High performance is all about taking what you have and massaging it into a stronger, quicker, hotter-handling street machine. To this end, there are literally dozens of modifications you can make to your Chevy for improved performance. Over the years, we've tested many power products. Some of them work, and some of them don't. Rather than just list a bunch of parts, we've assembled 20 solid tests to illustrate how these parts really perform--sort of CHP's version of a performance-proven greatest hits. While it's not on compact disc yet, we might just make your top-40 hot-rodder's hit parade with this great information.
Some of the stars we've assembled include how much power a simple plate nitrous system is worth, a header test, a camshaft comparo, as well as tests on ignition timing, jetting, mufflers, and intake manifolds. We've even tested some obscure stuff like engine-driven fans and carb spacers. Performance is more than just horsepower, however. That's why we applied the Pro Touring plan to our power-proven ideas, adding in some suspension and handling tests as well.
Keep in mind that there are limitations with any test. For an intake manifold or header test, for example, the engine combination has a dramatic affect on the results. If we chose a 450hp engine to test the difference between a set of headers and cast-iron exhaust manifolds, the power difference is going to be dramatically different than if we test a 300hp engine. Do headers work? Of course they do, but your engine combination will dictate the exact power difference a much as the headers themselves.
With that in mind, let's take a look at our 20 performance-proven goodies and see how many of them will apply to plans for hopping up your Bow Tie brawler. CHP