Hey all im new to vettes and have a few questions. Is there a place where i can get engine info on an 85 c4? Things i want to know are what heads came on this engine, header, intake, pistons (are the forged), cam (is it roller), etc. Im buying a clean 85 from a good freind. He just bought a 2000 c5 and asked me if i want to buy the c4. It has new upholstery, tires, rebuilt trans and a whole bunch of other new parts. Im getting a great deal, but the engine will eventually need attention. It runs fine right now, but i know i'll want to upgrade soon. Im not new to chevy engines since ive built quite a few for past projects, i just want to make sure i dont buy parts i wont need. Thanks for any help guys!

 

well you got the L98 tpi 2 bolt main with a flat tappet cam, 194 fi heads (pistons varied but cast) only the very late 85 had a roller (86 model) the heads are very good for a build up they flow pretty good for iron and the 2 piece rear seal block allows you to use early model aftermarket lower end components. all this changed in 86 - if its a nice car buy it

 

Corvette Specs (C4) book from www.corvetteblackbook.comhas lots of specs for each year (engine, electrical, brakes,etc,)as well asdevelopment and historical text, production figures including options and colors, etc. Very informative. Book's ISB # is 0-933534-51-5.

 

Are the heads cast iron or aluminum? Will putting a nice set of head on it help with performance or are the stock head fine? Also since its a flat tappet cam can i put in any one of the many small block cams on the market? I think the stock exaust manis will need to go as well. I would like a 300-350hp car.

 

Heads are steel. Late 86 had the aluminum heads. My 86 has steel heads.

 

So, could i just treat this like any 350 chevy small block and do the normal mods one would do? Say a nice set of flat top pistons, cam, roller rockers, free flowing heads and headers?

 

cam has to be compatible with the computer. I suggest a crane compucam, after that, heads down, you can do whatever u want. The mas air sensor and the O2 sensor are the most important,
The actual best thing to do is contact a tuner, and tell him what HP and TQ u want, and he can suggest the cam and compression ratio for what he can program into the chip