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Horsepower and Torque Question

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Old Nov 6, 2010 | 10:30 PM
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Default Horsepower and Torque Question

Never really cared about actual horsepower and torque in my cars, until i purchased my vette. Being an 85, it only has something like 220 horse and 330 torque. To me, it is 2011 almost and most sedans are pushing 300 horse. What is the cheapest and easiest ways to add some horsepower to a stock engine without doing items such as rebuilding motor, 1500 exhuast or something like that. Looking for any and all ideas... Thanks in advance
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Old Nov 6, 2010 | 10:58 PM
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Slap nitrous oxide on it.
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Old Nov 6, 2010 | 11:03 PM
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Best bang for the buck, most everything else will cost some real money to make a difference youll really like. There are some freemods and small stuff that may help some, or combined. Otherwise dig into the motor, gears converter etc. Basically rebuild the whole car
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Old Nov 6, 2010 | 11:19 PM
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Originally Posted by cuisinartvette

Best bang for the buck, most everything else will cost some real money to make a difference youll really like. There are some freemods and small stuff that may help some, or combined. Otherwise dig into the motor, gears converter etc. Basically rebuild the whole car
100 shot of NOS is NOT the answer I was hoping for, lol... Maybe down the line. Was looking around and thinking about a proformance chip, wasnt sure how well they worked though, sapposed to add 25 horse for a couple hundred bucks

Freemods? Such as?

Last edited by 85VetteTerreHaute; Nov 6, 2010 at 11:21 PM.
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Old Nov 6, 2010 | 11:41 PM
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No, free mod, chip or gimmick will add any significant amount of horsepower.

Horsepower costs money. Sorry... Most sedans pushing 300hp do not have 330 lb. ft. of torque like your Vette has!

The best thing you can do is a COMPLETE and Thorough Tune up.

Last edited by GKK; Nov 6, 2010 at 11:47 PM.
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Old Nov 7, 2010 | 01:31 AM
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Vette came with a Cobra Radar/Lazer Detector lol
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Old Nov 7, 2010 | 01:37 AM
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Originally Posted by 85VetteTerreHaute
Vette came with a Cobra Radar/Lazer Detector lol
Thats a good radar detector too.

I wont leave home without my Passport Escort Radar Detector.

Its like leaving home without my wallet, leave either behind, I am S.O.L.

Lol.

Not many are going to make you look stupid on the roads in your 85 Vette in stock form.

Has to pack something really Hot under the hood to get past you easily, around 400 + Horsepower. And they must get the power to the ground and Hookup from a launch quickly also.

You will find that out yourself too.

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Old Nov 7, 2010 | 11:46 AM
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http://forums.corvetteforum.com/foru...ng-videos.html
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Old Nov 7, 2010 | 01:49 PM
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With the 85, there are no "CHEAP FIXES". The 85 responds well to exhaust modifications...if there is no smog check in your state....drop the cat and use a muffler that has two working outlets. Then Cut out the louvers on your air cleaner box. After that you have to start spending larger dollars. Review VADER86's web site.

IF you really want the power increase then heads, cam, intake, runners and a new tune.

A "performance chip" for a stock 85 will do nothing for you other than lighten your wallet.
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Old Nov 7, 2010 | 06:31 PM
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First off, most sedans do NOT have 300HP, if they have a V6 mid 250 range is common.

Second you have 230 rated HP. I would run your car at your local 1/4 mile track, you might be surprised by how quick it is.

Keep in mind it is a 25 year old car than even by today's standards is a sports car. Can out brake, handle, accelerate, top speed just about any average car you will see or meet on the street. Performance models, other sports cars, muscle cars, excluded...still faster than some of those.
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Old Nov 7, 2010 | 06:40 PM
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TPI cars were designed to build torque not hp. If you work on torque you might be happier, if youre strictly looking at hp you bought the wrong car..or will chase the dragon while dumping thousands into your car no way around it.
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Old Nov 7, 2010 | 06:50 PM
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Some ideas: later year 113 heads, port stock base and plenum, get bigger runners, UD pulleys, higher ratio rockers, free mods/less weight, new exhaust. There have been lots of topics on this over a decade, so there are other ideas to check out. Have fun!
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Old Nov 7, 2010 | 07:37 PM
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The wife has a LS460 with like 380 hp.... that is a sedan isn't it? I think my F250 has 300 hp with like 400+ tq...

