Help please
Thread Starter
Cruising
Joined: Aug 2010
Posts: 12
Likes: 0
From: Las Vegas NV
Help please
Can anyone please tell me by looking at the engine picture on my profile album and tell me what crate engine is in our car, I have only had the car 2 weeks and Have had two different mechanics tell me two different things..Sorry for such a lame question..
Team Owner
Joined: Feb 2003
Posts: 53,947
Likes: 9,338
From: Sitting in his Nowhere land Hanover Pa
2024 C2 of the Year Finalist - Unmodified
2015 C2 of Year Finalist
All SBC look very close together by just a picture. if you can find any numbers on the block and post them we can help you more
Burning Brakes
Joined: May 2008
Posts: 1,057
Likes: 2
From: Ohio
You've got an 87 with a 5.7L (350cu in), TPI motor.
I'm not sure what you're asking? Your motor is blown and you need a new crate motor? If that's what you're asking, you have a couple of options.
I'm not sure what you're asking? Your motor is blown and you need a new crate motor? If that's what you're asking, you have a couple of options.
Thread Starter
Cruising
Joined: Aug 2010
Posts: 12
Likes: 0
From: Las Vegas NV
No the engine runs perfect, I actually didn't know what type of 350 engine it was, have a couple guys telling me different things at a couple local shops. I do have to replace a brake booster, pedal is hard and can hear a hissing noise like air releasing when I push on pedal and it idles a little high. Is the 5.7 TPI motor a good one ? also found out I have a custom chip installed as well.. I received the car for money owed to me and she is beautiful. Sorry for stupid questions, trying to learn as I go..Bartender so cocktails are on me 
Thread Starter
Cruising
Joined: Aug 2010
Posts: 12
Likes: 0
From: Las Vegas NV
If anyone knows someone they trust who can tighten door panels up and fix interior lighting can you have them email Cooper at Cooper@3putters.com thank you.
Drifting
Joined: Dec 2004
Posts: 1,834
Likes: 2
From: Doylestown PA
Race Director
Joined: Dec 2000
Posts: 17,551
Likes: 26
From: El Paso Texas
Seriously, with proper maintenance, a SBC can go 200K and beyond with no issues, and that's all your TPI engine is....a SBC with tuned port injection. And they respond to all the normal small block Chevy mods in terms of HP.
You have a vacuum leak if you hear hissing. The hard pedal points to a ruptured diaphragm in the brake booster. The high idle is occuring because the engine is ingesting "false air" through that leak....the computer detects a lean condition and compensates for it with more fuel. More fuel + more air = higher engine speed. Fix the brake booster and the idle problem should correct itself (assuming no other vacuum leaks).
Congrats on your new Corvette. You're gonna love it.
Melting Slicks
Joined: Feb 2005
Posts: 2,057
Likes: 5
From: Bay Shore, NY
Pretty sweet looking ride 
Looks like someone polished the plenum and powder coated the runners, very nice. Like the others said, maintain it well and it will serve you for many more miles. My 85 has over 150K on it and still runs strong.
Looks like someone polished the plenum and powder coated the runners, very nice. Like the others said, maintain it well and it will serve you for many more miles. My 85 has over 150K on it and still runs strong.
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Burning Brakes
Joined: May 2008
Posts: 1,057
Likes: 2
From: Ohio
Ok, so it's probably a stock motor. That's a 5.7L, (350 cu in.), Tuned Port Injection, (TPI) motor. It's also called the L98, that's the GM rpo code for the motor.
It's a good solid motor, lots of torque, but not a bunch of horsepower. Makes most of it's power low in the RPM band, so it's often called a "truck motor", sorry CorvetteMike2004.
I have one in my 87. Good solid motor, real strong and a blast to drive. A real stoplight warrior.
A couple of things. The L98 tends to run a little hot. Keep it tuned properly, and I'd suggest a new, higher capacity radiator if heat becomes a problem.
Also, at about 70k-80k these cars are prone to head gasket failure. That goes for 86L up to 91. The 85 and early 86 have iron heads, not so much of a problem for the gaskets.
It will cost you a lot of time or money, or both, to keep it on the road. But it's worth it.
