I just bought a 1975 Stingray and want to mainly want to increase it's gas mileage and secondly its horsepower. I'm not sure if much can be done? I'm barely learning about cars and this is my dream car. I'm not rich, but money isn't really an issue becuase this is my dream car. A friend was telling me something about swapping a 387 fastburn engine for my 350 and getting 3" muffler pipin (magnaflow). But i don't want to waste money so i want ot make sure. everything on this car is basically stock. Can you help me? Also, i would like to try and do most of the work myself. not only so i can learn about cars but i know I'll like the car that much more. thanks

I just bought a 1975 Stingray and want to mainly want to increase it's gas mileage and secondly its horsepower. I'm not sure if much can be done? I'm barely learning about cars and this is my dream car. I'm not rich, but money isn't really an issue becuase this is my dream car. A friend was telling me something about swapping a 387 fastburn engine for my 350 and getting 3" muffler pipin (magnaflow). But i don't want to waste money so i want ot make sure. everything on this car is basically stock. Can you help me? Also, i would like to try and do most of the work myself. not only so i can learn about cars but i know I'll like the car that much more. thanks
if you are considering engine swap check out Patriot Performance.com from 350 HP on up and 3 in pipes on stock motor will hurt more than help a transmission upgrade to a 700R4 will give you 25-30% better fuel economy because of overdrive gear good luck!

If money is no object, cause this is your dream car, (like me and my '78:thumbsup3: ) then think about dumping the automatic tranny and going for a manual six-speed change-over, (like, a Tremec T-56 or descendent/derivative...what's currently most advanced and available) then you can set the gearing you want for two overdrive gears and you control the shifting point with your left foot, (as a Corvette was meant to be driven).

Metalkid:rockon6rk:

If money is no object, cause this is your dream car, (like me and my '78:thumbsup3: ) then think about dumping the automatic tranny and going for a manual six-speed change-over, (like, a Tremec T-56 or descendent/derivative...what's currently most advanced and available) then you can set the gearing you want for two overdrive gears and you control the shifting point with your left foot, (as a Corvette was meant to be driven).

Metalkid:rockon6rk:
excellant choice if as you say, money is no object, but behind stock smog motor....leaves a lot to be desired

That 6 speed conversion is a preatty tall order for a green horn.

If I recall, the top 2 gears of a 6-speed are overdrive gears. 5th being 30% overdrive and 6th being 50% overdrive. As such, a 6-speed manual transmission would be a dandy transmission. Or you could get an A6 automatic transmission. Then you could run 4.11 or 4.56 gears and still get real decent fuel mileage. Along with blistering accelleration. A perfect combination

If I recall, the top 2 gears of a 6-speed are overdrive gears. 5th being 30% overdrive and 6th being 50% overdrive. As such, a 6-speed manual transmission would be a dandy transmission. Or you could get an A6 automatic transmission. Then you could run 4.11 or 4.56 gears and still get real decent fuel mileage. Along with blistering accelleration. A perfect combination
all great ideas, but keep in mind the level of mechanical skill all these conversions require maybe start out smaller and work up

Ok that all sounds really great, but where is a good place to start. For instance mufflers, tpi system, engine, or making it standard? I wanted to make it manual. As for the TPI system is that a good way to go? because it currently has a regular air filter. I was told the TPI system would give me more horse power and better gas mileage. Is that true?

Ok that all sounds really great, but where is a good place to start. For instance mufflers, tpi system, engine, or making it standard? I wanted to make it manual. As for the TPI system is that a good way to go? because it currently has a regular air filter. I was told the TPI system would give me more horse power and better gas mileage. Is that true?
minor power and economy improvement, exhaust would help but stay 21/2 in run dual free flow mufflers theres not a lot you can get out of that motor if you want new motor w/ HP and a manual trans do it all together if you can afford it

minor power and economy improvement, exhaust would help but stay 21/2 in run dual free flow mufflers theres not a lot you can get out of that motor if you want new motor w/ HP and a manual trans do it all together if you can afford it

If I change the mufflers does that restrict me from any performance changes in the future? Because i want 3" piping.

If I change the mufflers does that restrict me from any performance changes in the future? Because i want 3" piping.
21/2 pipes wilh free flow mufflers will handle a 500 + Hp motor with good headers

Hello, new to smokinvette, but if the engine has decent rings, tested by both a compression test and a vaccum test, then you might consider a top end refresh, headers, and dual exhaust any thing from 2 1/8 to 2 1/2'', this would buy extra time to reserch and figure what you really want to do, the others are right with the overdrive transmission for the dual purpose of economy and performance, thats about the only sentence youll see the two words mentioned together.

This is what i'd do if I was in your place.
1. HT383, GM create engine, lots of low mid range torque, if you want more h.p. can the cam later. This motor will make your car fast without having to change rear gears.
2. Get yourself a good Q-Jet carb. Great economy carb. that has huge secondary barrels. Even if you have to get someone to set up/tune the carb. you'll be happy w/ it.
3. dual 3'' exhaust is over kill on most small blocks, a good 2 1/2 system, headers ( I like Tri-y headers), & performance mufflers.
4. They make kits to put in overdrive trannys(auto or stick) in those vettes, I'd stick a 2004r w/ a little stall converter in it.
If you put too much drag racing hardware on your vette ( short gears,loose converters, loud exhaust, ect.) you might not like driving as much.
But thats just me.

This is what i'd do if I was in your place.
1. HT383, GM create engine, lots of low mid range torque, if you want more h.p. can the cam later. This motor will make your car fast without having to change rear gears.
2. Get yourself a good Q-Jet carb. Great economy carb. that has huge secondary barrels. Even if you have to get someone to set up/tune the carb. you'll be happy w/ it.
3. dual 3'' exhaust is over kill on most small blocks, a good 2 1/2 system, headers ( I like Tri-y headers), & performance mufflers.
4. They make kits to put in overdrive trannys(auto or stick) in those vettes, I'd stick a 2004r w/ a little stall converter in it.
If you put too much drag racing hardware on your vette ( short gears,loose converters, loud exhaust, ect.) you might not like driving as much.
But thats just me.

Well i would like to get the 385 fastburn turn key engine. and i did some research all of you are right I'm gonna go with the 2 1/2" muffler piping. but as for everything else you suggested would it still be compatible with the 385 fastburn? also I'm going to convert it to manual.