Performance mods for 1980

[rw24]

I was wanting to know what would be the best performance mod to do to my 1980 L48 Vette. Right now everything on the engine is stock except for the holley carburetor i put on and it also has flowmaster mufflers. The only mod I really dont want to do is put headers on because of past experience I have had with them. Any suggestions is appreciated.

 

[1979toy]

A true dual exhaust should be tops on your list. After that insure that you have all of the orignal air induction parts in place. The factory inlet system was really very good for getting cool air to the engine. If you just have to have more then spring for a pro to set your timing curve and tune your carb.
Anything more than that invokes the slippery slope principal, add more parts, then match more to them etc.

 

[macx]

Here's a bunch of setups

http://www.corvettefaq.com/c3/goodwrench/GM Goodwrench 350 test part 1.htm
http://ryanscarpage.50megs.com/combos2.html
http://www.geocities.com/MotorCity/7610/dyno.htm

I think the Goodwrench article points to a great streetable relatively lower buck combo. Upgraded Vortec heads, RPM or Perf type intake, carb like yours, Comp Cams XE268 or (for a more streetable, smoother idle, more lower end torque, about same max hp on a basically stock shortblock, the XE262. Note the thinner head gsket (.015 or .018, available Jegs & Summit) to get comp ratio up in lo 9's and provide about .040 piston to head for good quench, which is detonation resistance.

 

[rw24]

Ok, I have another question. If I went with a better performance cam, for example comp cams xe262, would the stock heads work fine with it or would it be to much for them to handle.

 

[Blue82]

RW24, I can't say for sure but I would bet that the 262 would make the heads the choke point. I run the XE262 (see sig) with Vortec heads and really like it. The 268 needs a higher stall converter according to CHP to work well so that is definitely on the "slippery slope" like 1979TOY says, but if I had a carb'd standard Vette I would go with the 268.

If you plan on changing the intake and the rockers like I did (then the Vortec heads are a good bet. Otherwise go with heads that that use a standard intake. It might be worth it even if you just planned to change the intake. The difference between stock and this combo is night and day. You won't be disapointed if you want lots of power and streetability in a driven Vette.