Hey I need your opinions, I like to get lists ready on what needs to be done or what should be done. Besides an engine rebuild what are components that you think should be added/or changed to make these boats move even quicker/better and things to improve handling?
For example, are drum brakes okay, or should they be changed? Is a sway bar worth it? Any modifications to the transmission, etc..
The easiest mods are polyurethane bushings for sway bars front and back. The next would be rear upper / lower control arms. The arms are c channel design , modifying the arms and boxing them in are a good idea. The bushings in those arms are rubber and replacing them with poly is also a good move. I would check and see if anyone makes a rear arm set for your application. As for performance the skys the limit. What do you want the car to do?.The car is a cruiser not a drag racer ,but power is good. The people at TA performance know there stuff i would call them to get a starting point on the motor mods.
Thanks for the points. I am starting to make a list.
What do you think about an aluminum drive shaft?
I want to get it powerful, and move good. But I don't want to modify the hood either when it comes to modifying the engine and worrying about clearance issues. TA has some good cylinder heads, but will the intake manifolds be a problem for clearance?
My own predeliction is to keep it looking stock (pretty much) but update the innards.
I would suggest: An overdrive tranny (auto or standard) Disc brake conversion Internal conversion to breakerless distributor (pertronixs) Rear sway bay with better bushings Some nice rallys Lower her down a bit Good radials. Rumpy Dual exhaust out of the factory manifolds Hidden sound system some cool working factory options.
Some of this I have done to mine but it's a long ways from being on the road again
I figure you'll make her young again and have a car you could drive across Canada if you wanted to with that stuff.
Will this give me what I am looking for? I also forgot to ask. I don't think my Riviera has posi, is this going to be a problem if I take it to a drag strip (if I ever decide too)? Is not having one going to add time?
-- Edited by mike667 on Monday 7th of December 2009 09:13:55 PM
-- Edited by mike667 on Monday 7th of December 2009 09:14:34 PM
The only reason I mention the stock manifolds is that in my experience the car tends to run a bit quieter on the highway, they seal better and they don't burn out over time. My experience with headers is a long time ago so they they probably have improved a lot since then.
I'm over 50 so for me quiet is kind of my goal but if it isn't yours go for the headers!
Will this give me what I am looking for? I also forgot to ask. I don't think my Riviera has posi, is this going to be a problem if I take it to a drag strip (if I ever decide too)? Is not having one going to add time?
-- Edited by mike667 on Monday 7th of December 2009 09:13:55 PM
-- Edited by mike667 on Monday 7th of December 2009 09:14:34 PM
gOOD list, i have a 70 Strato Chief with a similiar list, so far have in garage, radial T.A's 215/70/15, 275/60/15, autometer guages, steering wheel, headers, 3" exhaust, 2 chambers, Air gap intake, BG carb, Patriot heads, Proform roller rockers, shift kit for TH350 (likely for sale as im determined to do a 4spd swap) 336 gear, auburn posi, new coils, new shocks, cpp P/ disk brake kit. shifter, jegs electric fan, and more to come, will completely change the car im sure. Hope your upgrades go well and you enjoy the car.
is better
