Engine - Factory look or bling
Thread Starter
Drifting
Joined: Apr 2007
Posts: 1,892
Likes: 3
From: Springfield Illinois
Engine - Factory look or bling
So... As I am putting my 454 together, I've come to that point to make a decision. First, I have to decide if I want to keep my factory hood or go with an L88/High Rise.. I might sound lame, but I really like the look of the original hood. So, I have been thinking LS6 manifold or new hood and Performer RPM manifold. I am kind of leaning towards LS6 manifold... So, I got to thinking.. If I am going with a stock intake, should I make the rest of the engine look stock? What I had in mind was throwing on some factory style chrome valve covers on, putting a Tonawonda sticker on the passenger side valve cover (I believe that is correct?), and the factory LS6 425HP Air Cleaner stickers along with the LS6 console plate. However, the other side of me tells me that is a bogus idea. The reason is that I have some really nice GMPP Bowtie valve covers (similar to 572 valve covers), a brand new HEI with the tach drive, and a Speed Demon carb. Also, all of us corvette guys know that '71 was the only year for an LS6 and no HEI's made it to the scene until '75.
Am I crazy for going with a factory look or should I go with the bling? I would like your thoughts and opinions.. I would also appreciate constructive criticism rather than being flamed at..
Am I crazy for going with a factory look or should I go with the bling? I would like your thoughts and opinions.. I would also appreciate constructive criticism rather than being flamed at..
Burning Brakes
Joined: May 2008
Posts: 1,165
Likes: 24
From: Boston MA
Are those GMPP valve covers chrome? My definition of bling may be different from yours. If the stuff you mention is a matte finish and not chrome I say go for it. Chrome is overdone and boring, like riding a harley...everyone else has one, so your just blending in. Be taseful. Don't put the slide on braided hoses on your coolant lines. route the plug wires so they are nice and tidy...don't paint anything under there the same color as the car. I think 71 big blocks had orange valve covers?????
Melting Slicks
Joined: Jan 2007
Posts: 2,589
Likes: 5
From: Salisbury Maryland
It's a matter of your own taste. For myself, my 69 Coupe SB 350 has no documentation. I decided to rebuild the original block(hold your breathe purist's) and bore/stroke it to a 383. While I'm at it, I'm putting in a Mallory HEI, DeWitt's dual fans, Hayes clutch, Edelbrock intake(which I had powder coated along with the LT1 valve covers I scored last year), a Holley carb, and finally Hedman headers and a custom side exhaust to fit under the 69 stock covers. While from the outside it will still appear stock, with the rally wheels, etc., underneath it will be a more beastly power plant than it was "originally". It was a tough decision for me. The main factors were 1) lack of history on the car 2) someone else had repainted it the non-original color 3) no POP, tank sheet, etc. 4) Stock 350/300 Coupe Therefore, value really isn't a big deal.
While it still retains it's Factory A/C(and it works) and factory looks outside, I think I've "modified" within a reasonable boundary without going too "bling-bling". I'll be able to drive it, show it, and still drown out the boom box stereo systems when I pull up next to them at a stop light.
While it still retains it's Factory A/C(and it works) and factory looks outside, I think I've "modified" within a reasonable boundary without going too "bling-bling". I'll be able to drive it, show it, and still drown out the boom box stereo systems when I pull up next to them at a stop light.
Race Director
Joined: Apr 1999
Posts: 11,520
Likes: 13
From: CORVETTE 77 385 C.I. TEXAS
However, the other side of me tells me that is a bogus idea. The reason is that I have some really nice GMPP Bowtie valve covers (similar to 572 valve covers), a brand new HEI with the tach drive, and a Speed Demon carb. Also, all of us corvette guys know that '71 was the only year for an LS6 and no HEI's made it to the scene until '75.
Am I crazy for going with a factory look or should I go with the bling? I would like your thoughts and opinions.. I would also appreciate constructive criticism rather than being flamed at..
Am I crazy for going with a factory look or should I go with the bling? I would like your thoughts and opinions.. I would also appreciate constructive criticism rather than being flamed at..
Administrator
Joined: Jul 2000
Posts: 54,001
Likes: 6,214
From: About 1100 miles from where I call home.
Team Owner
Joined: Sep 2006
Posts: 31,303
Likes: 4,391
From: Westminster Maryland
Hi F90,
Many people know how I feel... the stock compartments can be very good looking. Here's my 71, 350/270, that thinks it's a 70, 350/300. I've posted it often.
Maybe somewhere between stock and.... is right for you.
It's hard not to like the look of the engines that have been posted so far!
Regards,
Alan
Many people know how I feel... the stock compartments can be very good looking. Here's my 71, 350/270, that thinks it's a 70, 350/300. I've posted it often.
Maybe somewhere between stock and.... is right for you.
It's hard not to like the look of the engines that have been posted so far!
Regards,
Alan
Last edited by Alan 71; Jun 11, 2009 at 07:12 PM.
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Team Owner
Joined: Jan 2006
Posts: 37,637
Likes: 3,118
From: Crossville TN
Hey... if you're just in a quandry about the "bolt-on" stuff for the engine, don't sweat it. You can change from 'bling' to 'stock' in a couple of hours. Set it up like you want it and change when you feel the urge.
Thread Starter
Drifting
Joined: Apr 2007
Posts: 1,892
Likes: 3
From: Springfield Illinois
I'm liking the feedback so far.. Your engines alll look really good! I think I've made up my mind that I will not make it look like a stock LS6... The car was originally an L82, so bringing it back to stock will take a lot. I don't think many of you will have to worry about too much bling bling.. As I am not a huge fan of chrome. Chrome here and there is nice, but the only chrome under my hood will most likely be my air cleaner lid, thermostat housing, and maybe a lid for my master cylinder. The valve covers I have are the covers with a black wrinkle finish which I'm hoping will look good with the cast iron heads painted Chevrolet Orange. I chose these valve covers because I felt that the orange covers would have been too much orange and the natural covers would probably be a pain to keep clean (since this car is my DD for most of the year). With that in mind, maybe you guys can help my choose a plug wire color. So I have an all orange engine, black valve covers, chrome air cleaner lid, red distributor cap, and my headers are painted with VHT (aluminum high temp paint). I was thinking red or black? Any suggestions?
Safety Car
Joined: Aug 2000
Posts: 3,734
Likes: 2
From: Southeastern PA
Hi F90,
Many people know how I feel... the stock compartments can be very good looking. Here's my 71, 350/270, that thinks it's a 70, 350/300. I've posted it often.
Maybe somewhere between stock and.... is right for you.
It's hard not to like the look of the engines that have been posted so far!
Regards,
Alan
Many people know how I feel... the stock compartments can be very good looking. Here's my 71, 350/270, that thinks it's a 70, 350/300. I've posted it often.
Maybe somewhere between stock and.... is right for you.
It's hard not to like the look of the engines that have been posted so far!
Regards,
Alan
I do prefer the stock engines. At shows, I enjoy the aftermarket imagination, but I prefer to learn from the stock ones out there.
Last edited by 70454; Jun 12, 2009 at 01:33 AM.
