Modifications for 89
Thread Starter
Burning Brakes
Joined: Mar 2002
Posts: 1,035
Likes: 0
From: Atlanta Ga
Modifications for 89
Up till now I have maintained my Vette as a stock car, even have the original radio saved. I like many though would like to have more performance over the stock 240hp in the 89. My car does also has the Z51 package.
If I were to set a budget at about $2000, what modifications and in what order of priority would be recommended. Currently, all is in order with 4 new Firestones and runs well for 67K miles.
If I were to set a budget at about $2000, what modifications and in what order of priority would be recommended. Currently, all is in order with 4 new Firestones and runs well for 67K miles.
Drifting
Joined: May 2001
Posts: 1,630
Likes: 0
From: Brandywine, Chester and Ridley Valleys Pennsylvania
Re: Modifications for 89 (Dolfan)
What do you want to do? Drag race, carve up winding roads, autocross, top speed blasts? How drivable must the car remain?
If you get a bit more specific with what you want to do, more folks will likely chime in and help. :cheers:
If you get a bit more specific with what you want to do, more folks will likely chime in and help. :cheers:
Thread Starter
Burning Brakes
Joined: Mar 2002
Posts: 1,035
Likes: 0
From: Atlanta Ga
Re: Modifications for 89 (Dolfan)
True Blue your right, I was a little vague.
I want the car to remain a street driver, I drive it about twice a week currently for about 70 miles/week, this is my fun car. It does see rain and is garage kept. I want a stronger street car for mostly 0-120 runs and maybe an occasional trip to 1/4 mile. I live in Atlanta area and there are many fun curved roads that I still want great cornering for, but want more power out of the apex.
I want to keep A/C working and most comfort features as well. I was hoping for most mods to be "bolt on" or minor modifications to existing car.
I was thinking of things like
Exhauast Changes
Air flow changes
Computer changes
Fuel system changes
Other?
I'm not sure which item really work.
I want the car to remain a street driver, I drive it about twice a week currently for about 70 miles/week, this is my fun car. It does see rain and is garage kept. I want a stronger street car for mostly 0-120 runs and maybe an occasional trip to 1/4 mile. I live in Atlanta area and there are many fun curved roads that I still want great cornering for, but want more power out of the apex.
I want to keep A/C working and most comfort features as well. I was hoping for most mods to be "bolt on" or minor modifications to existing car.
I was thinking of things like
Exhauast Changes
Air flow changes
Computer changes
Fuel system changes
Other?
I'm not sure which item really work.
Safety Car
Joined: Dec 1999
Posts: 4,691
Likes: 1
From: Framingham MA
Re: Modifications for 89 (Dolfan)
Make the car run 100% before modifying it. For your budget, I would do the following
K&N and open lid air filter.
Remove the Screen and heat sinks of the MAF
Port the plenum opening (EGR wall)
Throttle Body Coolant Bypass
Adjustable FP regulator
Free Flowing Exhuast (headers or catless front ypipe, high flow cat and mufflers)
Have a cheap PROM burned (turn the fans on earlier, add timing and delay torque converter)
BTW If you have 2.59 rear end gear, 3.07's are good upgrade that will make driving you car much more enjoyable.
A properly tuned L98 can make 300hp with these mods.
K&N and open lid air filter.
Remove the Screen and heat sinks of the MAF
Port the plenum opening (EGR wall)
Throttle Body Coolant Bypass
Adjustable FP regulator
Free Flowing Exhuast (headers or catless front ypipe, high flow cat and mufflers)
Have a cheap PROM burned (turn the fans on earlier, add timing and delay torque converter)
BTW If you have 2.59 rear end gear, 3.07's are good upgrade that will make driving you car much more enjoyable.
A properly tuned L98 can make 300hp with these mods.
Team Owner
Joined: Sep 2001
Posts: 62,160
Likes: 1,733
From: Athens AL
C7 of the Year - Unmodified Finalist 2021
C4 of Year Finalist (performance mods) 2019
Re: Modifications for 89 (dgoodhue)
do what dgoodhue said.
I recommend longtube headers from TPIS and a catback system like Power Effects or Borla. i dont know if GA has emissions or not, i know SC doesnt. If they dont, you can also gut the cat but be sure to put a pipe through it or the resonance may be unbearable.
I recommend longtube headers from TPIS and a catback system like Power Effects or Borla. i dont know if GA has emissions or not, i know SC doesnt. If they dont, you can also gut the cat but be sure to put a pipe through it or the resonance may be unbearable.
Thread Starter
Burning Brakes
Joined: Mar 2002
Posts: 1,035
Likes: 0
From: Atlanta Ga
Re: Modifications for 89 (Dolfan)
As far as exhaust mods go, Georgia does have emmision checking and I need to my vette legal.
What effect does the throttle body bypass have? Provide cooling elsewhere? Not familiar with this idea.
What effect does the throttle body bypass have? Provide cooling elsewhere? Not familiar with this idea.
Drifting
Joined: May 2001
Posts: 1,630
Likes: 0
From: Brandywine, Chester and Ridley Valleys Pennsylvania
Re: Modifications for 89 (dgoodhue)
Good list, I'd add a few things to it...
160* thermostat.
Go with a good computer programmer, even if it costs a bit more.
At the least, get a set of good brake pads for the front ($100 or so) because you're gonna need to slow down eventually!
Along with filing down the EGR wall in the plenum, port match the runner openings to the new set of large-tube runners you'll be installing :D
Maybe an underdrive pulley set if you don't idle in traffic with all accessories on.
