Topic: What would you do with $1,000?
in Forum: C3 Engines
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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
My '74 has the original engine (L82), transmission (M21 4 spd), etc. It runs fine, but it doesn't have the power I'd like it to. I want to keep it as original as possible, but I also want it to have some get up and go!
My e-bay sales over the holidays have given me about $1,000 
for the year for the "Corvette Improvement Fund" (of course that is supposed to cover Car Show entries and everything aside from the basics for the car all year). What would any of you suggest for a $1,000 horsepower improvement - or would you suggest that I wait until I've got a bigger budget?
for the year for the "Corvette Improvement Fund" (of course that is supposed to cover Car Show entries and everything aside from the basics for the car all year). What would any of you suggest for a $1,000 horsepower improvement - or would you suggest that I wait until I've got a bigger budget?Paint and interior are all in good shape and I don't see a need to improve them. Although the fastest I've had the car is 90 or so, I'm more interested in off-the-line quickness than top end speed. I don't want to light up the tires at every light, but it'd be nice to have the option to!!
Also, I can turn a wrench, but I'm fairly challenged 
with anything beyond replacing plugs or changing oil , so I'd need something that would fit in the budget including estimated labor.
with anything beyond replacing plugs or changing oil , so I'd need something that would fit in the budget including estimated labor.I wanted a Corvette my whole life, but I never dreamed of all the wonderful people I would meet because of it!
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[QUOTE=mkapp7879]A 74 L82-4 speed CONVERTIBLE with 16K miles? I wouldn't touch it. but that's just me. Mike[/QUOTE]
That's what I'd do, except I'd get another one I could do more to as well! Oh, wait, that wasn't the question, was it? If it is a true numbers matching car and the miles are that low, I really would be hesitant to do anything. If I did, I'd make sure I could undo anything I did (such as a new intake. jeaders, etc. It won't keep the stock look, but you could always put it back to stock. Just some thoughts...
Lifetime MemberIrving, TX - USA
Joined: 8/21/2004
Posts: 4273
Vette(s): #1 -1969 Corvette Coupe Riverside Gold, black interior,MN,A/C,350/350,PS,PB,window cranks.
#2 -2000 C5, black/black, 6 sp, Bose system & lots of buttons.
[QUOTE=mkapp7879]A 74 L82-4 speed CONVERTIBLE with 16K miles? I wouldn't touch it. but that's just me. Mike[/QUOTE]
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MICK - C3VR Lifetime Member #113
Change the rear end to 4.11. You will be quicker off the line. Trade-off will be top end (you don't care) and gas milage. And more revs on the motor>
But you can easily change back when you want.
And you will still have money left over.
Which you can send to me.
But you can easily change back when you want.
And you will still have money left over.
Which you can send to me.
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Willow Grove, PA - USA
Joined: 10/27/2006
Posts: 232
Vette(s): 1974 Stingray Coupe LS4 454 Dark Brown Metallic with Deluxe Saddle interior
well, to be true to the question, I would do the following which would not permanently alter the car and keeping it around $1k, depending on labor rates...
New cam and lifters ( decent gains to be had here)
double roller timing chain
upgrade the ignition with a hi-power coil, wires and plugs
have the q-jet overhauled and tricked
aftermarket aluminum intake ( can paint orange to lesson the not stock look)
High flow mufflers
this all is for keeping it simple and does not wreck the car as far as orginality as all of the above is easy to replace to original
Jim
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Frederick, MD - USA
Joined: 9/8/2003
Posts: 3398
Vette(s): 1969 convertible L71 427/435 4-speed black interior
I don't think you need to do too much. High flow exhaust, get the Q-jet rebuilt by someone who knows what they're doing, and maybe a new intake. New cam. etc., is nice, but the dollars can start rolling up real quick.
Get a hi-performance distributor and an MSD 6A or 6AL capactive discharge ingnition box. You can install the MSD behind the passenger side of the dash where it will be invisible to the naked eye. Open the plug gap an extra .010" and you'll notice a difference.
If you really want something to do with that extra grand...send it to me...you won't have to worry about how to spend it on the car!
Also...make a winning bid on Ebay for the 100th Life Membership in C3VR...you won't regret that!
Get a hi-performance distributor and an MSD 6A or 6AL capactive discharge ingnition box. You can install the MSD behind the passenger side of the dash where it will be invisible to the naked eye. Open the plug gap an extra .010" and you'll notice a difference.
If you really want something to do with that extra grand...send it to me...you won't have to worry about how to spend it on the car!
Also...make a winning bid on Ebay for the 100th Life Membership in C3VR...you won't regret that!
A $1,000? I'd add a grand and fly to Vegas to get out of this nasty weather for awhile 
Oh wait, you mean a grand for the Vette 
Like mentioned, I'd keep the engine looking stock but I'd do internal mods to give you more power. Thats the plans I have for my 78 L48, every one thats ever cruised with a stock 78 L48 knows it need more power 
Like mentioned, I'd keep the engine looking stock but I'd do internal mods to give you more power. Thats the plans I have for my 78 L48, every one thats ever cruised with a stock 78 L48 knows it need more power MARK
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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
When I was searching for the car, I knew that I wanted to get an L82 due to the power difference. I forgot to mention that I did have the carb rebuilt last year along with a tune up by a guy that was recommended by a local Corvette Club. That did make a big difference.
To the first few points about not changing a thing, I am torn with that (it is matching numbers) and like I said, I want to leave it as original as possible, so I guess I am looking for more "concealed" changes like rear end, cam/lifters and the timing change suggested. I hadn't thought about the exhaust/muffler changes though.
What about a full engine rebuild? As they say, it's not the mileage, it's the years... I didn't know if having the motor torn down and having all gaskets, seals, etc replaced would do much.
I wanted a Corvette my whole life, but I never dreamed of all the wonderful people I would meet because of it!
in Forum: C3 Engines
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