Performance Mods For a 1986 C4
Thread Starter
2nd Gear
Joined: Sep 2020
Posts: 2
Likes: 0
From: San Diego, CA
Performance Mods For a 1986 C4
Hey all,
This post is mainly for a buddy of mine. I drive a C6, but my buddy recently purchased an 86 C4. Loves it so far, but he knows he wants to start modding it but doesn't really have an idea where to start. I told him that from my understanding the biggest hinder for the L98 is airflow, so I recommend a new intake, headers and exhaust. Anyone have any recommendations for those parts? I'm just not familiar enough with C4s to properly point him in the right direction.
Further down the line I'm sure he will also want to do more serious engine mods - comp cam, intake manifold, stuff like that. Again, any recommendations for things like that?
Much appreciated
This post is mainly for a buddy of mine. I drive a C6, but my buddy recently purchased an 86 C4. Loves it so far, but he knows he wants to start modding it but doesn't really have an idea where to start. I told him that from my understanding the biggest hinder for the L98 is airflow, so I recommend a new intake, headers and exhaust. Anyone have any recommendations for those parts? I'm just not familiar enough with C4s to properly point him in the right direction.
Further down the line I'm sure he will also want to do more serious engine mods - comp cam, intake manifold, stuff like that. Again, any recommendations for things like that?
Much appreciated
Team Owner
Joined: Sep 2001
Posts: 62,122
Likes: 1,725
From: Athens AL
C7 of the Year - Unmodified Finalist 2021
C4 of Year Finalist (performance mods) 2019
Budget? How much can he do? What are the goals for the car? Too much unknown here.
Yes starting with headers, new cat, exhaust is the best way to start out. What he can do with CARB is another issue though.
Yes starting with headers, new cat, exhaust is the best way to start out. What he can do with CARB is another issue though.
Drifting
Joined: Dec 2000
Posts: 1,785
Likes: 91
From: Leander TX
If in CA, move first as anything we suggest that is worth anything wont be legal there. Then do as Vader86 said.
The biggest bang for the buck I did on my 85 was TPIS headers. It really opened things up and at least made the car feel like it was happier. Next would be superram (SR) or miniram (MR) depending on how he plans on driving the car. IMHO, skip the high flow base, larger runners and ported plenum and either keep the L98 stock or go with the SR or MR. I had an Edelbrock base (port matched to the runners), SLP runners (siamesed and port matched to plenum) and ported plenum for about 5 years before going MR. I did notice a minor improvement but for the cost it really wasn't worth it.
The biggest bang for the buck I did on my 85 was TPIS headers. It really opened things up and at least made the car feel like it was happier. Next would be superram (SR) or miniram (MR) depending on how he plans on driving the car. IMHO, skip the high flow base, larger runners and ported plenum and either keep the L98 stock or go with the SR or MR. I had an Edelbrock base (port matched to the runners), SLP runners (siamesed and port matched to plenum) and ported plenum for about 5 years before going MR. I did notice a minor improvement but for the cost it really wasn't worth it.
Racer
Joined: Nov 2015
Posts: 376
Likes: 102
I had before a standard -86 Automatic with TPI engine, stock bottom:
-2,5" exhaust with X-pipe
-Hedman coated header
-ported intake, SLP runners and plenium
-33lb EV14 injectors
-stock Corvette 113# aluminum heads
-1.6 rockers
-Comp Cam mild cam
-K&N Air filter in a modified air filter housing.
-custom chip with Tuner Pro
330hp crank
Now I have the same parts as above but besides these:
-meth/water injection
-Aeromotive high flow pump
-Procharger P600B
-customer chip with Tuner Pro
403hp crank
Next, I will build a completely new engine...
-2,5" exhaust with X-pipe
-Hedman coated header
-ported intake, SLP runners and plenium
-33lb EV14 injectors
-stock Corvette 113# aluminum heads
-1.6 rockers
-Comp Cam mild cam
-K&N Air filter in a modified air filter housing.
-custom chip with Tuner Pro
330hp crank
Now I have the same parts as above but besides these:
-meth/water injection
-Aeromotive high flow pump
-Procharger P600B
-customer chip with Tuner Pro
403hp crank
Next, I will build a completely new engine...
