20r stock power output

[wa4x4]

Okay, so I got my 80 with the 20R in it and have been catching some flak from some people about power. How much power did the 20r with a 4 speed stick come with off the showroom floor 25 years ago? I am rebuilding the engine right now and am curious to see how much hp this thing packed when it was new.

[bbagwell]

A stock 20R puts out about 90 H.P. and when you step up to the 22R you get like 96 H.P.! I replaced my 22R with a 20R and I can honestly say I can't tell the difference. It was really slow before and well it is still really slow.

[wa4x4]

Im machining my head and I am going to get headers and some other junk. I want close to 100-110 hp, will I get close or is it worth trying. either way im going to machine the head because it is pretty corroded right now.

[wa4x4]

I also dont care about top speed because i wont be driving this every day or anything.

[bbagwell]

Yeah mine isn't a daily driver. It seemed stupid at first for me to go from a 22R to a 20R but then I looked at the numbers and there isn't much difference. And the 20R was free, in a car too so I could drive it. Hard to pass up free for a good motor.

[RockinRunner]

sorry i dont mean to change the subject but how much did the stock power go up in the 22re?

[bbagwell]

105 HP until 88, then they went up to a whopping 112 HP. The four cylinders are not big on horsepower, but they are reliable.

[azredliner]

Im machining my head and I am going to get headers and some other junk. I want close to 100-110 hp, will I get close or is it worth trying. either way im going to machine the head because it is pretty corroded right now.


Add in some Bosch Platinum +4 spark plugs. I swear they added nearly 5 horses per plug. I noticed a huge power increase. I wrote a thread somewhere on here and I included a part number for the 22R. I think the part number is the same for a 20R. Port & Polished heads make a huge difference also. De-burring your intake runners will smooth out the air/fuel mixture and increase H.P. Stay away from high volume oil pumps. They can rob you of upto 7 H.P.

[bbagwell]

Add in some Bosch Platinum +4 spark plugs. I swear they added nearly 5 horses per plug. I noticed a huge power increase.

I used to work at Auto Zone and they used to try and get us to tell people how great they were, mainly because they are 6 bucks a plug, I will stick with NGK's for a buck and a half each. They may increase fuel mileage by giving a more efficient spark, but I really seriously doubt you are going to gain horsepower from spark plugs.

[azredliner]

I used to work at Auto Zone and they used to try and get us to tell people how great they were, mainly because they are 6 bucks a plug, I will stick with NGK's for a buck and a half each. They may increase fuel mileage by giving a more efficient spark, but I really seriously doubt you are going to gain horsepower from spark plugs.


I've been around all types of motor sports all my life (40 years). I,ve tried everything under the sun. I wasn't a fan of fancy spark plugs. Until I tried them. I don't work at Auto Zone nor would I buy my parts at Auto Zone. Auto Zone can kiss my :moon: ! I get all my stuff through Summit, Jegs, P.A.W.H. and If I can't find it there, I'll make it myself or have a local speed shop do it. I like my Bosch Platinum +4 plugs. It's the cheapest way to add a few horses to your ride. I wished I would have done it sooner. Don't knock 'em 'til you try 'em.

[azredliner]

I used to work at Auto Zone and they used to try and get us to tell people how great they were, mainly because they are 6 bucks a plug, I will stick with NGK's for a buck and a half each. They may increase fuel mileage by giving a more efficient spark, but I really seriously doubt you are going to gain horsepower from spark plugs.

I forgot somethings. First, any halfwitted mechanic knows those guys at Auto Zone couldn't find their ass if they used both hands. They only know what the computer can tell them. Second, that's all I need to say.

[RockinRunner]

105 HP until 88, then they went up to a whopping 112 HP. The four cylinders are not big on horsepower, but they are reliable.

And they are also great on gas.

[bbagwell]

So since I worked there in the past I can't find my ass with both hands huh? Show me some proof they make more horsepower.

I am no Auto Zone spokesperson by any means it was a part time job when I really needed extra money. Most of those asshats couldn't find there ass with both hands. Some of the people who worked there were also extremely knowlegible, but those people are few and far between. Of course all the customers knew more than anyone working at any auto parts store ever could. Oh how I loved working with the public. I never realized how stupid people were or how big of a-holes they were until I worked there.

[azredliner]

So since I worked there in the past I can't find my ass with both hands huh? Show me some proof they make more horsepower.

