WhiteVette09

Hi Guys,

I have a 74 L82 which is in great shape overall. Its matching numbers so I would like to keep it that way. Ideally I would like to add 100-200 HP...reliably. the engine has 87,000 miles and i don't know much about the history.

I guess what I'm asking is are there some engine upgrades that are well know to make good gains? I just bought new headers and side pipes. some of the other ideas i was thinking about are:
New Carb (current one is in rough shape)
heads
camshaft
intake manifold
remove emissions constraints

Or am i shooting myself by not doing the whole thing at once and just send out the engine and have it build? bore it out...etc.

Any help would be greatly appreciated!

tehjrow

I don't know the cost yet, but the plan for my L81 is to have it built into a 383 stroker

WhiteVette09

I would like to do that as well. Just not sure how much work that would turn into

Kacyc3

Are you doing the work yourself?

WhiteVette09

depends on the project. I would probably try to bring it somewhere, so I don't screw something up.

Dynra Rockets

The best money I have spent so far was for the driving experience. Borgeson PS and T5 5speed.

mobird

If your L82 Bottom end is in great shape, then I would recommend Profiler 195cc heads (with 64cc chambers), a Lunati 268 Cam (much better grind than your current L82 Cam, and still plenty of vacuum to operate headlights, brakes, etc...) and if you want you can get something like the Performer RPM or the RPM Airgap manifold for a few extra horsepower over your L-82. The carb is up to you! Bot obviously decide if you want your stock one rebuilt or buy a new one before you select your manifold. Personally I really like the Quadrajet, when it's tuned right it's a heck of a good carb.


I currently have a 1979 L48 with Brodix aluminum heads, Lunati 268 cam, Performer RPM intake, and Doug's headers and side pipes. It turned the car from being slight lethargic into a total screamer! Well worth it.

NewbVetteGuy

Contribute to a Roth IRA and invest the $3,000 in SPY; continue to get tax free compounded growth at an estimated 7% per year over a 10 year period of time and then pull out the principal and all compounded interest tax free after turning 62 1/2. ;-)

Sell the 74 L82 and also invest the proceeds into your Roth IRA in SPY until you reach your $5,500 / $6,500 annual limit; invest the rest in a traditional IRA in SPY.

Contribute the monthly gas you would have put into the 74 L82 into SPY each month to dollar cost average into the fund.


-It's smart-*** Friday and you DID ask for the "Best way to spend $3,000" without qualifiers...!


Adam

NewbVetteGuy

Seriously, though I agree 95% with mobird's plan. The Profiler 195cc heads are available slightly cheaper through Jegs as the rebranded Jegs 195cc head- just choose a spring package appropriate for that Lunati 268 cam; or you can get the proper Profiler branded Profiler head through Summit if the name slapped on the outside concerns you (although I think they only sell the 185cc and a 180cc version) for a bit more money. -Buy the ultra thin FelPro 0.015" head gasket to gain an additional 0.5 point of compression ratio (if your block checks out perfectly level after taking off the old heads and cleaning the block deck). -High octane gas is going to become normal grade gas by 2025-starting in 2020 so don't worry there.

Get 1.6 ratio rockers (best you can afford) to get the lift of the cam further into the "sweet spot" of max CFM and velocity for as long as they can.

I prefer the Performer non-RPM (including air-gap) models with the full divider in the plenum to help a small bit with low end torque and a slight bump in fuel economy. If I remember correctly the early 70s hoods have slightly less hood clearance than the later 70s so definitely measure carefully if going with an airgap model, particularly if you want to keep the cold air snorkel setup.

Sell the carb and current take-off parts and buy the Holley Sniper or FAST TBI EFI instead of a new carb. There's a take-off one for sale on Thirdgen right now for $750; I linked to it in the ForSale forum here on CF (no it's not mine; no I don't know the guy, it's just a good deal on a great part).

Then remove your smog crap and get ready to reset ignition timing.


If by some miracle you end up with some leftover $$ (doubtful); get a dual sync distributor for the Holley EFI so you can control the ignition timing by pushing buttons on the touch-screen. (Maximum torque and fuel economy with "detonation protection" as you can make the timing advance less aggressive as temps rise in summer.)



Adam

NewbVetteGuy

If that doesn't do it for you and you want more acceleration and kick-in-the-pants burn-out power, it's hard to beat a 3,000ish stall TC for $200 in terms of "feeling of performance for the money". (I think stock L82 stall is 1,800 RPM and L48 1,650 RPM)

(Assuming you've got an auto trans.)
http://www.jegs.com/i/JEGS-Performan...60401/10002/-1


Adam

jim2527

Springs, shocks, R compound tires and auto cross lessons.

Iceaxe

Has strippers and blow been mentioned yet? A friend was asking....

NewbVetteGuy

Hahaha. In some ways went in the same direction as me; in some ways the opposite direction!


Adam

WhiteVette09

I'm not sure what condition the bottom end is in. if I go with new pistons and rods I might as well bore it out. Any idea what that should cost and how to find a qualified shop that is capable?

L88Plus

I wouldn't build a stroker out of a 2-bolt 350 block. They work fine for warmed over stockers, but there are a lot more forces working against the caps on a stroker than a stocker.

Hookers and blow!!! That 3G should last for at least a couple of hours...

NewbVetteGuy

???

He says he's got an L82 which is a 4 bolt main.

You're also the first person I've ever heard make that comment on a 383 with a 2 bolt main. Stroke and the ability of the mains to survive and not walk or break a cap/ bolt/stud don't seem to have any direct correlation at all.

400- 450 hp naturally aspirated 2 bolt mains shouldn't be a problem- 350 or 383.


adam

L88Plus

Main caps and registers are very small on a 2-bolt block. Compare them to a 2-bolt 400 block that has caps a lot more like a big block. I don't know a competent engine builder that would recommend building a 383 out of a 2-bolt block. Do a few searches here, it's a topic that's come up before. Carl at CNC Blocks NE has plenty of pics of what can happen. With the availability of good 4-bolt blocks holding up fine (at least in my area with everyone switching to the LS platform), why not spend a hundred bucks or so for the peace of mind?
No correlation between stroke and forces acting on the bottom end/cap walk? You're definitely the first person I've seen write that.
Do an internet search, you'll find plenty of builders that indicate it's a bad idea. Add splayed main caps and it's a different story.

Should have clarified, my comment was directed to the guy with the L81, not the OP.

c3_dk

Here are the first 130hp :- )
And I assume still money to be spent.

Big2Bird

Cam is best money for the dollar. Then heads. Aluminum is lighter. Win win.

cv67

Stroker kits are too cheap not to do, makes no sense not to do it if its apart...along with that extra stroke comes torque and hp
Never heard one person say "gee I wish I kept it a 350" you cant tell from the outside.