Dilemma?
Thread Starter
Advanced
Joined: Jul 2014
Posts: 60
Likes: 0
From: Greenville Mississippi
Dilemma?
OK, I purchased my 1989 c4 less than a month ago, today I took it to a friend to discuss several issues. (I have to go back to get them looked at) He is a engine builder for Racing Teams (certified) yes those teams, he offered to boost my car to 600+ hp I am thinking it over... this car was supposed to be a weekend cruiser not a weekend bruiser. Now i do agree that some tuning is needed as take off id great but after that it lacks some power... What should I do? Help!
Melting Slicks
Joined: Mar 2008
Posts: 2,351
Likes: 222
From: Delta B.C. Canada
2023 C7 of the Year Finalist - Unmodified
2019 C4 of Year Finalist (appearance mods)
2015 C4 of Year Finalist
OK, I purchased my 1989 c4 less than a month ago, today I took it to a friend to discuss several issues. (I have to go back to get them looked at) He is a engine builder for Racing Teams (certified) yes those teams, he offered to boost my car to 600+ hp I am thinking it over... this car was supposed to be a weekend cruiser not a weekend bruiser. Now i do agree that some tuning is needed as take off id great but after that it lacks some power... What should I do? Help!
Safety Car
Joined: Aug 2009
Posts: 3,751
Likes: 276
From: Melbourne, Victoria, Australia
OK, I purchased my 1989 c4 less than a month ago, today I took it to a friend to discuss several issues. (I have to go back to get them looked at) He is a engine builder for Racing Teams (certified) yes those teams, he offered to boost my car to 600+ hp I am thinking it over... this car was supposed to be a weekend cruiser not a weekend bruiser. Now i do agree that some tuning is needed as take off id great but after that it lacks some power... What should I do? Help!
Set the fuel pressure to 48-52 psi and enjoy the ride.
That will knock a second of your quarter mile time and start easy and be well behaved in heavy traffic.
If you want more hp a TPIS cam for TPI engines works a treat, some aftermarket heads will put you into 12 sec quarters.
Melting Slicks
Joined: Jun 2013
Posts: 3,065
Likes: 39
OK, I purchased my 1989 c4 less than a month ago, today I took it to a friend to discuss several issues. (I have to go back to get them looked at) He is a engine builder for Racing Teams (certified) yes those teams, he offered to boost my car to 600+ hp I am thinking it over... this car was supposed to be a weekend cruiser not a weekend bruiser. Now i do agree that some tuning is needed as take off id great but after that it lacks some power... What should I do? Help!
Burning Brakes
Joined: Sep 2008
Posts: 810
Likes: 58
From: Alva Florida
It's easy to get caught up in the 600hp small block game. Kinda like a high maintenance woman, they are intriguing to get, but hard to live with. I actually just sold a 540hp small block 400 to put in a nice 350 with a LT4 cam and heads, and headers and upgraded intake.
I can get decent performance and good gas mileage, and not wrestle with brakes, and actually enjoy driving the car with a/c.
Of course I'm getting older now and appreciate the refined aspects of a car.
Good luck
I can get decent performance and good gas mileage, and not wrestle with brakes, and actually enjoy driving the car with a/c.
Of course I'm getting older now and appreciate the refined aspects of a car.
Good luck
Thread Starter
Advanced
Joined: Jul 2014
Posts: 60
Likes: 0
From: Greenville Mississippi
I am 50 and all the things that you have mentioned is what I have on my mind. Good advice. We'll I am seeing him on Monday or Tuesday and we will work this out. I have to remember my wife also drives this car.
Corvette Stories
The Best of Corvette for Corvette Enthusiasts
10 Reasons the C6 Z06 is Still A Performance Benchmark After 20 Years
Joe Kucinski
How Much Horsepower Every Corvette Engine "LOST" in 1972
Joe Kucinski
Top 10 DOs and DON'Ts for Protecting Your Convertible Top!
Michael S. Palmer
Top 10 Most Explosive Corvettes Ever Made: Power-to-Weight Ratio Ranked!
