Simple changes to L48
Thread Starter
Cruising
Joined: Jul 2009
Posts: 14
Likes: 0
From: Lockport IL.
Good answers!
From your replies, doing any work to the existing L48 is a waste of money & time. After looking at a local speed shop & on the net, I can get what I'm looking for by just buying a crate motor w/ a warranty. The L48, I think is only a 2 bolt main which presents problems right out of the shoots. Plus the costs of a rebuild to the L48 would come in about the same as a crate +/-. This kinda makes it a no brainer. Why spend money on 100K, L48, rebuild when new crate is just a few dollars more & comes with some kinda warranty. Granted motor, trans work, exhaust, rear end, etc..... will all add up but at least I'll have something to play with when I'm done. And if it takes a few years to get there, it is what it is. I already have a C4 to drive on nice days so the 77 was going to be more of a hot rod & even now, it's still a fun car to drive.
But back to my original question, if I can come up w/ a intake & carb, will it help give me a little more out of it now or just save the money & put it toward the crate, etc......?
But back to my original question, if I can come up w/ a intake & carb, will it help give me a little more out of it now or just save the money & put it toward the crate, etc......?
Le Mans Master
Joined: Oct 2007
Posts: 7,453
Likes: 976
From: RI, Now Franklin/Nashville TN
I agree with your advise 98%! I do question the statement of the 300 horse motors in earlier Vettes. They are almost the same as the L-48, they just used different cams and a lot more emmissions, plus they were rated differently. an L-48 can put out more then 300 horses easilly.
I AGREE with everything else though. My 77 L-48 is built up some but lately, I've been thinking of placing everything stock, back on. If I run 300 or 350 horses, they are not going to beat a newer car, even some V-6's will outperform an older Vette. Then IF and I say IF with a heavy heart, the Feds bring a Federal emmission package, they will most likey go by California's laws. That might mean even 'Live Free or Die' stateslike NH may end up requiring cats and EGR's. I use mine as a weekend cruiser and if someone is not going to race their car, wait until this new Carbon Bill passes or not before throwing a lot of money into something that may need to be taken off.
I AGREE with everything else though. My 77 L-48 is built up some but lately, I've been thinking of placing everything stock, back on. If I run 300 or 350 horses, they are not going to beat a newer car, even some V-6's will outperform an older Vette. Then IF and I say IF with a heavy heart, the Feds bring a Federal emmission package, they will most likey go by California's laws. That might mean even 'Live Free or Die' stateslike NH may end up requiring cats and EGR's. I use mine as a weekend cruiser and if someone is not going to race their car, wait until this new Carbon Bill passes or not before throwing a lot of money into something that may need to be taken off.
Thread Starter
Cruising
Joined: Jul 2009
Posts: 14
Likes: 0
From: Lockport IL.
I agree!
I think the best I can do here is to save my nickels / dimes & go for what I want to do. Putting money into this 100K, L48, will cost near as much as buying a crate motor, done. I went to a local speed shop over the weekend & they pretty much said the same things you guys did. Even with a crate, I still need to look at exhaust, trans, rear end, etc.... & then body / paint. I have a C4 to drive & just wanted to do 1 more hot rod. But with that said, it's always going to be a 77. The new cars coming off the lots will leave me in the dust but it's still fun to drive & more HP will make it more fun.
Former Vendor
Joined: Apr 2009
Posts: 766
Likes: 3
From: Charlotte North Carolina 704-394-5150
I agree with your advise 98%! I do question the statement of the 300 horse motors in earlier Vettes. They are almost the same as the L-48, they just used different cams and a lot more emmissions, plus they were rated differently. an L-48 can put out more then 300 horses easilly.
I AGREE with everything else though. My 77 L-48 is built up some but lately, I've been thinking of placing everything stock, back on. If I run 300 or 350 horses, they are not going to beat a newer car, even some V-6's will outperform an older Vette. Then IF and I say IF with a heavy heart, the Feds bring a Federal emmission package, they will most likey go by California's laws. That might mean even 'Live Free or Die' stateslike NH may end up requiring cats and EGR's. I use mine as a weekend cruiser and if someone is not going to race their car, wait until this new Carbon Bill passes or not before throwing a lot of money into something that may need to be taken off.
I AGREE with everything else though. My 77 L-48 is built up some but lately, I've been thinking of placing everything stock, back on. If I run 300 or 350 horses, they are not going to beat a newer car, even some V-6's will outperform an older Vette. Then IF and I say IF with a heavy heart, the Feds bring a Federal emmission package, they will most likey go by California's laws. That might mean even 'Live Free or Die' stateslike NH may end up requiring cats and EGR's. I use mine as a weekend cruiser and if someone is not going to race their car, wait until this new Carbon Bill passes or not before throwing a lot of money into something that may need to be taken off.
Any good engine builder/machinist/tuner can get CRAZY numbers out of a small block. Compression ratio versus strength of rods and crank over the long haul. Low compression = not having to put "the best" parts in the engine. High compression = better think again.
But the question remains....how long will it last....without giving problems to the owner. I know that they are out there. But there is a difference between cast and forged and two bolt and four bolt mains. If the car is driven with respect, I know it will last for a while. But if driven hard on a regular basis...there has to be a downside...because then the cost of forged parts would not be what they are in relation to cast parts. And everything would only be cast. And I know that won't do... becasue a friend of mine who owns a nitro funny car could not run with a cast crank...granted that is the far end of the spectrum for an example...but it is how I am communicating my point. Where does cast versus forged make the difference?
"DUB"
