C4 General Discussion General C4 Corvette Discussion not covered in Tech

l98?

Thread Tools
 
Search this Thread
 
Old Mar 23, 2012 | 04:52 PM
  #1  
weaselbeak's Avatar
weaselbeak
Thread Starter
Racer
10 Year Member
 
Joined: Sep 2010
Posts: 327
Likes: 2
From: se iowa
Default l98?

Out of curiosity at what point do you think the engine in your car ceases to be a l98. I've changed quite a bit of mine and always kind of wondered where to draw the line as far as calling it a l98. I do still use a ltr type intake but it's not the stocker, heads and camshaft are also not stock, neither are the rockers.
Reply
Old Mar 23, 2012 | 05:27 PM
  #2  
Muffin's Avatar
Muffin
Race Director
Supporting Lifetime Gold
10 Year Member
 
Joined: Jun 1999
Posts: 14,924
Likes: 9
From: Merritt Ils Fl
Default

Short answer: The thing that made the L98 a L98 was the TPI. So I guess you could say it is no longer a L98 when the TPI goes away. I have no idea what you would call it other than a SBC.
Reply
Old Mar 23, 2012 | 07:41 PM
  #3  
65Z01's Avatar
65Z01
Team Owner
20 Year Member
 
Joined: Dec 2000
Posts: 90,675
Likes: 304
From: SE NY
Cruise-In II Veteran
Default

So I guess you could say it is no longer a L98 when the TPI goes away.
That's my take too.
Reply
Old Mar 23, 2012 | 08:06 PM
  #4  
JackDidley's Avatar
JackDidley
Race Director
20 Year Member
Active Streak: 30 Days
Liked
Loved
 
Joined: Sep 2003
Posts: 16,839
Likes: 341
From: Database Error Indiana
Default

The only things L98 in my car would be the block and crank. The shortblock is actually built to ZZ4 specs so thats what I call it. Everything else is aftermarket.
Reply
Old Mar 23, 2012 | 08:46 PM
  #5  
Muffin's Avatar
Muffin
Race Director
Supporting Lifetime Gold
10 Year Member
 
Joined: Jun 1999
Posts: 14,924
Likes: 9
From: Merritt Ils Fl
Default

Originally Posted by JackDidley
The only things L98 in my car would be the block and crank. The shortblock is actually built to ZZ4 specs so thats what I call it. Everything else is aftermarket.
Like I said, your block and crank ID it as a SBC.
Reply
Old Mar 23, 2012 | 10:02 PM
  #6  
JackDidley's Avatar
JackDidley
Race Director
20 Year Member
Active Streak: 30 Days
Liked
Loved
 
Joined: Sep 2003
Posts: 16,839
Likes: 341
From: Database Error Indiana
Default

Originally Posted by Muffin
Like I said, your block and crank ID it as a SBC.

This is true but mine are original L98. Thats all I was saying. I was not arguing your point. Ive had SBCs for 40+ years. I understand the concept.
Reply
Old Mar 23, 2012 | 10:54 PM
  #7  
CRUZNC4's Avatar
CRUZNC4
Melting Slicks
15 Year Member
Active Streak: 60 Days
Liked
Loved
 
Joined: May 2009
Posts: 2,784
Likes: 191
From: Decatur IL
2025 C4 of the Year Finalist - Unmodified
2022 C4 of the Year Finalist - Unmodified
Default

Originally Posted by Muffin
Short answer: The thing that made the L98 a L98 was the TPI. So I guess you could say it is no longer a L98 when the TPI goes away. I have no idea what you would call it other than a SBC.
Reply
Old Mar 24, 2012 | 01:56 AM
  #8  
GREGGPENN's Avatar
GREGGPENN
Race Director
20 Year Member
Liked
Loved
Community Favorite
 
Joined: Nov 2003
Posts: 12,222
Likes: 446
From: Overland Park Kansas
2020 Corvette of the Year Finalist (appearance mods)
C4 of Year Winner (appearance mods) 2019
Default

Originally Posted by Muffin
Short answer: The thing that made the L98 a L98 was the TPI. So I guess you could say it is no longer a L98 when the TPI goes away. I have no idea what you would call it other than a SBC.
A little more than that IMO...

After the L98, came the LTx line -- with reverse cooling. I'm not sure there was ever a SBC with multi-port FI before the L98. The L98 also has a unique distributor system AFAIK.

Heads changed a couple of times as did the camshaft type. (solid vs roller cam). They were also two bolt vs 4-bolt.

That said, I still call mine an L98 (with a 4-bolt and zero stock parts). Even if I'd gone with the HSR or FIRST intake, it's still the block-style underneath.

