What mods should I look into?
Thread Starter
Drifting
Joined: May 2004
Posts: 1,747
Likes: 1
From: Port McNicoll Ontario
What mods should I look into?
I have been reading a lot of the posts and advice and am quite impressed with the knowledge available.
I have been tossing around the idea of tweaking my car a little so I thought I would ask the experts. What should I do to get better performance and what order should I do it in.
So you don't need to look it up I have an 87 vert.
I will never race it or take it to the track. It will be purely a toy, a second car for sunny days in the summer only. I don't want to spend the money on completely rebuilding the engine until I need to and will not be doing the work myself.
Also I live in Central Ontario so If anyone knows a good parts source and corvette mechanic in my neck of the woods I would appreciate that too.
Thanks in advance.
I have been tossing around the idea of tweaking my car a little so I thought I would ask the experts. What should I do to get better performance and what order should I do it in.
So you don't need to look it up I have an 87 vert.
I will never race it or take it to the track. It will be purely a toy, a second car for sunny days in the summer only. I don't want to spend the money on completely rebuilding the engine until I need to and will not be doing the work myself.
Also I live in Central Ontario so If anyone knows a good parts source and corvette mechanic in my neck of the woods I would appreciate that too.
Thanks in advance.
Team Owner
Joined: Sep 2001
Posts: 62,160
Likes: 1,733
From: Athens AL
C7 of the Year - Unmodified Finalist 2021
C4 of Year Finalist (performance mods) 2019
How much horsepower/torque do you want?
What engine characteristics would you like to improve (top end, midrange, sound)
Whats your budget.
What engine characteristics would you like to improve (top end, midrange, sound)
Whats your budget.
Thread Starter
Drifting
Joined: May 2004
Posts: 1,747
Likes: 1
From: Port McNicoll Ontario
Good Questions.
How much horsepower?
Not sure what my options are but 300 might be good for now, I think stock is around 240.
As far as budget goes I was thinking a couple of thousand tops for now. Not looking to spend it all at once either. Don't want to close the door for future options.
Engine characteristics...I would say mid range, I don't think I would feel the top end difference very often. Sound is appealing but I think it sounds good now. I would play with the sound if it helped the performance plus sounds better at the same time. I just wouldn't want to spend on exhaust to do other engine mods and find out that I need to change the exhaust again.
I see a lot of posts from people who are changing their exhaust again or selling one that they never installed because they changed their mind about something.
I also forgot to mention the mileage. I'm sitting at 145 000 KM or 85 to 90 000 Miles.
Thanks
How much horsepower?
Not sure what my options are but 300 might be good for now, I think stock is around 240.
As far as budget goes I was thinking a couple of thousand tops for now. Not looking to spend it all at once either. Don't want to close the door for future options.
Engine characteristics...I would say mid range, I don't think I would feel the top end difference very often. Sound is appealing but I think it sounds good now. I would play with the sound if it helped the performance plus sounds better at the same time. I just wouldn't want to spend on exhaust to do other engine mods and find out that I need to change the exhaust again.
I see a lot of posts from people who are changing their exhaust again or selling one that they never installed because they changed their mind about something.
I also forgot to mention the mileage. I'm sitting at 145 000 KM or 85 to 90 000 Miles.
Thanks
Thread Starter
Drifting
Joined: May 2004
Posts: 1,747
Likes: 1
From: Port McNicoll Ontario
Someone must have something to add here.
Is it the Canadian flag, is my budget too low, should this post be in the General Discussion?
I want to start doing things to my car. One thing at a time so I can see the difference at each step. I'm hoping for advice on what order to do things in and what to do.
Thanks
Is it the Canadian flag, is my budget too low, should this post be in the General Discussion?
I want to start doing things to my car. One thing at a time so I can see the difference at each step. I'm hoping for advice on what order to do things in and what to do.
Thanks
Race Director
Joined: Sep 2003
Posts: 16,838
Likes: 341
From: Database Error Indiana
Its not the flag. You just need to be a bit more specific with your goals. These guys can get me to spend cash way faster than I can make it. Dont be in a rush. That car runs strong as is. Keep in mind you need a plan. What you said about doing things twice is correct. If you are doing exhaust, and think you want more mods later pick out headers and a catback that will compliment intake mods later. Some of these guys are very sharp and willing to help out. You really need to tell them what you are after. 
