ochsy

I'm asking for advice as to what bolt ons would improve the anemic stock HP and Torque ratings of a stock 74 L48, but I'd rather not pull out an otherwise perfectly good stock engine that runs great.

Headers obviously, but as far as raising the compression a bit, would you go with a set of vortec heads, or a newer non-egr set already built from AFR or Bodix, etc?

Are the pistons dished to get the stock 8.5:1 compression,and can they be pulled from the bottom? I don't own an engine stand or hoist therefore I don't want a full blown build up. Just maybe 350 or so ft-lbs for some more low end grunt. I won't and don't rev anything really high.

If you pull the radiator will the cam come out the front, because I have the feeling that you guys are going to say that the cam has to come out for a real improvement?

If you know of a full set up or kit of parts to buy it would be very helpful.

Ochsy-74 L48.

Attfay Elleybay

Headers, No cat. duel exhaust.
Newer heads.

Scott Marzahl

Stock compression is closer to 8.2:1 No pistons can not be removed/installed from the bottom. The top yes. You'll need some compression to make any power but if the rest of the motor is tired like bad rings, you're just wasting time and money.

A cheap build can be done with something like a set of S/R Torquer heads, a Summit k-1102 cam kit, Performer intake manifold and dual exhaust with or without headers.

If you want aluminum heads and small combustion chambers, something like the Trick Flows with their 56cc heads will make you around 10:1 so you can run a bigger cam like a comp XE 262 or 268.

chevr0letman

Yes you can remove and replace the camshaft if you fully remove the radiator and the Air Conditioning Condenser Module if applicable.

smon

have you considered looking at a new crate engine. I went your route and tried getting more power out of my l48... now i have a year one 350 crate in there. It wasnt worth the money to try aand beef up my old motor. i would swap and store that one, maybe rebuild at a later date. If you dont go with a new engine now you could upgrade with parts that could be used with a new motor later...like headers/exhaust.

my 2 cents

Sean

Vette79C3

You don't need to remove the AC condenser to remove the cam...