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HELP!!! HP needed!

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Old Jun 1, 2011 | 10:43 AM
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Default HELP!!! HP needed!

HI there all you performance gurus....I need some input. I have a '75 that I bought from the original owner a few years ago. It has 57k original miles and is all numbers matching, which I want to keep that way, BUT...the problem is that it is the wennie L-48 version. What can I do to up my HP w/o making perminent changes to the engine or having to take it out of the car....if possible? Heads, itake manifold, headers....I wouldn't mind 350-400 hp if I can. What are my options?

A very big THANK YOU in advance for your valuable input.
Tom
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Old Jun 1, 2011 | 11:15 AM
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Vortec heads,or other heads that will have a modern combustion chamber to promote swirl and around 64 cc in size to boost compression, performer RPM intake, hydraulic roller cam ( in the range of 218-225 intake duration @.050 ) headers, and a dual 2 1/2" exhaust system.
This will get you into the range you want, and will be a blast to drive!!
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Old Jun 1, 2011 | 11:39 AM
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Originally Posted by tsm75
...I have a '75 that I bought from the original owner a few years ago. It has 57k original miles and is all numbers matching, which I want to keep that way, BUT...What are my options?...
Learn to live with what you have which is a two owner, low miles, unmolested car.

You are not likely to get the horsepower you want without permanent changes.

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Old Jun 1, 2011 | 11:44 AM
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Originally Posted by tsm75
HI there all you performance gurus....I need some input. I have a '75 that I bought from the original owner a few years ago. It has 57k original miles and is all numbers matching, which I want to keep that way, BUT...the problem is that it is the wennie L-48 version. What can I do to up my HP w/o making perminent changes to the engine or having to take it out of the car....if possible? Heads, itake manifold, headers....I wouldn't mind 350-400 hp if I can. What are my options?

A very big THANK YOU in advance for your valuable input.
Tom
I am not a Guru by any means....

But it sounds like you don't truly want to mess with your car at all...or at least the original parts... So why don't you just pull the engine and throw in another one that you can have fun with...
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Old Jun 1, 2011 | 03:28 PM
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Originally Posted by Dose11
...So why don't you just pull the engine and throw in another one that you can have fun with...
That's cheating. He said he did not want to pulll the L-48.

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Old Jun 2, 2011 | 11:06 AM
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Default You're right....I am undecided at this point....

I don't have the budget to get a second "toy" and while my '75 convertible is not ever going to be like a mid-year or even an early C3 I am hesitant to make any lasting alterations. If I put in a different engine for a while then reinstall the original, wouldn't the fact that the miles on the engine and the miles on the car itself and tranny don't match "devalue" the car quite a bit?
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Old Jun 2, 2011 | 11:45 AM
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Originally Posted by tsm75
I don't have the budget to get a second "toy" and while my '75 convertible is not ever going to be like a mid-year or even an early C3 I am hesitant to make any lasting alterations. If I put in a different engine for a while then reinstall the original, wouldn't the fact that the miles on the engine and the miles on the car itself and tranny don't match "devalue" the car quite a bit?
honestly, who is going to know that the mileage doesn't match?
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Old Jun 2, 2011 | 01:40 PM
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a 100 shot of nitrous
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Old Jun 2, 2011 | 01:55 PM
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I really hate to see you molest a 57K all original car, even if its only a '75. That's still a pretty sweet ride. If its not what you want, why not sell it for something you can play with without feeling guilty? I have a '66 that is all original, and it would be criminal to modify it, so I bought a '79 with a gazillion miles on it that no one is going to lose any sleep over. I realize not everyone is crazy enough to have two, so why not sell it and get what you really want?
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Old Jun 2, 2011 | 02:03 PM
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o.k here we go, put a cam in it then have the heads milled some port work a good valve job and a good exhaust. see look my engine is stock. and go have fun. that way you can keep the purists happy.every one wants 350 - 400 horsepower but I'll bet you'd be happy with less
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Old Jun 2, 2011 | 02:09 PM
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Your not going to devalue the 75 much by installing a different engine. There is not a tremendous value in a 75 even if it is a low mile car. I'm not a numbers matching type guy never have been. Most of the numbers cars are just parts people found with the correct numbers for their car. As long as you don't go wild it can always be returned back to stock. I'd like to know how many of these cars with original engines sitting under the bench actually have had the engines put back in. I'll bet it is very low. A Corvette is not a wise investment for return on your dollar. Have fun with it, the car is a hobby. How many golfers or boaters have a return on their investment?
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Old Jun 2, 2011 | 03:10 PM
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Originally Posted by Gordonm
. A Corvette is not a wise investment for return on your dollar. Have fun with it, the car is a hobby. How many golfers or boaters have a return on their investment?
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Old Jun 2, 2011 | 04:17 PM
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Originally Posted by SanDiegoPaul
i bought mine to have fun with. not to retire on. buy a zz-4 and be done with it.
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