new engine or rebuild engine
Thread Starter
Racer
Joined: Jul 2006
Posts: 355
Likes: 0
From: milpitas ca
new engine or rebuild engine
ok so im have come across a decent some of money ( 1600) and im not sure what im gonna do..... i have a 74 L48 engine ( i pretty sure its an L48....any way to find out?) ok so i was thinkin about rebuildin it but then agian i dont know how much hp im going to get out of it.....then i remebered that gm perfromace parts has a long block for the same price it comes with 290hp and 326tq. my question is would it be worth gettin a new engine or stick it out with the og engine and slap a set of vortex heads, nice cam and air gap intake?
Pro
Joined: Dec 2006
Posts: 665
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From: wilmington nc
look for a number stamped on the front of your engine right in front of the passenger side head, small flat pad right where the head gasket goes. if no number there get the casting number off the top rear of block between intake and firewall.
Racer
Joined: Aug 2005
Posts: 340
Likes: 0
From: Rural Crete Nebraska
I have a 74 L48 and I got done rebuilding mine last summer. I'm happy with my power, I know I should have around 350hp at the crank. I'd say definitely get the vortec heads, bump the compression up, and get a beefier cam(if you're running the stock one). For $1600 you could easily build a much stronger motor from the one you got!
Oh yeah, the air gap doesn't like to fit under the stock hood with any decent air filter(ask me how I know)
And who cares if its an L48? All vettes were rather underpowered in 1974.
Oh yeah, the air gap doesn't like to fit under the stock hood with any decent air filter(ask me how I know)
And who cares if its an L48? All vettes were rather underpowered in 1974.
Last edited by sethjohnson71; Mar 1, 2007 at 01:41 PM.
Team Owner
Joined: Jan 2006
Posts: 37,637
Likes: 3,118
From: Crossville TN
If your block is original with the car, and if you care about keeping the car in original condition, rebuild your engine (assuming the block is not damaged and hasn't been bored already). If NOT, its probably easier to dump in a crate motor. You can always sell the block and other parts, if you are not going to re-use them.
Racer
Joined: Aug 2005
Posts: 340
Likes: 0
From: Rural Crete Nebraska
I'm using speed pro hypereutectic pistons, weiand action-plus intake(same height as stock and still use q-jet), '041x' casting 64cc heads, around 9.5 to 1 compression. I'm using the comp cams xtreme energy 262 cam. It works pretty good for me.
