Exotic Muscle
Thread Starter
Intermediate
Joined: Apr 2013
Posts: 40
Likes: 0
From: Culver City CA
Exotic Muscle
Hello people,
looking to get some more oomph out of the 85 vette. Currently i am looking into these products from exotic muscle
http://emracingcorp.com/scripts/prod...?idproduct=153
http://emracingcorp.com/scripts/prod...?idProduct=159
http://emracingcorp.com/scripts/prod...?idProduct=168
does anyone have an experience with these? are they just stock parts that have been ported? if so i have read on here that stock ported manifolds and plenums aren't worth it.
any recommendations for a better setup will be appreciated.
thanks much
looking to get some more oomph out of the 85 vette. Currently i am looking into these products from exotic muscle
http://emracingcorp.com/scripts/prod...?idproduct=153
http://emracingcorp.com/scripts/prod...?idProduct=159
http://emracingcorp.com/scripts/prod...?idProduct=168
does anyone have an experience with these? are they just stock parts that have been ported? if so i have read on here that stock ported manifolds and plenums aren't worth it.
any recommendations for a better setup will be appreciated.
thanks much
Le Mans Master
Joined: Mar 2004
Posts: 5,107
Likes: 171
From: Dublin CA
Do you have SMOG testing in your area? The 85 really wakes up to exhaust changes. If you can't install long tube headers and delete the cat, then go with a 2-1/2" front "Y" pipe, perhaps a "test pipe" between SMOG checks and a decent set of mufflers.
You will gain some with the suggested changes you have listed above...but you will not see MAJOR HP gains. If you change out the iron heads for a better set of aluminum heads, that would help.
You will gain some with the suggested changes you have listed above...but you will not see MAJOR HP gains. If you change out the iron heads for a better set of aluminum heads, that would help.
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
I wouldn't believe the power gains, but if you want to keep the stock look of the intake system, those are one avenue to pursue.
85 also requires a better set of heads for serious power gains, as mentioned. Exhaust work also needs to be done to wake it up.
If you were to swap out the cam, change out the iron heads, and install these intake parts you would see major power gains.
85 also requires a better set of heads for serious power gains, as mentioned. Exhaust work also needs to be done to wake it up.
If you were to swap out the cam, change out the iron heads, and install these intake parts you would see major power gains.
Burning Brakes
Joined: Jan 2009
Posts: 871
Likes: 15
From: Shepherdsville Kentucky
The plenum is likely stock, not sure about the intake. There's not much room to port the stock runners so those are likely aftermarket.
Porting isn't terribly complicated. I went with SLP runners on mine with the stock plenum and TPIS Big Mouth intake. I ported everything as large as I could go.
These mods aren't very hard and you could even do it yourself. Some exhaust changes will make a bigger difference and eliminating some dead weight off the engine. You also wouldn't have to get a tune after these changes.
I made those changes with some new injectors and was pretty disappointed in the difference it made for my '89. It was more but not the kick in the pants I wanted so I had to go further.
There's a lot of different paths you can take. I chose to stick with something fairly stock looking and upgraded all the internals and went to a 383 stroker. I'm happy with the build but for the money I could have got more hp per buck with an engine swap.
Porting isn't terribly complicated. I went with SLP runners on mine with the stock plenum and TPIS Big Mouth intake. I ported everything as large as I could go.
These mods aren't very hard and you could even do it yourself. Some exhaust changes will make a bigger difference and eliminating some dead weight off the engine. You also wouldn't have to get a tune after these changes.
I made those changes with some new injectors and was pretty disappointed in the difference it made for my '89. It was more but not the kick in the pants I wanted so I had to go further.
There's a lot of different paths you can take. I chose to stick with something fairly stock looking and upgraded all the internals and went to a 383 stroker. I'm happy with the build but for the money I could have got more hp per buck with an engine swap.
