Engine & exhaust upgrades - your views / opinions?

[Michael W.]

Well with the help of some people on this forum my frame is ready for assembly. The diff, leafspring, etc are ready for installation. So in the coming months I reckon the frame will be rolling again.

For pics see: http://www.c2registry.org/index.php?..._id=1&uid=4278

My 65 is here to stay so I want to finish her in a way that I can say "yes this is my dream car with the options I would have ordered when new" but without loosing originality.

Currently i have a 327-250 HP with powerglide. Quite a dull setup. As such my mind keeps tumbling on the following items:

Engine:
I am considering an upgrade to get a 327-300 hp. I have the right carb, but miss the headers and intake.

PG will be replaced by a 4-speed RPO M-20, which we have lying around already.

Exhaust:
I have a new set of 2" magnaflow (front to back) which I installed less then 1 year ago. However I am crazy about the side pipe option (i know its noisy) so I almost ordered one, but......my body is an A.O. Smith. So keeping originality in mind, since A.O. were not equipped with SP option I should forget this....correct!?

So either the 2" magna setup stays or we go for a 2.5" N11 offroad exhaust system.

Would appreciate your views on this as fellow Vette owners!

Regards

[Paul J.]

Re: Engine & exhaust upgrades - your views / opinions?

Michael:

In my opinion, it sounds like this car is not the right one for you. Maybe you should consider selling it after your restoration and getting one that is closer to what you want.

Just my opinion.

Paul

[Joe R.]

Re: Engine & exhaust upgrades - your views / opinions?

Michael,

Your pictures and commentary on the repair of your 65 Corvette was great! I enjoyed every minute of the tour!

Since I have retired from Philips NV, I also enjoyed the tours around Holland. I even recognized some of the beautiful countryside and windmills. My trips to Holland were few but I look forward to returning some day. As you know, Philips Electronics home office is in Best. Not an exciting town as Amsterdam!

Again, thank you for the wonderful album of your 1965 Corvette Conv.

Oh yes, I would definately use the N-11 exhaust. Wonderful sound and performance. Cost effective also vs. the side exhaust system.

JR

PS. Also, your friends are great craftsmen! Working under the condition of poor parts availability they did one hell of a job on your frame.

[Stuart F.]

Re: Engine & exhaust upgrades - your views / opinions?

Michael;

It does not sound like anything you are considering with regards to the engine or exhaust system is not reversible, except for the transmission change. That would take some doing. I have always approached my upgrades/changes on the basis of preserving originality potential. I have electronic ignition, electric choke & carb mods, radial tires, stereo radio w/cd player and multiple speakers and other misc. changes - all of which can be changed back easily. With the radio; all wiring was plug together (no splices), speakers are mounted with Velcro and wiring concealed in normal channels, etc.

But, the choice is yours. It's your car.

Stu Fox

[Patrick H.]

Re: Engine & exhaust upgrades - your views / opinions?

Nice car!

I noted in your pictures that when your engine was prepped, the numbers were decked off from the front of the block. So, it is now no longer externally linked back to St. Louis as being a 250hp motor. Since that is now the case, I suspect that you could build it into any configuration you wish and it would not make a difference.

Patrick

[Gene M.]

Re: Engine & exhaust upgrades - your views / opinions?

Mike,
I enjoyed you photos on web site. I see you have a very late AOS car with drum brakes. The master cylinder in the photos is for disc brakes. Have you had any issues with the mix? My very early 65 is also drum brakes it uses the 64 style master cylinder. It's neat to see another Corvette that is plain Jane. Mine is base engine, 3 speed, no radio AOS coupe.

[Duke W.]

Re: Engine & exhaust upgrades - your views / opinions?

The biggest factor in "horsepower" is head flow. A '65 327/250 should have 461 heads rather than the small port/small valve heads of prior year versions, so the small port inlet manifold and 400 CFM WCFB become the limitations.

"Massaging" the heads (see archives) and the 300 HP inlet manifold/AFB will make for a nice improvement in power and useable revs without affecting the bottom end torque or docile nature of the engine.

At the above power level the 2" exhaust system is not a big restriction and a 2.5" system will not yield a substantial increase in power, but sidepipes are very restrictive and will likely make less power than the 2" under-the-car system.

Duke

[Michael W.]

Re: Engine & exhaust upgrades - your views / opinions?

Thanks guys for your views....I always appreciate some other perspectives!

Duke - thanks for the fb on the exhaust. Loosing hps is not my aim, so some good food for thought.

Gene - yes she is plain jane....but still sweet. On the brakes I did not have any issues so far. During the resto she will get new discs all around.

Joe - Of course we know Philips "sense of simplicity" if you are ever around give us a shout.