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SmokinVette.com Forums : Corvette Forums : C3 Corvette Forums : C3 Corvette General Discussion : Horsepower for my weak 79
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Old 10-10-2012, 12:00 PM   #1
EArkwell94
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Default Horsepower for my weak 79

Hey there,
New to the forum so forgive me if I'm slow. Here goes nothing... I picked up a 79 corvette because I've always wanted one and I was finally able to afford it. Now, it's not enough! I need to know what I can do to give this thing some nut. Automatic 3-speed, and bone stock to my knowledge. I just ordered the B&M shift kit because I've heard some good things about it. I would like to get 400 horsepower out of this 350 if you all think the car can handle it, and if so, how would you go about getting there? Be specific if you can thanks!
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Old 10-10-2012, 02:20 PM   #2
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if you want 400hp, its not difficult but its not cheap either.. Summit Racing or Jegs have Heads/cam/manifold packages that will get you there.easily......is your motor an L82 or an L48? the L82 has a good bottom end for building power on..
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Old 10-10-2012, 02:41 PM   #3
EArkwell94
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I have the L48, so I have under 200 horsepower at this point

Last edited by EArkwell94; 10-10-2012 at 02:56 PM.
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Old 10-10-2012, 02:42 PM   #4
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And the bottom end is what worries me most
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Old 10-10-2012, 04:23 PM   #5
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the L82 is a much stronger bottom end.. but you can get near your goal with the L48 ..it just won t have that extra safety factor..
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Old 10-11-2012, 04:17 AM   #6
EArkwell94
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I just found a kit on summit for 600 bucks that will get me just over 300 HP. I think I'll go with that and see where I can go from there. Thanks for the help!
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Old 10-11-2012, 06:34 PM   #7
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Quote:
Originally Posted by EArkwell94 View Post
I just found a kit on summit for 600 bucks that will get me just over 300 HP. I think I'll go with that and see where I can go from there. Thanks for the help!
heh i am looking to do the same to my 75 targa top L48 is there a link for what u are getting as i didnt see when i looked there.
what was in the kit for 600 bucks
thanx Ian
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Old 10-13-2012, 07:54 AM   #8
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I have a set of 4 bolt main caps i will sell cheap if anyone is interested in have your machine shop drill the holes in your two bolt block to convert...
They are from a block bored. 40 over so they should be able to be be line honed and fit in if you are mod'g your engine.
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Old 10-13-2012, 08:20 AM   #9
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you still need a better crankshaft
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Old 10-13-2012, 09:41 AM   #10
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400 HP is not going to be cheap at all. I started with an older rebuilt 350 in my 1980. The rebuilt turned out to actually had a 4 bolt main block and I stayed with it. My original plan was to find a 1986 or 87 block that was machined from the factory for a mechanical fuel pump. The machine shop actually had a couple of blocks available. The 86 block is already setup for a roller cam which could save some money vs a retro-cam.
I went with a 383 eagle crank, eagle rods, SRP pistons, CompCam roller, Cloyes timing set and Brodix heads. The block was line honed, decked, etc.. There is a long list of parts required and I am already way over my original budget (way over)!
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