Thread Starter
Intermediate
Joined: Apr 2013
Posts: 40
Likes: 0
From: Culver City CA
Jwheelerjr,
i was just thinking about a swap instead. it seems like the better bang for buck. the engines from what i see are within a decent price range even a ramjet i found for 5k which yes seems pricey to some but in the scheme of things still would be a cool option. my question though is how pricey would an engine swap begin to be because theres still the issue of labor, parts(i am not sure if the current parts say like water pump or alternator would be backwards compatible with the new engine if not i would have to replace all). even if i went with something like say this: http://www.crateenginedepot.com/350-...P9417C556.aspx .. with parts and install i am taking a wild guess but ill still be within the 5-6k bracket yeah? oh and to answer a question yes i have to get smogged in cali.. i am not due for another two years.
i was just thinking about a swap instead. it seems like the better bang for buck. the engines from what i see are within a decent price range even a ramjet i found for 5k which yes seems pricey to some but in the scheme of things still would be a cool option. my question though is how pricey would an engine swap begin to be because theres still the issue of labor, parts(i am not sure if the current parts say like water pump or alternator would be backwards compatible with the new engine if not i would have to replace all). even if i went with something like say this: http://www.crateenginedepot.com/350-...P9417C556.aspx .. with parts and install i am taking a wild guess but ill still be within the 5-6k bracket yeah? oh and to answer a question yes i have to get smogged in cali.. i am not due for another two years.
Thread Starter
Intermediate
Joined: Apr 2013
Posts: 40
Likes: 0
From: Culver City CA
So i took a good look at the exhaust on the car and it definitely needs improvement so i am going to go with some hooker headers. based on research the install of these headers seems pretty straightforward god willing.. from there i'll get a new catback system then determine from there what i want.. thanks all for the advise..
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Verdad Gallardo
Team Owner
Joined: Dec 1999
Posts: 34,873
Likes: 487
From: Lacey WA RVN 68-69
NCM Sinkhole Donor
So i took a good look at the exhaust on the car and it definitely needs improvement so i am going to go with some hooker headers. based on research the install of these headers seems pretty straightforward god willing.. from there i'll get a new catback system then determine from there what i want.. thanks all for the advise..
The early 10MT GM starter is a PITA to deal with when installing headers. Not only does it have to come out to get the header in, should the starter fail, you have remove the header to get the starter out.
I bought a mini-starter to solve that issue.Also, you will need to fabricate support brackets for the alternator and A/C compressor. The dipstick tube has to come out and the attaching bracket will have to be modded.
You will have to move the large wire bundle next to the starter, and move the gas lines slightly to clear the tubes. Not difficult, but you don't want either one to rub on the tubes.
Thread Starter
Intermediate
Joined: Apr 2013
Posts: 40
Likes: 0
From: Culver City CA
C4Cruiser, thanks for the info.. i've been doing alot of research on header installs and i am told that Tpis,EM and hookers are the easiest to install with Tpis being the best. TPis boasts such an easy install you can just do the entire install from under the car.. not sure how truthful that is but from the search many have said they are easy to install. unfortunately i do not have the moolah to buy those so i am going with the hookers instead.. we shall see what happens..
89L98TPI, Super Rams are no longer easy to find.. if you have a link to where i can find them please let me know
thanks again all..
89L98TPI, Super Rams are no longer easy to find.. if you have a link to where i can find them please let me know
thanks again all..
Race Director
Joined: Nov 2003
Posts: 12,221
Likes: 446
From: Overland Park Kansas
2020 Corvette of the Year Finalist (appearance mods)
C4 of Year Winner (appearance mods) 2019
SuperRams are no longer made. You must find one used -- if you really want one. But they're up for sale quite often.
I'm a bit leary of the OP's original links. It would appear the pieces being linked are 1-of-a-kind. Polished runners aren't the norm. You have to get that done...or order polished. The price/condition is more reflective of a used intake -- which EM may no longer have.
If you have modest skills with tap/die, vice, and a hammer, you can mod the brackets necessary to adapt the Hooker headers. I think member Calderone had a nice thread with pictures on this process.(2 years old?)
I'm a bit leary of the OP's original links. It would appear the pieces being linked are 1-of-a-kind. Polished runners aren't the norm. You have to get that done...or order polished. The price/condition is more reflective of a used intake -- which EM may no longer have.
If you have modest skills with tap/die, vice, and a hammer, you can mod the brackets necessary to adapt the Hooker headers. I think member Calderone had a nice thread with pictures on this process.(2 years old?)