my 76 vette has 41K miles and the base 180 HP 350, I was wondering aboutsome inexpensive mods to get it over 200 HP and increasing the torque if possible. How much help will I get w/ a eddlebrock performer intake,dynomax super turbo mufflers and should i change the original carb? I has the turbo 350 trans. Thanks. I am not interested in top end power but more low end pick up.

to increase torque on your 76 use a dual plane intake. use your stock manifolds but add dual exhaust with a crossover H pipe. Also increase engine timing. Headers will reduce low end torque. lower profile rear tires will add more low end punch also

Howdy Larry. I've got a 76 also. One option you might think about is the gearing. I've got 3:36 gears in back. This is a nice little boost and it fits my driving style since about half of the time I'm on on the PA turnpike. Last year I replaced the stock carb with a Road Demon and the intake with a Weiand Action Plus. From what I've researched, the Weiand intake appears to start working at a lower RPM than the Edlebrock. Last week I ordered duals and mufflers (no headers). I'm anxious to see what kind of response these give me...

A torque converter is also a inexpensive way to increase off the line power. You don't want to get too wild though. 1900-2200 rpm T.C. like the B&M Torque Master. Summit Racing sells the Torque Master $92.95
1900-2200 RPM is pretty much just a step above stock, but you will notice a difference. It will also work well with stock or slightly modified engines.

http://store.summitracing.com/partdetail.asp?part=BMM%2D20400

So why do headers decrease low end torque?

You could put in a cam at the same time as you do the intake. Little more work for less than $200.

headers decrease low end torque by taking all of the backpressure out of the exhaust, therefore not making as much power.....but at the high end the motor needs all of the flow it can get from the exhaust, thats where headers really help.......making more hp. If you have a wild cam, headers will help by helping the motor breath better, but a mostly stock engine sometimes is better with the stock manifolds. I think this is right???? maybe I said that right

Headers do relieve back pressure, but torque and RPM range are mainly determined by intake manifold and camshaft design. Headers do not remove ALL the back pressure, every bend in your exhaust creates back pressure, your mufflers, no matter what type, create some back pressure.
Headers are designed to help expell(?) more exhaust faster. This inturn allows the engine inhale more fuel/air. More in, more out, more power. The higher the volume of fuel/exhaust your engine can move, the faster and higher you engine can wind. Yes, there can be torque loss, but if you are running a complete exhaust system(i.e. not open headers), you really shouldn't notice any loss. Keep in mind, stock engines don't notice as much of a performance gain from headers as a modified engine does, but it does benifit.

The biggest trouble with headers will be gaskets going bad and rust unless you get a good coating on them.

|UPDATED|4/30/2003 9:50:09 PM|/UPDATED|

I heard so many good things about JetHot systems that I sent my Headman shorties to them. The entire cost was under $200.00 for inside/outside coating in sterling finish. Since the headers were used, the resulting finish is not as smooth as a new set would turn out but they are more than acceptable. I did the coating for the increased breathing ability and to help reduce the under-hood temperature.