It's a good solid motor, lots of torque, but not a bunch of horsepower. Makes most of it's power low in the RPM band, so it's often called a "truck motor", sorry CorvetteMike2004.
I have one in my 87. Good solid motor, real strong and a blast to drive. A real stoplight warrior.
A couple of things. The L98 tends to run a little hot. Keep it tuned properly, and I'd suggest a new, higher capacity radiator if heat becomes a problem.
Also, at about 70k-80k these cars are prone to head gasket failure. That goes for 86L up to 91. The 85 and early 86 have iron heads, not so much of a problem for the gaskets.
It will cost you a lot of time or money, or both, to keep it on the road. But it's worth it.
Le Mans Master
Joined: Oct 2008
Posts: 9,758
Likes: 49
From: Houston Texas
Ok, so it's probably a stock motor. That's a 5.7L, (350 cu in.), Tuned Port Injection, (TPI) motor. It's also called the L98, that's the GM rpo code for the motor.
It's a good solid motor, lots of torque, but not a bunch of horsepower. Makes most of it's power low in the RPM band, so it's often called a "truck motor", sorry CorvetteMike2004.
I have one in my 87. Good solid motor, real strong and a blast to drive. A real stoplight warrior.
A couple of things. The L98 tends to run a little hot. Keep it tuned properly, and I'd suggest a new, higher capacity radiator if heat becomes a problem.
Also, at about 70k-80k these cars are prone to head gasket failure. That goes for 86L up to 91. The 85 and early 86 have iron heads, not so much of a problem for the gaskets.
It will cost you a lot of time or money, or both, to keep it on the road. But it's worth it.
It's a good solid motor, lots of torque, but not a bunch of horsepower. Makes most of it's power low in the RPM band, so it's often called a "truck motor", sorry CorvetteMike2004.
I have one in my 87. Good solid motor, real strong and a blast to drive. A real stoplight warrior.
A couple of things. The L98 tends to run a little hot. Keep it tuned properly, and I'd suggest a new, higher capacity radiator if heat becomes a problem.
Also, at about 70k-80k these cars are prone to head gasket failure. That goes for 86L up to 91. The 85 and early 86 have iron heads, not so much of a problem for the gaskets.
It will cost you a lot of time or money, or both, to keep it on the road. But it's worth it.
Good info there. I bought my car cheap because it was overheating at the time. I ended up with blown head gaskets. believe it or not I was happy because now it was MOD TIME!
Thread Starter
Cruising
Joined: Aug 2010
Posts: 12
Likes: 0
From: Las Vegas NV
Thanks
Thanks for all the replies, how cool is it to have a forum where you can share the passion for the corvette..
Anyway thanks for the comments about my engine..It has less than 500 miles on it so I hope it lasts a long time. I was a little confused because of the power it has.. Everyone has told me it was supposed to be slow and a cruiser but it gets up and kicks butt..I do know a custom chip was installed does it really make that much of difference ? Thanks so much for the comments, I have ordered the brake booster for it, going to cost 363.00 installed, not to bad..I do need to get the door panels tightened down and the rear deck lid drivers side rattles a little..Will keep everyone updated as she goes..Thanks again..
Anyway thanks for the comments about my engine..It has less than 500 miles on it so I hope it lasts a long time. I was a little confused because of the power it has.. Everyone has told me it was supposed to be slow and a cruiser but it gets up and kicks butt..I do know a custom chip was installed does it really make that much of difference ? Thanks so much for the comments, I have ordered the brake booster for it, going to cost 363.00 installed, not to bad..I do need to get the door panels tightened down and the rear deck lid drivers side rattles a little..Will keep everyone updated as she goes..Thanks again..
Thread Starter
Cruising
Joined: Aug 2010
Posts: 12
Likes: 0
From: Las Vegas NV
Wow..Thank you so much for picture fix...And thanks for the compliments on car..
Just need to tighten the doors down, and the brake booster will be replaced on Monday..
I was going to sell her but after taking her for a mini road trip I have the corvette fever..
Just need to tighten the doors down, and the brake booster will be replaced on Monday..
I was going to sell her but after taking her for a mini road trip I have the corvette fever..