Topic: How can I get Cheap Horsepower!
in Forum: C3 Engines
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I have a 77 automatic coupe with the original 350 block L48. It has already been stroked to 383 a shift kit was installed before I bought it. Other than that it is stock. I was wondering if anyone can provide insight as to how I may gain more horsepower fairly cheap such as any other engine/ignition/carburerator modifications. It does have headers already on it with true dual exhaust. From what I understand, there is quite a bit you can do with the 350 block. Please let me know what you all think!
Thanks,
Matt
Thanks,
Matt
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Your question has an endless number of answers, you can do heads, cam, ignition, intake, carb./fuel injection. You can get a lot out of a small block.
You need to be more specific in your wants, also how much money do you want to spend and are you doing it yourself?
Dave
Lifetime Member #116
Dave's '82 
Like DaveM said, it depends on a lot of things:
Redwingvette 2008-05-12 06:40:15
1. What heads, carb, intake, does it have now, the original heads and intake are very restrictive.
2. What is you rear end gear ratio, power can be found here if you have a highway gear and are looking for take-off improvements.
3. What do you consider cheap? $1000< or more? Budgeting things usually are the best way to take on a project. If you don't plan it well you will end up spending more in the end.
Good luck with it.
Brian - NCM Lifetime Member
73 coupe L48, Flat-top pistons, Performer RPM Heads, Crane Cam and roller rockers, Holley 650 vac sec. Performer intake,
3.55 gear BTO 200-4R trans,
Leather seats, Seatbelt Plus 3point seatbelts, Pioneer CD player
Magnaflow Exhuast System
Dewitt radiator and dual electric fans
Borgeson Steering box
It sounds like some good things have already been done to your Corvette.
After having done the True Dual Exhaust about 2 years ago, I recently did the following;
Edelbrock Performer Intake Manifold.
Q-Jet Rebuilt.
New HEI Dist. (Mine's a Mallory but I'll upgrade to MSD in the future).
New Plugs & Wires.
Fairly cheap money for a very noticeable gain.
(It seems like the True Dual Exhaust needed the above work completed in order to deliver the improvements it is capable of. It's like balancing out the other side of the equation).
Good luck with it and let me know what you decide on.
WHAT ARE THE SPECS NOW? HP. TQ. SHOULD BE UP THERE WITH THE 383. WHAT REAR GEARS ARE YOUR RUNNING? YOU CAN GET SOME MORE TAKE OFF POWER CHEAPLY BY UPGRADING THERE.
There's an old saying in racing, "Speed costs money. How fast do you want to go?"
There is no substitute for low end torque! 
See if you can scare up a copy of Corvette Enthuisist june 07 and look at backyard budget buildup. That should help. If you can find a copy, send me an e-mail and will get you a copy. (not the whole mag).
One of the guys in another forum has a good line for these types of questions on any forum.....
His response is CHEAP RELIABLE FAST......Pick Two !!!!!
Fast can be Cheap but it won't be Reliable at all. And Reliable can be Cheap .but nowhere near Fast.....
Best advise is ginven above...Decide your target HP or Performance....then plan a swquence that will give the desired result...
It's allready running and over 30 years old....another year for the right parts won't heart the car at all....and it will help keep a few dead presidents left in the wallet as well
Keep us posted
Nick
Falcon has good advise. Reliable and fast would be good but it costs money. You just got to figure out what you want. Even the stock L-48's do pretty good when everything is working well, unless you want some kind of race car. You are already on your way with what you already have, don't be in a hurry to make it faster. Remeber it's a Vette, it is already cool!
Aaron 
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Lifetime MemberGreensburg, IN - USA
Joined: 9/24/2003
Posts: 5188
Vette(s): Previous: 1984 Silver / Charcoal Coupe, 1988 Maroon Coupe / 1989 Artic White Coupe / 2001 Speedway White Roadster / Present:1976 Stingray Black / Black, Auto, 350 slightly modified (355 hp) Luxor Wires Redline Tires. / 1989 Roadster Bright Red...
I vote gears for the money. 1 area, 1 time, out of the chute like a rocket.
Then if your not satisfied you can begin to modify the engine accordingly.
(Like maybe a blower and your done.)
Then if your not satisfied you can begin to modify the engine accordingly.
(Like maybe a blower and your done.)
in Forum: C3 Engines
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