Sensible performance modifications for a stock L69 1984 Trans Am

I wanted to shoot some modification ideas your way and see if its worth doing. Not looking to go into drag racing (unless i meet a worthy adversary at the stop light)I generally would like to keep things stock but I also want to have some high school style hod rod modification "fun". Which means doing it rather inexpensively. So I came up with some possibilities

Intake Manifold-(I will keep my q-jet, I am just getting the hang of it.)
Remove stock manifold and replace it with a performance one. Edlebrock Tarantula or something.
Is the performance increase Worth the cost?

Possible unintended consequences?

Headers- I have no restrictions regarding emissions, living in ILL. Get more free flowing headers. Already have the magnaflow hi flow cat/exhaust.
Performance increase Worth the cost?
Unintended consequences? ECM issues?

Performance Rocker Arms or any other top end engine mod.
Performance increase Worth the cost?
Are they easy to install ?
Unintended consequences ?



Thanks!
Chuck

 

Hey Chuck!

You've got some good ideas and are basically on the right track.

The biggest increase you'll notice is with the headers. The best headers, the ones most recommended on the site are the Hooker 2055's. These are shorty headers, but if you ahve a manual I'd recommend going with a set of Hooker Long-Tubes. Dyno Don's headers also come highly recommended.

The intake on the L69 motors is pretty good, you won't notice much, if any performnace from swapping that right now. However, if you do, the Edelbrock Performer is the only one that will fit right under the hood because you won't need a drop base air cleaner in order to shut the hood. However, like I mentioned, minimal performance upgrade at this time. NO ECM issues, it's not smart enough to know the difference.

I wouldn't touch the rocker arms unless...unless you swap the cam or heads. For a strait bolt on head, the World 305 S/R Torquer is probably the best 305 head out there, though you can have your stock heads ported and polished to get about the same performance. The key is changing the intake valve to a 1.94 valve. I don't recall the stock size but it's smaller. This will be the second biggest of the "Easy" upgrades behind the headers for performance. Only if you swap the heads, I'd recommend going with roller rockers, but that's kind of a luxury if you can afford it.

The third is the Cam, if you want to go that far.

Headers and heads, that would be good for 30-50hp or more easily over what you're running now and will give you a noticeable increase in power.

 

Thanks Ozz!

 

Glad to help!

 

OK, dumb question...Any guidance on porting and polishing heads? Can a semi-dangerous amateur like myself dive into this?

Chuck

 

You could, there are guides for it online, just use google. As a "Semi-dangerous amateur", you might want to take it to a shop if you don't want to risk damaging the heads. Or, buy the 305 Torquer heads and have them shipped "finished" to you. You'll save maybe $200 by having a shop port them vs. buying new ones. but, if you buy knew ones, you'll know they're good.