c4 Performance
Thread Starter
1st Gear
Joined: Mar 2024
Posts: 1
Likes: 0
c4 Performance
I have a 1989 Corvette 5.7 350 TPI V8
Modifications done to it
- Long Tube Hedman Headers
- Dual Straight Piped (Mufflers On)
- Cat Delete
I Was Curious to what other Performance parts you guys would recommend?
Thinking of doing
- Big Cam
- Cold Air Intake
- Chip Tune
Do You Guys Have Any Recommended Big Cam Specs For The Modifications I Have? Including the Cam/lifter/spring specs.
Modifications done to it
- Long Tube Hedman Headers
- Dual Straight Piped (Mufflers On)
- Cat Delete
I Was Curious to what other Performance parts you guys would recommend?
Thinking of doing
- Big Cam
- Cold Air Intake
- Chip Tune
Do You Guys Have Any Recommended Big Cam Specs For The Modifications I Have? Including the Cam/lifter/spring specs.
Instructor
Joined: Mar 2021
Posts: 169
Likes: 25
2400 to 2800 torque converter with a shift kit and cooler would be the biggest bang for the buck if you are automatic and it's in good condition. After that maybe a First TPI intake and a governor kit for the increased powerband and shift points. 1.6 rockers and nice valve springs. Could be low 13s to high 12s with good street manners. Plenty fast for a street car and still look stock. Suspension mods and tires will help put the power down. It's a $lippery $lope once your bit by the mod bug.
Race Director
Joined: Nov 2003
Posts: 12,220
Likes: 446
From: Overland Park Kansas
2020 Corvette of the Year Finalist (appearance mods)
C4 of Year Winner (appearance mods) 2019
Of course, if the OP is going to "crack" the engine to install a cam, there are a few intakes that will generate more power.. Superram, FFI (aka FIRST), Edelbrock, large-mouth TPI (AS&M), etc...
If someone still ports alum "113" heads, you could consider that, OR either of the (3) AFR 23-deg SBC head options: 180cc Eliminator, 195cc Eliminator, & 195cc Enforcer. ***
The Enforcer is "as-cast" and is cheaper.
Melting Slicks
Joined: Jul 2005
Posts: 2,151
Likes: 299
Since I think the '89's already had the "ZZ4 heads", I guess what I would do (in this order, at least based on my preferences for how much I'd want to tear into things)...
Updated intake and 1.6 rockers
2500 rpm converter
If more is wanted...
Heads and cam at the same time. For good street manners I'd probably stay below 220@.050. But that's my preference. Heads around the size of AFR 180cc.
Updated intake and 1.6 rockers
2500 rpm converter
If more is wanted...
Heads and cam at the same time. For good street manners I'd probably stay below 220@.050. But that's my preference. Heads around the size of AFR 180cc.
Corvette Stories
The Best of Corvette for Corvette Enthusiasts
2027 Corvette vs The World: Every Model vs Closest Competitor
Joe Kucinski
10 Most Common Corvette Problems of the Last 20 Years!
Joe Kucinski
5 MOST and 5 LEAST Popular Corvette Model Years in History!
Joe Kucinski
2027 Corvette Buyer's Guide: Everything You Need to Know!
Joe Kucinski
10 Things C8 Corvette Owners Hate (But Won't Tell You)
Joe Kucinski
10 Best Corvettes Coming to Barrett-Jackson Palm Beach 2026!
Brett Foote
Every Corvette Grand Sport Explained! (C2, C4, C6, C7, & C8)
Joe Kucinski
Grand Sport & Grand Sport X Launch Alongside All-New 535hp LS6 V8!
Michael S. Palmer
5 Reasons Bad Drivers Crash & 5 Ways to Avoid a Costly Mistake!
Joe Kucinski
Racer
Joined: Sep 2001
Posts: 363
Likes: 93
From: Chesterfield VA
I will comment on your Chip tune. I love C4's but you are about 25 years late on that one. For one not many can or will calibrate a car with a prom chip anymore. When you start building your own setup, that car really needs to be on a dyno to get the correct calibration for the prom and it is very time consuming to those that can do it. Time is money so for you it will also be expensive. My recommendation is to replace the ECM, you can use the Dynamic EFI programmable ECM. You will have to do some wiring harness changes but it is not difficult. It will also plug in directly to your wiring harness and you can use a wideband on it. It is programmable and it will also build your calibration file for you using feedback from the wide band. If you go with this you can pretty much build what you want and it will be much cheaper than a Holley ECU. I had them when I was at Zip, not sure if they still sell them but I would give them a call. If they don't have one in stock, just google Dynamic EFI