how can i improve my 1986 camaro's performance???

Question

how can i improve my 1986 camaro z28, it has a new edelbrock intake manifold and edelbrock carb, what else can i do to improve hp or performance???

Answer 1

Keep your rear end (differential) fluids changed, might find a synthetic gear oil and throw a strong magnet in the housing so it collects metal flakes and suspended metals. Don't forget the tube of additive to keep it from foaming. Using a pure synthetic motor oil adds 5 HP.

A hi-performance harmonic balancer can add 15 HP. Vibration is obviously a HP robber and the stock harmonic balancer is 'el crappo.

K&N air filter will add a few HP. Exhaust headers will let some HP that's hiding in there come out. If you have one of those 35 pound catalytic convertors you can swap it for a lighter higher flow cat convertor.

Keep your u-joints lubed on the driveshaft. Keep your tires inflated to max pressure rating on the sidewall. Softer tires waste HP.

Stay on top of the transmission service and add a magnet to the tranny pan (if you have an auto) to collect metal residues from the fluid.

Some of those after market HEI coils might sharpen your spark. Make sure your block is grounded to the frame/body with one or two braided copper grounding straps.

Chevy Hi-perf magazine even recommended running a separate ground wire from the heads to the distributor to shorten the electrical path and this adds HP. (like this 2-4-6-8----Distributor)
( 1-3-5-7----Distributor)
You have to drill and tap the head and the distributor or use the valve cover screws and solder the wire to the distributor if you don't plan on pulling it any time soon.

If you want to go big you can add a super charger but this is expensive.

Good Luck!

Answer 2

Q: What fuel pressure setting will give me the best performance?

A: The stock setting is 42 PSI. Much track testing has showed that any type of increase will greatly benefit both horse power and torque. Here's some dyno testing on a stock 350 motor which substantiates those claims:

It shows that by increasing the fuel pressure to 50 PSI, results in maximum torque increase of 58 ft-lbs (along with a much flatter torque curve) and a maximum horse power increase of 19 HP over stock. 46 PSI also provides a noticable increase which should work well for day-to-day street driving. An adjustable fuel pressure regulator (see Chap 5.2) is required to increase the fuel pressure.

Answer 3

For your own safety DO NOT TURN THE FUEL PRESSURE UP TO 50 psi as suggested above!! Not on a carb as you have!! Not sure where that comes from!!!
Do you still have the standard ignition system. No gas knock?? Ok, you will find that you do not get full advance until almost 5000 rpm if stock system. A $10 curve kit will really wake it up Shoot for full advance at around 3500 rpm.
AFTER that..no gas knock on acceleration?? Ok,,gently advance the initial ignition timing until you hear knock and back off till it stops.
Above cheap and easy to do..then open your wallet!! Ha Ha..Good Luck

Answer 4

I have a 1988 camaro with a 305 and i took all my smog control off and went to Bosch Platinum 4 prong spark plugs and that seemed to help a little.

Answer 5

lets go simple, not rebuild the motor ok?
add an msd ignition coil and msd 6al box. use champion truck plug gold head (yes champs). gap .50mm. use a vacuum gauge and read from the vacuum advance, advance the timing until you have no vac increase, back the timing off to loose 2psi vac.

change the CAT!!!!
add a magnaflow muffler
25% increase, cheapest way to go! and future friendly!

Answer 6

Some Headers,A Mild Cam ,A performace Chip,I dunno know if itd injected or not if so a bigger thottle body,or if carb get the biggest one you can buy and and a bigger rear like 4:10's

Answer 7

change the cam,call competion cams they will hook u up with a cam that will improve the performance