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Got a friend with a 1977, he wants to boost its power but didn't know the best way.
Anyone had any experience upping the hp from 180 to something with a little more juice other than doing a engine swap?
One of the top end kits from Summit or Jegs should give him a big HP boost. The main difference between the L48 and the L82 is that the L48 is a 2-bolt main bearing cap so he would probably want to keep the HP below 400 to be safe. The 77 L82 was only 210 HP so he could probably get that number with just a cam and some carb/ignition tuning.
In my opinion, the best bang for the buck is installing vortec heads and a Summit 1103 cam. It's a good running combo and not too expensive. I'm told you will end up with around 325 hp. I did it and I love it.
Got a friend with a 1977, he wants to boost its power but didn't know the best way.
Anyone had any experience upping the hp from 180 to something with a little more juice other than doing a engine swap?
Add 4-bolt mains, L82 cam, and install big valves in the heads.
Basicly the intake, heads (except valve size), block (except main bolts), and exhaust manifold were the same. Used the same carb and dist but with different config.
and if you do heads , go full roller valvetrain .....
L-48 also has lower compression pistons than the L-82 , and I believe they are cast not forged
so no matter what you throw on top..... the 2 bolt mains should be good ....unless you add a nitrous kit....