Help with a 1978
Thread Starter
1st Gear
Joined: Jun 2011
Posts: 1
Likes: 0
Help with a 1978
Hello everybody, just looking for some advice today.
About six years ago, my dad bought a '78 L-48 Automatic, with the intentions of doing minor tune-ups and selling it for a profit. Unfortunately, the economy tanked, and the price of classic cars (especially from the "smog-years") have dropped dramatically. Instead of trying to search for someone who will pay what we're looking for, we've decided to just keep the car for the time being.
Overall, its a blast to drive.. I love the thing to death. The problem is that even when i take control of the 3-Speed, the L-48 isn't very impressive... at all.
Basically my question is this: What are some suggestions to make her perform at a higher level? Getting a new block / tranny is out of the question. I've got a functioning knowledge of cars, and my dad is practically a professional, so don't worry about speaking to novices. (The problem lies in the fact that my dad owned two mustangs in his youth, so Corvettes are completely new to him..)
About six years ago, my dad bought a '78 L-48 Automatic, with the intentions of doing minor tune-ups and selling it for a profit. Unfortunately, the economy tanked, and the price of classic cars (especially from the "smog-years") have dropped dramatically. Instead of trying to search for someone who will pay what we're looking for, we've decided to just keep the car for the time being.
Overall, its a blast to drive.. I love the thing to death. The problem is that even when i take control of the 3-Speed, the L-48 isn't very impressive... at all.
Basically my question is this: What are some suggestions to make her perform at a higher level? Getting a new block / tranny is out of the question. I've got a functioning knowledge of cars, and my dad is practically a professional, so don't worry about speaking to novices. (The problem lies in the fact that my dad owned two mustangs in his youth, so Corvettes are completely new to him..)
Le Mans Master
Joined: Nov 1999
Posts: 5,768
Likes: 3
From: San Diego CA
Sorry to say without regard to how you attempt to shift the automatic a L-48 just isnt impressive to begin with.
That said like any small block it is easily modified using standard hot rodding techniques, cam, heads, exhaust etc...
If you cannot afford a new tranny you might consider a shift kit to at least make it so you can feel the car shift and have it shift when you tell it to.
That said like any small block it is easily modified using standard hot rodding techniques, cam, heads, exhaust etc...
If you cannot afford a new tranny you might consider a shift kit to at least make it so you can feel the car shift and have it shift when you tell it to.
Le Mans Master
Joined: Apr 2007
Posts: 7,353
Likes: 72
From: Graceland in a Not Correctly Restored Stingray
IMCO the biggest problem with the L48 is lack of compression. If on a tight budget, I'd think about angle milling the heads (nothing radical) to bring that up some, then match the resultant CR with a better cam, intake, exhaust. That said, the auto is still going to be a bit of a power hog when compared with a stick. My $.02
FWIW, even the L82 wasn't enough for my tastes, so I BB'd my '78.
FWIW, even the L82 wasn't enough for my tastes, so I BB'd my '78.
Le Mans Master
Joined: Sep 2004
Posts: 5,116
Likes: 5
From: Livonia MI
You didn't mention what rear axle ratio you've got, as that's a big factor too. If still stock single cat exhaust system, there's lots of room for improvement there. Probably a good idea to re-jet the carb if you open the exhaust up. Maybe just keep an out for a decent used 350 thats already got some work done to it, and swap it out.
Drifting
Joined: Feb 2008
Posts: 1,560
Likes: 4
From: Arlington texas
When I bought my '78 L48, the previous owner had installed a hotter cam, L82 heads, edlebrock intake, a new carb and got rid of the cats and ran true duals with headers. It ran pretty good with his setup. Enough
power to make me want to buy it as most that I drove had no power.
What kind of money are you looking to spend? That would help people out making a suggestion. For instance you can get a yearone 350 with 400 HP for under 3 grand. Otherwise start at the heads and cam and work on the rest as you have the cash. HP isn't cheap.
Keep an eye out in the parts for sale section and may come across some things that you need.
P.S.- fill out your profile and let us know where you are at. If you were close to me, I could make you a really good deal that you couldn't pass up on a set of headers and duals with mufflers. They aren't pretty but they work but they are too big to ship. I bought new headers and side pipes for mine.
power to make me want to buy it as most that I drove had no power.
What kind of money are you looking to spend? That would help people out making a suggestion. For instance you can get a yearone 350 with 400 HP for under 3 grand. Otherwise start at the heads and cam and work on the rest as you have the cash. HP isn't cheap.
Keep an eye out in the parts for sale section and may come across some things that you need.
P.S.- fill out your profile and let us know where you are at. If you were close to me, I could make you a really good deal that you couldn't pass up on a set of headers and duals with mufflers. They aren't pretty but they work but they are too big to ship. I bought new headers and side pipes for mine.
Last edited by milo30; Jun 13, 2011 at 07:46 PM.
