, or you can make a custom top box, or buy USM's modified version (~800-1200$). Sorry man, speed costs $$$.
Also, for the HSR you are going to need a slew of other parts including fuel rails and lines etc, so even then you are still looking at ~700-800+$ or so.
Your best bet for a improved manifold is a modified LT1 manifold to fit, porting out your TPI, buying bigger runners for your TPI or trying to pick up a used SuperRam (rails/injectors/TB everything bolts right up but they are more $ than a home ported TPI). However if you improve airflow in, it has to go somewhere, I think most people see the biggest bang with exhaust (do you have smog laws in OH?) Run a set of long tube headers and your 350 will be very happy. Then when you try a cam and intake change, you'll see a bigger benefit.
Try searching for these things on the forum to find out more.
You can modify the HSR by shaving down the front and welding the top on, or you can make a custom top box, or buy USM's modified version (~800-1200$). Sorry man, speed costs $$$.
Also, for the HSR you are going to need a slew of other parts including fuel rails and lines etc, so even then you are still looking at ~700-800+$ or so.
Your best bet for a improved manifold is a modified LT1 manifold to fit, porting out your TPI, buying bigger runners for your TPI or trying to pick up a used SuperRam (rails/injectors/TB everything bolts right up but they are more $ than a home ported TPI). However if you improve airflow in, it has to go somewhere, I think most people see the biggest bang with exhaust (do you have smog laws in OH?) Run a set of long tube headers and your 350 will be very happy. Then when you try a cam and intake change, you'll see a bigger benefit.
Try searching for these things on the forum to find out more.
Last edited by USAsOnlyWay; Oct 19, 2009 at 04:37 PM.
Drifting
Joined: Feb 2008
Posts: 1,267
Likes: 27
From: Texas
OK let me help since im 18 and just went through this
Look around and buy on sale and group purchases. Ive saved a good 500 just by doing this over the past year
summit bucks also save alot when u buy something and get money back for more parts
I went stroker first then heads and roller rockers
Now I did intake cam HR cam from flat tappet CAI tune and ignition
It wasnt cheap. bout 7000 with NO labor costs for it all. DOnt forget to plan in the extra cash for a burned chip
I will be happy with this for a while and the next thing im tackling is suspension and drivetrain. tranny and D36 are next to break im sure
If you want any info on my build just PM me. Ive learned a bit about being stupid and smart this past year of building
Look around and buy on sale and group purchases. Ive saved a good 500 just by doing this over the past year
summit bucks also save alot when u buy something and get money back for more parts
I went stroker first then heads and roller rockers
Now I did intake cam HR cam from flat tappet CAI tune and ignition
It wasnt cheap. bout 7000 with NO labor costs for it all. DOnt forget to plan in the extra cash for a burned chip
I will be happy with this for a while and the next thing im tackling is suspension and drivetrain. tranny and D36 are next to break im sure
If you want any info on my build just PM me. Ive learned a bit about being stupid and smart this past year of building
Racer
Joined: Oct 2009
Posts: 461
Likes: 0
Hey guys for some of you that dont know i am a new corvette owner. I am 18 and bought it myself i am not a rich punk. Anyways It is a 86 with the alluminum heads. It has flowmasters with all 3 cats gone! It has a stock motor L98. Compared to my 305tbi camaro its fast! But now that iv had the car for about 2 months i found that it was not very fast. Not sure what to do?
was thinking....
cam swap?
intake swap?
I would just like to make some more power mabey to give a stock LS1 a run. I also have the i think the 3.23 rear with the Z51 suspension. I only have about 500 dollars right now but am saving. Just want to get an idea on what to do next.
thanks for your help
kevin
was thinking....
cam swap?
intake swap?
I would just like to make some more power mabey to give a stock LS1 a run. I also have the i think the 3.23 rear with the Z51 suspension. I only have about 500 dollars right now but am saving. Just want to get an idea on what to do next.
thanks for your help
kevin
Team Owner
Joined: Jul 2004
Posts: 28,372
Likes: 3,260
From: Hartford WI
Going fast is easy. It just takes cubic dollars. 
How fast you go depends on how much money you got.
question: Do you want rapid acceleration or high top end speed? You need to sort that out first before going any further. Never skimp on the parts since it is more expensive to go cheap.
Headers and intakes are a good start.
How fast you go depends on how much money you got. question: Do you want rapid acceleration or high top end speed? You need to sort that out first before going any further. Never skimp on the parts since it is more expensive to go cheap.
Headers and intakes are a good start.
Le Mans Master
Joined: Oct 2008
Posts: 9,758
Likes: 49
From: Houston Texas
The HSR won't fit, also, check out summitracing.com for prices. Even with the standard flat-rate 8$ for S&H they usually beat parts stores.
You can modify the HSR by shaving down the front and welding the top on, or you can make a custom top box, or buy USM's modified version (~800-1200$). Sorry man, speed costs $$$.
Also, for the HSR you are going to need a slew of other parts including fuel rails and lines etc, so even then you are still looking at ~700-800+$ or so.
Your best bet for a improved manifold is a modified LT1 manifold to fit, porting out your TPI, buying bigger runners for your TPI or trying to pick up a used SuperRam (rails/injectors/TB everything bolts right up but they are more $ than a home ported TPI). However if you improve airflow in, it has to go somewhere, I think most people see the biggest bang with exhaust (do you have smog laws in OH?) Run a set of long tube headers and your 350 will be very happy. Then when you try a cam and intake change, you'll see a bigger benefit.
Try searching for these things on the forum to find out more.
You can modify the HSR by shaving down the front and welding the top on, or you can make a custom top box, or buy USM's modified version (~800-1200$). Sorry man, speed costs $$$.
Also, for the HSR you are going to need a slew of other parts including fuel rails and lines etc, so even then you are still looking at ~700-800+$ or so.
Your best bet for a improved manifold is a modified LT1 manifold to fit, porting out your TPI, buying bigger runners for your TPI or trying to pick up a used SuperRam (rails/injectors/TB everything bolts right up but they are more $ than a home ported TPI). However if you improve airflow in, it has to go somewhere, I think most people see the biggest bang with exhaust (do you have smog laws in OH?) Run a set of long tube headers and your 350 will be very happy. Then when you try a cam and intake change, you'll see a bigger benefit.
Try searching for these things on the forum to find out more.
It will with some effort and you will need lines regulator a small cap dizzy..ETC http://forums.corvetteforum.com/c4-t...r-hsr-mod.html
but the modified LT1 intake will cost the same
I had a late 86 I ported the intake and put Long Tubes on it and the difference was amazing. You can get LTs for $150 With no air tubes $350 with and have someone fab you up a y with no cats for less than $100.
Last edited by ch@0s; Oct 21, 2009 at 07:13 PM.
Burning Brakes
Joined: Jun 2008
Posts: 895
Likes: 3
From: toledo ohio
hey you used to post on tgo, right? i used to have an 85 iroc and 85 vette and now i just have the 85 vette lol funny we both went from camaro to vette. anywho, im currently re-redoing mine but what i did the first time around was slp runners magnaflow cat back and 52mm throttle body. those three things mademy 85 alot quicker according to my seat of the pants dyno, and arent too expensive. you can bore out your current throttle or even stick with the 48 (theres a huge debate on bigger throttle and if theyre a waste of money or not, pm me if you want my take on it) the slps are $300 ish or you could try and find a used set and they REALLY help and then the magnaflow cat back was about 500. so you could buy the slp runners now and get to porting and then buy a new exhaust when you get some money saved up and just keep doing mods to improve airflow thats the tpis major downfall