I am no Auto Zone spokesperson by any means it was a part time job when I really needed extra money. Most of those asshats couldn't find there ass with both hands. Some of the people who worked there were also extremely knowlegible, but those people are few and far between. Of course all the customers knew more than anyone working at any auto parts store ever could. Oh how I loved working with the public. I never realized how stupid people were or how big of a-holes they were until I worked there.

O.K. I don't have proof, but my word is solid. I don't go trying every new item that claims to add H.P. or milage. I drove big block chevy's and milage was not a concern for me. I'm just saying, my Toyota was guttless and a gas hog at 18 miles per gallon. I figured I would try the plugs out after checking with several people that have used them. Now my Toyota has pep + I am getting around 24 mile per gallon in town. I still use 87 octane gas and Castrol oil with Lucas oil stabilizer. I don't use octane boost or any of that crap. Just try them and you will see. If you don't feel any difference, return them for a refund. What does it take to change 4 spark plugs?

And about that "can't find your ass..." If the shoe fits... I'm not trying to be a prick or sell you on Bosch products. I just believe you should try them before your negative opinion about them.

[bbagwell]

I agree the improve mileage some. I don't have a negative opinion about them other then 6 bucks is ridiculous if you ask me. But opinions are like a-holes we all have one and they all stink.

[azredliner]

I agree the improve mileage some. I don't have a negative opinion about them other then 6 bucks is ridiculous if you ask me. But opinions are like a-holes we all have one and they all stink.

Well, I've spent as much as $1000.00 for roller rocker arms for Chevy V-8's. That comes to $62.00 per roller rocker, 2 per cylinder. $6.00 is a drop in the hat.

[bbagwell]

Yeah 6 bucks a plug is a drop in the hat compared to that.

[azredliner]

Yeah 6 bucks a plug is a drop in the hat compared to that.

You see, the way they work is simular to a hemi engine. Hemi is short for "hemispherical". A hemispherical head places the spark plug in the center of the combustion chamber. That placement allows for total ignition of the air/fuel mixture. Burning the total mixture gives a bigger "POP" on the power stroke. Bigger pop on the power stroke means more horse power. On most engines, the spark plug is located on the side of the combustion chamber. When you screw in a conventional spark plug, the single electrode is away from the entry point (intake valves) of the air/fuel mixture. The +4 spark plugs keeps your spark closer to the entry point.

[bbagwell]

Always cracks me up how Dodge advertises the Hemi motor. Funny thing is Honda makes hemi's, Suzuki makes hemi's, my old Isuzu Rodeo had a hemi V-6, I am sure there are many others.

For some reason though Bosch platiums will not work well in Chevy or Ford V-8's, but they will work in Chrystler V-8's. They work great in four cylinders.

[azredliner]

Always cracks me up how Dodge advertises the Hemi motor. Funny thing is Honda makes hemi's, Suzuki makes hemi's, my old Isuzu Rodeo had a hemi V-6, I am sure there are many others.

For some reason though Bosch platiums will not work well in Chevy or Ford V-8's, but they will work in Chrystler V-8's. They work great in four cylinders.

Chrysler made the first hemi back in 1950 for the New Yorker. Dodge was not with Chrysler yet.

[wa4x4]

I have the platinum +4's in my yota now, makes a truck thats not running well run a little smoother too. Good quality stuff, worth the price.

[azredliner]

Yeah 6 bucks a plug is a drop in the hat compared to that.

I had to edit that deal on the rockers. You get 16 to a set. Thats $62.50 for each roller rocker. I'm glad I caught that or someone would have thought I worked at Auto Zone. :kidding:

[azredliner]

Always cracks me up how Dodge advertises the Hemi motor. Funny thing is Honda makes hemi's, Suzuki makes hemi's, my old Isuzu Rodeo had a hemi V-6, I am sure there are many others.

For some reason though Bosch platiums will not work well in Chevy or Ford V-8's, but they will work in Chrystler V-8's. They work great in four cylinders.

Chevy made the first over head cam V-8 in 1923. Actually it was a dual over head cam engine with a cam shaft on each head. It resembles the Mercedes V-8. There may be a connection between Chevrolet and Mercedes since they were both Europeans.

[bbagwell]

Maybe you should apply at Auto Zone. Get in the Zone, Auto Zone! God I hated working there, :moon: Auto Zone.

So do you remember the day that Chevy came out with the first overhead cam? :D