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Hey Guys, I just purchased my first C4 w/ 56k Milage on it, and I am not that educated on corvettes..... so I need all the help I can get! I want to basically make my C4 faster than what it is and Ive been doing a little reading here and there but the more information the better! I would love to put on atleast a good 50-100 HP.
I'd talk to Lloyd Elliot about a head/cam package or Advanced Induction. They both offer packages that will easily give you the power you're looking for. Lloyd at Elliotportworks will be a bit less expensive but they're both good choices.........and of course, a tune.
All it takes is cubic dollars. So how much money you got to spend? That determines if you can achieve your goals. I did the LPE intake and tri-Y exhaust on my 91 F body. After that, I went to Decatur and had John tune the car. So it does take some work.
Nothing!!!
leave the car alone.leave it stock, enjoy it like it is, you just got it. After you have driven the car a while and you feel the need for power, trade the stock vette for a newer vette.
This the best and cheapest advice you will get. In the long run Modding these cars ain't cheap and most time you spend to much time trying to get it running right or keeping it running right instead of enjoying it.
Nice car! Is it automatic? If so, you likely have 2.59 final drive, unless you have the "performance axle ratio" option, which is think is RPO option G44, & a 3.07.
If you the the 2.59, THE most cost effective mod would be a numerically higher gear ratio, I think you can get a 3.54 to fit your D36 rear end, which is what you have with 2.59s. If you're going for big power mods you may want to "upgrade" to a D44, it's been discussed quite a lot on this forum.
I'm not kidding, if you have 2.59s & switch to something like a 3.54 you'll feel like you picked up 80hp (although you'll lose a bit of mileage). Unless you really dig the mileage or just prefer to wrench on the engine, I would start with the gears.
Are you ready to spend the money to get your 50-100 horses? There are no quick and cheap solutions. As mentioned, long tube headers ($300-1600)are a good start. Then using the air in, air out theory, a different intake/plenum set up ($800 up). Cam ($200 up). A tune for all these mods can be expensive depending on how its done. Are you going to do all the work? If not, add bunches of money.
This has been out there for awhile now. Good starting point on questions modding an LT1 motor.
But before you dig really deep into your pocket, it's best to think not so much about how much HP you want, but rather where do you want the power? What role does this car play? Is it a weekend toy on the streets? Drag racer? Autocross? Road course? Daily driver? How you answer this question will determine how that money should be spent.
So many people these days get so caught up in the power numbers that they lose sight of the "total package". Sure, you build a 600Hp car that is capable of 220 mph, but is a total PIA to drive on the street, where you'd spend most of your time, what fun is that?
The LT1 Corvette is capable of top end speeds right at 170 mph. It can run low 13's in the 1320, and can autocross with the best of 'em. From the factory.
Finally this old addage, "Fast, Cheap, Reliable...pick any two"
Nothing!!!
leave the car alone.leave it stock, enjoy it like it is. After you have driven the car a while and IF you feel the need for power, trade for newer.
Not bad advice, really, but I understand the want to personalize the car. I was told the same, long ago, and kinda wished that I'd heeded it. then, I learned a lot; spent a lot, in these 30 years!
Smart money will see who knows there stuff on here, hence who to listen to, which takes patience, but saves MONEY and down time from the car.
That's one nice looking Vette. enjoy it!
Last edited by whalepirot; 02-17-2015 at 08:38 PM.
If you can do mods listen to what Bjankuski said IMO. If you feel you need more power than do it. If others are happy with stock and maintaining and washing good.
Either you have to open up the motor and change things or add power adders of some kind.
300hp these days is not enough to bareloy handle a grocery getter.
Hey Guys, I just purchased my first C4 w/ 56k Milage on it, and I am not that educated on corvettes..... so I need all the help I can get! I want to basically make my C4 faster than what it is and Ive been doing a little reading here and there but the more information the better! I would love to put on atleast a good 50-100 HP.
02-15-2015, 06:54 PM
What will give my C4 more Horsepower?
