New Engine
Thread Starter
Intermediate
Joined: Jan 2021
Posts: 34
Likes: 0
From: SW Florida
New Engine
My 78 Anniversary model has the basic L48 engine. I'm toying with the idea of swapping the engine to a new L82. Is this feasible and what modifications will need to be made? Any other engine ideas?
Last edited by Waltzee; Jul 20, 2021 at 11:07 AM.
Melting Slicks
Joined: Jun 2011
Posts: 3,114
Likes: 592
and can swap the LS3 out and reinstall the L48 to return back to numbers matching original car. No modifications where done during the LS3 swap that would effect any original parts or mounting of factory parts.
Some people do a cam / heads to L48's to improve performance (lowest budget) / crate motor swap SBC 350 / 383 using factory type parts etc.
Melting Slicks
Joined: Jan 2006
Posts: 3,180
Likes: 297
From: Sarasota Florida
Sarasota here. Why would you go with an L82? Much better choices out there.
Dr. Detroit
Joined: Mar 2012
Posts: 10,090
Likes: 4,015
From: New Braunfels Texas
Besides someone that would build it to your specs.....absolutely nobody sells a new rebuilt L-82.
There are thousand of crate motor options out there.....and builders too.....
Do some research.....
Jebby
There are thousand of crate motor options out there.....and builders too.....
Do some research.....
Jebby
Le Mans Master
Joined: May 2007
Posts: 5,007
Likes: 1,114
From: North tonawanda NY
What makes an L82 different from any other run of the mill forged gen 1 350? The cam? Thats the only somewhat unique component I know of and by todays standards and cam offerings its nothing special... I now different years varied a bit but the heads are not great and the intake and exhaust is certainly nothing special. OP, are you planning on using this car on the dragstrip? if not you would be better off just getting a better top end for your L48 since you will be most likely turning lower RPMs that simply do not warrant the forged internals... I cant remember seeing a thread here where someone with a street only car broke a cast crank.. same goes for the whole 2bolt vs 4 bolt arguement... theres lots of 2 bolt builds out there including most sbc 400 based builds. A 383 stroker is the most common swap these cars get.
Last edited by augiedoggy; Jul 20, 2021 at 01:17 PM.
Team Owner
Joined: Jan 2006
Posts: 37,637
Likes: 3,112
From: Crossville TN
Just do a GOOD job of rebuilding your present 350: good aluminum heads, matching cam, pistons, stroker crank if you want to increase the 'cubes', headers, aluminum intake. You can keep the Q-jet as it is still the best carb option out there...unless you want to go EFI. That will make MORE power than the L-82 of the 1970's.
Think about what you want to achieve. The standard 350 block with 2-bolt mains can still make a stout engine. Just be wise about what parts you choose and who you pick to machine the block.
Think about what you want to achieve. The standard 350 block with 2-bolt mains can still make a stout engine. Just be wise about what parts you choose and who you pick to machine the block.
Le Mans Master
Joined: May 2007
Posts: 5,007
Likes: 1,114
From: North tonawanda NY
Its not a one size fits all answer.
Im just guessing here because you havent mentioned what its for? street or dragstrip? They are two completely different goals.
Unless your going to replace the poor gearing in your rear end or put in a high rpm stall converter, you want something conservative which gives more torque like a mild 383 the torque is that get up and go you feel from stoplight to stoplight.. If your planning on replacing the gearing you will want something with a bit bigger cam and also want to consider forged internals at that point.
Im just guessing here because you havent mentioned what its for? street or dragstrip? They are two completely different goals.
Unless your going to replace the poor gearing in your rear end or put in a high rpm stall converter, you want something conservative which gives more torque like a mild 383 the torque is that get up and go you feel from stoplight to stoplight.. If your planning on replacing the gearing you will want something with a bit bigger cam and also want to consider forged internals at that point.
Last edited by augiedoggy; Jul 21, 2021 at 11:20 AM.
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Le Mans Master
Joined: May 2007
Posts: 5,007
Likes: 1,114
From: North tonawanda NY
Pro
Joined: Jul 2021
Posts: 719
Likes: 156
GM pn 12691672
https://www.gmperformancemotor.com/parts/12691672.html ~ $3300 delivered, made is USA (NOT Mexico)
Brand New Not Reman/Rebuilt. Best of all (GM) warranty. good Vortec heads, forged steel crank, 4-bolt mains, billet steel roller cam/lifters, damper, finished fuel pump mount.
https://www.gmperformancemotor.com/parts/12691672.html ~ $3300 delivered, made is USA (NOT Mexico)
Brand New Not Reman/Rebuilt. Best of all (GM) warranty. good Vortec heads, forged steel crank, 4-bolt mains, billet steel roller cam/lifters, damper, finished fuel pump mount.
Drifting
Joined: May 2018
Posts: 1,545
Likes: 405
From: Brampton, Ontario Canada
OR he might be interested in a 350 from Blueprint Engines since he wanted an L82 to begin with, so something not as wild as the 396, but not as mild as an L82! 
https://blueprintengines.com/product...or-bp35513ctc1
Last edited by How Are You; Jul 22, 2021 at 05:55 PM.
Intermediate
Joined: Mar 2021
Posts: 39
Likes: 25
I went with an ATK high performance 350... 350 horse 408 torque $3100 delivered. Went with the new Edelbrock avs2 couldn't be happier. Once you start pushing over 400 horsepower you'll have to change other things. I wanted to keep my original 350 tranny and my rear end.
1980 by the way
1980 by the way
Last edited by Gregkw12; Jul 24, 2021 at 02:04 AM.