L88 Replacement
Thread Starter
Pro
Joined: Jan 2005
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From: Denton Texas
L88 Replacement
I met a guy today that blew up his dads 1988 L88 out at Texas Motor Speedway the other weekend during the Lone Star Corvette Club get together.
I suggested that he put a crate engine in it. As large as he could go.
I'm not a mechanic so I don't know if my suggestion had any merit.
He said that he was told by corvettes of dallas that if he tried to put anything other than a L88 back in that it would cost double the amount.
So my questions are:
Is this cost true?
What options does he have?
I suggested that he put a crate engine in it. As large as he could go.
I'm not a mechanic so I don't know if my suggestion had any merit.
He said that he was told by corvettes of dallas that if he tried to put anything other than a L88 back in that it would cost double the amount.
So my questions are:
Is this cost true?
What options does he have?
Thread Starter
Pro
Joined: Jan 2005
Posts: 579
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From: Denton Texas
Not sure double the amount was for him. I'm not completely sure what he was told.
I'm just curious what options he would have for his Dad's 1988.
So what could he do if his engine is gone & not salvageable & for what price?
I'm just curious what options he would have for his Dad's 1988.
So what could he do if his engine is gone & not salvageable & for what price?
Team Owner
Joined: Sep 2001
Posts: 62,160
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From: Athens AL
C7 of the Year - Unmodified Finalist 2021
C4 of Year Finalist (performance mods) 2019
If he wants it back the way it was, then a ZZ4 crate would be the choice. The heads are the same, and its cam is only slightly larger than the stock camshaft.
The rating on the motor is done with a carb and headers, so he shouldnt expect it to make the rated power once he puts TPI on it.
Otherwise he would have to choose a route to go with modifications, my website has some suggestions, but that way can cost him alot of money. A built 383 would still be choked by the TPI intake, so he should have an idea of what he wants in the future before deciding what to do with the bottom end now.
The rating on the motor is done with a carb and headers, so he shouldnt expect it to make the rated power once he puts TPI on it.
Otherwise he would have to choose a route to go with modifications, my website has some suggestions, but that way can cost him alot of money. A built 383 would still be choked by the TPI intake, so he should have an idea of what he wants in the future before deciding what to do with the bottom end now.
Team Owner
Joined: Jan 2006
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From: Hampton, VA Yea, i'm a redneck... but you love it
Cruise-In 8-9 Veteran
aka/Trunk Monkey/Banned For Life/Corvette For Life
an L88 is my dream engine... along with every other Corvette engine.
i already have an L83 so im on my way
i already have an L83 so im on my way
Team Owner
Joined: May 2001
Posts: 36,164
Likes: 2,511
From: ...tearing up the highways, one state at a time™®©
IF the car is really an L88, he should contact www.corvetterepair.com IMMEDIATELY! (Seriously! they are THE L88 EXPERTS Nationwide!) 
If for some reason, you made a typo and the motor is an L98, who cares - buy a crate motor from Skoggin-Dickey and swap it out. Long block coldn't cost more than a couple grand, done.
I hope this helps
If for some reason, you made a typo and the motor is an L98, who cares - buy a crate motor from Skoggin-Dickey and swap it out. Long block coldn't cost more than a couple grand, done.
I hope this helps
Team Owner
Joined: Feb 2006
Posts: 24,460
Likes: 7
From: sw Ohio
Originally Posted by *89x2*
IF the car is really an L88, he should contact www.corvetterepair.com IMMEDIATELY! (Seriously! they are THE L88 EXPERTS Nationwide!)
If for some reason, you made a typo and the motor is an L98, who cares - buy a crate motor from Skoggin-Dickey and swap it out. Long block coldn't cost more than a couple grand, done.
I hope this helps
If for some reason, you made a typo and the motor is an L98, who cares - buy a crate motor from Skoggin-Dickey and swap it out. Long block coldn't cost more than a couple grand, done.
I hope this helps
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Thread Starter
Pro
Joined: Jan 2005
Posts: 579
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From: Denton Texas
My Fault
Originally Posted by *89x2*
IF the car is really an L88, he should contact www.corvetterepair.com IMMEDIATELY! (Seriously! they are THE L88 EXPERTS Nationwide!)
If for some reason, you made a typo and the motor is an L98, who cares - buy a crate motor from Skoggin-Dickey and swap it out. Long block coldn't cost more than a couple grand, done.
I hope this helps
If for some reason, you made a typo and the motor is an L98, who cares - buy a crate motor from Skoggin-Dickey and swap it out. Long block coldn't cost more than a couple grand, done.
I hope this helps
Sorry guys. My fault.
It must me the the L98.
The thing is the guys at Corvettes of Dallas said that he would spend twice as much money putting anything other than the L98 back in because of the electronics.
I don't know. I thought a brand new crate motor would be the way to go. Then again, what do I know.
Team Owner
Joined: Aug 2000
Posts: 40,156
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From: San Pedro CA
Skoggin-Dickey stopped the L98 blocks... or at least had last fall when I checked again.
Get the ZZ4... or a 383 short block. Then add some AFR heads... long tubes... hi-flow cats... Super ram (or mini-ram, depending on emissions) and go to TOWN.
Get the ZZ4... or a 383 short block. Then add some AFR heads... long tubes... hi-flow cats... Super ram (or mini-ram, depending on emissions) and go to TOWN.
Melting Slicks
Joined: Jun 2004
Posts: 3,032
Likes: 4
What about this one?
http://www.thevettedoctors.com/05_packages_C4.shtml
(The last one on the page)
$5,500
http://www.thevettedoctors.com/05_packages_C4.shtml
(The last one on the page)
$5,500
