I am a new owner of a 1984 corvette, and inexperienced in souping cars up. The car runs and drives great, but lacks a lot of power. I know the car wasn't designed as a super car or anything, but the lack of power is embarrassing. The styling and technology in the car can use updating as well. The car has 86k original miles. I am planning on keeping all the stock parts. My goal is to get around 3-400 horsepower and torque. Eventually after I have souped the car's performance up I will move to the brakes, suspension, etc. I do not wish to keep the crossfire injection because it just doesn't seem the way to get close to 400 horsepower. So if anyone can post here and let me know on reccommended engine specs, parts, places and people to talk to, it would help a lot. Just looking for some cheaper ways up adding some horsepower.

Here are some of my ideas towards the engine.

Taking off all the crossfire injected parts, installing a 4 barrel carb with new fuel lines.

Converting my 350 to a 383 for a torque boost.

Will need help with the valves if those need modified.

Boreing the cyclenders for bigger pistons.

 

Not to discourage you but if you feel that the 84 needs updated in terms of styling, technology, handling, braking, power, etc...why just not buy a C5 or C6 or a newer C4, it would be cheaper and easier in the long run. What you envision can be done but bring $$$, time, and a willingness to put more into it then it will be worth. My 2 cents worth.

FYI, for its time the 1984 Corvette was WAY ahead of its time...LCD readouts, very timeless styling that still looks fresh, best handling car in the world bar none,etc...

 

Well to be honest I don't want a new car. Heres something I tend to steer away from... Let's say my co-worker has a 2010 corvette, I decide to buy one just like it. The same cars? Yep looks and perform exactly the same. This would go for any 1984 corvette as well. I do not wish to make this a classic restorable car, I want to make it unique. No matter what the car looks or performs like, I am going to customize it. I do not plan to complete this project over night. As to the over all project of the car, really just want more power, fresh inside, new paint job.

And just to be clear... The technology is fine on the car, but why go with R2-D2 when you could cruise with a Terminator? Updating the digital gauges would be sick, don't lie to yourself. When I said I would move to upgrading the brakes, suspension, etc I meant so the parts could handle the more power and higher speeds. Don't get me wrong, not having a fast car is fine, but when your father shows you up in a 2008 v6 charger and beats you off the line... It makes you not want to show the car off performance wise. Just new to souping them up and looking for some tips or guides on how to do this properly.

 

Ok will you cant keep all the stock parts and beat a C6

Take the entire motor out or leave it running and build a carbed stroker.
Youre going to need a good cyl head exhaust roller cam etc.
Those cars run 12s all day have less drivetrain loss too.

How much you got to spend, gotta start there.

Its not going to be cheap

 

84 with a bigger motor, different transmission, different rear, different body. Faster than my C6Z

 

Starting with a 1984 base, that's your first major hurdle to jump over. From there, listen to the good advice from 93Rubie, and cuisinartvette. They already have you pointed in the right direction.
And as for your lack of power issue, this is about on par with the CrossFire system of that year. It's the lowest HP yielding motor of the C4 lineup. If you are going to start anywhere, start there.

 

Save up your $$$.

LS engine the way to go in a C4 today if you can afford it.

Many High performance parts & aftermarket support for the LS series engine for decades to come.

 

I love my '84 CFI, the car still gets looks every time I drive it. With that said, I concur the power is lacking, but it was 1984... Here are my plans keeping the stock motor and CFI in place.

Trick Flow top end kit, likely the 350HP kit maybe 420HP (Cam, heads, roller rockers)
Header and full dual 2.5" exhaust
Port the stock CFI intake (address the TBI's and fuel pump if needed)
Rear gears, C5 brake upgrade and a few other minor mods

I plan on keeping my interior and exterior stock, but if the gauge cluster goes I'll likely replace with Autometer's. Without doing the top end kit, I feel confident the CFI intake porting, headers and 1.6RR's will wake the car up nicely and are affordable proven mods. (I'm sure there will be big debates on porting the CFI intake, but everyone has their own opinions, this is mine)

 

I get it...I would drop in a LS engine, lots of stuff here to guide you been done before. Do a search. FYI, a good running crossfire 84 with a decent drive can post low 15 second 1/4 mile times. Not fast by today's standards but not too shabby for a 27 year old car in the emissions era. Throw that 84 into a corner or two and see the 08 Charger fast fade away.

 

I modded mine about 2005 I recall. List of mods:

EBL-ECU Innovate WB controller w/ piller gauge

newer design cnc edel rpm heads at 64cc holley projection TBI manifold 454 GM TB with large injectors Aeromotive reg

comp cam 224/230 @.05 with crane roller tip rockers

true duals crossover with hooker muffs

Hedman ceramic headers

coming soon an ign box with remote coil proform chev slanted valve covers

NOS N20 75hp shot cotrolled by ECU.

Aeroquip plumbing

No longer emishions compliant but I have a Califonia sticker saying so