1990 corvette questions
Thread Starter
Heel & Toe
Joined: Jan 2015
Posts: 16
Likes: 1
From: Warwick Rhode Island
1990 corvette questions
Hey guys I'm new on here . I received a 1990 corvette L98 from my uncle last year 84000 stock since new. I've pulled the mufflers and did a k&n so far. I want to do some mods but want to keep the factory look and not go super crazy but wake it up! Any suggestions ? Thank you for your input !
Drifting
Joined: May 2007
Posts: 1,440
Likes: 19
From: SW Chicago Burbs IL
You will receive a lot of advice on this from different posters.
My advice is:
#1) establish your actual goals.
#2) be prepared to pay for the mods to make it happen.
There are a ton of different modifications you can make. Do you want a daily driver? Autocross car? Drag strip car? What are your horsepower goals? Can you do the work yourself? What is your budget? Answer those questions and then it will narrow down the suggestions to something useful.
My advice is:
#1) establish your actual goals.
#2) be prepared to pay for the mods to make it happen.
There are a ton of different modifications you can make. Do you want a daily driver? Autocross car? Drag strip car? What are your horsepower goals? Can you do the work yourself? What is your budget? Answer those questions and then it will narrow down the suggestions to something useful.
Thread Starter
Heel & Toe
Joined: Jan 2015
Posts: 16
Likes: 1
From: Warwick Rhode Island
Thank you Matatk . I do not want to change the appearance of the outside of the car but I would like it a lot faster! One day MAYBE IT would be worth something haha. It is a weekend /car show vehicle but I feel as though it's tired if you will for a vette! More hp really no budget but do not want a crate motor would like to work with what I have. L98 automatic though, she moves good now but I know there should be more. Thank you
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
Love your subject line....,but it will take a long time to answer 1990 questions. 
Melting Slicks
Joined: Sep 2008
Posts: 2,376
Likes: 111
From: Cherokee National Forest TN
Intake & exhaust are choke points + the heads are small.
Keep going on the exhaust, suggest long tube headers & loose the pre cats.
Next change the gear.
You need an intake then heads & a cam.
Or exhaust, gear & blower.
Good luck.
Keep going on the exhaust, suggest long tube headers & loose the pre cats.
Next change the gear.
You need an intake then heads & a cam.
Or exhaust, gear & blower.
Good luck.
Team Owner
Joined: Jul 2004
Posts: 28,472
Likes: 3,290
From: Hartford WI
I would like it a lot faster! One day MAYBE IT would be worth something haha. It is a weekend /car show vehicle but I feel as though it's tired if you will for a vette! More hp really no budget but do not want a crate motor would like to work with what I have. L98 automatic though, she moves good now but I know there should be more. Thank you
Corvette Stories
The Best of Corvette for Corvette Enthusiasts
Top 10 Most Expensive Corvettes Ever Sold on Bring A Trailer
Brett Foote
10 Things Every Corvette Owner Needs (2026 Edition)
Michael S. Palmer
8 Most "Only Corvette Owners Understand" Quirks and Problems
Pouria Savadkouei
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
Racer
Joined: Dec 2014
Posts: 402
Likes: 44
From: Pittsburgh PA
When I picked up my 90 I started down the mod road until I realized that to really get some serious performance upgrade you need to invest some serious money. Likely more than what the car is worth. That's when I decided to keep it stock and enjoy it.
Team Owner
Joined: Jul 2004
Posts: 28,472
Likes: 3,290
From: Hartford WI
Well, consider $7K for a long block and tuning, $4K for exhaust, headers and intake, $3K for trans, $4K for rear end and suspension and maybe another $2K for install so to get 400HP and be reliable, that is what it might cost. As said, speed costs cubic dollars. How fast do you want to go?
Team Owner
Joined: Jul 2004
Posts: 28,472
Likes: 3,290
From: Hartford WI
He won't have a D44 if he has an automatic so that will be something to get if he plans to make power. If he goes with a TH400, he loses overdrive which is not good for cruising, has to have a modified C-beam, I think and if it is not the same length as the 700R4, he might have to have the drive shaft fixed.
Thread Starter
Heel & Toe
Joined: Jan 2015
Posts: 16
Likes: 1
From: Warwick Rhode Island
Thank you guys very much for the imput !! I guess your right the more power the more money!!! Hahaha I guess I want to put on as many bolt ons and as much power before it's crate motor time. Thanks again
Pro
Joined: Jun 2008
Posts: 674
Likes: 235
From: Louisville Kentucky
2023 C4 of the Year Finalist - Unmodified
2022 C3 of the Year Finalist - Unmodified
2021 C4 of the Year - Unmodified Finalist
2018 C4 of Year Finalist
2015 C4 of the Year Finalist
I have a 1990 and that L98 makes a ton of low end torque, stop light to stop light it's pretty fast! For a 25 year old car I'd enjoy it for what it is, if you want more HP buy or trade for newer.
Racer
Joined: Dec 2014
Posts: 402
Likes: 44
From: Pittsburgh PA
Last edited by kenpeindl; Dec 14, 2015 at 10:40 PM.