'79 L48 350 potential?
Thread Starter
Intermediate
Joined: May 2005
Posts: 26
Likes: 0
From: Wylie TX
'79 L48 350 potential?
Just what is the potential for a stock L48 350? Is it worth beefing this motor up or is the only way to get decent performance to put a new engine in? I'm not looking for 500HP but 195 sounds so wimpy!
Race Director
Joined: Mar 2001
Posts: 11,322
Likes: 1
From: Living in the Hartland
Originally Posted by big_G
Most will agree that 400 H.P. @ 5,800 RPM MAX is a safe and reliable number to shoot for...(RPM's kill motors)
A good set of 64cc heads, intake and cam along with headers will get you up in the 400 hp range. There are few diff companies that offer top end packages that are desinged to work together.
Race Director
Joined: Mar 2001
Posts: 11,322
Likes: 1
From: Living in the Hartland
Using a new LM1 GM crate eng (basically a L48) I put alum heads, hyd roller cam and headers on it and let me tell you it really woke that little eng up! 
I have had it over 6000 rpms a few times but pretty much stuck to 5500 since it does have cast pistons.
I have had it over 6000 rpms a few times but pretty much stuck to 5500 since it does have cast pistons.
Drifting
Joined: Aug 2004
Posts: 1,677
Likes: 1
From: Potomac Falls VA
Originally Posted by Fevre
A good set of 64cc heads, intake and cam along with headers will get you up in the 400 hp range. There are few diff companies that offer top end packages that are desinged to work together.Thanks
Shane
Le Mans Master
Joined: Oct 2004
Posts: 5,269
Likes: 54
From: Orlando Florida
St. Jude Donor '05
I got the Edelbrock 64cc heads and a "performer" cam with the stock L48 bottom. It runs great, with the headers and a 600 cfm edelbrock carb it may be around 300HP..... with my 3.55 gears it's fast enough and it seems to be reliable ....
Corvette Stories
The Best of Corvette for Corvette Enthusiasts
Top 10 Most Expensive Corvettes Ever Sold on Bring A Trailer
Brett Foote
10 Things Every Corvette Owner Needs (2026 Edition)
Michael S. Palmer
8 Most "Only Corvette Owners Understand" Quirks and Problems
Pouria Savadkouei
10 Reasons the C6 Z06 is Still A Performance Benchmark After 20 Years
Joe Kucinski
How Much Horsepower Every Corvette Engine "LOST" in 1972
Joe Kucinski
Top 10 DOs and DON'Ts for Protecting Your Convertible Top!
Michael S. Palmer
Top 10 Most Explosive Corvettes Ever Made: Power-to-Weight Ratio Ranked!
Joe Kucinski
150 hp to 1,250 hp: Every Corvette Generation Compared by the Specs That Matter
Joe Kucinski
8 Coolest Corvette Pace Cars (and Replicas) of All Time
Verdad Gallardo
Race Director
Joined: Mar 2001
Posts: 11,322
Likes: 1
From: Living in the Hartland
Originally Posted by ShaneLU97
Which companies? I know Edelbrock has their performer packages....Would be curious about others.
Thanks
Shane
Thanks
Shane
Burning Brakes
Joined: May 2004
Posts: 1,100
Likes: 3
From: belle plaine ks
cam picker
IF your gears are high [3.08 rear end ] with th400 what would be a good aftermarket camshaft? I've always heard that camshafts aren't much help unless the gearing is just right. I would like to make a good pick the first time out. Also I hear the vortec heads are worth a try as well on the l-48. Weigh in and let me hear all the sage advice I can stand as I would like to raise the horsepower of my anemic vette and not fear the ricers. 
Safety Car
Joined: Dec 2004
Posts: 4,876
Likes: 1
From: Jersey Shore Exit 98
Great question I'm thinking about pulling my stock L48 & going 383 stroker. If would be nice to get 350/400hp out of my L48 that way I can keep the car some what original but how much $$ are we talking about rebuilding vs dropping in a crate motor?
Also I hear alot of guys say that the old stock L48's are just not worth putting $$ into??
Also I hear alot of guys say that the old stock L48's are just not worth putting $$ into??
Melting Slicks
Joined: May 2003
Posts: 2,253
Likes: 1
From: Rochester Kent
Originally Posted by RedBad1979
I got the Edelbrock 64cc heads and a "performer" cam with the stock L48 bottom. It runs great, with the headers and a 600 cfm edelbrock carb it may be around 300HP..... with my 3.55 gears it's fast enough and it seems to be reliable ....
Pretty much the same with my L81 
Thread Starter
Intermediate
Joined: May 2005
Posts: 26
Likes: 0
From: Wylie TX
Originally Posted by Jims79
Great question I'm thinking about pulling my stock L48 & going 383 stroker. If would be nice to get 350/400hp out of my L48 that way I can keep the car some what original but how much $$ are we talking about rebuilding vs dropping in a crate motor?
Also I hear alot of guys say that the old stock L48's are just not worth putting $$ into??
Also I hear alot of guys say that the old stock L48's are just not worth putting $$ into??
The $$ difference was going to be the next part of my question also. I can't imagine building the stock engine to 300-400HP could cost as much as a crate engine. What is the going rate for a 383 stroker?
Greg
Race Director
Joined: Dec 2000
Posts: 10,896
Likes: 2
From: CO
Originally Posted by Jims79
Also I hear alot of guys say that the old stock L48's are just not worth putting $$ into??
I want some vortec heads, new cam and intake for my L48. It should wake it right up. Waste of money? of course.
