86 vs 87. Big difference in power?
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Le Mans Master
Joined: Jul 2001
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From: Stamford VT
86 vs 87. Big difference in power?
I've found a couple 86s at reasonable prices, but I'm not too thrilled with the idea of a corvette that's only got 10 more horsepower than my GTA with a 305. How much real world power (Let's forget GM ratings) am I giving up by getting an 86 with iron heads vs. an 87?
1 more question: The 86 still used a hydraulic cam right? Wasn't 87 the first year for the roller cam?
1 more question: The 86 still used a hydraulic cam right? Wasn't 87 the first year for the roller cam?
Team Owner
Joined: Sep 2001
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From: Athens AL
C7 of the Year - Unmodified Finalist 2021
C4 of Year Finalist (performance mods) 2019
Re: 86 vs 87. Big difference in power? (Jim85IROC)
the power ratings on our years are fairly correct, 230 for 86 with Iron and 235 (i guess) for the 87s.
Drifting
Joined: May 2001
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From: Brandywine, Chester and Ridley Valleys Pennsylvania
Re: 86 vs 87. Big difference in power? (Jim85IROC)
If it's just the alum. heads that you want, take a close look at the '86, the latter cars of the production run wore aluminum heads.
Team Owner
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St. Jude Donor '10
Re: 86 vs 87. Big difference in power? (TrueBlue ChevyDude)
no more power just weigh less. iron e-86 vs aluminum
Most L98s run about the same regardless......at least thats my finding after 6-7 years of ownership.
[Modified by SurfnSun, 11:22 AM 3/7/2002]
Most L98s run about the same regardless......at least thats my finding after 6-7 years of ownership.
[Modified by SurfnSun, 11:22 AM 3/7/2002]
Thread Starter
Le Mans Master
Joined: Jul 2001
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From: Stamford VT
Re: 86 vs 87. Big difference in power? (TrueBlue ChevyDude)
The first 86 I looked at had iron heads. I've made a note to check. But, it's not just the heads I'm concerned about, it's the overall power. My IROC keeps me VERY busy, so I don't need another mod project. I want turnkey fun. My cousin has a 91 6-speed that's beautiful, but I'm afraid that I'll go broke buying it and won't have money left over for the IROC.
Race Director
Joined: Aug 2000
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Cruise-In II Veteran
Re: 86 vs 87. Big difference in power? (TrueBlue ChevyDude)
All '86 Convertibles and Mid year coupes got the alloy heads the 87's have.The 86 has the hydraulic cam and new one piece rear seal.The 87 has the rollercam.
Power for the 86 alloy heads was 235 hp.87 was 240-245.
A good exhaust system will free up a few more ponies in either car.Also,in 86,GM added dual precats to the front Y pipe with their main cat and is probably a slight restriction in power.The 85's didnt have the precats and had 230 HP.Eliminating those precats is a good mod.
Also, keep in mind torque is improved with a 350 over a 305.
F cars are heavy,I had one,and my Vette stock felt like a rocket compared to many stock F body TPI cars ive driven.
:)
Team Owner
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From: Athens AL
C7 of the Year - Unmodified Finalist 2021
C4 of Year Finalist (performance mods) 2019
Re: (scorp508)
'87 is 240hp.
A Z51 car in '87 was 245.
A Z51 car in '87 was 245.
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Thread Starter
Le Mans Master
Joined: Jul 2001
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From: Stamford VT
Re: (vader86)
what did they do to improve the hp in 87?
Safety Car
Joined: Dec 1999
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From: Framingham MA
Re: (Jim85IROC)
87 were rated at 240hp vs the 86 aluminum heads 235 (and iron heads 230)
Scorp and other are extrapolating the 5hp gain from free flowing mufflers that Chevy advertised in 88-91. 87 Z51 had these but there was no advertised gain. A 86 aluminum headed Z51, I supose could say there cars have 240hp as they also had low restriction mufflers.
Scorp and other are extrapolating the 5hp gain from free flowing mufflers that Chevy advertised in 88-91. 87 Z51 had these but there was no advertised gain. A 86 aluminum headed Z51, I supose could say there cars have 240hp as they also had low restriction mufflers.
Melting Slicks
Joined: Feb 2002
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From: The Black Hole LA
Re: 86 vs 87. Big difference in power? (Jim85IROC)
I have an 86 with the iron heads and the main diff. is the weight. I think the iron heads are about 100 pounds heavier and produce less torque.
Team Owner
Joined: Mar 2000
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From: Boston, MA
what did they do to improve the hp in 87? why is Z51 higher, i thought it was only a suspension package?
Bilstein Shocks
Thicker Swaybars
Tighter Springs
Quick Steering Ratio
Power Steering Cooler
Oil Cooler
Free Flowing Mufflers
9.5" wide rims at all 4 corners
Extra Frame Braces
Longer Front Spoiler
Team Owner
Joined: Sep 2001
Posts: 62,187
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From: Athens AL
C7 of the Year - Unmodified Finalist 2021
C4 of Year Finalist (performance mods) 2019
Re: (scorp508)
Bilstein Shocks
Thicker Swaybars
Tighter Springs
Quick Steering Ratio
Power Steering Cooler
Oil Cooler
Free Flowing Mufflers
9.5" wide rims at all 4 corners
Extra Frame Braces
Longer Front Spoiler
Thicker Swaybars
Tighter Springs
Quick Steering Ratio
Power Steering Cooler
Oil Cooler
Free Flowing Mufflers
9.5" wide rims at all 4 corners
Extra Frame Braces
Longer Front Spoiler
Safety Car
Joined: Dec 1999
Posts: 4,691
Likes: 1
From: Framingham MA
Re: (scorp508)
All 4 outlets were fully functional allowing a more free flowing system. Unlike the mufflers with only two functional outlets.
