C4 Tech/Performance L98 Corvette and LT1 Corvette Technical Info, Internal Engine, External Engine

best first mod

Old Apr 29, 2016 | 09:07 PM
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Default best first mod

Hi,everyone,just picked up a 86 automatic and want to head out to the drag strip,it's bone stock so I'm looking to do something ,I have $2000 to spend,any suggestions? 109,000 mile on it 86<br ><br >

Last edited by HOT_ON_UR_HEELS; Apr 29, 2016 at 09:13 PM. Reason: more information
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Old Apr 29, 2016 | 09:10 PM
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Cold air intake, long tube headers and exhaust. Just to start

Last edited by Crash594; Apr 29, 2016 at 09:10 PM. Reason: More
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Old Apr 29, 2016 | 09:20 PM
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Headers and exhaust
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Old Apr 29, 2016 | 09:24 PM
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Originally Posted by Crash594
Cold air intake, long tube headers and exhaust. Just to start
Why the CAI? Has anyone really gotten any power with that over just cutting out the slits? If not, I'd save the money and do intakes and headers and a tune.
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Old Apr 29, 2016 | 09:26 PM
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Thank,ok headers and exhaust,cold air,nice!
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Old Apr 29, 2016 | 09:28 PM
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Originally Posted by HOT_ON_UR_HEELS
Thank,ok headers and exhaust,cold air,nice!
I'd skip the cold air. Just cut the slits out of the air cleaner housing. I don't think exhaust is a weak point as much as the manifolds which the Long Tube headers will fix. I'd go get a tune after I do that and the intakes if it were me.
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Old Apr 29, 2016 | 09:34 PM
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Default now that's an idea, cut the slits out,thanks I'm on it,

Originally Posted by aklim
Why the CAI? Has anyone really gotten any power with that over just cutting out the slits? If not, I'd save the money and do intakes and headers and a tune.
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Old Apr 29, 2016 | 09:36 PM
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Looks like that
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Old Apr 29, 2016 | 09:51 PM
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Originally Posted by DanielRicany
Headers and exhaust
Long tubes as the others have said.
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Old Apr 29, 2016 | 09:58 PM
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L98s get off the line quick and die on the top end so you if you want to do well in the 1/4 you need to focus on the things your car does well. Headers, exhaust, tires and a small torque converter will get you a decent 60' and give you the biggest bang for the buck with a TPI car. thumbs:
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Old Apr 29, 2016 | 10:16 PM
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Originally Posted by aklim
Why the CAI? Has anyone really gotten any power with that over just cutting out the slits? If not, I'd save the money and do intakes and headers and a tune.

Mine picks the air from a different location than factory. Basically part of it cuts a hole where the old filter Assy fits and it picks up air flow from there. The lower air dam directs air to this area for cooling. So not only am I getting cool air but the faster I go it also can act like a ram. This is the coa that Ecklers sells. I usually don't buy coa but it was on the car when I purchased it. Plus he listed a $2000 budget. Some items listed will cost more than that.

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Old Apr 29, 2016 | 10:20 PM
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Default how about a nice 100 shot,

I like the header thing and cutting out the slits,what about a 100 shot,wet system?
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Old Apr 29, 2016 | 10:25 PM
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Just drop this in

Last edited by Crash594; Apr 29, 2016 at 10:25 PM.
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Old Apr 29, 2016 | 10:25 PM
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Your cat is very restrictive. More so than the exhaust manifold. Remove the cat for the track. If you pair the cat removal with headers, you have picked up some speed. Next would be under drive pulleys. Torque converter with a higher stall. Cutting out the fins on the air cleaner cover a no cost addition. That will probably take you close to your budget. If yu have money left....tires.
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Old Apr 29, 2016 | 10:30 PM
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Originally Posted by Crash594
Mine picks the air from a different location than factory. Basically part of it cuts a hole where the old filter Assy fits and it picks up air flow from there. The lower air dam directs air to this area for cooling. So not only am I getting cool air but the faster I go it also can act like a ram. This is the coa that Ecklers sells. I usually don't buy coa but it was on the car when I purchased it. Plus he listed a $2000 budget. Some items listed will cost more than that.
That is the theory but has anyone made it work where it gives anything substantial? My car is SD so we tried it with the cone air filter vs no filter and picked up a few HP, for instance. So at what point does this cold air setup with the ram effect really translate into something meaningful? IOW if we pick up 10HP from 50-100mph, great. If we pick up 20HP after 150mph, maybe not so meaningful.
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Old Apr 29, 2016 | 10:36 PM
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Good stuff, very helpful,I'll give an update in a couple days
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Old Apr 30, 2016 | 12:00 AM
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Heads n cam if it's the iron head half of 86
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To best first mod

Old Apr 30, 2016 | 12:55 AM
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A full exhaust/longtube headers was one of the best mods I ever did for my L98.

If you don't go the headers route then gears/rear end is attainable with that cash.

I agree that a cutlid mod is all you'll need, at best maybe a K&N if you're feeling feisty with the intake. The real intake mod to do would be a superram, stealthram, miniram or large base/large tube runners (porting always helps, even a stock intake).

Regardless of what mod you go with, I would venture to say sticky tires would need to be on the must have list.
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Old Apr 30, 2016 | 12:42 PM
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Originally Posted by ElisTwoCents
A full exhaust/longtube headers was one of the best mods I ever did for my L98.

If you don't go the headers route then gears/rear end is attainable with that cash.

I agree that a cutlid mod is all you'll need, at best maybe a K&N if you're feeling feisty with the intake. The real intake mod to do would be a superram, stealthram, miniram or large base/large tube runners (porting always helps, even a stock intake).

Regardless of what mod you go with, I would venture to say sticky tires would need to be on the must have list.
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Old Apr 30, 2016 | 02:18 PM
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I have taken my 86, bone stock, to the drags here at Brownsburg/Indianapolis. 1/4 mile. Its where the US Nationals are held. Your car will turn between 14.5 and 14.0 at around 97 mph or so. That's with the Alum heads, not sure about the iron headed ones but should be close. If you give any throttle and hold the brake at the start line, your gonna lose. Its just spins the tires to much, so take off is best at off idle. Sticky tires will help.. a lot. Put it in drive and leave it there., not overdrive. If you see the light turn green, you have already lost. Go to the strip, its a blast. Show us your time slips and pictures always are gladly seen.

Last edited by ghoastrider1; Apr 30, 2016 at 02:20 PM.
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