1980 Performance Mods

[VetteManiac]

Well I decided not to do anything right now. My dad thinks I should probably just get a new motor, rather than modifying the one I have. But thanks for all your help and info guys!

 

[MoeJr]

If you get a new motor make sure you keep the original one so the car can still be matching numbers should u sell it. Worth more that way.

 

[VetteManiac]

Well, my numbers don't match now. I have the 1980 camaro z28 motor in my car.

 

[MoeJr]

Oh ok. Didn't realize the motor in your car is non matching numbers. have you thought of a crate motor for the car? Chevy sells a 350/330HP Crate motor for about 2k and they go real good. my friend has one in his Malibu and it runs like a scalded dog.

 

[Stallion]

So crate motors aren't really model spefic? Just size and hp and some other specs to specify? Nothing "usually" found in a Vette?

Thanks!

TR

 

[page62]

No. Chevy 350 long blocks (i.e., entire engines) are basically interchangable from year-to-year, except for the late-model LT1/LS1 etc.

It's what's inside them that makes each one different. For example, the L48 and L82s used radically different pistons, crankshaft, and so on.

A crate motor is a brand-new motor. Pull out your tired old motor and drop in a factory-fresh genuine GM engine, using up-to-date technology (like Vortec heads)...complete with warranty!

 

[Stallion]

I see. But when you do this, you sacrafice the originality of the Vette. Hmm...a decision.

TR

 

[VetteManiac]

Yeah, it is a decision, but you can hold on to the old motor, if you want. The originality of my car has already been sacrificed, so I don't have much to worry about. About that motor for 2k, do you know of any cheaper ones? I don't have much money, and I think I'm gonna be spending some money to get a new paint job on my car.

 

[MoeJr]

There are cheaper crate motors. You can go to Pep Boys and get a 350 for 799.00 but you won't be happy with it as it is basically no more powerful than what ya got and their build quality isn't that great.

 

[VetteManiac]

Do you know of any websites that sell them? such as one that sells that chevy motor?

 

[page62]

www.sdpc2000.com

 

[BigBrakeFuelie]

www.salleechevrolet.com

 

[mmvette80]

Maniac, what did you decide on with the engine? Did you change the head and cam? Or did you go with the paint?

 

[VetteManiac]

I haven't done anything yet. We've been working on all of the other little problems with the car.

 

[Stallion]

I haven't done anything yet. We've been working on all of the other little problems with the car.

Like what? What have you been working on with the Vette? Just curious...

TR

 

[VetteManiac]

Well, I've been having brake problems for a while. We've replaced 3 of the calipers so far. We also got my windshield wipers to work, they haven't worked since I got the car. I also had a problem with anti-freeze leaking out of the car. We fixed my exhaust pipes because we had exhaust leaking out before it got to the mufflers. We still have quite a few things to fix such as: my dome light doesn't work, my locks don't work (the power locks and the regular locks), my speedometer and tachometer don't light up, my emergency brake doesn't work, my a/c doesnt work, and my rear defogger doesn't work. There are probably more things to fix, but I can't think of them right now. For Christmas I got a spinner kit for the wheels, they look nice when the car is sitting, I haven't seen them when it is moving. I have a collector's front spoiler on the car, but it is grey where as the car is white, and also paint is scraped off the front bumper from where my brother hit my car. It takes a lot of work to have an older car.

 

[mmvette80]

I got my car at age 19, I can relate. I put over $10,000 into mine so far. Good luck, I feel for you.

 

[VetteManiac]

I wish I had that much money to put into my car.

 

[mmvette80]

I worked two jobs for it.

 

[silver 80]

your dome light not working , does it work when you turn the headlight switch all the way to one side?
If so then you probably have a bad timer it is located behind the glove compartment. i had that problem, lucky me my wife is geting her EE and she took it apart and tested it and then fixed it, I guess it's a simple circuit board with only a few componets. I had also bought a spare, if you find this is the problem shoot me a message and I'll try to find the spare and ship it to you, just ship me the old one.
tom