looking for a little more performance
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Intermediate
Joined: May 2002
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From: Dripping Springs Tx
looking for a little more performance
I am almost certain this has been asked before. I am thinking of trying to make my L-48 engine perform like an L-82. Does anyone know what upgrades would need to be made? I would like to do this without changing the bottom end of the motor. I was thinking of purchasing an aluminum manifold such as eldebrock performer and keeping my existing carb. Any guidance in this area would be greatly appreciated. Thanks Travis :confused:
Safety Car
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From: Pearland TX
St. Jude Contributor
Re: looking for a little more performance (TRAVIS74)
You'll get an array of answers on this one. The simpliest way to increase HP on the L-48 is a decent cam and probably better valve springs.
I toss the ball to the next court.
I toss the ball to the next court.
Burning Brakes
Joined: Oct 2001
Posts: 1,241
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From: Okinawa Okinawa
Re: looking for a little more performance (Clink69)
:iagree:
I put in a new cam, valve springs, intake and rockers. About 100 a piece. I also added a MSD distributor and ignition box. About 400-500 including new plug wires. About 900 all together if you do the work yourself. Very straight forward project if you have a couple books. The hardest part is to take out the fan shroud.
I'm sure many others will chime in on additional upgrades.
I put in a new cam, valve springs, intake and rockers. About 100 a piece. I also added a MSD distributor and ignition box. About 400-500 including new plug wires. About 900 all together if you do the work yourself. Very straight forward project if you have a couple books. The hardest part is to take out the fan shroud.
I'm sure many others will chime in on additional upgrades.
Thread Starter
Intermediate
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From: Dripping Springs Tx
Re: looking for a little more performance (TRAVIS74)
I was looking to stay in the 1200 to 1500 dollar range. I am not wanting a real radical car I just want a faster responding car I was also wanting to get a set of headers thanks
Team Owner
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St. Jude Donor '03 thru '26
Re: looking for a little more performance (TRAVIS74)
I was looking to stay in the 1200 to 1500 dollar range. I am not wanting a real radical car I just want a faster responding car I was also wanting to get a set of headers thanks
Le Mans Master
Joined: Apr 2000
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From: B'Ville NY
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St. Jude Donor '05
Re: looking for a little more performance (OHSIXX)
I vote for a rear gear change depending on what you presently have. Something in the 3.55-3.70 range should help wake your vette up. This will make your car feel more powerful. For dollar to performance cost this is a great avenue to take next to a shot of nitrous :D .
Next would be cam, intake, & exhaust ;) .
Next would be cam, intake, & exhaust ;) .
Thread Starter
Intermediate
Joined: May 2002
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From: Dripping Springs Tx
Re: looking for a little more performance (TRAVIS74)
What started this was I noticed the bore and stroke were the same on the L-48 as on the L- 82 so I was thinking the heads might be different and the cam. I was wanting to add the manifold and headers mainly for the look. To be honest I did want to do this myself and was hoping to acheive this without changing the pistons or crank shaft. Does this make sense or am I wasting my time? Thanks
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Burning Brakes
Joined: May 2000
Posts: 958
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From: Brisbane, Australia 1985 Coupe
Re: looking for a little more performance (TRAVIS74)
Change the cam, lifters and timing chain, and while you're at it, the manifold.
Mine has an XE256 cam, port matched Performer manifold, stock 882 heads with 2.02/1.6 valves, stronger valve springs and valve angle work, a dual exhaust (no cats) with headers and crossover pipe, recurved dist, and rejetted QJet.
= 226rwhp.
As I only re-did my stock heads because it was too costly to get better heads shipped/bought over here - get a new set!
If you want to do it yourself - go for it! :thumbs:
:cheers:
[Modified by Chris O', 4:36 PM 2/12/2003]
Mine has an XE256 cam, port matched Performer manifold, stock 882 heads with 2.02/1.6 valves, stronger valve springs and valve angle work, a dual exhaust (no cats) with headers and crossover pipe, recurved dist, and rejetted QJet.
= 226rwhp.
As I only re-did my stock heads because it was too costly to get better heads shipped/bought over here - get a new set!
If you want to do it yourself - go for it! :thumbs:
:cheers:
[Modified by Chris O', 4:36 PM 2/12/2003]
Safety Car
Joined: Jun 2002
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From: Pearland TX
St. Jude Contributor
Re: looking for a little more performance (TRAVIS74)
TRAVIS74...
I told you that there would be an array of answers. I have a '74 vert conversion that came with the L-48 and have to admit it is a complete dog at 195HP. I don't think anyone in this thread mentioned about going in the bottom end of your engine.... just the top end which entails the intake, carb, heads & cam. You are not going to see any kind of performance increase aspects by adding headers, rear end gear ratio or even an intake unless you work on the top end components that made it a dog in the first place. Or anything that you will notice. The heads on a L-48 can easily make 300HP, so no need to pull the heads. If you know anything about engines and how to take them apart on the top end it is not that hard to change a cam. I'll even offer to lend you may cam bearing tools to install new bearings. And 300HP probably would not need new valve springs... although that depends on how run down your engine is. The pain is pulling the radiator. And yes... it is one big pain in the azz.
