l48 rebuild
Thread Starter
Pro
Joined: May 2001
Posts: 571
Likes: 5
From: usa
l48 rebuild
i plan to do a crank kit in my stock 73 L48 this winter, while Iam there I have a new set of flat top pistons Iam going to throw in .
are the heads worth even rebuilding, I can get a set of 305 vortecs for 200. but they will need a going over. and a vtech performer for 125
and (opening can of worms) can anyone recommend a cam
all stock 73 350/4speed 3.55gear
are the heads worth even rebuilding, I can get a set of 305 vortecs for 200. but they will need a going over. and a vtech performer for 125
and (opening can of worms) can anyone recommend a cam
all stock 73 350/4speed 3.55gear
Drifting
Joined: Oct 2005
Posts: 1,615
Likes: 150
From: Forth Worth TX
What is your budget and goal, a stock looking vette or race car?
What is a crank kit.... a 383?
Why are you installing flat top pistons? Low compression is one of the problems an L-48 already has. It also has small valve heads and a slug of a cam.
If you're going to build an engine, up the compression to 10.0-10.5/1 and install big valve heads 2.02/1.60. Your choice of heads and compression will help decide which cam to use.
If you build the engine to L-82 specs, but with 10.0-10.5/1 compression, you'll be in the 350hp (gross) range.
http://www.superchevy.com/technical/..._dyno_testing/
What is a crank kit.... a 383?
Why are you installing flat top pistons? Low compression is one of the problems an L-48 already has. It also has small valve heads and a slug of a cam.
If you're going to build an engine, up the compression to 10.0-10.5/1 and install big valve heads 2.02/1.60. Your choice of heads and compression will help decide which cam to use.
If you build the engine to L-82 specs, but with 10.0-10.5/1 compression, you'll be in the 350hp (gross) range.
http://www.superchevy.com/technical/..._dyno_testing/
Last edited by Revi; Oct 14, 2013 at 02:50 PM.
Melting Slicks
Joined: May 2006
Posts: 3,438
Likes: 41
From: Raleigh NC
St. Jude Donor '13-'14
OP, do you have the 882 heads? You would be best to upgrade to a 64cc cylinder head.
Le Mans Master
Joined: Mar 2008
Posts: 5,948
Likes: 72
From: Oxford MA-----You just lost the game!!!!
If you're on a budget, take a look at these heads:
http://www.speedwaymotors.com/Flo-Te...lug,25118.html
And this cam kit:
http://www.summitracing.com/parts/su...make/chevrolet
The Flotek heads have a very favorable intake/exhaust ratio, so a straight grind cam should work well.
There are better heads and cams out there, but you're gonna pay for them.
Scott
http://www.speedwaymotors.com/Flo-Te...lug,25118.html
And this cam kit:
http://www.summitracing.com/parts/su...make/chevrolet
The Flotek heads have a very favorable intake/exhaust ratio, so a straight grind cam should work well.
There are better heads and cams out there, but you're gonna pay for them.
Scott
Thread Starter
Pro
Joined: May 2001
Posts: 571
Likes: 5
From: usa
definitely a budget, maybe 500 bucks.
what ever head is stock.
flat tops cause I already have set hung on rebiult rods.
just a weekend driver, far from a racecar.
crank kit is just a stock reconditioned crank. kit is only 125.oo, I have all gaskets already.
what ever head is stock.
flat tops cause I already have set hung on rebiult rods.
just a weekend driver, far from a racecar.
crank kit is just a stock reconditioned crank. kit is only 125.oo, I have all gaskets already.
Safety Car
Joined: Mar 2007
Posts: 3,652
Likes: 49
From: Bridgewater nj
If you're diving in that deep, it's worth it to go the extra $5-600 to have the block boiled, bored, honed to the pistons you are using!
Question; are you experiencing any knocking or low oil pressure problems?
If not, go with the heads to wake her up.
If you are, a 383 kit is the best bang for the buck
Drifting
Joined: Jun 2012
Posts: 1,990
Likes: 183
From: Port St. Lucie Fl
get a set of 350 vortec heads and matching intake, they have new chamber designs and will out perform the old 441/882 heads. They are easier to find, cheaper, and will increase your compression ratio
Corvette Stories
The Best of Corvette for Corvette Enthusiasts
Top 10 Most Expensive Corvettes Ever Sold on Bring A Trailer
Brett Foote
10 Things Every Corvette Owner Needs (2026 Edition)
Michael S. Palmer
8 Most "Only Corvette Owners Understand" Quirks and Problems
Pouria Savadkouei
10 Reasons the C6 Z06 is Still A Performance Benchmark After 20 Years
Joe Kucinski
How Much Horsepower Every Corvette Engine "LOST" in 1972
Joe Kucinski
Top 10 DOs and DON'Ts for Protecting Your Convertible Top!
