Engine opinion
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Joined: Jun 2012
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From: Braintree MA
Engine opinion
ok just looking for some opinions here. I have a 77 which has an L-48 out of a 73 under the hood. Motor runs great, no leaks, doesnt burn anything, about 50,000 on the motor. Only real modifications that had been done to it before I got it was a set of long tube headers. Getting ready to put the car away for the winter soon. Going to be pulling the body to repaint, rebuild the suspension, new body mounts.
I guess the question is, the engine, is the L-48 a generally all around good motor? probably no looking to do anything engine related this winter but maybe over the summer or next winter. probably just heads, cam, and intake. nothing radical. long term would like to be around 350-375 horse (its around 210ish now) should I just leave this motor and look for an L-82 to build on or go ahead with this motor. car is mostly street driven with the occasional trip to the track for street night.
ideas? this is my first Chevy build, I build plenty of small block Fords and this motor seems much better designed/constructed.
I guess the question is, the engine, is the L-48 a generally all around good motor? probably no looking to do anything engine related this winter but maybe over the summer or next winter. probably just heads, cam, and intake. nothing radical. long term would like to be around 350-375 horse (its around 210ish now) should I just leave this motor and look for an L-82 to build on or go ahead with this motor. car is mostly street driven with the occasional trip to the track for street night.
ideas? this is my first Chevy build, I build plenty of small block Fords and this motor seems much better designed/constructed.
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From: Southbound
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Joined: Jun 2012
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From: Braintree MA
I guess the other question should be, if later on down the road I wanted to build a stroker would the L-48 be a viable candidate or would there be any real advantage to using an L-82 to build it?
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From: Braintree MA
I would love to do that but the cost is just to much, the local engine shop that has built most of the engines in the cars and hots rods around here can build it for less than half the cost of a crate motor.
the other option is I have is I have an old junker 1970 parts car with a running 454, but i really didnt want to go though that kind of a swap.
the other option is I have is I have an old junker 1970 parts car with a running 454, but i really didnt want to go though that kind of a swap.
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Joined: Feb 2006
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From: Chino CA
An L48 can be built into and awesome 383 stroker....even if all you do is bore out .030" to 355CID with alum heads, a hot cam and carb (and good tuning) you can get tons of street power from an L48.
It's a Chevy 350....lots of options.
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From: Braintree MA
thanks, thats kind of what I was thinking, its a 350 plenty that can be done with it. Motor runs great like it is, runs real strong and pulls real hard. so right now engine work really isnt on the radar I have other things I need to take care of first. but its something that eventually i will want to do in the next year or two.
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Drop in new pistons, port the heads (or grab a budget set of aluminum and knock some weight off as well), swap the carb, intake, and cam, and you're over your mark and still relatively cheap. The Trick Flow or Edelbrock top end combo's have everything you need to meet your goals and are reasonably priced.
Can then drop the stroker crank into it down the road as well and not have to do it all at once if money is an issue.
Can then drop the stroker crank into it down the road as well and not have to do it all at once if money is an issue.
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Joined: Feb 2006
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From: Chino CA
Drop in new pistons, port the heads (or grab a budget set of aluminum and knock some weight off as well), swap the carb, intake, and cam, and you're over your mark and still relatively cheap. The Trick Flow or Edelbrock top end combo's have everything you need to meet your goals and are reasonably priced.
Can then drop the stroker crank into it down the road as well and not have to do it all at once if money is an issue.
Can then drop the stroker crank into it down the road as well and not have to do it all at once if money is an issue.
Edelbrock kit is a good thing....Chevy 350's are versatile !
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From: Braintree MA
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From: Bridgewater nj
With the kits out now there's no reason not to do a 383 ! I've seen kits as low as $600. It will cost more than that in machine work on your old stuff. If it were the original motor I would go a different route but your motor is not original so go for it
