[c4chaz]

Ok, so I've got some money and am considering mods.
Hooker long tube headers
true dual exhaust (already have magnaflow catbacks and will tie in to these)
torque converter
3.73 rear gears.

Sound ok?

What concerns should I have/ask the shop about?
1990 c4 coupe
99k miles
all original (except catbacks, high temp therm, k&n air filter)

what about stress on the chasis with this much torque?

anything else?

 

[raidmagic]

The only thing I would ask them to do for you is keep your size tire in stock. Your going to need them.:laughing:

One thing to keep in mind with the 3.73's is if you do a bunch of highway driving you might not like them. I'm stil young and don't care about such things so I did 3.73's but Dad had them installed then switched from them to 3.54's just for better cruising RPMS.
The mods you are doing are about the safest and least worry things you can do so don't worry about it tearing your car up.

One last thing make sure the shop knows what the hell they are doing you don't want to get into a situation like Iron Curtain did.

 

[OldVetteFan]

Ok, so I've got some money and am considering mods.

An excellent way to spend money!

Hooker long tube headers
true dual exhaust (already have magnaflow catbacks and will tie in to these)
torque converter
3.73 rear gears.

Sound ok?

Yep. A nice combo of things to install. You should get a definite improvement in SOTP feel. If you take it to the strip before getting the mods, then you'll also be able to compare real world data "before & after." Like Martha Stewart used to say, "thats a very good thing."

What concerns should I have/ask the shop about?
1990 c4 coupe
99k miles
all original (except catbacks, high temp therm, k&n air filter)

I'd be more concerned that you have a shop that can actually do the work than I would be about the car's ability to take it.

what about stress on the chasis with this much torque?

The mods you've listed aren't going to add sufficient torque to cause any significant stress to the chassis of the car. Do the mods, enjoy the better sound and feel, and have fun!

Steven

 

[c4chaz]

An excellent way to spend money!



Yep. A nice combo of things to install. You should get a definite improvement in SOTP feel. If you take it to the strip before getting the mods, then you'll also be able to compare real world data "before & after." Like Martha Stewart used to say, "thats a very good thing."




I'd be more concerned that you have a shop that can actually do the work than I would be about the car's ability to take it.



The mods you've listed aren't going to add sufficient torque to cause any significant stress to the chassis of the car. Do the mods, enjoy the better sound and feel, and have fun!

Steven

The shop comes recommended. RevXtreme in tampa. Guys seem knowledgeable.

I've never been to track, but that's the plan. Looking forward to it.

Tires shmires.. who needs em? I Do some highway driving but this isn't a daily driver. I've put 6k on it in 2 years.

What about speedometer accuracy and the pesky shift light?

I saw a post earlier, not exactly sure where but I think here, that expressed concern about the engine having that many miles on it and not doing a bottom rebuild or something when doing the rear gears. No leaks or problems currently. Something to be aware of or ask the shop? Although the shop is recommended, it helps to be armed with the right questions. I'm a 44 year old newbie to mods!

 

[raidmagic]

Hey I didn't notice you were in Tampa. I have heard of revextreme they seem to have a good Rep. If the car doesn't smoke or knock now doing this won't bother it at all.

 

[c4chaz]

Hey I didn't notice you were in Tampa. I have heard of revextreme they seem to have a good Rep. If the car doesn't smoke or knock now doing this won't bother it at all.

Tried to call a company called antivenom and get a quote, but no answer.

 

[raidmagic]

Tried to call a company called antivenom and get a quote, but no answer.

Yea Greg (I think that is his name) is a bit flighty as to things like that but he knows his **** when it comes to these cars. I have been in his shop and talked to him and seen his work. I would recommend dropping by there one day. You'll like him.

 

[Streetknight]

Yea Greg (I think that is his name) is a bit flighty as to things like that but he knows his **** when it comes to these cars. I have been in his shop and talked to him and seen his work. I would recommend dropping by there one day. You'll like him.

X2 on that.

There's also a guy on N. Dale Mabry that knows his stuff. Andreh. Owns the Insty Tune and Lube just south of Bearss Ave. If you need info just let me know?

Good guy, honest prices, definately stands by his work and has an outstanding rep in the corvette community.

Other than that, I'd get with Greg 1st.

 

[OldVetteFan]

I saw a post earlier, not exactly sure where but I think here, that expressed concern about the engine having that many miles on it and not doing a bottom rebuild or something when doing the rear gears. No leaks or problems currently. Something to be aware of or ask the shop? Although the shop is recommended, it helps to be armed with the right questions. I'm a 44 year old newbie to mods!

Ask the shop to perform a compression test before they do any mods. If you have good compression, then that's a reasonable indicator that the bottom end has held up.

