I am in the design/idea stage of replacing the power plant of my '74 Corvette(L-48). I bought this car in '97 when I was 18 yrs old. It was parked in the fall of '98, and I took a couple of years off for my driving record to recover. It came out again in '07, and was parked again that fall. My driving record has recovered again from the relapse in '07, and I am ready for a fall project this year. I would like to thank all of the old timers who tell story's of there first hod rod, and tell everyone who will listen, "I wish I still had that car". I fired it up 2 weeks ago to move it from storage to home. I spent the rest of the weekend searching for my varsity jacket, and getting a cheerleader outfit for my wife. I think I just discovered the "fountain of youth"! Thank you also all of you who make this forum such a useful resource!
Hello From Flint, Michigan
- Thread starter Happy
- Start date
I am still uncertain of the direction I am going, but here are the options...
option #1. Build the motor that is in the car now. The original 350 was removed in '07, and replaced with a 400 sbc. I was in search of a block at the time to build a small block 427. I found a running engine that a local circle track driver had pulled out of his car, and swapped the engine to see how well it ran. It ran better than the original, and got around 18 mpg. There is something to be said for being able to break the tires loose at 60 mph!
option #2. I have a tall deck block from an '85 firetruck that was replaced with a diesel when it turned into a farm truck. Yes I am thinking 496!
These are the 2 options that have equal "sentimental" value to me.
The dilemma... Both my wife and 14 yr old son expressed an interest in driving the car when it is finished, and a 500+ hp engine in front of either of them might keep me up at night. The hours spent wrenching on that car with my dad is the reason I am so fond of this particular car, and it is a tradition I will continue with my son.
For now I am just reading everything I can, and taking notes.
you do understand that there are programmable ignitions, that have a key code, or a valet key and replaceable chips, in some ignitions that limit the rpms to 3000-3500 rpm
we used to call those valet chips ,
that would keep your kid or wife from accessing more than about 40% of the available power curve, if you install a 496 BBC and want to allow them to drive the corvette, that still allows brisk performance, but remove easily 70% of the potential to get into trouble simply because the low speed response is there but no where near the potential peak power can be accessed
http://www.speedwaymotors.com/MSD-8743-RPM-Rev-Limiter-Module-Kit-3000-3800-RPM,680.html
https://www.msdperformance.com/products/rpm_and_timing_controls/rpm_controls/parts/8732
we used to call those valet chips ,
that would keep your kid or wife from accessing more than about 40% of the available power curve, if you install a 496 BBC and want to allow them to drive the corvette, that still allows brisk performance, but remove easily 70% of the potential to get into trouble simply because the low speed response is there but no where near the potential peak power can be accessed
http://www.speedwaymotors.com/MSD-8743-RPM-Rev-Limiter-Module-Kit-3000-3800-RPM,680.html
https://www.msdperformance.com/products/rpm_and_timing_controls/rpm_controls/parts/8732
Last edited:
Loves302Chevy
"One test is worth a thousand expert opinions."
ONLY if they work on it.
Welcome Happy.
Loves302Chevy
"One test is worth a thousand expert opinions."
MSD 8743 RPM Rev Limiter Module Kit, 3000-3800 RPM
Everyone does already know that there is just a fixed resistor inside each of these chips?
The price for these is a huge ripoff, in my opinion. Make your own for much less.
Everyone does already know that there is just a fixed resistor inside each of these chips?
The price for these is a huge ripoff, in my opinion. Make your own for much less.
Loves302Chevy
"One test is worth a thousand expert opinions."
Here is a few graphs to pick the proper resistor value for your desired rev limit.
thanks for posting that info, Im sure many guys did not know that
yes I was aware of the process.
in fact most guys wire a hidden 3 way switch,
and wire in two resistors one for the intended red-line,
one for restricted or valet use that limits what the engine output will be,
to reasonable daily transportation, not performance usage
(lets say 6500-rpm )
resistor band colors
GREEN BLACK YELLOW ORANGE BROWN
and
( a second valet setting lets say 3300-rpm)
resistor band colors
RED RED RED ORANGE BROWN
http://www.digikey.com/en/resources...version-calculator-resistor-color-code-5-band
http://www.allaboutcircuits.com/textbook/reference/chpt-2/resistor-color-codes/
https://www.radioshack.com/search?q=resistors
http://www.oreillyauto.com/site/c/d...ap?ck=Search_N0947_-1_5006&pt=N0947&ppt=C0335
yes I was aware of the process.
in fact most guys wire a hidden 3 way switch,
and wire in two resistors one for the intended red-line,
one for restricted or valet use that limits what the engine output will be,
to reasonable daily transportation, not performance usage
(lets say 6500-rpm )
resistor band colors
GREEN BLACK YELLOW ORANGE BROWN
and
( a second valet setting lets say 3300-rpm)
resistor band colors
RED RED RED ORANGE BROWN
http://www.digikey.com/en/resources...version-calculator-resistor-color-code-5-band
http://www.allaboutcircuits.com/textbook/reference/chpt-2/resistor-color-codes/
https://www.radioshack.com/search?q=resistors
http://www.oreillyauto.com/site/c/d...ap?ck=Search_N0947_-1_5006&pt=N0947&ppt=C0335
Last edited:
Loves302Chevy
"One test is worth a thousand expert opinions."
Make sure you have a way that only you can start that car.