Just tallying stuff in my head, you're near 1700 bucks with a good dual exhaust/headers setup.
Perhaps a set of 1.6 roller rockers, this would bring you right up to $2000.- and you'd be quite happy, I'm sure.
Of course, this price list assumes you can do everything but the exhaust yourself. If you're at all mechanically inclined, it'll be no problem for you.
You might want to think about doing a baseline run before the mods and then do one after. I'm sure many folks here would love to find out how much your mods helped... :chevy
160* thermostat.
Go with a good computer programmer, even if it costs a bit more.
At the least, get a set of good brake pads for the front ($100 or so) because you're gonna need to slow down eventually!
Along with filing down the EGR wall in the plenum, port match the runner openings to the new set of large-tube runners you'll be installing :D
Maybe an underdrive pulley set if you don't idle in traffic with all accessories on.
Just tallying stuff in my head, you're near 1700 bucks with a good dual exhaust/headers setup.
Perhaps a set of 1.6 roller rockers, this would bring you right up to $2000.- and you'd be quite happy, I'm sure.
Of course, this price list assumes you can do everything but the exhaust yourself. If you're at all mechanically inclined, it'll be no problem for you.
You might want to think about doing a baseline run before the mods and then do one after. I'm sure many folks here would love to find out how much your mods helped... :chevy
Corvette Stories
The Best of Corvette for Corvette Enthusiasts
Top 10 Most Expensive Corvettes Ever Sold on Bring A Trailer
Brett Foote
10 Things Every Corvette Owner Needs (2026 Edition)
Michael S. Palmer
8 Most "Only Corvette Owners Understand" Quirks and Problems
Pouria Savadkouei
10 Reasons the C6 Z06 is Still A Performance Benchmark After 20 Years
Joe Kucinski
How Much Horsepower Every Corvette Engine "LOST" in 1972
Joe Kucinski
Top 10 DOs and DON'Ts for Protecting Your Convertible Top!
Michael S. Palmer
Top 10 Most Explosive Corvettes Ever Made: Power-to-Weight Ratio Ranked!
Joe Kucinski
150 hp to 1,250 hp: Every Corvette Generation Compared by the Specs That Matter
Joe Kucinski
8 Coolest Corvette Pace Cars (and Replicas) of All Time
Verdad Gallardo
Team Owner
Joined: Sep 2001
Posts: 62,160
Likes: 1,733
From: Athens AL
C7 of the Year - Unmodified Finalist 2021
C4 of Year Finalist (performance mods) 2019
Re: Modifications for 89 (Dolfan)
What effect does the throttle body bypass have? Provide cooling elsewhere? Not familiar with this idea.
YOu may want to look into a hi-flow cat from Car-sound.com or Random Tech to go with the new exhaust systems. If you do PE and TPIS headers youll spend about $1500.
Instructor
Joined: May 2001
Posts: 225
Likes: 0
From: NY
Re: Modifications for 89 (vader86)
Do all the freebe mods first like running cooler with 180 thermostat, 185' fan switch, TB bypass, open the airbox lid. Then buy a K&N filter and Flowmaster Cat back exhaust with RandomTech hiflow cat.
If you really want to spend just $2000 then you gotta do all the work yourself. I would install a Lingenfelter emissions legal cam, crane springs, manley raceflow valves and new seals. This worked great for me on a few cars.
I wouldn't do headers untill after cam/heads. Just not worth the $$ and hasssle for the small HP gain.
Good luck and have fun! :D
If you really want to spend just $2000 then you gotta do all the work yourself. I would install a Lingenfelter emissions legal cam, crane springs, manley raceflow valves and new seals. This worked great for me on a few cars.
I wouldn't do headers untill after cam/heads. Just not worth the $$ and hasssle for the small HP gain.
Good luck and have fun! :D
Le Mans Master
Joined: Jul 2001
Posts: 8,183
Likes: 3
From: Santa Maria, CA
Re: Modifications for 89 (vader86)
A chip wouldn't really give ya much. I don't think the underdrive pulley's do either. As said, do all the freebie mods. There are so many of them. Maybe bump up the timing to around 8*. I would also agree with more free flowing cats(consider gutting the pre's innards and get a 3 way main) maybe eliminate the mufflers all together, cut back electrode plugs, Put the money toward 1.6rr's/valvetrain work a cam upgrade, rear gears 3:33 and above are fun. Do ya have an Auto or manual tranny?
BTW, looks like you're new here, welcome aboard! :cheers:
BTW, looks like you're new here, welcome aboard! :cheers:
Safety Car
Joined: Dec 1999
Posts: 4,691
Likes: 1
From: Framingham MA
Re: Modifications for 89 (89 Paul in cal)
A chip wouldn't really give ya much. There are so many of them... Maybe bump up the timing to around 8*.
Team Owner
Joined: Dec 2000
Posts: 90,675
Likes: 304
From: SE NY
Cruise-In II Veteran
Re: Modifications for 89 (Dolfan)
Check out my site for mods and results. The exhust mods ran about $1,100; then most of the other mods will take you close to that $2k cap. Don't do a chip, at least not now.
Also see Vic'89s mods.
You've got mail with results of other mods in case you want to go further.
A set of polygraphite sway bar bushings would improve corvering with little or no effect on ride quality.
A shift kit would give you crisper shifts and my mod to the A4 shifter makes manual shifting more positive.
Also see Vic'89s mods.
You've got mail with results of other mods in case you want to go further.
A set of polygraphite sway bar bushings would improve corvering with little or no effect on ride quality.
A shift kit would give you crisper shifts and my mod to the A4 shifter makes manual shifting more positive.