I told you that there would be an array of answers. I have a '74 vert conversion that came with the L-48 and have to admit it is a complete dog at 195HP. I don't think anyone in this thread mentioned about going in the bottom end of your engine.... just the top end which entails the intake, carb, heads & cam. You are not going to see any kind of performance increase aspects by adding headers, rear end gear ratio or even an intake unless you work on the top end components that made it a dog in the first place. Or anything that you will notice. The heads on a L-48 can easily make 300HP, so no need to pull the heads. If you know anything about engines and how to take them apart on the top end it is not that hard to change a cam. I'll even offer to lend you may cam bearing tools to install new bearings. And 300HP probably would not need new valve springs... although that depends on how run down your engine is. The pain is pulling the radiator. And yes... it is one big pain in the azz.
Thread Starter
Intermediate
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From: Dripping Springs Tx
Re: looking for a little more performance (bgrice)
Thanks bgrice. The first time that I drove a corvette was also a 74 white with silver interior just like the one I have today. I was 14 and it was in Pearland, Tx. Just wanted to say hi and thanks again.
Safety Car
Joined: Jun 2002
Posts: 4,844
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From: Pearland TX
St. Jude Contributor
Re: looking for a little more performance (TRAVIS74)
Travis,
I just gravitated over to Pearland out of pure necessity with the economy reeking in New Orleans in the mid-90's. Alot of great people on this forum as you can probably already tell. But..... believe it when you hear that we can spend your money much faster than you can believe it is possible. This is one of the few places I can think of on the internet where you can see every imaginable phase of a C-3 as it comes back to life or gets torn to hell. I fit the last one! :lol:
Welcome aboard! By the way... where the hell is Kyle, Tx? And I grew up in Houston.
I just gravitated over to Pearland out of pure necessity with the economy reeking in New Orleans in the mid-90's. Alot of great people on this forum as you can probably already tell. But..... believe it when you hear that we can spend your money much faster than you can believe it is possible. This is one of the few places I can think of on the internet where you can see every imaginable phase of a C-3 as it comes back to life or gets torn to hell. I fit the last one! :lol:
Welcome aboard! By the way... where the hell is Kyle, Tx? And I grew up in Houston.
Race Director
Joined: Apr 1999
Posts: 11,520
Likes: 13
From: CORVETTE 77 385 C.I. TEXAS
Re: looking for a little more performance (TRAVIS74)
We have been over this many times. Basically you want to do as scottw & Chris O' have. XE256, AL. intake, Dynomax Cerma headers. If you go lower on gears or more than stock stall then more cam. MSD not needed. Pulling the rad. is not a big deal to me.
:cool:
:cool:
Burning Brakes
Joined: Oct 2001
Posts: 1,241
Likes: 4
From: Okinawa Okinawa
Re: looking for a little more performance (Ganey)
Ganey,
I agree that pulling the radiator isn't that hard but for me that was the hardest part of the entire top end rebuild. The entire project was fairly easy and straight forward.
I agree that pulling the radiator isn't that hard but for me that was the hardest part of the entire top end rebuild. The entire project was fairly easy and straight forward.
Melting Slicks
Joined: Apr 2000
Posts: 2,145
Likes: 1
From: Ft. Walton Beach, Fl USA
Re: looking for a little more performance (TRAVIS74)
My car originally ahd an L48, the 165hp L48. Before I swapped motors, I put a Weiand intake (Edlebrock Performer equivalent, not Performer RPM) and some headers and it really woke it up. Not to offend any L82 motored members but you don't need alot to make it run like an L82.
Team Owner
Joined: Jun 2001
Posts: 43,136
Likes: 155
From: Thomson Georgia
Re: looking for a little more performance (SmokedTires)
I vote for a rear gear change depending on what you presently have. Something in the 3.55-3.70 range should help wake your vette up. This will make your car feel more powerful. For dollar to performance cost this is a great avenue to take next to a shot of nitrous :D .
Next would be cam, intake, & exhaust ;) .
Next would be cam, intake, & exhaust ;) .
Drifting
Joined: Jan 2002
Posts: 1,484
Likes: 0
From: Northampton Ma
Re: looking for a little more performance (Alwyn678)
There's a lot of things you could change. I a Performer intake would be good, along with something like the Comp Cams 256XE or 262XE, and a good exhaust that includes headers, 2.5" pipe, an H or X pipe, and your choice of mufflers. Getting rid of the stock exhaust and replacing it with something like I described will really wake up the motor, especially with a cam and intake change. Good Luck :cheers: