What do you guys think?
Thread Starter
Heel & Toe
Joined: Jul 2004
Posts: 17
Likes: 0
What do you guys think?
I'm new to the forum, and it's nice to finally be part of a Corvette forum!
I've got a 1979 Stingray (as if you couldn't tell by my name), and I was just getting ready to start modding my car.
I've found the entire setup I'm going to go with. It's an Edelbrock system with a Torker II intake manifold, Performer RPM heads, a cam/lifter package, I've got pushrods on my list, gasket set, new valve/everything covers, all that. It's under Torker II package under Power Package Concepts at Edelbrock.com
I was wondering something else. What type of rockers come on a '79 Stingray stock? The pushrods I'm going to order, unless I find out something different, will work with the stock rockers. I'm just wondering if I need to upgrade the stock rockers for steel/aluminum roller rockers, or if the stock ones will hold up pretty well. Thanks for any help guys!
EDIT: I was also wondering if I would need to get a better harmonic balancer too? Or should the stock one be good for the job?
I've got a 1979 Stingray (as if you couldn't tell by my name), and I was just getting ready to start modding my car.
I've found the entire setup I'm going to go with. It's an Edelbrock system with a Torker II intake manifold, Performer RPM heads, a cam/lifter package, I've got pushrods on my list, gasket set, new valve/everything covers, all that. It's under Torker II package under Power Package Concepts at Edelbrock.com
I was wondering something else. What type of rockers come on a '79 Stingray stock? The pushrods I'm going to order, unless I find out something different, will work with the stock rockers. I'm just wondering if I need to upgrade the stock rockers for steel/aluminum roller rockers, or if the stock ones will hold up pretty well. Thanks for any help guys!
EDIT: I was also wondering if I would need to get a better harmonic balancer too? Or should the stock one be good for the job?
Melting Slicks
Joined: Aug 2003
Posts: 2,135
Likes: 2
From: Dayton Oh
Since you're already replacing the heads and cam, don't skimp now. Go ahead and replace the rockers since you'd have to pull them out of your old heads anyway. The CompCam Magnum roller rockers are nice and not really all that expensive considering other rocker options. Just be sure to match to your intended lift ratio (1.52" for stock) and stud size of your new heads.
Welcome to the Forum.
Welcome to the Forum.
Le Mans Master
Joined: Mar 2002
Posts: 7,456
Likes: 2
From: Coming home from Luckenbach Texas
Do you have a stock L48? The original engine is not very special, to say the least. Bolting some pricey Edelbrock bits on top of it is kinda like putting lipstick on a pig. It's not going to be very satisfying at the end of the day. The most you realistically want to go with is a Performer RPM package, but for everyday driving you'd be happier with the Performer package.
But if you want to do it right from the start, buy a GM Performance Products ZZ4 and stick it in there!
But if you want to do it right from the start, buy a GM Performance Products ZZ4 and stick it in there!
Le Mans Master
Joined: Mar 2002
Posts: 7,456
Likes: 2
From: Coming home from Luckenbach Texas
What's the fifth digit of your VIN? This will tell us which engine the car should have. The L82 does indeed have a better bottom end than the L48.
Last edited by page62; Jul 20, 2004 at 05:31 PM.
Race Director
Joined: Mar 2001
Posts: 11,322
Likes: 1
From: Living in the Hartland
Originally Posted by 79Stingray
I'm pretty sure that my Vette has the L89 I think. It's a little more powerful (20-30hp more) than the L48.
Think that is an alum head 427 bb eng, if you got that then you do have a little more power than a L48.
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Thread Starter
Heel & Toe
Joined: Jul 2004
Posts: 17
Likes: 0
Ah, I see. It's an L82 instead of an L89. The L82 has 225 hp, and the L48 has 195 hp.
So do you guys think this engine is honestly worthy of being built up? Or should I just start with a short block and build it up?
So do you guys think this engine is honestly worthy of being built up? Or should I just start with a short block and build it up?
Le Mans Master
Joined: Aug 2000
Posts: 6,362
Likes: 7
From: Brazos TX
Cruise-In IV Veteran
Cruise-In V Veteran
It sounds like you have a good plan. You don't have to go with roller rockers but if you have it in the budget then go for it. I would at least recommend replacing the original set with a new set of stock type rockers. With everything else being new it is a good idea for the rockers to be as well. Get a good true roller, double row timing chain as well. I think you will like the Torker cam. I had one in my Nova for quite a few years. What a hoot it was. It sounded great and had a lot of power.
Oh yeah, glad to have you here on the forum.
Oh yeah, glad to have you here on the forum.
Emerging Vendor
Joined: Mar 1999
Posts: 1,599
Likes: 114
From: San Diego CA
If your car has the L82 it already has a lot of good parts. The bottom end is forged/4 bolt, you have 2.02/1,60 heads with screw-in studs/guidplates, a decent cam with about 222 duration at.050/460 lift(although a more modern design cam could help some).
I'd work on the induction, exhaust, and ignition systems to start and go from there.
Do you still have smog checks for your year? If not, go with headers/true duals, performer or RPM intake, rejet the qjet, and recurve the distributor along with better coil and wires.
Good luck,
Greg
I'd work on the induction, exhaust, and ignition systems to start and go from there.
Do you still have smog checks for your year? If not, go with headers/true duals, performer or RPM intake, rejet the qjet, and recurve the distributor along with better coil and wires.
Good luck,
Greg