PM5K1959

I have a 1980 Vette with a 350mtr 4sp. The motor is a fresh rebuild and runs great. Last weekend, after a lot of peer-pressure I ran it against my buddies Camaro 305. My vette stayed infront but I could still see him in the driver side window. COME ON......... this is a Vette I should have seen him in the rear view mirror. From what I understand is the 80's vette went through a lot of emission controls so my 350 is only putting out 290hp. A buddy of mine says "Just put in a GM 350 400hp hot motor, it will still smog" My question is: Does GM put out a "hot motor"?? I live in calif, if i put one in would it still smog??

thanks a lot
Derek

PM5K1959

OK, Just thought of something else... IF not a GM hot motor what kind of mods can I do to the engine to bring up the HP but still be able to smog it. (stroker kits, bigger bore, etc...????)

faster69

it must suck living where you can't be free to build ungodly h.p. and then drive it :lol:

Ganey

No problem to increase power of your fresh engine. Comp Cams 268H is legal, XE262 is similar w/ more ex. duration. Dynomax coated headers or Hedman headers w/ air pump. Performer or Weiand intake.

:cool:

fauxrs

Well If you are already making 290 hp then you are doing quite well for a 1980 which was rated at 190 hp (L-48), 230 hp (L-82) & 180 hp (California) What was done in your rebuild? Did you do it yourself or have it done for you? what cam? intake? exhaust? etc....

The cam that Ganey mentions is a very good cam and with his modifications you should be making in the vicinity of about 310-330 hp.

There are a ton of people here who can help you squezze the most out of your motor without expending thousands of dollars on a crate motor.

Chevrolets 'Fast Burn 385' is about as close to 400 hp as their small block crates go - although there was a ZZ430 I think (its not shown on anyones web pages anymore) This is basicly a ZZ4 with fast burn heads. If you add the 'Hotcam' you can get 430 hp. The base ZZ4 makes 355 hp and costs ~$3395 - if you are making a real 290 hp now, this isnt much of an investment.

If the rebuild was factory then your power is much lower than you might think, if not then I would consider a really comprehensive tune to eek the most power out of it as possible.

I used to own a 305 camaro and they are not much to write home about, so I can understand your frustration.

As far as smoglegality goes - there is no such thing as a smog legal crate motor from Chevrolet...that however is a technical issue, there are those on the forum who have smogged their cars with ZZ4's installed, although it could be a close affair. Provided it looks like all the equipment is there and you have a nearly new catalytic convertor you should pass.


[Modified by fauxrs, 7:10 AM 2/22/2002]

MotorHead

Just remember unless you are really pushing a lot of HP just about any car willing to race U will be in your side mirror.

If you see an 305 in your windshield then it's time start worrying :D

PM5K1959

I think the motor was just rebuilt all stock.

Thanks for all the help guys.

What I have gathered so far is I can take the belt off the AC and put on a nice intake but other than that I'M stuck If I still have to smog it?

terryrudy

Not true. I got the following:
Hedman 68301 smog headers
true 2.5" dual exhaust (dual cats coming soon) :)
comp cams 268h cam
edelbrock intake
stock carb
trick flow 23 deg aluminum heads (not installed yet)
and mine really cooks and is smog legal. Igot 3.55 gears (stock) which make a good difference too. Even wehn I get the high flow cats on, I shouldn't suffer too much power loss I expect.
good luck
-terry

Steve Grodin

If you have had your '77 smog checked with the true duel exhaust you were lucky. The tech either wasn't paying attention or didn't care because '77's did not have true duel exhausts and the duel cats will not make it legal.