1976 engine
Thread Starter
Instructor
Joined: Aug 2011
Posts: 155
Likes: 0
1976 engine
Guys, have stock engine with Smog heads. Rebuilt about 20k on it.
Want more pop. All the emissions stuff is long gone, running side pipes from Allen's. has 400 thd.
Only looking for 300 hp, car shows and ice cream runs.
Rip it out or save it and make some mods?
Beyond the pipes it is bone stock and runs really good, no smoke.
Live in central Florida and will need to pay someone to do everything.
Thanks for your opinions.
Want more pop. All the emissions stuff is long gone, running side pipes from Allen's. has 400 thd.
Only looking for 300 hp, car shows and ice cream runs.
Rip it out or save it and make some mods?
Beyond the pipes it is bone stock and runs really good, no smoke.
Live in central Florida and will need to pay someone to do everything.
Thanks for your opinions.
Drifting
Joined: Oct 2005
Posts: 1,615
Likes: 150
From: Forth Worth TX
If your car has the L-82, you have the big valve heads and a decent cam. Have the heads ported and bump the compression up to 10 - 10.5:1 and you'll be in the low-mid 300 gross hp range.
If you have an L-48, I'd suggest a crate motor.
If you have an L-48, I'd suggest a crate motor.
Burning Brakes
Joined: May 2008
Posts: 948
Likes: 1
From: pensacola fl
I would start by getting your distributor recurved, then add true dual exhaust with headers. This would be the best bang for the buck and should be done if you do anything with the engine or not. Go through the topic search and you will find plenty of info. Good luck.
Drifting
Joined: Sep 2010
Posts: 1,412
Likes: 50
From: Laguna Niguel California
Put in a good hydraulic cam and have a reputable tuner put a good tune on it and you'll be surprized. If you want more, do research on cylinder heads. Those mid-70's smog heads are not helping you.
Instructor
Joined: Jan 2013
Posts: 145
Likes: 1
From: Edwards CA
Summitt racing sells the GM Crate Engines
IMO this IS the best option.
1. Its a GM warranty engine.
2. Its been bench tested/Dyno'd.
3. You can "pull" your 350 and store it for safe keeping
(Especially if it the more desireable/collectible L-82)
350 CI
330 HP
$3,999.00
These days, machine shops and parts are expensive.
This is just my opinion.
IMO this IS the best option.
1. Its a GM warranty engine.
2. Its been bench tested/Dyno'd.
3. You can "pull" your 350 and store it for safe keeping
(Especially if it the more desireable/collectible L-82)
350 CI
330 HP
$3,999.00
These days, machine shops and parts are expensive.
This is just my opinion.
Thread Starter
Instructor
Joined: Aug 2011
Posts: 155
Likes: 0
L82. The motor was pulled at a certain point and rebuilt.
We traced the block to a 1980 Corvette. It is peppy but not what I am looking for. Still has the alum. intake, finned valve covers, etc...
I talked to a known Camaro/Corvette mechanic shop in the area. Howards Hot-Rods?? Winter Garden, Florida. Found some good reports on a Camaro forum by accident. They let me know that changing the cam, a stall converter and lower gears may be easier than changing the engine out as it runs so good.
I am going to bring it by at the end of the week and get an opinion.
The motor is coming out no matter what as it needs all new gaskets.
Dried out and leaking from sitting so much. They told me it's easier than trying to do in the car.
I will update everyone when I get done with them. Hope to show some pics too.
We traced the block to a 1980 Corvette. It is peppy but not what I am looking for. Still has the alum. intake, finned valve covers, etc...
I talked to a known Camaro/Corvette mechanic shop in the area. Howards Hot-Rods?? Winter Garden, Florida. Found some good reports on a Camaro forum by accident. They let me know that changing the cam, a stall converter and lower gears may be easier than changing the engine out as it runs so good.
I am going to bring it by at the end of the week and get an opinion.
The motor is coming out no matter what as it needs all new gaskets.
Dried out and leaking from sitting so much. They told me it's easier than trying to do in the car.
I will update everyone when I get done with them. Hope to show some pics too.
Thread Starter
Instructor
Joined: Aug 2011
Posts: 155
Likes: 0
Well I visited the Hot-Rod shop.
We will replace the carb, add headers, add new cam/lifters, re-gasket/paint the motor and fine-tune everything.
He predicts at least a 50HP improvement. Does this sound correct?
Thanks to all of you!!
We will replace the carb, add headers, add new cam/lifters, re-gasket/paint the motor and fine-tune everything.
He predicts at least a 50HP improvement. Does this sound correct?
Thanks to all of you!!
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Melting Slicks
Joined: Apr 1999
Posts: 2,010
Likes: 3
From: Moon Twp. PA USA
With my bone stock '76 L48 here is the route I took, before the stroker.
TF 23* 64 cc heads.
Long tube headers - brand no longer made
CC 268H cam and associated parts
Under car chambered exhaust
Edelbrock Performer intake (not much different than stock)
Lars rebuilt stock Q-Jet
Ignition tweek per Lars' papers
R/W HP on a Mustang dyno-231 vs 152 R/W stock. I don't know where I got the stock number, as I did not dyno the stock set up.
Heads are very important! Those stock 882 heads do not flow to well. If you plan on future upgrades and you want to upgrade the heads now, find some heads that will flow enough for future engine modifications. 195 cc heads should fill the bill.
TF 23* 64 cc heads.
Long tube headers - brand no longer made
CC 268H cam and associated parts
Under car chambered exhaust
Edelbrock Performer intake (not much different than stock)
Lars rebuilt stock Q-Jet
Ignition tweek per Lars' papers
R/W HP on a Mustang dyno-231 vs 152 R/W stock. I don't know where I got the stock number, as I did not dyno the stock set up.
Heads are very important! Those stock 882 heads do not flow to well. If you plan on future upgrades and you want to upgrade the heads now, find some heads that will flow enough for future engine modifications. 195 cc heads should fill the bill.
Pro
Joined: Jul 2010
Posts: 691
Likes: 25
From: Boynton Beach Florida
I would buy a matched top end kit. Edelbrock has some with proven dyno numbers that will put you in the 300-335 horsepower range you're looking for. I believe there is a sale going on now too but I don't remember if it's Jegs or Summit running the sale or Edelbrock direct but worth looking into since they've done the research and figured out which cylinder head and cam combo nets the biggest bang for the buck.
I've been running the E-Street Edelbrock heads with a Comp flat tappet cam for almost 3 years with 0 problems. Did all the work myself over a weekend.
.
I've been running the E-Street Edelbrock heads with a Comp flat tappet cam for almost 3 years with 0 problems. Did all the work myself over a weekend.
.