I have a 1992 9c1 that's been sitting for about six months. What kind of problems could develop from it being idle for so long?
Also, when I do get around to having it worked on... what kind of mods can I have done to get more HP/torque out of the 350 TBI.
I was thinking about having dual exhaust installed.
What else can be done that's not too expensive?
I have a budget of three grand but I also need to have the ring and pinion gears replaced and some body work done.
Thanks for any replies.

I have a 1992 9c1 that's been sitting for about six months. What kind of problems could develop from it being idle for so long?

Dead battery. Mice. Old gas.... old motor oil. Tires are kind of flat-spotted (drive slowly until they heat up). Nothing major.

Also, when I do get around to having it worked on... what kind of mods can I have done to get more HP/torque out of the 350 TBI.

1. cold air intake + accompanying mods. 5 to 8 hp gain (not much) but an easy-to-do mod and CHEAP. Several choices here.

2. Exhaust. Also several choices. More costly than cold air intake, but a lot more power gain.

3. raise fuel pressure slightly (quarter mod) to increase fuel delivery for items 1+2.

4. stamped self-aligning 1.6 rockers if you keep the stock cam. Otherwise cam swap.

1-3 together don't really require any ECM chip retuning, nor does the addition of the rockers. If you swap cams, then you will need a chip retune. These are the basics; beyond these, it gets more expensive and more tuning needed.

I have a budget of three grand but I also need to have the ring and pinion gears replaced and some body work done.
Thanks for any replies.

Ring/pinion is not needed for performance... and that is an expensive job.

The following link has many useful references. HTH.

http://impalassforum.com/noncgi/ultimatebb.php?ubb=get_topic;f=33;t=009021

Thanks a lot! There was a ton of information on your link.
The ring and pinion gears are worn, the rear-end makes a howling sound when driving. They need to be replaced. The ratio is 3:42. Would putting in 3:73 gears improve the torque?
Also, with shorty headers and dual exhaust (3" pipes) how much more HP/torque could I expect. In the 225/330 range?
Thanks again.

John

Yes, 3.73 would improve torque. That is why some people install 3.73 instead of 3.42 or 3.08. 3.73 will cause the rear wheels to spin slower and apply a greater turning motion a.k.a. torque.

Yes, I think the 220-230 fwhp and 310-320 fw ftlbs range is reasonable with a good cold air intake and good exhaust mod. Understood on the need to redo the rear end. Keep in mind that the rear end work will make the car quicker off-the-line, but the results there don't translate into big gains in the quarter mile. Only altering the engine will do that. BTW you'll need a new set of (plastic) gears in the trans tailshaft housing for 3.73 install. Those gears drive a reluctor that ,in turn, electronically feeds the speedo.

IIRC the tech pages on thirdgen.org have the complete listing of trans speedo gears with GM part number.

EDIT: http://www.thirdgen.org/part-numbers-rear-end-gears