Cheap Horsepower??

[wholeshot]

I have 89 Coupe with L98, A4 perfect stock. 55000 Miles.
Please give advice for cheap horsepower.

Thanks
Randy

 

[surferdave]

Nothing is cheap with a corvette and you get what you pay for. Cheapest chip/catback exhaust/cold air induction filter system in that order. $350/$1000/$380 also in that order (approximately).

dave

 

[wholeshot]

Thanks Dave

I really didn't mean cheap, but best value. I could spend 2500 to 5000
Thanks
Randy

 

[WhalePirot]

No doubt, I 'd start with ceramic coated headers with a good exhaust behind it. A clean paper filter will flow about the same as the pricey oiled jobs. (read it on the forum)

Ensure the plugs/wires/cap/rotor are first-rate.

Rear gear change might be next, depending on what you intend for the car's use, and what is back there now.

Not all that sexy or popular, but no BS, either, and the most bang/buck.

 

[surferdave]

I'll just tell you what I did and list the prices, although some of the other guys might have some good ideas too; Vortech supercharger $3400, B&B Catback 3" exhaust $1000, 1 3/4" coated headers $580, Hi flow cats $550, BBK 52mm throttlebody $320, Grannatelli MAF $320, Accell 32lb injectors $320. I've heard the hot cam kit (cam and lifters and roller rockers from Pro comp is good $550 and sending your heads to Lingenfelder Performance $2000 is well worth the money.

dave

 

[Edmond]

You could probably spend $100 and have an exhaust shop pull those mufflers and weld straight pipes and some tips on there.

$2500-$5000 will get you a good amount of mods, especially if you're doing the work yourself.

 

[wholeshot]

Thanks

some work I can do. But I think

 

[wholeshot]

Thanks

Some work I can do. But I think pros can be huge asset.
I think header+exhaust first. Then injectors. Maybe chip and butterfly.
Any ideas
Thanks

Randy

 

[BigRed]

Exactly what I would and am doing...

Leave the motor alone....for now.

Yank the pollution crap (if able), Chip it, Work the exhaust (headers and long tubes out the rear), and call Procharger. www.procharger.com

Have fun!

 

[Edmond]

I would leave the injectors unless you're really going to big horsepower.

 

[WhalePirot]

pros can be huge asset. Then injectors. Maybe chip and butterfly.

Learn to search this forum for what works and what doesn't, which will save you money and aggravation. Injectors are sized for the power your engine puts out, which is metered, within limits, by the ECM. Too-big injectors just dump too much fuel with each pulse, which will ruin how the engine performs and may damage the oxygen sensor and CAT.

The 'butterfly' is said to be a waste of money. You won't need a bigger throttle body until you do quite a lot more to your engine, requiring more airflow. Too big a 'hole' slows the intake air velocity and may decrease low end power, while costing you hundreds of dollars.

The chip will do a little, but normally they only modify the full throttle settings and possible the fan 'ON' temperature. Your ECM will adjust for mods, up to a point, but it is only granted so much authority, by design, to change the fuel tables.

My best advice: Learn patiently, first; spend later. Be wary of any and all claims you read EVERYWHERE. These engines are sophisticated and larger never meant better, which is at least as true today as in the old days.

 

[1stC3Vette]

I have the same basic vehicle. I respect the cars existing performance and power. Unless you plan on keeping the car for a very long time, leave it alone. Potential buyers are detered by modified engines unless they know exactly what was done and who did it. Stock vehicles are what the new / avid buyer are looking for. Take the extra money you would spend on the vette and upgrade to a 95 / 96 or even a C5. Just my opinion.


