picked up a new vette!
Thread Starter
Cruising
Joined: Aug 2007
Posts: 14
Likes: 0
picked up a new vette!
hey guys, when i got rid of my vette before i was in withdrawal. i came across one that i got for a great deal. bodys in great shape frame is solid but hte one thing is hte motor. It has 39000 km on it but hasnt been driven in 4-5 years. Motor turns over and fires up but i was wondering should i be taking it easy on it? Should i be working it in gradually and not just opening it up hard from the get go? I wouldnt want to the see the motor go on this from not being use to abuse in 5 years. Any input? also i'm going to change the oil tomrrow and throw in some synthetic along with changing the plugs and wires.
Pro
Joined: Nov 2002
Posts: 599
Likes: 16
From: vista CA
Watch out for all the rubber - coolant hoses, vac hoses, seals. Tune up is a good idea!
I'd drive it easy for a while - ensure no heat issues. Don't expect the stock 79 L48 to provide any head snapping acceleration though 
.
When I got my 79 I had to fix exhaust leaks, engine oil leak (front main seal), replaced brakes, steering rebuild, suspension rubber to poly. Got by on the tired L48 for a couple of years and then went LS1 to wake it up!
I'd drive it easy for a while - ensure no heat issues. Don't expect the stock 79 L48 to provide any head snapping acceleration though .When I got my 79 I had to fix exhaust leaks, engine oil leak (front main seal), replaced brakes, steering rebuild, suspension rubber to poly. Got by on the tired L48 for a couple of years and then went LS1 to wake it up!
Melting Slicks
Joined: May 2007
Posts: 3,246
Likes: 4
From: Bay Area CA
Should of took it easy before starting it. Plugs should of been removed, and each cylinder oiled individualy, then turned over by hand, 2 reloloutions, new oil and then pre-oil it before firing after 4-5 years of sitting. At this point, I would do a major tune-up on it- plugs, wires (can be a B- they are routed through the engine mounts) dist cap-ect coolant flush. then run'er hard and see what leaks... 
I would run Royal Purple 10w40 if in a smog controll state, R/P XPR if not.
I would run Royal Purple 10w40 if in a smog controll state, R/P XPR if not.
Thread Starter
Cruising
Joined: Aug 2007
Posts: 14
Likes: 0
yeah i was probably going to go with the R/P. I know the l48 doesn't got much in it. but people underestimate it alot. My buddy has an '80 and changed the electrical, carb, exhaust and had a few little tricks done with a tune and puts down 397 at the wheels with a dyno sheet to prove it. I probably will do the same but do not want to damage the motor by not breaking it in good. thanks for the input. Just out of curiosity, how much does the ls swap cost to do if you dont mind?
Race Director
Joined: Sep 2001
Posts: 10,560
Likes: 439
From: Wellington, FL
St. Jude Donor '11 thru '25
I would replace the fuel, all fluids including the oil (& filter), hoses, and check the tires and belts for cracking, etc. A tune up would also be in order replacing the air and fuel filter. I would take it easy for a while although these cars are not exactly known for there power. Good luck with the new ride. 
Pro
Joined: Nov 2002
Posts: 599
Likes: 16
From: vista CA
yeah i was probably going to go with the R/P. I know the l48 doesn't got much in it. but people underestimate it alot. My buddy has an '80 and changed the electrical, carb, exhaust and had a few little tricks done with a tune and puts down 397 at the wheels with a dyno sheet to prove it. I probably will do the same but do not want to damage the motor by not breaking it in good. thanks for the input. Just out of curiosity, how much does the ls swap cost to do if you dont mind?
Congrats to your friend on getting 397 rear wheel hp out of his 80. Did he also replace heads/cam? I thought the heads/cam on 79 was one of the big limiting factors to get to those levels.
Enjoy your ride. Keep us updated on progress and mods!
Thread Starter
Cruising
Joined: Aug 2007
Posts: 14
Likes: 0
nope i worked close with him on it, ignition was completely redone, with a 750 cfm carb, true 2.5" dual exhaust and a few little tricks that most people dont know about that free up some more ponies. The tune made the most change though. hes thinking about throwing a 100 shot to it, unsure if that bottom end will hold up to it though with the already added power.
Corvette Stories
The Best of Corvette for Corvette Enthusiasts
Top 10 Most Expensive Corvettes Ever Sold on Bring A Trailer
Brett Foote
10 Things Every Corvette Owner Needs (2026 Edition)
Michael S. Palmer
8 Most "Only Corvette Owners Understand" Quirks and Problems
Pouria Savadkouei
10 Reasons the C6 Z06 is Still A Performance Benchmark After 20 Years
Joe Kucinski
How Much Horsepower Every Corvette Engine "LOST" in 1972
Joe Kucinski
Top 10 DOs and DON'Ts for Protecting Your Convertible Top!
Michael S. Palmer
Top 10 Most Explosive Corvettes Ever Made: Power-to-Weight Ratio Ranked!
Joe Kucinski
150 hp to 1,250 hp: Every Corvette Generation Compared by the Specs That Matter
Joe Kucinski
8 Coolest Corvette Pace Cars (and Replicas) of All Time
Verdad Gallardo
Melting Slicks
Joined: Jul 2004
Posts: 2,577
Likes: 2
From: Long Island New York
nope i worked close with him on it, ignition was completely redone, with a 750 cfm carb, true 2.5" dual exhaust and a few little tricks that most people dont know about that free up some more ponies. The tune made the most change though. hes thinking about throwing a 100 shot to it, unsure if that bottom end will hold up to it though with the already added power.
Melting Slicks
Joined: May 2007
Posts: 3,246
Likes: 4
From: Bay Area CA
That's right! It was the "few tricks" that most people "don't know about" that unlocked that hidden added +260HP over stock, GM hid in there for you to find,, and unlock. L. S. of S. 
It was the "few tricks" that most people "don't know about" that unlocked that hidden added +260HP over stock, GM hid in there for you to find,, and unlock. L. S. of S.
Last edited by RunningMan373; May 13, 2008 at 02:48 AM.
Race Director
Joined: May 2005
Posts: 10,674
Likes: 122
From: Millington Illinois
St. Jude Donor '08-'09
That is a 190 HP net motor minus drivetrain loss 30%. Puts stock RWHP @ around 137 HP. Running Man hit it pretty close @ 260 HP! He almost tripled his RWHP with tuning, carb, ignition and new exhaust pipes! 
I really didn't know you could get that type of power out of those 1980 smog heads and a cam with .390 and .410 lift. I want to know some of them tuning tricks. Just think if you applied them to a 400or 500 HP motor with great heads and a big cam!
I really didn't know you could get that type of power out of those 1980 smog heads and a cam with .390 and .410 lift. I want to know some of them tuning tricks. Just think if you applied them to a 400or 500 HP motor with great heads and a big cam!
Thread Starter
Cruising
Joined: Aug 2007
Posts: 14
Likes: 0
lol guys it really doesnt bother me much if you dont believe it. All i know is that one this vette specifically there were some things that we found that freed us up some added ponies. The other mods gave us the bulk of the power though.