1980 L48 Performance Mods?
Thread Starter
Safety Car
Joined: Apr 2007
Posts: 4,435
Likes: 9
From: Kalamazoo Mi
1980 L48 Performance Mods?
I just bought a 1980 L48 from my uncle. I am looking to increace the performance of the car. I am basically wondering what sort of modifacations are available. Cams, lifters, manafolds, headers, etc. Thanks for the suggestions.,
Steve
Steve
Team Owner
Joined: Jul 2001
Posts: 182,997
Likes: 88
From: Lakeland, FL
Cruise-In IV-V-VI-VII-VIII Veteran
St. Jude Donor '03, '06, '17
You can get some more power with cams, intake etc.. but the REAL power is in HEADS and exhaust!! All the duration and lift and duration of a cam or intake won't help you if the heads don't flow enough.. Same goes for the exhaust.
Le Mans Master
Joined: Apr 2006
Posts: 5,403
Likes: 95
How much are you willing to do to the engine or spend in money??
replacing the exhaust would be the first thing to do. getting rid
of the 76cc factory heads for modern 64cc chamber heads would
help a lot and the L/48 cam is to mild for any kind of performance
engine. Do you have an auto trans ? whats the rear gearing ?
replacing the exhaust would be the first thing to do. getting rid
of the 76cc factory heads for modern 64cc chamber heads would
help a lot and the L/48 cam is to mild for any kind of performance
engine. Do you have an auto trans ? whats the rear gearing ?
Last edited by Little Mouse; Apr 17, 2007 at 05:10 PM.
Racer
Joined: Jul 2003
Posts: 455
Likes: 0
From: Buffalo New York
My set up is "upgraded" vortec heads, Comp Cams XE268 cam and headers on a L48 bottom end. I love the torque. The tires start spinning when I drop the clutch at 1800 RPM's...
If you have more questions pm me and I will answer them...
Good Luck!!!
Chris
Thread Starter
Safety Car
Joined: Apr 2007
Posts: 4,435
Likes: 9
From: Kalamazoo Mi
Ya i was thinking about starting with the exaust. Thinking about getting some glass packs, but idk. Who makes headers for the L48? thanks for the suggestions. Oh ya, and unfortunatly its attached to a life sucking auto, more reason i need some performance improvements.
Last edited by Bowerss2; Apr 17, 2007 at 10:41 PM.
Racer
Joined: Jul 2006
Posts: 355
Likes: 0
From: milpitas ca
u can get a set of headers from hookers( its what i have) and run them to a set of 50 serise flows.....they shound nice youll feel a nice improvemtn on it but like dude said above heads are what u should do....
Drifting
Joined: Sep 2006
Posts: 1,986
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From: Columbus MN
http://www.flopro.com/FloPro.htm
I like these because 1) they are NOT glass packs, 2) they sound good without being too loud to have a conversation inside the car, 3) performance is excellent with these mufflers.
Total cost of my exhaust system was about $800 from heads to tips including a cross member modification and all custom bent pipes.
My still camera takes great pictures but record lousy sound on videos. My exhaust is actually a little louder and more rumbly than in the video. The H-pipes really smoothed out the sound.
http://s124.photobucket.com/albums/p...t=MVI_0207.flv
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Heel & Toe
Joined: Jul 2007
Posts: 22
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check corvette central for their true dual exhaust. Fit my 79 like a glove and great sound, not too loud.
Then - budget - get an electric fan, go ebay and get good CFM but single fan (here comes the crap) the money guys go dual....... if a fan belt breaks on stock you are sol - same with single fan. bottom line 10 - 12 HP.
So you pick up 10 on exhaust and 10 on fan with no real changes. 20 hp when you start at 190 is not bad!
Then - budget - get an electric fan, go ebay and get good CFM but single fan (here comes the crap) the money guys go dual....... if a fan belt breaks on stock you are sol - same with single fan. bottom line 10 - 12 HP.
So you pick up 10 on exhaust and 10 on fan with no real changes. 20 hp when you start at 190 is not bad!
Burning Brakes
Joined: Jan 2006
Posts: 1,019
Likes: 18
From: St. Louis MO
My 1980 L48 just came from the dyno and produced 300 RWH. 355 TQ. Now if you add 15% for drive line loss she looks pretty good. I have cast vortec heads, flat top pistons, 30 over on the bore, 480 lift crane cam, msd box and coil, Dyno Max coated headders, and it runs good!
Pro
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From: Millersville, MD
2nd Gear
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L48 vs L82- Performance Mods? It won’t let me message you
Le Mans Master
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From: Lebanon Township New Jersey
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