Good luck.
Dino

 

[I_R_DA_ONE]

Randy
I am an investor and I have owned many Corvettes....Everyone that I bought that was modified in any way was difficult to sell....those that have little to no modifications and look nice sell very fast.... Just put some flowmasters on it and don't modify the engine....If need be, just give it a good tune up... Just my ole wisdom and my 3 cents worth
good luck
mike

 

[surferdave]

question

I have a question and would like your opinion. I have installed my B&B 3 inch exhaust, will soon install my hi flow cats and 1 3/4 inch headers. I have not installed my vortech supercharger yet. With what you wrote what would be the size of injector you recommend and would you change to a 53mm BBK throttlebody with this much air flowing? 1996 LT1. I am trying to plan ahead with much theory and little experience with this motor. (Have not bought injectors or throttlebody yet).
dave

Learn to search this forum for what works and what doesn't, which will save you money and aggravation. Injectors are sized for the power your engine puts out, which is metered, within limits, by the ECM. Too-big injectors just dump too much fuel with each pulse, which will ruin how the engine performs and may damage the oxygen sensor and CAT.

The 'butterfly' is said to be a waste of money. You won't need a bigger throttle body until you do quite a lot more to your engine, requiring more airflow. Too big a 'hole' slows the intake air velocity and may decrease low end power, while costing you hundreds of dollars.

The chip will do a little, but normally they only modify the full throttle settings and possible the fan 'ON' temperature. Your ECM will adjust for mods, up to a point, but it is only granted so much authority, by design, to change the fuel tables.

My best advice: Learn patiently, first; spend later. Be wary of any and all claims you read EVERYWHERE. These engines are sophisticated and larger never meant better, which is at least as true today as in the old days.

 

[SSTibet]

I have the same basic vehicle. I respect the cars existing performance and power. Unless you plan on keeping the car for a very long time, leave it alone. Potential buyers are detered by modified engines unless they know exactly what was done and who did it. Stock vehicles are what the new / avid buyer are looking for. Take the extra money you would spend on the vette and upgrade to a 95 / 96 or even a C5. Just my opinion.
Good luck.
Dino

I could not agree more with Dino... Either go to a turnkey solution, such as replacement with a stock engine & accessories, or do not modify anything. These are really complicated pieces of equipment and you may end up spending some big bucks for aggravation. I would go as far as changing the exhaust if what you want is louder engine rumble. And probably I would make the car "like new" by replacing sub-standard / worn parts with new ones.

How many HP of your car are you using in true sense??? Why do you need more Hp unless you are on the drag strip?

Cheers

 

[Edmond]

I have a question and would like your opinion. I have installed my B&B 3 inch exhaust, will soon install my hi flow cats and 1 3/4 inch headers. I have not installed my vortech supercharger yet. With what you wrote what would be the size of injector you recommend and would you change to a 53mm BBK throttlebody with this much air flowing? 1996 LT1. I am trying to plan ahead with much theory and little experience with this motor. (Have not bought injectors or throttlebody yet).
dave

Check out this article by Holley: http://www.holley.com/HiOctn/TechServ/TechInfo/TchArtcl/Artcl07.html

It is often referenced by Ken and gives you formulas on how to determine what injector size you need.

 

[RedRagTop]

Yep. Air in/air out, K&N and Flowmasters.

 

[WhalePirot]

I have a question and would like your opinion. I have installed my B&B 3 inch exhaust, will soon install my hi flow cats and 1 3/4 inch headers. I have not installed my vortech supercharger yet. With what you wrote what would be the size of injector you recommend and would you change to a 53mm BBK throttlebody with this much air flowing?

My car is normally aspirated, so I used 30pph injectors for an expected 550hp. I consulted with Jim and used: http://www.jimsperformance.com/tech.html

If you're going with a blower, I would surely get the experienced advice from the manufacturer. Ensure they have a chip for your engine that will work, too.

Wow, those are large header tubes for a SBC. Perhaps the blower will make them necessary.

 

[surferdave]

I hope so. After I get all this in, I have a place that writes a custom program for your computer for $350. I was pretty sure I was going for 30lb injectors. Stage II plans include the LT4 type (hot cam kit with roller rockers) Lingenfelder prepped heads and higher quality pistons and pushrods to handle that amount of power. And if I can get a kitchen pass from the wife maybe 2-300hp nitrous kit. But those won't come into play for about 2 years. Thanks for the reply.


dave

 

[redc4corvette]

Just juice it the block will not take the power you think you want to put to it.
With the juice you can turn the power on or off .
No one ever let's you know the body and frame has it's limits when it comes to horse power.