Cheap performance mods thread!

[prostreetC-10]

Actually....I'm going to change the number one spot. I think the best and cheapest performance mod is to have someone that knows what the hell they are doing perform a tuneup on said vehicle. Nice parts that are not properly tuned/setup do not provide performance gains! You can gain/lose tons of hp just by having a carb and timing all messed up!

[Wallee]

Your right about that for sure!
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[Coley]

Definitely 'ditto' on the tune-up comments posted by Pro-Street. The other mods (under $200) that come to mind would be either an aluminum intake (dual plane) manifold and/or a set of reasonable exhaust headers. These would/could be economical if bought as quality used....and I'm a big fan of that!!!
Now, back to the carb spacer...that is really interesting. I thought that they were best for high rpm advantage, not lower rpm torque? I'm not sure where I got that 'high rpm advantage' info, it isn't from experience either way.
If that is the case.....hmmmm, I'm going to look into that mod a little further.
Question: what about the aluminum carb spacers? (note: it seems to me that the aluminum ones...which there are a lot of....would transfer heat just like the cast or aluminum intakes....so I'm not sure why the alum. ones would be much good). The phenolic ones (non-metal) sure make a lot more sense for heat isolation to me.
Good thread guys...keep the ideas and feedback comin'.
Coley

[C-10 simplex]

i agree with the tuneup----get the ignition dialed in precise for the engine.


Also, i think theres transmission modulator thing that can either be adjusted (free) or replaced ($12) to provide higher rpm shift points.

Also, if quadrajet then different metering rods and jets. Cheap.

[Wallee]

Originally Posted by C-10 simplex

i agree with the tuneup----get the ignition dialed in precise for the engine.


Also, i think theres transmission modulator thing that can either be adjusted (free) or replaced ($12) to provide higher rpm shift points.

Also, if quadrajet then different metering rods and jets. Cheap.

On that quadrajet thing, new metering rods and jets? Any certain kind of jets? Hard to do?
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[Coley]

Originally Posted by Wallee

On that quadrajet thing, new metering rods and jets? Any certain kind of jets? Hard to do?
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No, not hard to do..but you have to figure out if you actually need to to begin with and what your particular engine needs.
Usually just a carb rebuild restores a lot of power through the better tuning. After that you have to find out which carb you have....then check to see what rods and jets you have in it. From there you can start with just changing the rods....this leaves your idle, low speed alone and changes your mid throttle.
You can bring on the secondaries sooner by adjusting the 'opening point' on the left (passenger side) of the carb....but be careful. Too much adjustment here will create bog.
Coley

[Wallee]

Originally Posted by Coley

No, not hard to do..but you have to figure out if you actually need to to begin with and what your particular engine needs.
Usually just a carb rebuild restores a lot of power through the better tuning. After that you have to find out which carb you have....then check to see what rods and jets you have in it. From there you can start with just changing the rods....this leaves your idle, low speed alone and changes your mid throttle.
You can bring on the secondaries sooner by adjusting the 'opening point' on the left (passenger side) of the carb....but be careful. Too much adjustment here will create bog.
Coley

Thanks! I might check into that, anyone else liking all these ideas!?
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