More horsepower for 1980 trans am?

[Rafterman]

I was trying to find a way to get more horsepower out of my 1980 trans am pace car. It has a 350 chevy in it and i was wondering what would be some goodthings to do to get morehorse power. I realize mufflers and stuff but where wouldi get superchargers and stuff like that for my 350?

[Rally Sport]

Is the car stock or did you put that Chevy in there?

[capriceowns]

didnt those have the turbo v8 aleready? it should haul ass

[Whoaru99]

Originally Posted by capriceowns

didnt those have the turbo v8 aleready? it should haul ass

Did anything built in 1980 haul ass????

The base engine was a 301. A 301 w/turbo or Chev 305 were options.

The turbo version was the hottest with a whopping 210hp, while the 301 and 305 ranged from about 135hp to 170hp depending on version. So, yeah, in comparison the turbo was pretty hot, but...

[97cavalier]

the cars were way underated back then. And they started to put all the smog crap on then so take all that off.

[Whoaru99]

Hmmm...

Way underrated? Hadn't heard that one before. I've owned cars from that era and I'd be of the opinion that none of them were sandbagging the hp ratings.

In any case, unless the engine has been replaced, it's not a Chev 350.

Standard hot-rod techniques apply, more air + more fuel = more power.

Also, I would not indiscriminately just tear off all the emissions stuff. I don't believe there is that much power to be gained by doing so. You'd be better off to make sure what is there is working properly and don't have a bunch of vacuum leaks in all those hoses.

In some respects you are blessed if the car is in good shape. It's a lot cheaper, IMO, to go fast when you don't have to buy really expensive intake manifolds for F.I. and mess around with computers and custom programmed PROMs, etc. Also, you are probably better off if the engine is the Chev 305 if you are looking for moderate increases/easy stuff, or if you are looking to go somewhat big time, then it really doesn't matter because you'd probably be replacing the whole engine anyway.

[97cavalier]

back when the fuel thing was big they did slap some smog crap on them and restrict the flow on heads and intake and such that slowed them up big time. Thats how it is on my camaro. And they were not "way" underated but i bet it is some.

[Rafterman]

I put the 350 in it. the 301 is gone.