Original Engine Components
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Instructor
Joined: Sep 2017
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From: Noblesville Indiana
Original Engine Components
Hey everybody,
As some of you know, I'm in the middle of a 75 restore, so this isn't anything that will be happening soon, but I am curious.
My dream car is a 69 black/red L88. Unfortunately, they're few and far between and will be even more so when I have the means to get one.
So I've been thinking, there are plenty of original 427 69s...if I had one of those, could I put the components used in the L88 into say an L36, L68, or L71 block and essentially "clone" the L88 engine?
If so, where can I find the data on the components they used? And is there somewhere I can buy them individually?
Any suggestions or help would be greatly appreciated!
Riley
As some of you know, I'm in the middle of a 75 restore, so this isn't anything that will be happening soon, but I am curious.
My dream car is a 69 black/red L88. Unfortunately, they're few and far between and will be even more so when I have the means to get one.
So I've been thinking, there are plenty of original 427 69s...if I had one of those, could I put the components used in the L88 into say an L36, L68, or L71 block and essentially "clone" the L88 engine?
If so, where can I find the data on the components they used? And is there somewhere I can buy them individually?
Any suggestions or help would be greatly appreciated!
Riley
Le Mans Master
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Thread Starter
Instructor
Joined: Sep 2017
Posts: 134
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From: Noblesville Indiana
You would be better off using this https://www.chevrolet.com/performanc...g-block-zz-427
I'd rather not put a modern engine in the car if I can avoid it.
Team Owner
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From: Southbound
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Short answer is Yes. You can gather the parts and build an L88. Expect it to be expensive. You will need a source for 108 octane fuel.
Thread Starter
Instructor
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From: Noblesville Indiana
https://www.corvetteactioncenter.com...l88engine.html
Short answer is Yes. You can gather the parts and build an L88. Expect it to be expensive. You will need a source for 108 octane fuel.
Short answer is Yes. You can gather the parts and build an L88. Expect it to be expensive. You will need a source for 108 octane fuel.
In terms of octane, additive will get it there correct?
Burning Brakes
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NCRS-type parts will be hard to come by and be very expensive. What I mean by that is exact part# and date coded carb and heads as examples. If all you want is to mimic the look and power level of a L88 then aftermarket 12:1 pistons, off the shelf holley carb, off the shelf cam, aftermarket aluminum heads and repo air cleaner are all easy to find.
Last edited by Dynra Rockets; Jul 26, 2018 at 12:21 PM.
Thread Starter
Instructor
Joined: Sep 2017
Posts: 134
Likes: 6
From: Noblesville Indiana
NCRS-type parts will be hard to come by and be very expensive. What I mean by that is exact part# and date coded carb and heads as examples. If all you want is to mimic the look and power level of a L88 then aftermarket 12:1 pistons, off the shelf holley carb, off the shelf cam, aftermarket aluminum heads and repo air cleaner are all easy to find.
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From: Butler Pa
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Thread Starter
Instructor
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From: Noblesville Indiana
I'm aware of the compression ratio and high fuel cost issue. I wouldn't be driving this car more than once a week if that.
Team Owner
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From: Southbound
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No. They've been out of production for years.
No. You'll have to search until you find them.
Probably not. You'll need aviation fuel or something NASCAR equivalent.
Try Google. Quite a lot has been about the L88 over the years. You should be able to put together a parts list.
Good luck.
...is there a specific place that stocks this stuff?...
...In terms of octane, additive will get it there correct?...
Try Google. Quite a lot has been about the L88 over the years. You should be able to put together a parts list.
Good luck.
Melting Slicks
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2024 C3 of the Year Finalist - Unmodified
The same 3963512 block was used for L36 thru L88 and finding one is not a problem. I would NOT suggest buying a 69 with it's original drivetrain and start modifying it. You would be better off getting a lesser car and putting together all the parts necessary to make it a "clone" or "tribute" L88. I know where there are several complete L88 and ZL1 engines, as well as M22s. You can also find the parts for F41 suspension, J56 brakes and shroudless radiator for those 160 mph straightaway. When you are done, you will have a car that is hard to start, overheats in traffic and will break parts at will. VP has a 108 octane C12 race fuel that will set you back $12 a gallon...unless you can get 55 gallon drums delivered to your house.
If you decide later to sell it, you might be lucky to get back 25 cents on each dollar spent putting it together...providing you do all the work yourself.
If you decide later to sell it, you might be lucky to get back 25 cents on each dollar spent putting it together...providing you do all the work yourself.
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Is what everyone is trying to tell you in a nice manner is if you are just trying to mimic the look, sound, and power of the L88 you are going about it all wrong... With a little ingenuity and modern parts you can accomplish your desire with less money, less headaches and have something drivable when your finished.... your mileage may vary....
Race Director
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From: SW Florida.
Are you building this car to race it? If not, cam and CR need to be rethought. A hyd roller is a way better way to go. If you have any 427-454 with any-even peanut-factory mk-4 heads with the L88 intake, nobody but you and show judges are gonna know it is not an L88. And no matter how orig it is, right down to the right stamping on the distributor bolt, the judges are STILL gonna know it is not an orig L88.
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With the advances made in technology since the days of the L88/ZL1, you can stumble around in a dark room with sunglasses on and make more horsepower/torque than those 2 engines did when they were new. IF you're determined to run 103-110 octane fuel, ($8.50/gallon where I live), even going to the local cruise night is going to be expensive. You can build a pump gas happy BB, drive it like a rental car, and still not break the bank. On 91-93 octane fuel. Been there- MY 69 had a crate L88 and after that died, (amazing what the inside of a BB looks like after the cam breaks!), a crate LS7. Now it's a 496 with 10.5 compression and is happy as a clam on 91 octane fuel. And way more HP/TQ.
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From: near the thumb in the mitten
There was a time when every 427 was a L88 and Muncie was a "rock crusher" 
If you're just going for the look bbc crate engine with aluminum heads and intake. Do you really want to spend you days adjusting valves and the carb so you can drive it. Honestly, I am over that. I just want to get in it and go.
If you're just going for the look bbc crate engine with aluminum heads and intake. Do you really want to spend you days adjusting valves and the carb so you can drive it. Honestly, I am over that. I just want to get in it and go.
Last edited by Kevova; Jul 26, 2018 at 03:55 PM.
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Scare up a mercruiser 365 Mag. It is except for the cam, a 71 LS6. Right down to the Winters snowflake on the intake-at least on the earlier ones. Forged crank, 7/16 dimple rods, forged small dome pistons, 2.19 rectangle heads.
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You can find a 427 block at a machine shop or on craigslist/ ebay. The crank, aluminum heads and appropriate pistons and cam all can be found at Jegs or Summit. You dont need the original parts, just the specs and it will look and sound like the original. You can get the ecklers hood with the cold air intake from a corvette vendor and buy the low profile air cleaner from paragon. It'll still cost a good $5000 -$7000 (another $2000 for a new block)
to put it together yourself with good parts but its cheaper than the original
to put it together yourself with good parts but its cheaper than the original
Team Owner
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St. Jude Donor '05
Or call up someone like Mark at Vortecpro, order up a 468 or bigger, stick a solid lifter cam in it, put your 427 air cleaner on it;as said most wont know the difference
Use a modern grind and head, youll make more power and be somewhat driveable for WAY less money. Plenty of 454 blocks out there even a studded 2 bolt main can take a beating with decent machine work.
Use a modern grind and head, youll make more power and be somewhat driveable for WAY less money. Plenty of 454 blocks out there even a studded 2 bolt main can take a beating with decent machine work.
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