Team Owner
Joined: Sep 2001
Posts: 62,160
Likes: 1,733
From: Athens AL
C7 of the Year - Unmodified Finalist 2021
C4 of Year Finalist (performance mods) 2019
Chill, its the weekend. Id refer you run a search but the search isnt working well now. You could run a search for Vic'89, you might want to look into his mods.
The 'free' mods are just that, cutting a huge hole in the airbox lid to expose the whole air filter, removing the MAF sensor and cutting out its screens, and bypassing the coolant from the Throttle Body. Its a minimal help, but it is help.
To get about 300 at the crank, you really only need porting and exhaust work. To get further, you'll need more serious mods and a plan to go about doing them.
For now, I would suggest Hooker 2149 headers and whatever new catback exhaust you like (only difference in them is sound). Then you should remove the plenum and fully port it. Add some larger AS&M runners and fully port the base and you should be very close to 300.
You could get more by going to a cam like the ZZ9 or the Accel 211, and having the heads worked over in conjunction. (or just buy new heads, or used heads from the 88-91 vette). A custom chip is not necessary until after changing the cam.
Anything significantly further would really require a Superram, better heads, and bigger cam.
The 'free' mods are just that, cutting a huge hole in the airbox lid to expose the whole air filter, removing the MAF sensor and cutting out its screens, and bypassing the coolant from the Throttle Body. Its a minimal help, but it is help.
To get about 300 at the crank, you really only need porting and exhaust work. To get further, you'll need more serious mods and a plan to go about doing them.
For now, I would suggest Hooker 2149 headers and whatever new catback exhaust you like (only difference in them is sound). Then you should remove the plenum and fully port it. Add some larger AS&M runners and fully port the base and you should be very close to 300.
You could get more by going to a cam like the ZZ9 or the Accel 211, and having the heads worked over in conjunction. (or just buy new heads, or used heads from the 88-91 vette). A custom chip is not necessary until after changing the cam.
Anything significantly further would really require a Superram, better heads, and bigger cam.
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Thread Starter
Drifting
Joined: May 2004
Posts: 1,747
Likes: 1
From: Port McNicoll Ontario
Thanks guys.
Spankyellow your points are appreciated and noted.
Vader thank you for taking the time to answer my question piece by piece.
Don't laugh but what's a plenum?
With the first set of mods you listed should I worry about my tranny keeping up?
Spankyellow your points are appreciated and noted.
Vader thank you for taking the time to answer my question piece by piece.
Don't laugh but what's a plenum?
With the first set of mods you listed should I worry about my tranny keeping up?
Team Owner
Joined: Sep 2001
Posts: 62,160
Likes: 1,733
From: Athens AL
C7 of the Year - Unmodified Finalist 2021
C4 of Year Finalist (performance mods) 2019
The tranny can handle this much.
If you follow your intake tract, its airbox, MAF sensor, accordian, Throttle Body, Plenum, with the runners attaching the plenum to the base.
In other words, that big long thing on top of the motor.
If you follow your intake tract, its airbox, MAF sensor, accordian, Throttle Body, Plenum, with the runners attaching the plenum to the base.
In other words, that big long thing on top of the motor.
Team Owner
Joined: Sep 2001
Posts: 62,160
Likes: 1,733
From: Athens AL
C7 of the Year - Unmodified Finalist 2021
C4 of Year Finalist (performance mods) 2019
crank hp is the output of the motor by itself, before power is lost to the tranny and rear
87 is rated at 240-245 depending on options, that number is a crank net number
about 17% of it is lost to the automatic transmission, 15-16% for manuals
87 is rated at 240-245 depending on options, that number is a crank net number
about 17% of it is lost to the automatic transmission, 15-16% for manuals
Advanced
Joined: Jun 2004
Posts: 81
Likes: 0
From: Manchester CT
Got a question.? I too have an 87 but have the 4 speed. I saw on another post that there is not really that much to be gained by installing headers! Whos correct? I have already done all of the free mods except porting.
