1978 camaro sluggish
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Teching In
Joined: Mar 2014
Posts: 6
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1978 camaro sluggish I got a 1978 camaro with a 350 small block really the only mod I have done is new exhaust with glasspacks I was needing help anyone know any mods I could do to get this baby to a peppy street car right now grand ams is outrunning me
There is a mountain of details out there on junkyard builds to LS swaps and other engine conversions out there that have been done that only require a search.
You need to list the intent of the car, what are you going to use it for? What are your goals?
The LS swap is popular for many reasons and power/cheap/reliable is a few reasons.
Otherwise, the common answer is gears, converter, vortec head swap with a cam and I take to match with some headers.
You need to list the intent of the car, what are you going to use it for? What are your goals?
The LS swap is popular for many reasons and power/cheap/reliable is a few reasons.
Otherwise, the common answer is gears, converter, vortec head swap with a cam and I take to match with some headers.
Launching!
Joined: Oct 2006
Posts: 289
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It probably has a low compression 350 in it. Your best bet is to start with headers (1 5/8" primaries and 2 1/2" collectors if you can find them). Get the ignition curve set up properly and the carb tuned. After that, a new intake would be my next choice and then gears and a converter.
To offer better advice, we need to know exactly what you have in there now. Keep in mind that those vintage Camaros are heavy. I would guess 3700lbs or maybe even more. I had a 1975 nova and that thing weighed almost 3800lbs. It will take torque to make that thing move out.
To offer better advice, we need to know exactly what you have in there now. Keep in mind that those vintage Camaros are heavy. I would guess 3700lbs or maybe even more. I had a 1975 nova and that thing weighed almost 3800lbs. It will take torque to make that thing move out.
Launching!
Joined: Apr 2008
Posts: 225
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From: Connecticut
you said you have a new exhaust. Did you also include Long Tube Headers. If Not , you bmneed to get a set. Pacesetters makes and sell a ceramic coated version for your car at a very fair price. Install a set of headers and get a better air filter . Those two items along with new plugs and plug wires will waje up your motor . If you plan on doing more. Invest in a new Intake Manifold or even a cam.
On The Tree
Joined: Jul 2011
Posts: 112
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From: Petal, MS
As everyone has stated you can add the headers, intake and so on. The first thing to look at with what you have now is your stock carb. If it is a quadrajet Gm detuned the engine by not allowing the back two barrels of the carb to open to full throttle, so you are not going to get the full potential of the engine horsepower. Also the quadrajets were not a very performance oriented carb either. Try adjusting the linkage to the back two barrels and if your not sure as to how try finding someone local that has some knowledge of these cars. If not then buy you a good after market carb. If you have the original 350 in your car then it is a low compression engine and only had if my mind is good 185 horsepower. Not a neck snapper by know means.
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Launching!
Joined: Oct 2006
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No reason a low compression 350 can't make good power...even with crappy heads. My nova was well into the 13's with mostly stock components (883 heads if I recall correctly). I had a Weiand Stealth intake, a lunati solid lifter cam, holley 3310, headers and exhaust, gears and a converter upgrade. To go faster required a head upgrade (or a lighter car!).
First step should always be to verify that what you have is in good condition! Chances are the valve guides are shot, the ring seal is going away, etc.
First step should always be to verify that what you have is in good condition! Chances are the valve guides are shot, the ring seal is going away, etc.
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Teching In
Joined: Mar 2014
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It has a old old Holley 2 barrel carb on it and no I don't have long tube headers but I want to make it in to a pretty mean street car I'm in no rush to build it all at once I really want It to be mean and as loud as it can possibly be and I don't have emissions testing so lol as when I say as loud as it can be I mean that and having it still sounding very nice
