Vette drivetrain
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Joined: Nov 2001
Posts: 88
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From: North Myrtle Beach SC
Vette drivetrain
Well, I've been enjoying my new (to me) vette, especially after
fixing the overheating (or so I thought).
But it kept losing water.
I finally figured out that a head gasket was
blown, so I tore it down.
And I discovered that some previous owner (I got it from a dealer)
had put in solid lifters and a high lift cam, plus aftermarket rockers
(not rollers though) and mickey thompson valve covers.
Everything else is apparently stock (although there are thick plug
wires).
I'm going to put on headers when I put it back together (and later on
I'm going to get a dual exhaust)
My question is: What else should I do to it to improve performance?
I know that the valves needed adjusting, ect, and the bad gasket
affected performance, but as it was before I tore it down,
the vette had very little get up and go to it.
In fact, my pretty much stock '85 nissan 300zxt (about 180 rwhp)
out runs the hell out of the vette. That is not acceptable.
Neither is losing a red light run to a ford explorer (I was in the vette).
BTW, why does the 79 have open chamber heads (but 2.02 valves)?
fixing the overheating (or so I thought).
But it kept losing water.
I finally figured out that a head gasket was
blown, so I tore it down.
And I discovered that some previous owner (I got it from a dealer)
had put in solid lifters and a high lift cam, plus aftermarket rockers
(not rollers though) and mickey thompson valve covers.
Everything else is apparently stock (although there are thick plug
wires).
I'm going to put on headers when I put it back together (and later on
I'm going to get a dual exhaust)
My question is: What else should I do to it to improve performance?
I know that the valves needed adjusting, ect, and the bad gasket
affected performance, but as it was before I tore it down,
the vette had very little get up and go to it.
In fact, my pretty much stock '85 nissan 300zxt (about 180 rwhp)
out runs the hell out of the vette. That is not acceptable.
Neither is losing a red light run to a ford explorer (I was in the vette).
BTW, why does the 79 have open chamber heads (but 2.02 valves)?
Melting Slicks
Joined: Dec 2000
Posts: 2,041
Likes: 0
From: Wichita, KS
Re: Vette drivetrain (JackCooper)
What engine do you have? If you have an L48 it should have 1.94 intake valves so the heads have been replaced too. The L82 would have 2.02 intakes. While you've got the heads off you may want to check the pistons too. L48's had dished pistons. Can't help on what the L82 came with. Pulling the timing chain and cam sprocket should get you the cam information from the end of the cam. Barring that, you could measure the lift so you know how much cam you have. Look at your rocker to see if they are stamped with the ratio.
Adding headers is a good start at improving performance. You should think about adding free flowing duals at the same time. By the time you've adapted headers to the stock exhaust you could have done the whole system. The only other thing that will help a bunch is getting cool fresh air to the carb.
Adding headers is a good start at improving performance. You should think about adding free flowing duals at the same time. By the time you've adapted headers to the stock exhaust you could have done the whole system. The only other thing that will help a bunch is getting cool fresh air to the carb.
Thread Starter
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Joined: Nov 2001
Posts: 88
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From: North Myrtle Beach SC
Re: Vette drivetrain (1979toy)
Well, I don't know much about the vette.
I haven't got a clue which motor I have.
As I said, I got it from a used car dealership,
and they didn't know anything about it.
It has a turbo400 tranny though, and the
block number matches the VIN.
The pistons aren't dished...
The heads are open-chamber, so I would doubt
that they had been replaced (Why get open chamber
heads?)
How can I tell if I have an L48 or an L82?
I haven't got a clue which motor I have.
As I said, I got it from a used car dealership,
and they didn't know anything about it.
It has a turbo400 tranny though, and the
block number matches the VIN.
The pistons aren't dished...
The heads are open-chamber, so I would doubt
that they had been replaced (Why get open chamber
heads?)
How can I tell if I have an L48 or an L82?
Melting Slicks
Joined: Dec 2000
Posts: 2,041
Likes: 0
From: Wichita, KS
Re: Vette drivetrain (JackCooper)
To determine if your car came with an L48 or L82 you need the vin number. The fifth digit determines the engine. If your fifth digit is a 4 you have a L82, if it is an 8 you have an L82.
Corvettes did not come with Turbo 400 transmissions in 1979. You should have a Turbo 350 if it is stock.
Corvettes did not come with Turbo 400 transmissions in 1979. You should have a Turbo 350 if it is stock.
Race Director
Joined: Apr 1999
Posts: 11,520
Likes: 13
From: CORVETTE 77 385 C.I. TEXAS
Re: Vette drivetrain (JackCooper)
You can check your head casting last 3 nos., if stock replace. It had open chambers to keep the C/R down. You need duals then headers. Do you have any lope in D?