Though it's a matter of personal discretion, I'm going to say it's the era of block used -- and that it had MPFI with an ODB1 ECM using traditional cooling.
Reply
Corvette Stories

The Best of Corvette for Corvette Enthusiasts

story-0

2027 Chevrolet Silverado 1500 First Look: Everything You NEED to Know!

 Michael S. Palmer
story-1

5 Best & 5 Worst Corvette Daily Drivers

 Joe Kucinski
story-2

The Headlights of Every Corvette Generation Explained

 Joe Kucinski
story-3

5 Best & 5 Most Overrated Corvette Track Packages of All Time!

 Joe Kucinski
story-4

Every 2027 Corvette Engine Explained

 Joe Kucinski
story-5

Designer Imagines A Corvette That Looks More Like a Corvette Than the Corvette

 Verdad Gallardo
story-6

10 Ugly Corvettes That We Still Kinda Love

 Joe Kucinski
story-7

Top 10 Most Expensive Corvettes Ever Sold on Bring A Trailer

 Brett Foote
story-8

10 Things Every Corvette Owner Needs (2026 Edition)

 Michael S. Palmer
story-9

8 Most "Only Corvette Owners Understand" Quirks and Problems

 Pouria Savadkouei
Old Mar 24, 2012 | 11:36 AM
  #9  
medblueC4's Avatar
medblueC4
Instructor
 
Joined: Nov 2011
Posts: 143
Likes: 1
From: Bloomington MN
Default

Pics of your setups?
Reply
Old Mar 24, 2012 | 12:04 PM
  #10  
ch@0s's Avatar
ch@0s
Le Mans Master
15 Year Member
Liked
Loved
Community Favorite
 
Joined: Oct 2008
Posts: 9,758
Likes: 49
From: Houston Texas
Default

Originally Posted by Muffin
Short answer: The thing that made the L98 a L98 was the TPI. So I guess you could say it is no longer a L98 when the TPI goes away. I have no idea what you would call it other than a SBC.

IMO once the plenum is gone its no longer an L98. The ditributor in our L98 is not unique its just a in cap coil used in many GM vehicles. Even if you are running aftermarket intake and runners it's still an L98. Another thing to take into consideration is the 305s also had the TPI and the heads at least the 113s were offered in crate engines. if you look up block and crank casting #s thy say 350 SBC. So what is really unique to the L98 IDK maybe the exhaust manifolds... My .02
Reply
Old Mar 24, 2012 | 12:10 PM
  #11  
ch@0s's Avatar
ch@0s
Le Mans Master
15 Year Member
Liked
Loved
Community Favorite
 
Joined: Oct 2008
Posts: 9,758
Likes: 49
From: Houston Texas
Default

Originally Posted by medblueC4
Pics of your setups?
LOL mine is still a long tube runner set up so it is an L98... here is a picture



Reply
Old Mar 24, 2012 | 01:13 PM
  #12  
ddahlgren's Avatar
ddahlgren
Melting Slicks
10 Year Member
 
Joined: Dec 2008
Posts: 2,772
Likes: 64
From: Mystic CT
Default

Originally Posted by GREGGPENN
A little more than that IMO...

After the L98, came the LTx line -- with reverse cooling. I'm not sure there was ever a SBC with multi-port FI before the L98. The L98 also has a unique distributor system AFAIK.

Heads changed a couple of times as did the camshaft type. (solid vs roller cam). They were also two bolt vs 4-bolt.

That said, I still call mine an L98 (with a 4-bolt and zero stock parts). Even if I'd gone with the HSR or FIRST intake, it's still the block-style underneath.

Though it's a matter of personal discretion, I'm going to say it's the era of block used -- and that it had MPFI with an ODB1 ECM using traditional cooling.
What vehicle had a 4 bolt main tuned port L98?
How many other applications had the same block and crank without the tuned port?
Not that it matters to me really once not stock it is no longer a L98 as that describes all the parts inside and most of the big ones outside. While and F body L98 uses different accessories and brackets it is still an L98 in it's basic form.

I would think if it does not look like an L98 and does not have all the things it came with it is no longer an L98. If a valve spring or valve or rocker arm or intake gasket etc does not fit is it still what it was born. No it is an L98 varient or modified / customized that was originally an L98. It will always be a Gen 1 SBC though. It is all symantics for a purest somewhere that no doubt has clean finger nails and an aversion to wrenches oil etc. but good with a scoring sheet.
Dave
Reply
Old Mar 24, 2012 | 02:17 PM
  #13  
GREGGPENN's Avatar
GREGGPENN
Race Director
20 Year Member
Liked
Loved
Community Favorite
 
Joined: Nov 2003
Posts: 12,222
Likes: 446
From: Overland Park Kansas
2020 Corvette of the Year Finalist (appearance mods)
C4 of Year Winner (appearance mods) 2019
Default

Late 80's pickups were 4-bolts. That's what I understand my block came from.

Interestingly enough it is stamped "638" which was also the number on my OEM 2-bolt block. So, the blocks look the same other than the 4-bolt config.

OTOH, Guess I should call it an LSgp. It's much closer to LS power and made by me!

