Topic: More Horsepower Please
in Forum: C3 Engines
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I have a 73 w/ the original 350 CI (190 HP) engine. I know nothing is free, but what is the easiest ( and of course cheapest) way to get more HP out of this engine? Thanks in advance fellow C-three owners
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Lifetime MemberAsh Fork, AZ - USA
Joined: 4/18/2007
Posts: 1058
Vette(s): 1981 Red Interior White exterior
Performance mufflers and air cleaner would be fairly cheap.
Dave C..........My mantra: I can not be bought!! Long and short term leases available.
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Lifetime Member #192
Whats your budget? Will you be doing your own work or sourcing it out?
TKO500 5 spd.
Borgeson Steering Box
Born 8/1981
Sequence #3975
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Lifetime Member #26
Mine is a '79 with similar low horsepower. I feel your pain!
|UPDATED|2/16/2014 4:55:29 PM (AZT)|/UPDATED|
I've done a few things to mine which have resulted in a feeling of more HP.
1st. I'd update the dist. I went with an MSD HEI upgrade.
2nd. I'd get your carb. rebuilt by someone who does a good job.
(Mine still has the original Q-Jet and the rebuild was a major step in feeling like there was more HP.)
I think the open air cleaner is a good suggestion, too. I put one on a while back.
I'm going to have to wait until both of my kids graduate from college, but then I'm gonna have my motor swapped out for a crate motor with more HP. Ah yes. Someday!!!
|UPDATED|2/16/2014 4:55:29 PM (AZT)|/UPDATED|
Those of you that think a lower restriction air filter will get you more horsepower might want to watch this. They don't do much at all.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=gCi2yo4UqPI
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=gCi2yo4UqPI
What's your budget?
If you've got an extra $1K sitting around, I'd swap the (boat anchor) cylinder heads, intake, and carb. That, along with a new HEI distributor, is a huge bang for the buck. Those cylinder heads are junk with a capital J (I know, mine had the same ones!)
If you've got an extra $1K sitting around, I'd swap the (boat anchor) cylinder heads, intake, and carb. That, along with a new HEI distributor, is a huge bang for the buck. Those cylinder heads are junk with a capital J (I know, mine had the same ones!)
"Let them that don't want none have memories of not gettin' any."
- Brother Dave Gardner
Lifetime MemberIndianapolis, IN - USA
Joined: 9/3/2006
Posts: 2429
Vette(s): Silver 1974 Convertible - L82 4 speed
Low miles (was only 8,900 when I bought it in March 2006) - Now 54K miles. Original owner bought it as an investment for son's college expenses.
2008 Jetstream Blue Convertible
I had a good budget and I had a number of folks tell me that swapping the original engine for a crate would be cheaper than working on the original. However, since it is original and I wanted to keep it relatively so (and since I have no room to store a spare motor in my garage), I went with an upgraded cam and just a "refresh" of the original. Not a significant power gain, but is still happy with what was done. If a crate engine is in your budget, you should consider it.
I wanted a Corvette my whole life, but I never dreamed of all the wonderful people I would meet because of it!
2014216132127r.jpg)
I would start with a carb rebuild and a re-curve of the distributor. Cam, heads, intake and exhaust go together if the budget allows next.
2012101154624r.jpg)
Build Date: May 7, 1975. 383 w/267 RWHP/310 RWTQ
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Carson City, NV - USA
Joined: 12/4/2013
Posts: 239
Vette(s): Numbers matching 1972 350 4 speed, silver pewter body with blue interior
Distrib is a no brainer.....heads. You can do everything else in the world but crappy heads will never let your engine make power. Heads alone will make a significant improvement....even the cheaper GM performance aluminum heads. Edelbrock RPM are better, AFR would be the e-ticket. That and the electric distro would be an excellent base to build off of. Add intake, carb and exhaust as budget permits. Shoot, I have a nice set of worked L-98's I'd be willing to let go. I want the AFR's.
My Christmas present to ME! Bought Sat 11-30-2013. 72, 350 4 spd, Silver with blue interior...Can't you just hear Pablo Cruz playing in the background?
in Forum: C3 Engines
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