Mods for a 86?
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Joined: Oct 2003
Posts: 73
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From: NJ
Mods for a 86?
Is there any faqs or links anywhere of the most popular mods or best bang for the buck mods for the C4s that you could point me to? I want to know my options for heads intake etc.. im totally new to the corvette world and the bowtie world. :hat
Thanks for the help
Thanks for the help
Team Owner
Joined: Dec 2000
Posts: 90,675
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From: SE NY
Cruise-In II Veteran
Re: Mods for a 86? (Boostedpimp)
Welcome to the Forum and congrats on your new Vette.
NA you can expect to get near 400chp from your SBC; over 400chp if you stroke it to say 383. Here are some areas to consider makig mods.
You have a flat tappet cam so a stronger flat tappet with 1.6:1 RRs is the easiest mod in that area.
If you have Al heads you can gain some nice HP by porting and working them; or you can install after market heads.
FL headers, hi flow cat and cat back will realy wake up your Vette.
But, as mentioned, the first step to your destination is to define your goals. If you are going to wrench on your Vette you will need a GP Shop Manual for your year.
You can get an idea of what some standard mods will do for a late L98 by checking out the related page on my site.
NA you can expect to get near 400chp from your SBC; over 400chp if you stroke it to say 383. Here are some areas to consider makig mods.
You have a flat tappet cam so a stronger flat tappet with 1.6:1 RRs is the easiest mod in that area.
If you have Al heads you can gain some nice HP by porting and working them; or you can install after market heads.
FL headers, hi flow cat and cat back will realy wake up your Vette.
But, as mentioned, the first step to your destination is to define your goals. If you are going to wrench on your Vette you will need a GP Shop Manual for your year.
You can get an idea of what some standard mods will do for a late L98 by checking out the related page on my site.
Burning Brakes
Joined: Nov 2003
Posts: 844
Likes: 0
From: Cape Cod Ma
Re: Mods for a 86? (vader86)
It wouldn't hert to buy the TPIS mods handbook. At http://www.tpis.com It gives a good description of what the L98 350 engine likes for an hosepower increase.
6th Gear
Joined: Jan 2004
Posts: 6
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From: Lemoore CA
Re: Mods for a 86? (1990CORVETTE)
I just had the muffler elms installed. Rather than ordering the kit from Mid Am. I had the local muffler shop make them. It was about the same price less shipping, and I didn't have to do any work. Sounds good. I will get a picture of the results if you want. :steering:
Team Owner
Joined: Sep 2001
Posts: 62,141
Likes: 1,729
From: Athens AL
C7 of the Year - Unmodified Finalist 2021
C4 of Year Finalist (performance mods) 2019
Re: Mods for a 86? (Boostedpimp)
Thanks for the replys guys.. i'd like to be making about 380hp because it neeeds to be some what reliable.
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Thread Starter
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Joined: Oct 2003
Posts: 73
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From: NJ
Re: Mods for a 86? (vader86)
nope not really as I own two other money pits, the vette is the most reliable right now besides the damn headlights not going down but anyway I'd like to take the cheeper route if possible but not so cheap where it's cheesy or bad taste. im a car person so the mods have to be clean looking and have some kinda results when handling my friends in there buicks :p:
thanks
thanks
Thread Starter
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Joined: Oct 2003
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From: NJ
Re: Mods for a 86? (65Z01)
Nice site alot of useful little tricks thanks and about your stroking idea, well I want it to be totally reliable like it is now becaue my syclone and mustang tend to be money pits and see lot of use ;) so I'd like not to open the engine up but maybe find some headers that aren't as much as I paid for the car and some heads that are better then the cheesy oval ports on there now :banghead: but im on a tight budget so well see but thanks for your ideas.
Team Owner
Joined: Sep 2001
Posts: 62,141
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From: Athens AL
C7 of the Year - Unmodified Finalist 2021
C4 of Year Finalist (performance mods) 2019
Re: Mods for a 86? (Boostedpimp)
muffler elims are just straight pipes
You havent given me any idea of what you want to spend though. How much you can do yourself and such. The characteristics of the motor you want?
