I have a 1976 Corvette that needs an engine overhaul. My stock L82 has beeing burning oil for a while and it's starting to have a bottom end tick and blow by.

I have been looking at some of the cheaper crate motors as an option. They sound almost to good to be true. At just over $2,000.00 and advertising 290hp,..I'm very interested. This is more hP than my L82 had when new.

I'm not looking for a hot rod or a race car. I just want some peppy performance, at least equal to the original L82 to cruise around with.

Below is a link to one of the engines I'm talking about. Give me your thoughts.

http://www.ebay.com/itm/GM-Performance-12499529-Engine-Assembly-Crate-Engine-Chevy-350-290HP-326TQ-/330938431573?pt=Motors_Car_Truck_Parts_Accessories&hash=item4d0d77b855&vxp=mtr

 

jegs has that same engine with free shipping

 

This one is from Summit and it's free shipping too.

Have you had any experience with this engine?

 

Not as much as you'd think. crate engines are rated differently than a stock L82 in 1976.

 

But the 290 on this crate engine is 80hp more than my L82 was rated back in 1976. Is the rating that much different?

Would this 290hp crate engine feel LESS powerful than my stock engine did?

 

no , better , you'll like it

 

it wont feel less, but i dont think it will feel 80hp more. That engine is pretty much a stock L82

 

The GM Performance crate engines are rated by gross horsepower...your L82 was rated by net horsepower. GM uses gross horsepower when rating the crate engines since they have no idea the end use...what car, what engine accessories, etc., are going to be used with it.

Regardless...the 290 hp crate is a good engine and you should be happy with it. I would expect the 290 would be roughly 230-240 hp net when installed...plus it will be fresh and have a warranty.

 

I have installed 2 of those engines and just ordered one on Friday for a 59. They are great for dependable drivers put one in a 80 L82 3 years ago car owner said it ran much better. Check the warranties 2 years 50,000 mi from GM. Some others only 6 months 6,000 mi.
Mark

 

Could you not have your exisiting engine rebuilt and even beefed up a little for that kind of money?

It's been a while since I had an engine built,..but I would think by the time you bought a $2,000.00 engine plus pay to have your intake, carb and accessories changed over and then installed you'll be in for close to $3,000.00.

I would think you could probably have your engine freshened up for that.

 

have your engine rebuilt get the heads port an polished or change for upgrades with a beefier intake you will be thrilled an put out more power for same or less money

 

I'm having an engine built by Carolina Machine Engines (CME). I have toured their facility (Johnston, SC) and was very impressed. They are a Production Engine Remanufacture. They spin test the engine with heated break-in oil with the proper additives. The actual dyno sheet for that particular engine showing the horsepower and torque at various RPM points is provided with the engine. Dyno sessions are 4 to 6 hours. They disassemble the oil filter after dyno testing and inspect for debris to ensure that the engine is okay internally. Finally the engine is pressure tested at the crankcase for oil leaks. Below is their web site, I highly recommend them.

Their complete engines are warranted for 12,000 miles or 12 months, whichever comes 1st and they also have extended warranties too.

http://www.cmengines.com/Engines/Per...5/Default.aspx

 

Junk heads and an L-82 cam...

HOWEVER, it doesn't have the 2.02/1.60 valves that the junk heads on the L-82 have.

Any power gains from the swap would be attributed to wear and tear on the original motor.

 

I don't think you can have your engine block remachined and buy needed parts (oversize pistons, rings, gasket set, bearings, etc. etc.) for the $2000 it costs for that crate engine. If you know someone at a machine shop that cuts you a deal and you do your own engine rebuilding, maybe you could break-even. Otherwise, don't waste your time for a '76 L-48 engine.

[Sorry, I have an L-48 engine, too; but I still think rebuilding it makes little sense when you can get a warranted, new engine for the same money. And, it's already CLEAN! ]

 

I bought the exact same 290 HP crate engine for my '76 L82 4 speed because of the near identical L82 match up. I think the cams are the same.

I added a Performer intake and a 670 Ultra S/A along with MSD ignition. I am looking forward to an easy driver with a 'small bit' of punch when I 'down shift'.

 

Following this one, entertaining this for my chevelle

 

Thanks guys. Looks like most of you feel the crate engine would be a good option.

My original L82 had a slight rumble at idle from the cam. I loved that. Would this GM 290hp crate engine have a similar rumble at idle?

 

I'm less than expert on this but did look at this motor when we were looking at a new engine. That cheaper price point sure is attractive when you first look but be careful before you jump in. We took a pass on this one and here's why.....

I vividly remember looking at the possibilities for this engine.

On the PLUS SIDE I definitely had "Price" and "all new" motor highlighted.

But here's where it all went WRONG and quickly looked like less of a bargain.

The cam is VERY mild and the flat tappet cam is yesterday's tech. Cast pistons are dish type that yield incredibly low compression vs your L82. You could fix this with new heads (you probably want new heads anyway the heads that come on this engine are the WORST heads GM ever built big CC "smog heads")

In the end we figured this motor could provide a pretty solid bottom end for a build up of a mild engine......... but by the time we swaped out heads and changed the cam for something with a little more power....... it no longer looked like the bargain in comparison to other choices.

Be absolutely SURE of one thing before you buy....... will you be comfortable with a Corvette that barely keeps pace with a new Toyota Camary?......if that's not appealing you'll probably end up spending money here. Money you hadn't planned on originally and in amounts that may have you regretting going for the "cheapest" new motor choice.

 

I seem to recall that there were other options for crate engines that weren't that much more expensive and offered more horsepower. This engine is the cheapest alternative that will give you solid reliability and peace of mind, but I think I would spend a few more bucks to get just a bit more horsepower. I don't have my catalogs with me, but I seem to remember a 350/350 for not much more money.

I think a crate engine is a great way to go though...

 

The 'budget' crate engine is the "hook". Once that hook is set firmly in your wallet and you are now thinking how nice it would be to have more power, THAT'S when they start grabbing your money. The upgraded engines cost far more than the HP difference is worth.

The best deal is definitely the 290 HP version.