Team Owner
Joined: Sep 2001
Posts: 62,160
Likes: 1,733
From: Athens AL
C7 of the Year - Unmodified Finalist 2021
C4 of Year Finalist (performance mods) 2019
I dont know who told you that there is nothing to be gained, thats incorrect.
Its usually about 15hp or thereabouts, on an otherwise stock L98. Too many dynos and track results show the improvement
Its usually about 15hp or thereabouts, on an otherwise stock L98. Too many dynos and track results show the improvement
Melting Slicks
Joined: Oct 2000
Posts: 3,426
Likes: 4
From: Heidelberg PA
Cruise-In V Veteran
Sorry - bypassed thread
Originally Posted by 87 rag
Someone must have something to add here.
Is it the Canadian flag, is my budget too low, should this post be in the General Discussion?
I want to start doing things to my car. One thing at a time so I can see the difference at each step. I'm hoping for advice on what order to do things in and what to do.
Thanks
Is it the Canadian flag, is my budget too low, should this post be in the General Discussion?
I want to start doing things to my car. One thing at a time so I can see the difference at each step. I'm hoping for advice on what order to do things in and what to do.
Thanks
K&N air filter after cutting open your filter box
Throttle body coolant bypass ( article in tech I think)
Then here is what I did:
Superram intake and plenum
Installed headers
Just curious if you have the Aluminum heads. These are decent heads so they can be ported and freshoned up to go with the headers.
Other than porting my old steel heads I did the above and it woke the car up quite a bit. I currently have AFR195 heads, but I did the above before I dove into the engine.
Just my .02 cents.
Sorry to bypass previous post - this new software has me going
Last edited by 85vet; Jul 11, 2004 at 10:23 PM. Reason: Bypassed post
Thread Starter
Drifting
Joined: May 2004
Posts: 1,747
Likes: 1
From: Port McNicoll Ontario
Thanks for the tips.
I don't know off hand about the heads.
I ordered the K&N already.
Where can I get info on cutting open the air filter box?
What other work should I be prepared to do when I get headers installed? (2149s)
Is it a straight swap with some exhaust work to make them fit, or are there other things involved?
Thanks
I don't know off hand about the heads.
I ordered the K&N already.
Where can I get info on cutting open the air filter box?
What other work should I be prepared to do when I get headers installed? (2149s)
Is it a straight swap with some exhaust work to make them fit, or are there other things involved?
Thanks
Thread Starter
Drifting
Joined: May 2004
Posts: 1,747
Likes: 1
From: Port McNicoll Ontario
I removed the MAF sensor and cut out it's screens and the car will not run.
What do I need to do now. I can start the car with my foot on the gas but I let go and it stalls.
Help, Now what?
What do I need to do now. I can start the car with my foot on the gas but I let go and it stalls.
Help, Now what?
Melting Slicks
Joined: Oct 2000
Posts: 3,426
Likes: 4
From: Heidelberg PA
Cruise-In V Veteran
Don't know much about Maf - maybe someone else can tune in.
But the cutting of the airlid is under
other (menu above)
-------Tech tips
----------c4
it is listed.
But the cutting of the airlid is under
other (menu above)
-------Tech tips
----------c4
it is listed.
Last edited by 85vet; Jul 13, 2004 at 06:36 PM. Reason: spelling
Team Owner
Joined: Jun 2002
Posts: 21,510
Likes: 0
From: On a Wisconsin Death Trip
Look into converting your front brakes over to C5 brakes. Contact forum member Ed Salinas for adapters (forum name "edsalinas"). It's a nice step up from the stock brakes which are junk. Be aware, however, taht you will have to put 17-inch wheels on your car - the brakes won't fit inside the stock wheel. The 17s are another nice upgrade, however.
There are a few who will slam the C5 brake conversion, but it is well worth the money - dollar for dollar one of the best upgrades available IMO.
Just my $.02
There are a few who will slam the C5 brake conversion, but it is well worth the money - dollar for dollar one of the best upgrades available IMO.
Just my $.02