C4 1984 stock corvette
Team Owner
Joined: Aug 2004
Posts: 21,543
Likes: 3,216
From: Park City Utah
In addition to budget (you did give us your power goal of ~400hp), do you want to keep the CFI "platform"? Or keep it CFI looking? Or not. You can achieve your goal of 400 hp with CFI, but it will help us, help you if we know what kind of induction/fueling you'd like to have.
Race Director
Joined: May 2003
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Pro
Joined: Sep 2012
Posts: 610
Likes: 12
From: Seattle Wa
Shouldn't effect the dash. The only thing the computer runs is the est. MPG.
You still haven't said what your budget is, but a cam, new heads, intake, and a "Fast", "Dei" stand alone fuel injection, will get you the 200hp you're looking for.
An ls swap might be the same price at this point though, and would give you a much more dependable car, with tons of potential, and a higher resale. h
You still haven't said what your budget is, but a cam, new heads, intake, and a "Fast", "Dei" stand alone fuel injection, will get you the 200hp you're looking for.
An ls swap might be the same price at this point though, and would give you a much more dependable car, with tons of potential, and a higher resale. h
Last edited by hemivett; Aug 28, 2013 at 11:38 PM.
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Pro
Joined: Sep 2012
Posts: 610
Likes: 12
From: Seattle Wa
Well the great thing about a Fast, or the Atomic unit, is there are infinite possibilities. You can start with that, and some 1.6 rockers, and you will have a very noticeable improvement in hp, and drive-ability. Then as you have the money you can add a cam, and heads, and whatever else you want, and each time you add something, the system re-tunes itself, with very little input from you. No more laptop, and a computer genius to get your car running perfect!
The basic fast unit is good to 600hp, and if you want more, you just add a 2nd throttle body, (same computer will control 2, so nothing else to buy) and it will easily power 1000hp. Lastly, and what sold me is, if you decide to change platforms, (Im planning an Ls swap) you take the system with you. No new harness, or computer, just cause you change motors. h
The basic fast unit is good to 600hp, and if you want more, you just add a 2nd throttle body, (same computer will control 2, so nothing else to buy) and it will easily power 1000hp. Lastly, and what sold me is, if you decide to change platforms, (Im planning an Ls swap) you take the system with you. No new harness, or computer, just cause you change motors. h
Pro
Joined: Mar 2013
Posts: 697
Likes: 162
From: Huntington WV
I realize you said you wanted to only do the top end but if you want 400 hp with torque to match you might as well do the whole thing. A carbed 383 with about any decent aftermarket head including Vortecs will get you what you're looking for and then some with room to grow if you want it. The stroker setup is also probably cheaper than the FI and will net you bigger gains for your money.
That wont hurt the gas mileage, or de-value the car much. h 
Team Owner
Joined: Oct 2004
Posts: 81,241
Likes: 3,062
From: altered state
St. Jude Donor '05
These are toys not investments they will probably never be worth much in our lifetime. Mod the hell out of it let the next guy worry about all that. 
You could do a heads, cam, intake carb (or efi) header etc and easily surpass 400hp
Are you willing to regear, larger torque converter etc?
Weekend toy I assume?
You could do a heads, cam, intake carb (or efi) header etc and easily surpass 400hp
Are you willing to regear, larger torque converter etc?
Weekend toy I assume?
Pro
Joined: Sep 2012
Posts: 610
Likes: 12
From: Seattle Wa
These are toys not investments they will probably never be worth much in our lifetime. Mod the hell out of it let the next guy worry about all that.
You could do a heads, cam, intake carb (or efi) header etc and easily surpass 400hp
Are you willing to regear, larger torque converter etc?
Weekend toy I assume?
You could do a heads, cam, intake carb (or efi) header etc and easily surpass 400hp
Are you willing to regear, larger torque converter etc?
Weekend toy I assume?
Pro
Joined: Mar 2013
Posts: 697
Likes: 162
From: Huntington WV
The OP is asking for ideas to make 200 more horses, not MPG or resale value. My idea makes more power, more cheaply and simply, with easily available parts. Just because it is different from your idea does not mean it is wrong. People looking for big value out of a car are not going to start with an 84 Vette, period. Build something fun and enjoy it. That is the impression I get form the OP.
Last edited by Polo Vert; Aug 29, 2013 at 07:09 PM.
Pro
Joined: Mar 2013
Posts: 697
Likes: 162
From: Huntington WV
Yup, that will work great until the factory cast pistons burn through....
He can safely do that after the forged stroker bottom end build but then he will have added 500 horse, not 200...;-)
He can safely do that after the forged stroker bottom end build but then he will have added 500 horse, not 200...;-)
Last edited by Polo Vert; Aug 29, 2013 at 09:00 PM.
Melting Slicks
Joined: Jan 2005
Posts: 2,658
Likes: 4
From: Clifton Park NY
Well lets see, I've done this and have many threads as to how I got there.
If you wanna open your dash remove the existing wiring harness that's great. Take you a few days, some cuss words and you'll be all set with the FAST/HOLLEY/,ETC systems. Most of these systems will cost you about 2K or so OR if you want a engine management system for about $525, fully tuneable, plug and play unit with only one minor wiring change and maybe a day or so of your labor then I'd say go with EBL Lockers system from dynamic efi.It supports Boost,E85,Ethanol, and a lot more. Fairly easy to use. Check out the TGO boards and go to the DIY TUNE thread or check out there website.
I've been thru all this and if your thinking bigger in the future you will need an ecm that can support it. This will do the job.
If you wanna open your dash remove the existing wiring harness that's great. Take you a few days, some cuss words and you'll be all set with the FAST/HOLLEY/,ETC systems. Most of these systems will cost you about 2K or so OR if you want a engine management system for about $525, fully tuneable, plug and play unit with only one minor wiring change and maybe a day or so of your labor then I'd say go with EBL Lockers system from dynamic efi.It supports Boost,E85,Ethanol, and a lot more. Fairly easy to use. Check out the TGO boards and go to the DIY TUNE thread or check out there website.
I've been thru all this and if your thinking bigger in the future you will need an ecm that can support it. This will do the job.
Melting Slicks
Joined: Jan 2005
Posts: 2,658
Likes: 4
From: Clifton Park NY
Pro
Joined: Mar 2013
Posts: 697
Likes: 162
From: Huntington WV
Was not referring to the stock bottom end. My point being that cast stroker cranks are available but if one was going to use the nitrous you would want to have a forged stroker bottom end. The whole point of the thread is that the OP wants better than stock performance.
We need to know the budget. If its $5000 then $2000 for a engine management system isn't cost effective. If it's $10000 then we put the FAST system on the 383 and have some real fun....
We need to know the budget. If its $5000 then $2000 for a engine management system isn't cost effective. If it's $10000 then we put the FAST system on the 383 and have some real fun....
Last edited by Polo Vert; Aug 30, 2013 at 01:13 AM.
Team Owner
Joined: Aug 2004
Posts: 21,543
Likes: 3,216
From: Park City Utah
Hemivett is saying to put a 200 shot on the stock long block (maybe even the whole stock package). Therefore, Hemivett is right; with the proper fueling, a 200 shot could probably work. AFter all; The whole point of the thread is that the OP wants better than stock performance..
Last edited by Tom400CFI; Aug 30, 2013 at 10:36 AM.