1984 corvette with LS6
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3rd Gear
Joined: Jun 2008
Posts: 3
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1984 corvette with LS6
I've just recently put a 2003 ZO6 motor into a 1984 corvette. Its got a lot of power but I would like to have more. Right now Im running a 4L60 tranny and the factory .308 rear gear, and I know those have got to go. I need some ideas about what I can add. Ive thought about a cam (what kind), stall (or 6 speed), etc. I would like to add a turbo but Im not gonna be able to find a kit that will be a direct bolt on for this set up, plus thats gonna be pretty expensive. Need some opinions. Thanks.
Tech Contributor
Joined: Dec 1999
Posts: 32,910
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From: Anthony TX
CI 6,7,8,9,11 Vet
St. Jude Donor '08
I have an 02 ZO6 and I just did an engine up-grade. Patriot performance Stage II heads, ENGLANDGREEN whiplash cam, Fast 90/ 90 mm TB, headers, 3" stainless works exhaust, cold air intake, 25% under drive damper and a good tune. It dynoed at 450 RWHP and 400 ft/lbs of TQ.
The Clutch is NOT happy at all and slips at anything greater than 400 ft/lbs straight across the RPM band! So,,,I'm VERY sure there is a LOT more in her than it was able to do on the dyno with a bad clutch!
If you want stock driveability and lots more HP,,,add a supercharger with the current engine set up! That will put you close to 600 HP.
I use to own an 85 and it was basically stock. I really don't know what weak links there are in the drive train. It would be very wise to address those too!
Were you able to run duel exhaust or did you have to funnel the exhaust through that single cat and single mid pipe???
Thats a limiting factor. At least get 3" pipe set up if you have to keep that single pipe.
The Clutch is NOT happy at all and slips at anything greater than 400 ft/lbs straight across the RPM band! So,,,I'm VERY sure there is a LOT more in her than it was able to do on the dyno with a bad clutch!
If you want stock driveability and lots more HP,,,add a supercharger with the current engine set up! That will put you close to 600 HP.
I use to own an 85 and it was basically stock. I really don't know what weak links there are in the drive train. It would be very wise to address those too!
Were you able to run duel exhaust or did you have to funnel the exhaust through that single cat and single mid pipe???
Thats a limiting factor. At least get 3" pipe set up if you have to keep that single pipe.
Melting Slicks
Joined: Oct 2007
Posts: 2,464
Likes: 2
From: Cedarburg, WI
I agree with Bill and that must have been quite a project so far! I have an 84 sitting in my shed that I was baffled about what to do regarding the engine performance. Just never got the chance to complete that part of the project...interior and suspension was as far as I got!
Supporting Tuner
Joined: Sep 2004
Posts: 51,896
Likes: 39
From: ================== Houston, Texas www.englandgreen.com ================== Necessary Evil™ __________
CI 6-7-8-9-10 Veteran
St. Jude Donor '05-'06-'07-'08-'09-'10-'11-'12-'13-'14
Heads/cam is your best option. Any Forced Induction system will not fit your application and you will spend a LOT of time and money making one fit.
Headers will be a bit of a headache as well as they are designed to clear the C5/C6 - and there might be things in the way on a C4.
Give us a call if you want a quote on a heads/cam package.
Good luck.
Stephen
281 464 2800
Headers will be a bit of a headache as well as they are designed to clear the C5/C6 - and there might be things in the way on a C4.
Give us a call if you want a quote on a heads/cam package.
Good luck.
Stephen
281 464 2800
Supporting Tuner
Joined: Sep 2004
Posts: 51,896
Likes: 39
From: ================== Houston, Texas www.englandgreen.com ================== Necessary Evil™ __________
CI 6-7-8-9-10 Veteran
St. Jude Donor '05-'06-'07-'08-'09-'10-'11-'12-'13-'14
I should add that I have sold several cams to a hot rod club in Finland that are retrofitting LS3's into their hot rods.
They went with my Whiplash cam - and in that light car, they told me they felt like they were taking off when the cam came into powerband!!!!
Good luck
They went with my Whiplash cam - and in that light car, they told me they felt like they were taking off when the cam came into powerband!!!!
Good luck
Race Director
Joined: Dec 2000
Posts: 19,304
Likes: 85
From: San Diego CA
I recall in the late 80s reading about Lingenfelter's C4 power upgrades. He almost exclusively extracted large power gains by reworking the heads and the block with CNC machines. His creations were super-strong AND durable. You might want to give them a call to see what advice they can give you. They sure do have a TON of experience with C4s and C5 LS engines.