Joe Kucinski
150 hp to 1,250 hp: Every Corvette Generation Compared by the Specs That Matter
Joe Kucinski
8 Coolest Corvette Pace Cars (and Replicas) of All Time
Verdad Gallardo
Top 10 Corvette Engines RANKED by Peak Torque (70+ Years of Muscle!)
Joe Kucinski
Corvette ZR1X Will Be Pacing the Indy 500, And Could Probably Race, Too!
Verdad Gallardo
Top 10 Corvettes Coming to Mecum Indy 2026!
Brett Foote
Team Owner
Joined: Dec 2000
Posts: 90,675
Likes: 304
From: SE NY
Cruise-In II Veteran
Years ago TPIS did a build up on a 90 or 91 Vette with exhaust, intake, cam and heads to get around 350-370chp and commented that this is the Vette that GM should have built. I would also suggest ignition improvement like a HyperTech coil/cap/rotor and low resistance wires.
If it has an A4 I would also suggest a 2,000rpm TC with TransGo shift kit. And have the WOT shift points raised to 5,800-6,000rpm. But keep the 2.59 rear for cruzin comfort.
If it has an A4 I would also suggest a 2,000rpm TC with TransGo shift kit. And have the WOT shift points raised to 5,800-6,000rpm. But keep the 2.59 rear for cruzin comfort.
Burning Brakes
Joined: Sep 2008
Posts: 810
Likes: 58
From: Alva Florida
Actually, having to do it over again, I probably would start with the Lt1 platform. They have decent all around performance, except for the opti-spark. It's going to take a lot of work and money to make an L98 a quick car, and a few of grand at least.
Lots of similar questions if you search.
Here's a rundown:
Phase 1
Corsa Exhaust $1100
TPIS or Hedmen Headers $400 - 800
High Flow Intake $400
High Flow runners $300
Tune $200-500
Phase 2
Stall converter $350-600
3:73 Gears $400-1500
Heads $750 - 1500
Cam $150 - 350
Super - Ram / Mini-ram intake $1000 - 1500
Re-tune the car
If you think a carb conversion will be cheaper been there done that. The exhaust will stink, the a/c wont work right, and the car will never behave like it was meant to. This all varies like opinions, of course. If you want the car to work like a 68 Nova, I would buy one of those.
But if you like the car, thats the deal. The prices I mentioned vary greatly depending on who does the work, and every change will affect the behavior, driveability, & fuel economy.
Choose wisely grasshopper......
Lots of similar questions if you search.
Here's a rundown:
Phase 1
Corsa Exhaust $1100
TPIS or Hedmen Headers $400 - 800
High Flow Intake $400
High Flow runners $300
Tune $200-500
Phase 2
Stall converter $350-600
3:73 Gears $400-1500
Heads $750 - 1500
Cam $150 - 350
Super - Ram / Mini-ram intake $1000 - 1500
Re-tune the car
If you think a carb conversion will be cheaper been there done that. The exhaust will stink, the a/c wont work right, and the car will never behave like it was meant to. This all varies like opinions, of course. If you want the car to work like a 68 Nova, I would buy one of those.
But if you like the car, thats the deal. The prices I mentioned vary greatly depending on who does the work, and every change will affect the behavior, driveability, & fuel economy.
Choose wisely grasshopper......
Last edited by cadmaniac; Jul 26, 2014 at 07:47 AM.
Thread Starter
Advanced
Joined: Jul 2014
Posts: 60
Likes: 0
From: Greenville Mississippi
Thanks for the good advice... Exhaust done, headers done, cam done all by previous owner. I think they also changed heads as the spark plugs are from a different year.(I think LT1)
Thread Starter
Advanced
Joined: Jul 2014
Posts: 60
Likes: 0
From: Greenville Mississippi
Done...
I also found out that the timing was off by 6 degrees, throttle body was leaking air and the EGR, MAF, and a couple other things were blocked or coated with carbon. My drivers side rear caliper was sticking and one side of the exhaust was loose. Whew!
Now I can say that I have a Corvette. And it feels like it should in the seat of your pants.