69 L88
Team Owner
Joined: Oct 2001
Posts: 36,112
Likes: 8
From: Hotlanta GA
Cruise-In 8 & 10 Veteran
St. Jude Donor '08, '15
Re: 69 L88 (Corzvette69)
:eek: are you serious? I've heard lots of different HP numbers, just depends how you tune it I guess. I'm thinking about mid 400s
:cheers:
:cheers:
Safety Car
Joined: Aug 2001
Posts: 3,892
Likes: 13
From: Pettis Performance 565 with two stages of Nitrous Supply nitrous 1.082, 4.61 at 155, 7.17 at 192
Re: 69 L88 (SuperFast80)
Unless you HAVE to have an L-88 you don't want one, they are not very streetable at all, won't idle at low rpms, need premium gas, don't make as much power as a decent crate motor of today. They are neat to think about regarding corvette heritage, or to have one sit in your garge for an occasional drive, but for a car you want to drive a lot, they would be a pain in the butt. But to each his own. :chevy
Instructor
Joined: Jul 2001
Posts: 240
Likes: 0
From: kennett square,pa,us
Re: 69 L88 (69 N.O.X. RATT)
69 N.O.X. Is absolutely correct. I have a Guy in town that has an original 69 LeMans Blue L89.
It gets 6 MPG on Rase gas at $4.75 per gallon and he has to drive 30 miles each way to get it or store it in a drum at home. The Car sets a lot!
The engine sounds nasty with the factory side pipes, but not the best choice for a Corvette.
He sold a Pristine 65 & 66 to get this car and says it was the biggest mistake he ever made.
He can't afford to drive it and is afraid to really get on it for fear of destroying something.
Bud
It gets 6 MPG on Rase gas at $4.75 per gallon and he has to drive 30 miles each way to get it or store it in a drum at home. The Car sets a lot!
The engine sounds nasty with the factory side pipes, but not the best choice for a Corvette.
He sold a Pristine 65 & 66 to get this car and says it was the biggest mistake he ever made.
He can't afford to drive it and is afraid to really get on it for fear of destroying something.
Bud
Burning Brakes
Joined: Mar 2002
Posts: 803
Likes: 0
From: South San Francisco CA
Re: 69 L88 (theanswriz42)
:eek: are you serious? I've heard lots of different HP numbers, just depends how you tune it I guess. I'm thinking about mid 400s
:cheers:
:cheers:
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Race Director
Joined: Dec 2000
Posts: 19,304
Likes: 85
From: San Diego CA
Re: 69 L88 (69 N.O.X. RATT)
Unless you HAVE to have an L-88 you don't want one, they are not very streetable at all, won't idle at low rpms, need premium gas, don't make as much power as a decent crate motor of today. They are neat to think about regarding corvette heritage, or to have one sit in your garge for an occasional drive, but for a car you want to drive a lot, they would be a pain in the butt. But to each his own. :chevy
However, if you want a more balanced setup and don't want to change-out all your accessories, get the ZZ4. 400 lbs-ft of torque at under 4000 rpms is not too shabby either!
Safety Car
Joined: Feb 1999
Posts: 3,631
Likes: 14
From: Fountain Hills AZ
Re: 69 L88 (Corzvette69)
The L88's biggest obsticle to street use was it's 12.5:1 compression ratio. Even 100 octane pump gas was marginal. The single largest contributor to it's power increase over an L72 was the cam. In the late `60's, the cam could be had for $28 ( lifters were 50 cents each!) and they were a popular over the counter item. The L88's 430hp power rating was accurate, they just chose to publish it's output over 1,000 rpm below it peak power. Most of the dyno figures I've seen for L88's have put their peak power in the 550 hp range at from 6,600 - 6,800 rpm with headers and low restriction exhaust.
Burning Brakes
Joined: Mar 2000
Posts: 1,092
Likes: 0
From: LIC NY USA
Re: 69 L88 (69 N.O.X. RATT)
Unless you HAVE to have an L-88 you don't want one, they are not very streetable at all, won't idle at low rpms, need premium gas, don't make as much power as a decent crate motor of today. They are neat to think about regarding corvette heritage, or to have one sit in your garge for an occasional drive, but for a car you want to drive a lot, they would be a pain in the butt. But to each his own. :chevy
Thread Starter
Team Owner
Joined: Sep 2001
Posts: 30,958
Likes: 0
From: Middletown Connecticut
Cruise-In IV Veteran
Re: 69 L88 (java0881)
my engine is very close to L88 specs and i agree with all you said.but nothing gives you a wider grin than flooring a high revving solid lifter big block :D
Melting Slicks
Joined: Apr 2000
Posts: 3,286
Likes: 8
From: San Jose California
Re: 69 L88 (java0881)
Java,
Mine is to factory specs and I agree with you! The biggest help to its drivability is the ROD 6 speed and 3.08 gears. Now that I have re-timed the cam to straight up specs instead of 4 degrees advanced, I find the cam to be much more drivable. I am no longer in a hurry to change it.
