A little help? 76 vette
Thread Starter
1st Gear
Joined: Sep 2012
Posts: 1
Likes: 0
A little help? 76 vette
Hey everyone, I recently bought a 1976 stingray corvette L48 while I'm deployed. I went home on R&R and loved it! Its been my dream car since I was 4. It is a beautiful car and the body and interior look amazing. The problem I'm having is I'm coming home from Afghan in 3 months and want to make my car a little faster but don't know really where to begin. I was wanting to buy a crate engine (350 would be fine, but if ideas for bigger engine comes up I'd be more than happy to listen). But for sure want to go w/ a blower. I've always liked the idea of a blower and now I have $6,500-$8,000 to spend on an engine and blower and ect. I just need pointers and a little help getting started. If anyone can help me w/ what kind of engine I should get, what specs, what kind of engine will fit in my car w/o problems, ect. I would greatly appreciate it. I'd love to get back and do this project w/ my father but like I said I am looking for speed output and horsepower and I REALLY want to stay w/ a carburetor.
If you have any input or ideas I'm open for them! Either post here or you can email me;
awoid69@yahoo.com
Thank you!
If you have any input or ideas I'm open for them! Either post here or you can email me;
awoid69@yahoo.com
Thank you!
Last edited by awoid; Sep 6, 2012 at 01:14 PM.
Team Owner
Joined: Aug 2003
Posts: 24,500
Likes: 312
From: Scottsdale AZ
There's a lot you can do with a new four bolt small block that will produce more power than the rather anemic L-48 - - but can't help with the blower- sorry.
But thank you for your service !
Be safe - -
But thank you for your service !
Be safe - -
Race Director
Joined: May 2006
Posts: 18,742
Likes: 2,583
Burning Brakes
Joined: May 2004
Posts: 1,201
Likes: 2
From: Frederick Md
To be honest I'd just have the original motor rebuilt ..its very easy to get 300 HP out of an l48 engine..its all about breathing... the 2 bold block can handle the 300 HP...and not very expensive..
My bone stock L48 4 speed will lay rummer in 1st and second and chirp the tires in 3rd and 4th..(does NOT make it go any faster but it puts a smile on my face...
Bob G.
64 72 and 98 Convertibles
76 79 and an 88 35th ANC Coupes...
My bone stock L48 4 speed will lay rummer in 1st and second and chirp the tires in 3rd and 4th..(does NOT make it go any faster but it puts a smile on my face...
Bob G.
64 72 and 98 Convertibles
76 79 and an 88 35th ANC Coupes...
Drifting
Joined: Jun 2011
Posts: 1,541
Likes: 268
From: iowa city iowa
2020 Corvette of the Year Finalist (appearance mods)
C3 of Year Winner (appearance mods) 2019
If you are dead set on a blower because that is what you have always wanted, then I hope you can do it. Assuming the car is stock now, I would keep in mind what might shake loose in the drive train if you hammer on it with the new engine. It was not designed for that kind of HP 35 years ago and it has not gotten any stronger over the years. I am not trying to talk you out of it, just be aware of it before you shoot your whole budget on the motor you may need to upgrade or rebuild other things... depending upon how big you go.
I have a 76 and hate to admit I never got to drive it in stock form, but I have read that it can really be a fun car even when it is underpowered. The good part about that is that I would not think you would have dump a huge HP motor in it to increase the fun factor and still have some money to do other things with it. That is one thing about these cars: There are always "other things".
Whatever you decide, there are some guys here that really know this stuff and can steer you in the right direction to make the car whatever you want it to be. Good luck.
I have a 76 and hate to admit I never got to drive it in stock form, but I have read that it can really be a fun car even when it is underpowered. The good part about that is that I would not think you would have dump a huge HP motor in it to increase the fun factor and still have some money to do other things with it. That is one thing about these cars: There are always "other things".
Whatever you decide, there are some guys here that really know this stuff and can steer you in the right direction to make the car whatever you want it to be. Good luck.
Burning Brakes
Joined: Apr 2007
Posts: 1,039
Likes: 62
From: Kona Hawaii
Was thinking of supercharging also, but think I'm going to do a 406 or 427 small block.Don't want to cut the hood,and figure out how to make the headlights and power brakes to work.With supercharging you will have to install a vacuum pump or do a hydro boost and either fixed or electric headlights.With a big inch SBC you'll have the power with less weight and it'll look stock.Hey I just smoked you with a 350! 
Melting Slicks
Joined: Aug 2012
Posts: 2,548
Likes: 379
From: Woodinville WA
I have a 75 Corvette, stock (although reringed) bottom end, Vortec heads, aluminum intake, side pipes - guesstimate of 450 hp at the crank.
I've had a B&M blower car. To build a B&M blower motor, you need pink rods (or forged is better), and forged pistons. To build the motor, you're looking at $1500 in machine work, $1500 in parts (for a 350) including cams/ etc. Add to that another $2500 for the blower, 500 for a blower carb, or (better) fuel injection (another 2000 above the 500). After you're done with the motor, you'll need new belt drives (200), an updated transmission $500 in parts for an automatic, $300 for a new torque converter with a 2500 stall. Then you have to either pay to rebuild it (700-1000). All said and done - 450 - 500 hp. And you'll have a motor that throws belts, overheats, and just generally requires constant monitoring.
If you build with a 6-71 or similar, add another 2k for the blower, and at least double the cost of the other parts including a forged crank.
Have you considered turbos? plumbing aside, they're infinitely more adjustable then a blower, and can give you more power.
Or, back to ease - the 350/vortec head with nitrous?
just throwin some ideas
I've had a B&M blower car. To build a B&M blower motor, you need pink rods (or forged is better), and forged pistons. To build the motor, you're looking at $1500 in machine work, $1500 in parts (for a 350) including cams/ etc. Add to that another $2500 for the blower, 500 for a blower carb, or (better) fuel injection (another 2000 above the 500). After you're done with the motor, you'll need new belt drives (200), an updated transmission $500 in parts for an automatic, $300 for a new torque converter with a 2500 stall. Then you have to either pay to rebuild it (700-1000). All said and done - 450 - 500 hp. And you'll have a motor that throws belts, overheats, and just generally requires constant monitoring.
If you build with a 6-71 or similar, add another 2k for the blower, and at least double the cost of the other parts including a forged crank.
Have you considered turbos? plumbing aside, they're infinitely more adjustable then a blower, and can give you more power.
Or, back to ease - the 350/vortec head with nitrous?
just throwin some ideas
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Burning Brakes
Joined: Mar 2008
Posts: 1,038
Likes: 39
From: Denver, CO
St. Jude Donor '08-'09-'10
I did a supercharger 383 a while back. Hydroboost is friggin awesome for brakes. Talk about stopping on a dime!!! The vacuum headlights continued to work normally. My engine dynod at ~515hp
I bought it for 8k from ATK engines in texas. It put a smile on my face every time i started it. Easy as pie to install as well. Are you looking to build or buy?
That engine was stollen when my car was parted out.. Ive been looking around summiy and jegs and it looks like youll be spending 2k+ just for a supercharger kit if you wanna build. If you do, go forged internals and bring you compression ratio down to 8.5-9/1. Good luck and God speed from prior army guy!
I bought it for 8k from ATK engines in texas. It put a smile on my face every time i started it. Easy as pie to install as well. Are you looking to build or buy?
That engine was stollen when my car was parted out.. Ive been looking around summiy and jegs and it looks like youll be spending 2k+ just for a supercharger kit if you wanna build. If you do, go forged internals and bring you compression ratio down to 8.5-9/1. Good luck and God speed from prior army guy!