Hello,

I recently acquired a '76 stingray with the L-48 and automatic transmission. The car has around 83k miles and runs fairly well. However, the meager 180 HP seems way underpowered for a car like this.

I know a lot of people purchase Crate engines for these old cars.

However, does putting a 300-400 HP engine lead to other mechanical concerns? My fear is that putting this kind of HP into a car that's in its "twilight" years may lead to transmission and drivetrain problems, etc.

I'm not a mechanic, so I'm just trying to get an idea of the overall repercussions and caveats of dropping a performance engine into a 35-year-old car.

Thanks in advance for your comments.

 

That's a good question and good reasoning to look ahead.

Of course you can add as much power as your wallet allows. Common solution. How fast do you want to go equates to how many cubic dollars do you have?

What should be considered is how you plan to use the car. Having a goal to work towards justifies (in your mind) what needs attention. Whether you select it to be a daily driver, drag or autocross (auto-x) racer (consider your audience on the street), resto-mod, parade, or show car, long or short distance runner, or whatever, should help determine where you want to go. I've seen some tired puppies, others that look like they came out of a time machine from the dealer's floor, and so many others in between. There's something for everyone.

Bolting in a fresh motor will tax most subsystems in the car: steering, trans, rear axle, brakes, shocks, cooling, etc-etc-etc. Ask us how we know?

Without known good controls, better be friends with your insurance agent and have your premiums current. 10-4?

In the extreme, new-found horsepower offers potential for a real yard sale of broken parts out on the boulevard. Be careful and be smart.

This is a hobby-sport-passion-art form for a lot of us and glad you made it away from the dark side. Have fun and be safe.

It's great to consider all of your options. Make it yours and good luck.

 

Your Vette has the same parts as the older Sharks that came with 427CI & 435HP motors so it is pretty tough but YES something can break but 300 to 400 HP is what a lot of owners have. Your "meager" 180 HP motor will break stuff also.
Your 39 year old transmission will need a rebuild sooner or later anyway and you might want to change the rear gears to match the new motor.
It's just a matter of money and how you want to use your Vette.

 

Well stated.

BTW, my permanent plate is 7T. The girls at the court house had to ask what it meant.

 

Thanks for the support, UberL. Regarding your cars plate, I've been stumped decoding vanity plates occasionally but that one wouldn't be one. LOL.

 

[B]I threw a 427 BBC in a stock 74 4speed vette with no problems at all!!! I just upgraded the cooling system to a 4 row core radiatorB]

 

its a good idea,,,,its almost like ordering the options you prefer as if youi purchased it off a showroom.....same Vette for 15 years so from a 70 LT1 engine to a real nice L72 427 the choice is yours....upgrade the hell out it.......

 

Thanks for everyone's input.

If I decide to upgrade the engine and transmission, what are some good options (engines) that would put me in that 300-400 HP range but where I would still have a reasonable cruising car at highway speeds. Also, could I expect better gas mileage with a newer engine? Again, I have the stock automatic transmission/gears and the L-48.

Thanks!