No doubt a more modern grind would give me even better numbers, as would a new intake manifold design; but, the current power level is nothing less than impressive. The grins are very hard to suppress! I am still somewhat self conscious about the noise in a populated environment, but power steering and light clutch pedal effort from a dual disc McLeod setup would make the task of driving around town a very easy and pleasurable matter. I still wouldn't want to try to talk anyone into getting a L88 vs. another engine for their car. I will simply state that I am very happy with my decision. A well chosen roller cam would make it just about perfect. Someday ...
Chuck
Chuck
Mine is to factory specs and I agree with you! The biggest help to its drivability is the ROD 6 speed and 3.08 gears. Now that I have re-timed the cam to straight up specs instead of 4 degrees advanced, I find the cam to be much more drivable. I am no longer in a hurry to change it.
No doubt a more modern grind would give me even better numbers, as would a new intake manifold design; but, the current power level is nothing less than impressive. The grins are very hard to suppress! I am still somewhat self conscious about the noise in a populated environment, but power steering and light clutch pedal effort from a dual disc McLeod setup would make the task of driving around town a very easy and pleasurable matter. I still wouldn't want to try to talk anyone into getting a L88 vs. another engine for their car. I will simply state that I am very happy with my decision. A well chosen roller cam would make it just about perfect. Someday ...
Chuck
Chuck
Melting Slicks
Joined: Apr 2000
Posts: 3,286
Likes: 8
From: San Jose California
Re: 69 L88 (Corzvette69)
Corey,
When I replied to your post I didn't take the time to see what you are starting with. I started with a 69 350/350 very similar to your setup, but with a 4 speed. I had to change everything. Radiator, rear end, transmission, suspension, exhaust, etc. to make the change. An automatic will have to be reworked, even the great Turbo 400 like you probably have, but automatics are still about the worst choice for any long cammed engine.
I really believe you would be a lot happier, especially if this is your only car, to change cam, intake, exhaust, and carb and build closer to 400 gross horse power. The Richmond 5 speed is easier and cheaper to install than the 6 speed and will allow you to hold your own even against a real L88 with 3.36 gears and 4 speed through 1st gear. A modified 4 speed automatic will also come very close. A new tranny can make for a great secret weapon and equalizer!
You really need long, windy open roads to truly enjoy the L88. If you spend much time in a city, a stout small block or mild big block is a better choice.
Chuck
When I replied to your post I didn't take the time to see what you are starting with. I started with a 69 350/350 very similar to your setup, but with a 4 speed. I had to change everything. Radiator, rear end, transmission, suspension, exhaust, etc. to make the change. An automatic will have to be reworked, even the great Turbo 400 like you probably have, but automatics are still about the worst choice for any long cammed engine.
I really believe you would be a lot happier, especially if this is your only car, to change cam, intake, exhaust, and carb and build closer to 400 gross horse power. The Richmond 5 speed is easier and cheaper to install than the 6 speed and will allow you to hold your own even against a real L88 with 3.36 gears and 4 speed through 1st gear. A modified 4 speed automatic will also come very close. A new tranny can make for a great secret weapon and equalizer!
You really need long, windy open roads to truly enjoy the L88. If you spend much time in a city, a stout small block or mild big block is a better choice.
Chuck
Safety Car
Joined: Aug 2001
Posts: 3,892
Likes: 13
From: Pettis Performance 565 with two stages of Nitrous Supply nitrous 1.082, 4.61 at 155, 7.17 at 192
Re: 69 L88 (java0881)
Unless you HAVE to have an L-88 you don't want one, they are not very streetable at all, won't idle at low rpms, need premium gas, don't make as much power as a decent crate motor of today. They are neat to think about regarding corvette heritage, or to have one sit in your garge for an occasional drive, but for a car you want to drive a lot, they would be a pain in the butt. But to each his own. :chevy
my engine is very close to L88 specs and i agree with all you said.but nothing gives you a wider grin than flooring a high revving solid lifter big block :D
my engine is very close to L88 specs and i agree with all you said.but nothing gives you a wider grin than flooring a high revving solid lifter big block :D
Melting Slicks
Joined: Apr 2000
Posts: 3,286
Likes: 8
From: San Jose California
Re: 69 L88 (wireless guy)
Quote:
________________________________________ ____________________
There is always the option of building a solid 350 modeled after the LT-1.
________________________________________ ____________________
My second favorite engine! This is what I had in mind when I referred to a small block close to 400 gross horse power, which is closer to what the LT1 actually made.
Chuck
Chuck
________________________________________ ____________________
There is always the option of building a solid 350 modeled after the LT-1.
________________________________________ ____________________
My second favorite engine! This is what I had in mind when I referred to a small block close to 400 gross horse power, which is closer to what the LT1 actually made.
Chuck
Chuck