Obviously it's more expensive, and realistic. YOU forgot the cost of re-building those worn out heads.

 

You don't always have to. It's good to check them out to see if they need new seats or seals, but I have seen my fair share that can be bolted right onto a new engine with no work needed. It's just a possibility based on the mileage and condition of the engine the heads were pulled off of.

 

This thread is awesome.. Just what I was looking for! So far I have gone the frame on route for restoration and the top half of the engine seems like a good place to start. Mine is in good shape, just a little under powered and poor mileage.

I have a few questions.

1. I assume that my 79 would apply to most of what has been suggested here? I also have the L48.

2. Who is Lars?

3. My intake is just fine, looks nasty, but no leaks. I assume based on what I read, by "gasket match the intake" I assume what is meant is just pull it and regasket it?

4. Should I really go the head, intake, carb, dist, exhaust route.. or everything but the heads? I guess I am liking the prospect of a $1000 mod here, vs., over a G and or pulling the motor completely.

Since I am having fun driving it, I am thinking of doing the exhaust first, since I can buy the parts and then have the local guy put them on same day. Then doing the carb, dist, intake, etc., when I put the car away for the winter.

I assume just the exhaust mod alone (from what I have read in this thread) will be a performance boost? I was gonna go with the Corvette Central Exhaust system using Magna Flows and a true dual at 2" or better.

That was before someone mentioned headers. If I go that route, I am looking at this system:
http://www.corvettecentralexhaust.co...mance_dual.php

I've seen several guys recommend this setup. Again, was gonna keep the stock headers originally. I assume this setup with the headers would be a boost by itself initially? As well as sound much nicer too.

Thanks for any input.

 

No it means to port the runners of the heads to match the gasket, so they are the same shape and dimensions. Same goes for the intake...you do both.

 

Ok, I gotcha. So if I changed heads and used the stock intake, the gaskets would have to be matched up then... If I use the stock intake and stock heads, is there really any reason to pull the intake?

Carb, Dist, headers/exhaust... for instance.

 

No, if all you are changing is the carb, distributor, and exhaust, you don't need to remove the intake or heads. However, exhaust only won't get you great results. The heads are still an air flow killer, and many after market intakes flow better than the stock iron intakes.

 

Headers and full exhaust will still get you results that you can feel, though. And you can get that without having to waste precious summer months. I wouldn't suggest doing 2"... if you're going to replace the exhaust you might as well go all the way to 2.5" so it is ready for if you decide to replace the top end later.

PS... I bought my car from a guy in Elkhorn.

 

Ok, was not sure if I could get it in the 2.5". I agree, its something that can be done without having to waste a lot of time, like some of these other painful experiences I've had to deal with.
Cool... We're bringing back the Softball Tournament out there this year and if all goes well will be doing a Annual Car Show in conjunction with that event next year, via the Lake Geneva Jaycees.