L48 Intake manifold
Thread Starter
Cruising
Joined: Oct 2014
Posts: 14
Likes: 1
L48 Intake manifold
I have a stock 1979 L48. Can I replace the cast iron intake manifold with a L82 aluminum manifold without issues? The numbers on the L82 manifold indicate it is from a 1979. Thank you.
Le Mans Master
Joined: Oct 2010
Posts: 6,937
Likes: 848
From: melbourne florida
2023 C3 of the Year Finalist - Modified
It bolts right on.the difference is its aluminum.it offers NO performance advantage.even the weight loss is nearly insignificant . It isn't worth the price of the gaskets to change it. 
Thread Starter
Cruising
Joined: Oct 2014
Posts: 14
Likes: 1
Thanks guys for your input.
Le Mans Master
Joined: Oct 2007
Posts: 7,453
Likes: 976
From: RI, Now Franklin/Nashville TN
As most have stated, the aluminum L-82 intake will offer NO performance advantage over the cast iron L-48 intake (neither will an aftermarket aluminum intake either on most street engines) BUT will save weight on the engine...the L-82 aluminum intake is MUCH lighter though. The difference in weight is significant. The aluminum aftermarket intakes will yield VERY little gain as well (about 3-5 hp/torque on average and a couple of hundred RPM) and are not worth the effort unless the engine revs to more than 6,500+ RPM often:
http://www.hotrod.com/events/coverage/0601em-intake/
When I rebuilt the L-82 in my 78 a couple of years ago, I spoke to the engine builder who did my bottom end (he was a field tech for GM for 16 years before owning his own shop working exclusively on GM engines building engines from stock to 1,200 HP) and he told me to keep the L-82 intake since it was very good for an engine turning to 6,000 RPM and I would see no benefit from an aftermarket intake. He was correct..note that the engine in the article is a roller cammed 350 with AFR heads like my L-82.
http://www.hotrod.com/events/coverage/0601em-intake/
When I rebuilt the L-82 in my 78 a couple of years ago, I spoke to the engine builder who did my bottom end (he was a field tech for GM for 16 years before owning his own shop working exclusively on GM engines building engines from stock to 1,200 HP) and he told me to keep the L-82 intake since it was very good for an engine turning to 6,000 RPM and I would see no benefit from an aftermarket intake. He was correct..note that the engine in the article is a roller cammed 350 with AFR heads like my L-82.
Last edited by jb78L-82; Feb 16, 2016 at 06:47 AM.
Drifting
Joined: Mar 2011
Posts: 1,693
Likes: 144
From: on Barnegat Bay Joisey
Le Mans Master
Joined: Oct 2010
Posts: 6,937
Likes: 848
From: melbourne florida
2023 C3 of the Year Finalist - Modified
Aluminum spray paint properly applied will look better in 6 months than bare aluminum. A performer intake will give you a small boost and more with future mods. Break out the rattle can and tape. You won't have to pull the distributor which isn't a big deal if you know what you are doing. I could tell you about my neighbor who thought it was easy............
Racer
Joined: Nov 2011
Posts: 374
Likes: 21
From: Charleston SC
I had to take off the original manifold. The shop that removed it a short while ago used the wrong gasket material front and back. It leaked. I was given a ZZ4 intake, had it powder coated. The only problem: it's 1/4 inch taller. I had to adapt the air cleaner a bit, but works fine. BTW, thanks to this forum on how to install an intake manifold, it doesn't leak any more. After a drive, it would drop a puddle wherever I parked. No more. Have a wonnerful day, Bill
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