Michael S. Palmer
Top 10 Most Explosive Corvettes Ever Made: Power-to-Weight Ratio Ranked!
Joe Kucinski
150 hp to 1,250 hp: Every Corvette Generation Compared by the Specs That Matter
Joe Kucinski
8 Coolest Corvette Pace Cars (and Replicas) of All Time
Verdad Gallardo
Drifting
Joined: Jun 2012
Posts: 1,990
Likes: 183
From: Port St. Lucie Fl
Thread Starter
Pro
Joined: May 2001
Posts: 571
Likes: 5
From: usa
ok.
looking at these parts.
350, stock bore, flat tops. stock vortec heads, performer intake. stock Q-jet.
4 speed, and 3.55. headers and side pipes
need a cam though , recommendations ? flat tapped hyd or solid
looking at these parts.
350, stock bore, flat tops. stock vortec heads, performer intake. stock Q-jet.
4 speed, and 3.55. headers and side pipes
need a cam though , recommendations ? flat tapped hyd or solid
Drifting
Joined: Oct 2005
Posts: 1,615
Likes: 150
From: Forth Worth TX
It does seem like you are opening a can of worms. You have a limited budget and are miss-matching parts together based on cost or availability.
As stated above, the block should be boiled, bored, honed to your new pistons. What will your compression be with flat tops installed? Big heads, big cam, and low compression isn't the best combination.
You may want to rethink or wait till you have a bigger budget. No point in tearing the engine apart and getting less than stellar results. It sounds like you would be better off buying a crate engine to drop in.
As stated above, the block should be boiled, bored, honed to your new pistons. What will your compression be with flat tops installed? Big heads, big cam, and low compression isn't the best combination.
You may want to rethink or wait till you have a bigger budget. No point in tearing the engine apart and getting less than stellar results. It sounds like you would be better off buying a crate engine to drop in.
Drifting
Joined: Jun 2012
Posts: 1,990
Likes: 183
From: Port St. Lucie Fl
Thread Starter
Pro
Joined: May 2001
Posts: 571
Likes: 5
From: usa
no converter, its a 4 speed.
interesting article, 10 to 1 with a heavy truck might cause donation, but in a vette where would we be.
maybe back the timing down a few degrees,
what about a cam with some over lap to bleed off some cylinder pressure?
interesting article, 10 to 1 with a heavy truck might cause donation, but in a vette where would we be.
maybe back the timing down a few degrees,
what about a cam with some over lap to bleed off some cylinder pressure?
Drifting
Joined: Oct 2005
Posts: 1,615
Likes: 150
From: Forth Worth TX
With the way you are going about this rebuild I doubt you'll have a true static 10.0/1 compression (and dynamic will be even less). What is your deck height, thickness of head gaskets, etc., etc.?
Last edited by Revi; Oct 15, 2013 at 12:44 PM.
Drifting
Joined: Jun 2012
Posts: 1,990
Likes: 183
From: Port St. Lucie Fl
I was thinking the same thing, nothing with huge lift or long duration, but nice idle, good mid range tq will make the car fun to drive, keep the rpms below 6k. If you decide down the line to build another engine the vortec head will support up to 500 hp without doing lots of machine work.
Advanced
Joined: Jan 2013
Posts: 65
Likes: 0
From: Kennesaw Georgia
This is just me but I would save up some and do the engine right. Boil the block, get it machined and honed. Go with roller Hydraulic lifters and roller cam. That way there will be no cam break in required. Get a decent set of modern heads. Stay under 10:1 compression.
TCT
TCT
Burning Brakes
Joined: Nov 2012
Posts: 788
Likes: 100
From: Indianapolis IN
Are you changing to long tube headers ? I do hope so, you'll gain a lot from this change compared to those shorties !
Melting Slicks
Joined: Apr 1999
Posts: 2,010
Likes: 3
From: Moon Twp. PA USA
Over several years, starting with purchasing a good set of heads that were used on the stock L-48 set up, I added other parts, incrementally. After 3 years I had a stroker!
Except for the heads, headers, and intake, and carb, which came from the L-48, my budget allowed me to build what I wanted.
What I built was:
383 stroker
'0' deck block
Hyper cast pistons with 12cc dish
Built using a 4 bolt bottom end
10.4 static CR - runs on mid-grade fuel with no problems @51* total timing. Basic timing all in by 2400 rpm
CC XE274H cam
There are many ways (parts) that can be used to get your desired results, but you have to know what you want, to match the parts.