Just picking...

Yea, remember the car is lighter think power to weight.
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Old Nov 7, 2010 | 07:50 PM
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Originally Posted by 93Rubie
First off, most sedans do NOT have 300HP, if they have a V6 mid 250 range is common.

Second you have 230 rated HP. I would run your car at your local 1/4 mile track, you might be surprised by how quick it is.

Keep in mind it is a 25 year old car than even by today's standards is a sports car. Can out brake, handle, accelerate, top speed just about any average car you will see or meet on the street. Performance models, other sports cars, muscle cars, excluded...still faster than some of those.
http://www.roadandtrack.com/tests/ca...rolet-corvette
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Old Nov 7, 2010 | 07:50 PM
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power/torque to weight,your car is still in the top percent of most cars out there.

follow this link and click on chevrolet at the bottom of the page your car 0-60 time is 5.7 ,1/4 mile 14.1
this is great info
http://www.albeedigital.com/supercou...0-60times.html
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Old Nov 7, 2010 | 08:15 PM
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Originally Posted by tblt44
power/torque to weight,your car is still in the top percent of most cars out there.

follow this link and click on chevrolet at the bottom of the page your car 0-60 time is 5.7 ,1/4 mile 14.1
this is great info
http://www.albeedigital.com/supercou...0-60times.html
Very good page for compairing the differant years. Seems that 1985 was actually one of the best years for the 1/4 mile until the 90 ZR1, and still able to compete with them until the mid 90s. Most people dawg on the early C4s, personally I love mine. My mom doesnt like it as much right now.... Removed passaner seat and ripped out most of the carpet today, lol. No inspectons here, guess I can remove the cat (put it up incase i need to put it back on later). Does anyone kno if there is sapposed to be a build sheet hidden in the car somewhere, or just the stickers that say do not remove.
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Old Nov 7, 2010 | 09:16 PM
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There is so much wrong with that article...it hurts to read it.

Car mags...
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Old Nov 7, 2010 | 10:23 PM
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Originally Posted by 93Rubie
First off, most sedans do NOT have 300HP, if they have a V6 mid 250 range is common.

Second you have 230 rated HP. I would run your car at your local 1/4 mile track, you might be surprised by how quick it is.

Keep in mind it is a 25 year old car than even by today's standards is a sports car. Can out brake, handle, accelerate, top speed just about any average car you will see or meet on the street. Performance models, other sports cars, muscle cars, excluded...still faster than some of those.
Go find a modern Accord/Acura with 250HP. Try to race them from 55mph on the hwy. YOU'RE the one who'll be surprised. You won't be able to pull away from them! How does that make you feel?

L98 Vette's are only faster at lower speeds. That's the 330+ TQ talkin.

When I went to a 383 when better breathing heads, runner tubes, and headers (with appropriate cam), I significantly increased that low-end torque while adding the extra punch for hwy speeds.

But a 383 with ANY intake is gonna put you back in the lead against anything short of a V8 or SC V6. Even then, you could end up ahead.
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Old Nov 7, 2010 | 10:30 PM
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Originally Posted by 85VetteTerreHaute
Does anyone kno if there is sapposed to be a build sheet hidden in the car somewhere, or just the stickers that say do not remove.
There is a build sheet on the Gas tank. If you're lucky you might be able to rip it off in one piece.
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Old Nov 7, 2010 | 10:32 PM
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Originally Posted by GREGGPENN
Go find a modern Accord/Acura with 250HP. Try to race them from 55mph on the hwy. YOU'RE the one who'll be surprised. You won't be able to pull away from them! How does that make you feel?
That maybe, but a Mid to late 90s Camary has no chance at all
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