Horsepower

[CavAir20]

I have a pretty much stock 1974 L82 Coupe what is a good way to increase horsepower wihtout loosing a future collectors interest in the car. Money is also a factor. Right now I think I have 250 hp but would prefer to be around 350 or at least 300.

 

[Tom Bryant]

Cav,

In order to keep it interesting to a collector big changes should be avoided. First I would go to a good free flowing exhaust system. It's easy to put back stock when required. Then a Pertronix elextronic ignition. Fits inside stock distributor for a stock appearance. Recurving of the distributor and tuning the stock carb for max performance will also help. Add a K&N air filter also. The L82 cam and heads are good as is for street performance. If your heads are a little tired you may want to have a good performance 3 angle valve job done with some basic bowl work to unshroud the valves.

I think you will notice some good improvements with these changes. After this you have to start doing thing that show.

Tom

 

[72 Bluz]

Thanks for asking that question, Cav. I'm wanting to do the same with my 72.

Tom, I guess your advise would apply to me. Would you elaborate on a "free-flowing exhaust"?

Thanks.
72 Bluz

 

[redmist]

NOS

Cheap thrills, easily installed and removed. Otherwise Tom's advice is the best.
Cold air induction is something else you may want to backyard engineer.

 

[Tom Bryant]

exhaust

In the case of the L82 it already has 2 1/2" pipes so a good muffler is needed. Something like a Flowmaster or Walker Ultra Flo should free things up to about 15hp and still appear stock. the '72 could have 2" or 1 1/2 " pipes dependind on engine. The 2 1/2 " would make a difference over the 2" but would require matching manifolds, like LT1s on a small block. I have the '62 FI 2 1/2" exhaust manifolds and front pipes with the '59 Off Road system on the '59. Nobody has ever noticed that it isn't stock.

I feel that these improvements will maximize the L82 and used together would definately be felt in the seat of your pants. It would take a trained eye to spot the mods also.

Tom

 

[80convertible]

Here is a posting from another vette forum but should provide additional insight.

http://www.corvetteforum.cc/ubb/Forum3/HTML/030554.html

Regards,

Jim

 

[a69vette]

I'll ask the same question for a '69. 350/350 4sp. All numbers matching.