Home page
SPONSOR AD SPONSOR AD

Topic: Slo Poke

in Forum: C3 General Discussion


Slo Poke

Posted: 3/23/07 4:26am Message 1 of 8
Former Member
Send PM
Spotsylvania, VA - USA
Joined: 1/20/2007
Posts: 293
Vette(s): 1977 Silver Coupe
Just a little story. My Wife and I went out for a little ride yesterday. Up to Culpepper and around back home. About a 50 Mile Jaunt. On the way back, On the 4 lane, I was in the right lane, and this TRUCK pulled up beside me. I knew he was in a hurry and wanted to get ahead of me because the road narrows into a 2 lane about a mile ahead. Now, this TRUCK was pulling a trailer with something in it. Did I say TRUCK? He floored his TRUCK and I did the same. Surprise! I just, JUST was able to pull away from him. I wanted to tell the wife to get out and push, the TRUCK was going to beat us. I let off the gas and let him go ahead. I never seen him again. I was just a Little disgusted with the POORformance.
Ok, that was done. When I'm about a mile from the house, there is a turn that is shaped like a U. The road I'm on T's into the bottom of it. that's were I make a left to go on home. Well the turn is also banked to a degree. From where I'm at I kinda have a sight downhill into the elevated turn. So, I set the steering wheel to the left, and floor it. Guess what, I'm thinking I should at least break traction and burn a little rubber. Nuthin!! I get a little squeal and that was it. Now I'm really disgusted. I have and old Firebird V-6 that will do better.  I guess my question is. do ALL stock Vetts run this crappy or is there something wrong with mine that I should look a little deeper?Cause If I keep this one I's goin to have to have some serous engine work. Anyhow, As I was cruisin at 60 the rpm was turning just over 2400, can anyone tell me what the rear is? Oh, yea this is a 3 speed auto.Thumbs%20Down



SPONSOR AD:: (Our Sponsors help support C3VR)

Slo Poke

Posted: 3/23/07 5:14am Message 2 of 8
Profile Pic
Former Member
Send PM
Frederick, MD - USA
Joined: 9/8/2003
Posts: 3398
Vette(s): 1969 convertible L71 427/435 4-speed black interior
Is your car an L48 or an L82? That makes a difference, but to be truthful, the mid-'70s were pretty much the pit of horsepower ratings as most manufacturers were primarily concerned with emissions standards and bumper standards. Power (and quality control) pretty much took a back seat. Even then, a Vette was still pretty hot compared to its contemporaries.

That being said...are you sure your car is properly in tune? If not, that can certainly cause a problem with performance. Your catalytic converter could be partially clogged, and that can REALLY cause lack of performance.

Make sure your car is in top tune and see what else is in need of attention...then you can decide on a course of action to improve things even more.

Something else to think about...it's really not a fair comparison between a mid-70s car and a modern vehicle. Automotive technology has progressed far in the past thirty years, and it sounds as if your '77 is still stuck in the '70s, technologically speaking.


Slo Poke

Posted: 3/23/07 5:43am Message 3 of 8
Former Member
Send PM
Kendall Park, NJ - USA
Joined: 3/9/2005
Posts: 789
Vette(s): 1981 - 59 Beige over Cinnebar leather. Edlebrock top end, 2200 stall w/shift kit, 3:55s, Mufflex maniback exhaust, nice stereo, 16 in AREs w/BFGs
Few things.. Exhaust, are you running the orig cat?  Ever have your carb rebuilt?  A stock L48 was a realistic 16 second car w/0-60s in the 8s to low 9s, My 81 was not much better, and add in years of service...  I replaced the exhaust manifolds back, had the carb blueprinted and bench flowed.  I also had to replace my intake mani (it had a crack) with a Edlebrock unit..  ALSO, is the car tuned?  I mean wires, plugs, fluids everything?  Those changes I did woke the car up alot..  Then I put in a shift kit and a 2200 stall and 3:55s.  These cars are smog era cars sooo....  But between tuning and some possible service related changes I'd think you be surprised.  I really was..  


Slo Poke

Posted: 3/23/07 5:45am Message 4 of 8
Former Member
Send PM
Spotsylvania, VA - USA
Joined: 1/20/2007
Posts: 293
Vette(s): 1977 Silver Coupe
Yup, straight 70's, 350 wid a 4b 3spd auto.
I Had a 72 Bonneville with a 454 4b that would smoke the tires for a block.
this was in 74. Also,the vette has no converter, exhaust is 2 into one into 2 with performance mufflers. Dunno on the L48-L82.
You betcha I'm going to be looking at timing, Plugs, and carb tomorrow.
every thing else is on hold until I can get this thing to brake traction.
I still like it, but it has to do better. The guy I bought it from claimed to be a Mechanic, I'm just wondering if he was a parts changer......../ 



Slo Poke

Posted: 3/23/07 6:37am Message 5 of 8
Lifetime MemberLifetime Member
Send PM
Eastern Oklahoma County, OK - USA
Joined: 1/3/2006
Posts: 1560
Vette(s): 1980 Black L48 T-Tops
If you have the Black Book of Corvette Values, it will tell you based on your VIN and several numbers around the car and on the motor what your car is.

To see if you have the original bullet, look on the passenger side front of the engine just below the head.  You will see a stamped number there.  This number should match up to part of your VIN number if it is original to the car. 

If the codes don't match, look at the back of the engine on the drivers side (kinda hard ta see) back by the bell housing and see what the code is there.  What you don't want to see there is 5.0L.

Oh yeah, if your cheap like me, either find someone with the book or go to the bookstore with your VIN in hand and copy down the info on your year.  There will be two pages specifically on the '77 and a picture in the back.

 



Slo Poke

Posted: 3/23/07 8:21am Message 6 of 8
Lifetime MemberLifetime Member
Send PM
North Charleston, SC - USA
Joined: 3/20/2004
Posts: 4176
Vette(s): 1975 L48 AT AC T-top

Sounds normal for a 77 if all of the emissions stuff is still on it and particularly if you have a rear end gear for economy. Plus it may just need to be freshened up a bit.

Scott
ranger32007-03-23 13:34:28


Slo Poke

Posted: 3/23/07 9:05am Message 7 of 8
Former Member
Send PM
Spotsylvania, VA - USA
Joined: 1/20/2007
Posts: 293
Vette(s): 1977 Silver Coupe
I'll check everything tomorrow and let the inquiring minds know. My lovely wife is picking up a set of plugs as I write.


Slo Poke

Posted: 3/23/07 6:31pm Message 8 of 8
Profile Pic
Lifetime MemberLifetime Member
Send PM
Waterford, MI - USA
Joined: 9/13/2002
Posts: 1755
Vette(s): 1973 Red coupe
Sounds like you have the 3.08 gear ratio by the 2400rpm's @ 60mph. That's a highway gear. I replaced mine with the 3.55 even before I put in the overdrive trans. It helped a lot but the gas mileage went down a lot.


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
 


in Forum: C3 General Discussion


SPONSOR AD: (Our Sponsors help support C3VR)