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Old Aug 20, 2013 | 06:26 PM
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I'm looking at buying an engine out of 178 Corvette to put in my 1980 Camaro (267cu.in.V8).

What is the difference between a "Corvette" 350 of the 1978 vintage and a regular 350 which would require about the same amount of work to make it serviceable?

Thanks for the help.

PS I have a cam and lifter kit from Summit to put in whatever I get.
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Old Aug 20, 2013 | 09:17 PM
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Originally Posted by phat87
I'm looking at buying an engine out of 178 Corvette to put in my 1980 Camaro (267cu.in.V8).

What is the difference between a "Corvette" 350 of the 1978 vintage and a regular 350 which would require about the same amount of work to make it serviceable?

Thanks for the help.

PS I have a cam and lifter kit from Summit to put in whatever I get.
Hi phat87, well it depends on which 1978 Corvette 350 you are referring to. The L-82 has a forged crank, forged pistons, 4 bolt mains and hardened rods. Which basically makes it a good bottom end to build horsepower.

The weak portion of the engine is the smog 882 low compression cylinder heads, from what I have read they have a tendency to crack.

However, the L-82 block with some better heads and the right cam and valve train has really good potential.

The L-48 is less of a high performance engine with only 2 bolt mains and a non-forged crank and cast pistons. Although, the L-48 can still make for a good high performance engine but would just require a little more work than the L-82.

As far as regular 350, it depends on what you are calling regular. There are many 350 that are not in Corvettes that are still very good as they have forged cranks, 4 bolt main and forged pistons etc. as well.

The SBC 350 is a good platform to build performance, just a matter of how you go about it and what your goals are. Hope this helps
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Old Aug 20, 2013 | 09:40 PM
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The L48 Engines with 2 Bolt mains are the most popular engine sold from early 1971 till 1980 in most Chevy Cars and trucks. Very strong reliable engine and easy to build up to 300 Horse Power with a cam, headers, and intake or even a 383 Stroker Kit.

But as Donyue says they were also not built as strong as the L82 Engine. The L82 Engines in the era came in a lot of Pickup Trucks and about 20% of the Corvettes mostly that needed the extra performance.

I guess in saying the L48 is the regular engine and the L82 is the performance engine in that Era. The L82 in my reading can be built up to about 450 HP and the L48 can be built up to about 350 HP.

I almost bought a 1976 with a L48 engine and professionally install 383 Stroker Kit that Dyno at 326 Horse Power. He had the paper work from the dyno test. If the car did not have all the emission controls stripped from it I would have bought it. But it would have taken me to much money and time to get it to pass emissions again.
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Old Aug 20, 2013 | 09:50 PM
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Originally Posted by MakoJoe
The L48 Engines with 2 Bolt mains are the most popular engine sold from early 1971 till 1980 in most Chevy Cars and trucks. Very strong reliable engine and easy to build up to 300 Horse Power with a cam, headers, and intake or even a 383 Stroker Kit.

But as Donyue says they were also not built as strong as the L82 Engine. The L82 Engines in the era came in a lot of Pickup Trucks and about 20% of the Corvettes mostly that needed the extra performance.

I guess in saying the L48 is the regular engine and the L82 is the performance engine in that Era. The L82 in my reading can be built up to about 450 HP and the L48 can be built up to about 350 HP.

I almost bought a 1976 with a L48 engine and professionally install 383 Stroker Kit that Dyno at 326 Horse Power. He had the paper work from the dyno test. If the car did not have all the emission controls stripped from it I would have bought it. But it would have taken me to much money and time to get it to pass emissions again.
On a L48 engine with ARP stud upgrades, you can pass 500HP easily. Trust me, I know people who has over 500HP on a 2bolt main 350 SBC with ARP studs.
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Old Aug 20, 2013 | 11:16 PM
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Thanks for info kids. I'm learning. SL O W L Y
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