Hi, I'm looking into making my 1985 a little faster, although I understand certain combinations do not make as much power as they could with other mods. And I also don't have a lot of money. Is there any cheap performance packages out there? I'm looking for around maybe a 100 horsepower gain that isn't too costly.

Thanks a lot!

 

Sorry to say... 100+ HP and cheap doesn't exist in the same sentence,

When talkin' 100+ ... you're looking at cam/heads/intake/injectors/tune/exhaust.... couple thousand plus labor.

 

I do all the labor myself. My college instructor has a 92 Vette with TPIS miniram intake, 58mm throttle body and ZZ9 cam and claims to be making 200-250 hp more than stock.

 

Couple of years back I put in a ZZ4 with cam, already had the heads. I did all the labor myself and I still had about $5000 in it and picked up a little over 100 HP.

Suggest that you do a search on Forum member Vader86 and read his home page. This is a good place to start.

If you send me a PM, I will forward you a listing of all the parts and their costs for the ZZ4 build. Remember that these costs are several years old and costs have increased since then.

 

I dont think so.

 

OK... let's do the math:
Your "Instructor" has the 92 - the first year LT1 - showing 300 HP stock.
The miniram - under IDEAL conditions is ADVERTISED at 80 HP
(more like half that considering how well the LT1 intake flows on its own).
The throttlebody - basically useless... the stock body was over-designed, capable handling over 400 HP.

The cam - might be 20 HP (ideal).
If using stock heads - only a marginal improvement - probably 50 HP TOTAL if you improve the exhaust...

Only a fully rebuilt LT1 that's bored/built out to 383 might give you 250 over stock (300 + 250).... just like your Instructor claims.
Here's a clear example - taken directly from the TPIS website...
http://www.tpis.com/pages/383lt1

So the question stand; did he build/bore out to a streetworthy 383?
Then he'll need to address the trans, rear end, u-joints, driveshaft/half-shafts and suspension - after you detonate those gears.

Got 15K?

Going to try to stop it with stock brakes?

 

100 true hp comes with a price.
Keep saving
Youll need a good set of heads, converted LT1/miniram intake cam gears exhaust headers injectors tune etc. TPI can make decent tq sucks for hp.
everyone goes nuts over a Hp # though.
What do you want the car to do and where? Rpm band? type of driving?
This will all help.


Or just hook up a 100 shot on the old motor while you save for another entire build. Bring a broom and bucket lol

 

Your college instructor is F.O.S.

Just like mine was.

 

Try looking up TPI builds all over the net. Youtube has some nice vids of some smoking TPI vets, thirdgen probably has the most knowledgeable TPI tinkerers around (think 400-500hp with TPI), but just do a lot of searching and reading before you spend any money. I just got a LS6 for my Vette, jumped on the engine because of a stupid low price, now I have the problem of trying to find a kit to install it into a C4.
I saw someone mention a $15k price point for upgrades. If you think your going to end up anywhere near that price a used LS anything. You wont have the headaches of 15-20 year old mony pit technologies.

 

Think the OP has a TPI
Say you got a 300hp stock vette.
+250 hp is a whole friggin bunch.

Have something like that # in my car and most wouldnt want to drive it #1 and 2 you wont get there with factory heads intakes etc. 550 doesnt come easy with small cams heads etc. Dont believe every dyno sheet you see.
Even getting an LSx motor there you will spend plenty of money

 

Understood - was using his Instructor's claim as an example... on a stronger engine as a starting point... just sayin'.

 

 

I have a C4 I bought to toy with, but my daily driver is a C6. The LS will cost some money but the aftermarket for the LS series is huge and prices are good. The biggest reason to go LS is at 400hp the LS has a stock sounding idle, where as the old tech L98's and LT1 sound horrible. That's just personal preference some people like loud cars, I'm not in that crowd. I'm old enough to know I want to be comfortable, I want a smooth ride, not rumbled to death, I want a good sound system, and cold AC.
I like a decent runner, doesn't have to be the fastest thing on the road just a decent runner, with the pull of the old big blocks.

 

Nitrous Express EFI 50 to 150 wet shot and a PCM4less tune, under 700 bucks.

 

 

I won't trash talk the OP's instructor. There's been enough of that.

An important question is where does the OP live? If emissions are not a concern, than more options are available.

I have an 85 and I originally had the same goal of adding 100 Hp. The stock 85 had 230 Hp. The first step is to open up the exhaust. The stock exhaust manifolds are grossly inadequate. Install some long tube headers. Cost of headers and Y pipe approx. $750. The next weak link is the heads. The 85 has cast iron heads. Again, they are woefully inadequate. I invested in AFR heads for under $1500. Next is the intake. You will need to upgrade to either a Super Ram or Mini Ram. Super Rams are great for the street but are getting hard to find. Mini Rams are readily available from TPiS for roughly $1400. The stock cam is a flat tappet. Ideally you want to upgrade that to a roller. You will need retrofit lifters and you should install roller rockers. Cam and valve train will run around $1000. With these mods you will need a new tune. The 85 has a unique ECM. Most tuners won't touch it. And those that do will have limited success. Upgrade to an 86-89 ECM and tuning will not be an issue. Add about $450 for the upgrade and tune. Add gaskets and miscellaneous and you are a little over $5000 total.

 

For your instructor

Regarding your 100hp for "cheap"...You need to define cheap. For Bill Gates, cheap is a few million. For a homeless guy, cheap is a couple pennies. I'll guess you're talking $500-$700. If so, then you need to look at adding juice. Btw, here's the rule of thumb....Fast, cheap, reliable. Pick any two.

 

http://www.corvettefever.com/techart...s/viewall.html