You could just spend 4K and just get it over with

https://www.ebay.com.au/itm/Chevy-Ve...IAAOSw0j9ZUn~~

 

And some of us like to save up for stuff that costs more at time of purchase BUT less in the long run. I can't pay $1000 for a set of headers so I buy a $500 set today. Tomorrow, I either have to put up with being hamstrung by the crap headers or put up $1000 to buy the headers I should have bought and hence spent $1500 plus the labor TWICE to install what I should have done. OTOH, I can keep that $500 and save up the other $500 and buy that $1000 set of headers.

I bought a set of TFS heads that were cheaper than the well known AFR. The QC sucked and the valves wobbled around, spring broke and I think you can guess what happened to the LPE (not budget) short block. So the money I saved going to TFS was cool. Too bad the new long block cost more than what I saved. Had I saved up money and bought the entire LPE long block or LPE Short block with AFR heads, maybe I wouldn't have the entire passenger side valves wobbling in the guides and having to install 2 motors and pay for 2 motors. Sometimes it is better to "do it once and not have to do it again, or at least, not for a long time".

 

Silly me. I thought the fun was driving the car and not trying to shoehorn something in.

 

I agree with aklim on this point.
I have a 1968 C3 that was originally a L71 Corvette and a 1988 C4 Coupe with the Dreaded L98. I took the Big block and built it up the way I wanted too (and could afford). The big block makes so much power that it is scary and is a handful to drive, the 1988 C4 makes just enough torque to make me happy.

A buddy of mine who has two spare LS3 engines in his garage offered me one to use in either of my Corvettes. I thanked him for the offer but said "No Thanks" to an LS3

I would not do that to either of my Corvettes as I personally like the way the cars work. There is something about starting up a High Compression engine that was cast way back in August of 1967 between my frame rails of an older Corvette. It belongs there, kind of like the L98 in my 1988 C4.

 

.****

 

So you Q...More Power out of my 85.

like asking a nun how can I get more....

ooff


STOP THE INSANITY.

Want seat of the pants feel. Go LS motored chevy.

Sell it and move on.

oh.......watch the democrats come out now....but but but....

 

Lol I'll probably just keep the c4 as a daily and get a c5......the c4 is actually pretty decent on gas for a V8

 

You dont need an ls swap to get 300hp

 

What rout would you go?

 

Buy an LS based car.

 

That's for sure.

Headers, exhaust intake and a mild cam would get you there.

 

Would I need different heads with the cam? What additional hardware is needed for a cam...

I'm wanting to do a lt1 intake....tube headers.....3in side pipes.......and comp com cam

 

I would prefer to put a 96 Corvette rear end but I have kinda built up my suspension around my current rear end

 

I think an LT1 intake, headers and exhaust alone would get you darn close to 300 hp. Cam should need any hardware; it's a roller cam. Just swap the cam under the stock lifters.

 

This is a great thread for me as I have an 86L which I have just purchased in May and am planning a very similar project.
I understand all of the logic behind not investing money in this car as a value standpoint, but this is my first project car and first corvette and it took me a long time to save for what I have and also saving more money to do some fun things to this car.

I have a couple questions that I am hoping some of you will help me with.

--What should I be looking for in a cam, I dont understand what the numbers mean etc. I am looking for something that will make the car sound more aggressive yet be very drivable while producing better hp.

--will these headers work as a bolt on? I am planning on illiminating the egr and maf sensors and re programming the computer ( need help here as well)
https://www.carid.com/hedman-hedders...8#applications

finally, I am planning on sending the heads and intake out to get ported, polished and matched. Can you tell me a pros vs cons vs cost on doing this vs purchasing Lt1 equipment.


Thanks in advance

 

Do you have someone who will tune this combination? Reason I ask is either you are getting something close to stock and might not be worth the effort to do or it might not work right. Ask the tuner first before you do a Frankenstein of this cam, that heads and the other intake and hame someone try to make it work together as a system

 

I do have someone who will help me along the way but I do want to ensure that I make the right decisions on my purchases so that everything will work together as good as possible.

 

Because not everyone wants to be the same. Not everyone wants to deal with the headaches of getting all the accessories working. I have seen a lot of LS swap threads get out of control and be $10-$12k into it... to do it right. If you just want a motor in there that runs it can be done cheaper. Also, an L98 looks better IMO. It is one of the coolest looking intake EVER!

Additionally, anywhere you go there will be someone who is faster. Personally, I love the pursuit, having projects, learning, and the therapy of spending time in my garage. I do not have a lift, an engine hoist, or the room to just be "swapping" motors. I like that my car (specifically my C4) looks stock, very stock.... but it has secrets. So does my L98 IROC.

I can't even remember the last time I raced someone on the street. At near 40 years old, I have pretty much learned better. I am certainly not interested in financing all the broken parts from drag racing on the weekends. With two kids and a house, I wouldn't have time if I wanted to. Not everyone is trying to build a race car. Some like what they wanted as a kid, some just want something fun to drive and tinker on, and some like sleepers. Lot's of reasons not to engine swap in general. If you can afford an LS Swap done right, you can afford a C5 or LS F-Body. That seems to be a better route to go IMO so when you have issues, you have shop manuals and people that can help you get them corrected. When you have swapped and LS, there starts to be so many questions about how it was done, what did you use, what functions did you bypass, who did the tune... etc.

I like LS cars, but I will never swap one into something else at this point. The cars they cam in are just too affordable now and the new LT crate motors are out pacing the LS's.

 

If he is doing the tuning part, then you are way ahead of the game. What did he recommend for intake, headers to go with the cam? What does he think it could make?