If you aren't consuming oil, or seeing it coming out the exhaust, then that information, coupled with the compression test, shoudl provide you some assurance that you're in good shape.

Now, this is important - I'm assuming you've been treating this engine pretty easily (highway cruising, and mostly easy trips with the wife/gf).

If you make these mods, and then start spending every weekend at the track, running the engine up to near stall, making hard launches, and just simply running it to death, then don't be too surprised if something fails.

Or, it may not.

But - this happens with fresh engines, too. Have fun with it!

Steven

 

[ironcurtain]

One last thing make sure the shop knows what the hell they are doing you don't want to get into a situation like Iron Curtain did.

:lookinup: ............

 

[War Machine]

If you make these mods, and then start spending every weekend at the track, running the engine up to near stall, making hard launches, and just simply running it to death, then don't be too surprised if something fails.

Or, it may not.

But - this happens with fresh engines, too. Have fun with it!

Steven

:agree:

I installed my tq converter after I lost 3rd and 4th in my trans. All I did was 3.54 gear, cam kit, headers and a few other smaller mods. The trans lasted just a few thousand miles. I did drive it like I stole it though. I'm not kidding guys, I pushed everything to the limits but it was the trans that failed. Yeah things might happen. I wouldn't worry too much if your not a maniac like I was.

 

[c4chaz]

:agree:

I installed my tq converter after I lost 3rd and 4th in my trans. All I did was 3.54 gear, cam kit, headers and a few other smaller mods. The trans lasted just a few thousand miles. I did drive it like I stole it though. I'm not kidding guys, I pushed everything to the limits but it was the trans that failed. Yeah things might happen. I wouldn't worry too much if your not a maniac like I was.

hehee..I'm sure I'll have my moments, but not on a regular basis. I'll probably take her to the track once or twice. I've never been and hope I don't get addicted.

 

[c4chaz]

Ask the shop to perform a compression test before they do any mods. If you have good compression, then that's a reasonable indicator that the bottom end has held up.

If you aren't consuming oil, or seeing it coming out the exhaust, then that information, coupled with the compression test, shoudl provide you some assurance that you're in good shape.

Now, this is important - I'm assuming you've been treating this engine pretty easily (highway cruising, and mostly easy trips with the wife/gf).

If you make these mods, and then start spending every weekend at the track, running the engine up to near stall, making hard launches, and just simply running it to death, then don't be too surprised if something fails.

Or, it may not.

But - this happens with fresh engines, too. Have fun with it!

Steven

Overall pretty easy. I do have my moments though. The gf also likes to go fast. My soon to be driving son, assuming he earns the right to get the keys, I'm sure won't drive it like a buick.

 

[c4chaz]

new question

Ok...
I've been talked down to 3.54.

I'm getting conflicting advice about my need for higher stall torque converter. 1 shop tells me that's my biggest bang for the buck. Go with a 3200-3500 torque converter. Another shop tells me that the stock tq "he says around 2500?" is sufficient. Any input folks.

Another question.

Hooker Headers or Melrose? I don't see much out there about the melrose headers.

Thanks

 

[raidmagic]

I have the full Melrose system on my car and love it. Of course I don't have anything to compare them to as I did them from stock exhaust. I am trilled with them though.
Here are two threads about mine. They sound even better since I finished the exhaust all the way out the back of the car.

http://digitalcorvettes.com/forums/showthread.php?t=54956&highlight=melrose+headers
http://digitalcorvettes.com/forums/showthread.php?t=55464&highlight=melrose+headers

 

[c4chaz]

I have the full Melrose system on my car and love it. Of course I don't have anything to compare them to as I did them from stock exhaust. I am trilled with them though.
Here are two threads about mine. They sound even better since I finished the exhaust all the way out the back of the car.

http://digitalcorvettes.com/forums/showthread.php?t=54956&highlight=melrose+headers
http://digitalcorvettes.com/forums/showthread.php?t=55464&highlight=melrose+headers

very nice! I have magnaflow catbacks that this would attach to. I'll get before and after audio, and dyno. I'm pretty sure I'm going this route vs the Hookers.

Now if I could get my seats back from the uphosterer, I could get moving on this. Granted, I just gave them to him on Friday! patience..grrr

 

[c4chaz]

No mods - bought ZO6

Wahoo! Bought a 01 ZO6! This satisfies my urge for better performance! (at least for a while).

Thanks for everyone's advice and I'll see you in the c5 forums now!

 

[War Machine]

CONGRATS MAN! :cheers: artyon:

A C5 is what I'm looking at for my next purchase. :thumbsup:

 

[c4chaz]

CONGRATS MAN! :cheers: artyon:

A C5 is what I'm looking at for my next purchase. :thumbsup:

Thanks!

I guess I didn't think about the possibility of getting a c5 when I created my username here!