There are basically 3 routes, the modded TPI of Vic89 or Joe90, the Superram, and the Miniram.
Miniram is going to change the characteristics of the engine, it will be a top end rpm machine because of the short runner length. You would then need more rear gear and this really should only go with a manual transmission.
Superram has the same characteristics as the TPI on the low-end but with better midrange and much better top end.
Modded TPI is just that, bigger runners/ported plenum/bigger base.
You do have to do intake work to get that power goal, no way around it.
Hooker headers should be your first mod, then new heads, because the heads on 86 wont get you this power goal.
You havent given me any idea of what you want to spend though. How much you can do yourself and such. The characteristics of the motor you want?
There are basically 3 routes, the modded TPI of Vic89 or Joe90, the Superram, and the Miniram.
Miniram is going to change the characteristics of the engine, it will be a top end rpm machine because of the short runner length. You would then need more rear gear and this really should only go with a manual transmission.
Superram has the same characteristics as the TPI on the low-end but with better midrange and much better top end.
Modded TPI is just that, bigger runners/ported plenum/bigger base.
You do have to do intake work to get that power goal, no way around it.
Hooker headers should be your first mod, then new heads, because the heads on 86 wont get you this power goal.
Le Mans Master
Joined: Jan 2003
Posts: 5,858
Likes: 7
From: Santa Maria CA
Re: Mods for a 86? (Boostedpimp)
I think this is what you are looking for. This should get you started on the right path.:thumbs:
1.) http://www.corvettefever.com/techarticles/18459/
2.) http://www.corvettemagazine.com/1999.../l98/l98p1.asp
3.) http://www.corvettemagazine.com/2000...ldup/l98p1.asp
4.) http://www.corvettefever.com/techarticles/9156/
5.) http://www.corvettemagazine.com/2002...formance-1.ASP
[Modified by 86PACER, 9:30 AM 2/7/2004]
1.) http://www.corvettefever.com/techarticles/18459/
2.) http://www.corvettemagazine.com/1999.../l98/l98p1.asp
3.) http://www.corvettemagazine.com/2000...ldup/l98p1.asp
4.) http://www.corvettefever.com/techarticles/9156/
5.) http://www.corvettemagazine.com/2002...formance-1.ASP
[Modified by 86PACER, 9:30 AM 2/7/2004]
Burning Brakes
Joined: Jun 2003
Posts: 1,229
Likes: 1
Re: Mods for a 86? (86PACER)
Its all about money
But I'm doing my exhaust this summer I've heart that starting with the exhaust is the best place, then you car start thinking about the engine intake/heads/Cam.
There is also the option of changing gears in the differencial.
Theres lots of stuff you can do, but like I said, you need lots of money
But I'm doing my exhaust this summer I've heart that starting with the exhaust is the best place, then you car start thinking about the engine intake/heads/Cam.
There is also the option of changing gears in the differencial.
Theres lots of stuff you can do, but like I said, you need lots of money
Thread Starter
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Joined: Oct 2003
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From: NJ
Re: Mods for a 86? (TheStef)
Sweeet thanks guys you have answered all my questions.. i'll be ripping my intake out and porting that and saving up for some headers and mass air meter. I do just about all my own work unless I don't have the tools or knowledge so these mods are with in my range of skill. I've done all my own mods to my mustang and to my syclone but yah thanks again everyone for all the help. :steering:
Le Mans Master
Joined: Oct 2003
Posts: 6,130
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From: seattle WA
Re: Mods for a 86? (Boostedpimp)
Welcome! :cheers: great decision to join! lots of vette brains here. :) Before I did anything I would check compression-if you haven't :rolleyes: make sure my heart was in good condition. And if it was, I think the first move should be headers, the better it breathes, the better it goes. Heads can be a bit pricy, some of the bolt on stuff is relatively inexpensive though. :seeya
