L88 427 engine WIW
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Joined: Oct 2010
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From: Edison NJ
L88 427 engine WIW
what is the current market value on a vintage L88 427 engine with IT stamped pad. Motor is complete with aluminum heads,intake etc...Motor runs. Any advice appreciated.
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From: Barrington IL
As Mike said, is there a vin stamp on the pad? It's worth more if it has an original vin stamping on it. Even if it doesn't and is an over the counter motor it still has good value to the right guy.
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From: Alberta
Originally Posted by chez443
its a over the counter item...no vin # stamped....complete motor
And the figure I am referring to is roughly between $8-15K........depending on the parts used, and who builds it for you...........anything above that is purely an emotional, and not a logical price.
Last edited by 10caipirinhas; Oct 26, 2012 at 06:23 PM.
Le Mans Master
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From: Graceland in a Not Correctly Restored Stingray
It will likely be worth a bit more to anyone building a faithful clone, or replacing an original engine in a legit L88. That said, I hope it doesn't end up in the hands of someone who would use it to fraudulently pass off a fake. IIRC, there's been an L88 mill on feeBay at $15K for a while.
FWIW, tho L88's were strong I don't recall any claims of them making more than ~550 HP without extra development. As for the cost to build a similar alum head 427 from scratch and without cutting ANY corners, I'd put the price between $10-15K. I'm basing that on prior 427 builds I've done, and on projections on the 550'ish HP alum head 427 makeover for which I'm currently collecting parts myself (budgetary constraints aside).
FWIW, tho L88's were strong I don't recall any claims of them making more than ~550 HP without extra development. As for the cost to build a similar alum head 427 from scratch and without cutting ANY corners, I'd put the price between $10-15K. I'm basing that on prior 427 builds I've done, and on projections on the 550'ish HP alum head 427 makeover for which I'm currently collecting parts myself (budgetary constraints aside).
Last edited by TheSkunkWorks; Oct 27, 2012 at 02:10 AM.
Race Director
Joined: Nov 2002
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From: Taylor Michigan
600 HP on the hoof
at one time it was worth several thousand, especially without the vin number on the pad...but all the L-88 cars are accounted for...I bought several and put them in everything where a BB was once installed...Vettes, Camaros, El Caminos, and even drag boats...including two in a 18 foot Hallet drag boat....When sold over the counter there was no Vin...almost complete engines including the TI distributor intake, exhaust manifolds, clutch and bell housing, except carb, coil and starter..Dexter Chevrolet.....I recently found the invoice for the twin engines...$2400,00 for the pair, two bucks a horsepower....The yellow tag 'IT suffix is visible on the right rear valve covers..
..great engines and with only a single 4 bore almost as good as my A-990 race Hemis that had dual quad cross rams
..great engines and with only a single 4 bore almost as good as my A-990 race Hemis that had dual quad cross rams
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From: Alberta
In "the" L-88 book it was documented thru numerous sources that famous engine builder TRACO (and others) got 650 HP all day long after rebuilding the engines in these cars, merely thru the use of good headers and top notch machine work/tuning.
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From: altered state
St. Jude Donor '05
Ill take that obsolte tiny BBC off your hands my Camino would love it cant be worth much 
Go get a 565 in that bad boy.
Over time pizzes me off even more about the MO 427 I had that was stolen-was planned for my ride. Out of $ range for me now
Go get a 565 in that bad boy.
Over time pizzes me off even more about the MO 427 I had that was stolen-was planned for my ride. Out of $ range for me now
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From: Graceland in a Not Correctly Restored Stingray
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From: Southbound
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From: Indy Indiana
it is a used engine, probably had the **** run out of it, perhaps even already bored .060 over and might need extensive machining to get rebuilt.
it is not something to buy then just stick in a car. do the heads and intake and all other parts of the complete engine match date wise?
you say complete engine, so that means starter, carb, exhaust manifolds, distributor, water pump, damper, flywheel, air cleaner setup.. right??
if all the date codes line up and if a potential buyer has a car with a need for these potential dates, then it might be worth a premium over a old big block that needs rebuilt..
but otherwize, I would rather buy a crate already done, than take a chance on a old BB that might be cracked or already .060 over...
it is not something to buy then just stick in a car. do the heads and intake and all other parts of the complete engine match date wise?
you say complete engine, so that means starter, carb, exhaust manifolds, distributor, water pump, damper, flywheel, air cleaner setup.. right??
if all the date codes line up and if a potential buyer has a car with a need for these potential dates, then it might be worth a premium over a old big block that needs rebuilt..
but otherwize, I would rather buy a crate already done, than take a chance on a old BB that might be cracked or already .060 over...
Last edited by joewill; Oct 27, 2012 at 06:11 PM.
Melting Slicks
Joined: Feb 2001
Posts: 3,330
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From: Europe , Luxembourg
Hi
I highly agree. The cast date makes it worse a lot or not.
If the cast date of the block and heads fall within real L88 time frames, one would probably pay a bit for it.
If it is a too young cast date even for late 69 L88, it<#s just a 427 BB .
And this only if one likes to build a correct clone.
Good luck & rgds. Günther
I highly agree. The cast date makes it worse a lot or not.
If the cast date of the block and heads fall within real L88 time frames, one would probably pay a bit for it.
If it is a too young cast date even for late 69 L88, it<#s just a 427 BB .
And this only if one likes to build a correct clone.
Good luck & rgds. Günther