Thread: My 81 corvette project
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11-26-2009 10:06 PM #1
My 81 corvette project
Hey guys, haven't posted in some time until today..
Anyway, another question I have for you all.
Awhile back I had been working on my 81 corvette, and it had been put on hold for 2 years now..
Anyway, it was 100% stock 81 vette.
So far I pulled the engine and added a small 4x4 cam
I installed 3.73 gears
Installed a q-jet (the old carb was computer controled, this is not)
Removed the computer and dist and installed a HEI with curve kit
And installed true duals and headers
Well, it runs alot better than it did, buy still a dog. I know it has LOW compression as it was a smog car..About 8.0-1 or less even.
Anyway, I am getting the urge to play again with it this winter and have some ideas..
First, I wanted to get rid of the 76cc iron heads, and was thinking of these..
http://www.summitracing.com/search/B.../?autoview=SKU
They are fairly cheap, alum, and have a 62cc chamber which would help my compression I would think..But how much?
Second, the cam I installed was a Comp Cam 12-231-2..I did this because I don't drag race..It is a heavy car, and has an automatic..And I figured it would have lots of neck breaking power off the line..Hummmm.
Anyway, I think I would like more power, and this isn't it..Any suggestions??
I could put a converter in it, but is that nessasary??
I would like to build it so that if a 96 5.0 mustang pulled up next to me..You know the ones that sound so cool, that If I wanted to give em a run I could.
I know I am a 40yr old kid, but you get the idea..
I want to keep the cost down, say $1500, and remember, I do the work myself, that isn't the problem.. The problem is sometimes I pick the wrong part combinations..Any input would help..thanks guys..
Remember, the goal is to give the ol 5.0 mustangs a run for thier money.. Now that shouldn't be so hard..
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11-27-2009 12:46 AM #2
You did say that you have already installed this camshaft http://www.compcams.com/Cam_Specs/Ca...x?csid=94&sb=2 Now it is a Step up from the 1981 L-46 Corvette Camshaft . But You could have gone with a Larger Grind . The Head's that You Listed are Good Heads but at 195cc Intake Runners on Your L/C Engine with that Camshaft they are Over Kill . From How I am Reading this Post you have the Stock intake . So you will most Likely be Up-Grading to a Better Performance Intake . With that Said this engine as is would work Well with a Stock Set of Vortec Head's and a Non-Air Gap RPM Vortec Intake . On the Corvette's Hood Clearance would be an Issue with Air Gap Higher intake . Tuned Right with the Vortec's . That Engine should pull about 320 H.P that Camshaft is hold back more H.P Numbers . But it will have Lot's of Low End TorqueWisdom is acquired by experience, not just by age
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11-27-2009 07:45 AM #3
I agree that I picked TOO small of a cam, as most guys pick TOO large of a cam. I did install this cam, but am able to buy another, as I am not happy with it.. The reason I picked the heads is that I was hoping going from 76 cc chambers to 62 would raise my compression enough to make it doable to use a bigger cam..Once I have the engine out, I could always install some flat top pistons I guess. That along with a bigger cam I would hope to produce some more power.. Would you suggest the Vortec heads over the heads I had picked?
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11-27-2009 07:57 AM #4
The Trick Flows are nice heads, ran them on some SBF's and they worked good....Most suggestions I've seen for the SBC's are a set of AFR 195's in the small chamber version... The Vortec's are a decent head for mild horse builds, but the aftermarket heads are better... Heads and cam are the key to any small inch engine..... I sure wouldn't skimp on them!!!!! For a cam, might want to think about upgrading to a hydraulic roller, Comp Cams has a free program called "Cam Quest"---it's quite accurate on assisting in cam selection.....Yesterday is history, tomorrow is a mystery, Live for Today!
Carroll Shelby
Learning must be difficult for those who already know it all!!!!
Sorry for the Hijack, Hotrod46!! My real reason for the post was to see if you'd checked Crutchfield, not to divert your build thread. My bad....
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