Reply
Old Mar 25, 2012 | 01:30 PM
  #14  
corvetteronw's Avatar
corvetteronw
Race Director
Supporting Lifetime
20 Year Member
Veteran: Army
St. Jude 10 Year Donor
Liked
 
Joined: Feb 2003
Posts: 16,475
Likes: 270
From: Kingman AZ
Cruise-In VII Veteran
Cruise-In VIII
St. Jude Donor '06-'07-'08-'09-'10-'11-'12-'13-'14-'15-'16
Default

This one is no longer an L98:http://forums.corvetteforum.com/c4-f...-corvette.html
Reply
Old Mar 25, 2012 | 01:37 PM
  #15  
ch@0s's Avatar
ch@0s
Le Mans Master
15 Year Member
Liked
Loved
Community Favorite
 
Joined: Oct 2008
Posts: 9,758
Likes: 49
From: Houston Texas
Default

Originally Posted by corvetteronw
AHA yea it is i see the A.I.R. pump.
Reply
Old Mar 25, 2012 | 01:41 PM
  #16  
mike100's Avatar
mike100
Safety Car
10 Year Member
 
Joined: Aug 2008
Posts: 4,344
Likes: 48
From: San Marcos CA
Default

I think batch-fire injection makes it an L98 almost as much as the tpi manifold did.
Reply
Old Mar 25, 2012 | 01:48 PM
  #17  
ch@0s's Avatar
ch@0s
Le Mans Master
15 Year Member
Liked
Loved
Community Favorite
 
Joined: Oct 2008
Posts: 9,758
Likes: 49
From: Houston Texas
Default

Originally Posted by mike100
I think batch-fire injection makes it an L98 almost as much as the tpi manifold did.
Wouldn't that make early LT1s an L98?
Reply

Get notified of new replies

To l98?

Old Mar 25, 2012 | 09:21 PM
  #18  
Joe B.'s Avatar
Joe B.
Melting Slicks
10 Year Member
 
Joined: Dec 2009
Posts: 2,749
Likes: 50
From: Westmont Il.
Default

Originally Posted by Muffin
Short answer: The thing that made the L98 a L98 was the TPI. So I guess you could say it is no longer a L98 when the TPI goes away. I have no idea what you would call it other than a SBC.
Reply
Old Mar 25, 2012 | 10:28 PM
  #19  
l98tpi's Avatar
l98tpi
Max G’s
Supporting Lifetime Gold
15 Year Member
Liked
Loved
Community Favorite
 
Joined: Nov 2008
Posts: 2,751
Likes: 79
From: Monroe OH
NCM Sinkhole Donor
Default

Originally Posted by Joe B.
Reply
Old Mar 26, 2012 | 08:34 AM
  #20  
Muffin's Avatar
Muffin
Race Director
Supporting Lifetime Gold
10 Year Member
 
Joined: Jun 1999
Posts: 14,924
Likes: 9
From: Merritt Ils Fl
Default

Originally Posted by GREGGPENN
Late 80's pickups were 4-bolts. That's what I understand my block came from.
The block I am presently running came from a 79 pick up. It's a 4 bolter.
Reply



All times are GMT -4. The time now is 02:45 AM.

story-0
2027 Chevrolet Silverado 1500 First Look: Everything You NEED to Know!

Slideshow: Is the 2027 Chevrolet Silverado 1500 the best Silverado yet?

By Michael S. Palmer | 2026-06-16 08:01:12


VIEW MORE
story-1
5 Best & 5 Worst Corvette Daily Drivers

Slideshow: 5 best and 5 worst Corvette daily drivers

By Joe Kucinski | 2026-06-15 10:32:13


VIEW MORE
story-2
The Headlights of Every Corvette Generation Explained

Slideshow: The headlights of every Corvette generation explained

By Joe Kucinski | 2026-06-15 10:17:14


VIEW MORE
story-3
5 Best & 5 Most Overrated Corvette Track Packages of All Time!

Slideshow: The 5 best and 5 most overrated Corvette track packages ever.

By Joe Kucinski | 2026-06-09 12:46:45


VIEW MORE
story-4
Every 2027 Corvette Engine Explained

Slideshow: Every 2027 Corvette engine explained

By Joe Kucinski | 2026-06-09 12:16:31


VIEW MORE
story-5
Designer Imagines A Corvette That Looks More Like a Corvette Than the Corvette

Slideshow: A Jaguar designer's personal project imagines what a modern front-engined Corvette might look like if Chevrolet revisited the golden age of the Stingray.

By Verdad Gallardo | 2026-06-08 19:53:43


VIEW MORE
story-6
10 Ugly Corvettes That We Still Kinda Love

Slideshow: 10 ugly Corvettes that we still kinda love.

By Joe Kucinski | 2026-06-03 10:34:17


VIEW MORE
story-7
Top 10 Most Expensive Corvettes Ever Sold on Bring A Trailer

A lot of money has changed hands at the online auction house over the years.

By Brett Foote | 2026-06-03 10:21:50


VIEW MORE
story-8
10 Things Every Corvette Owner Needs (2026 Edition)

Slideshow: 10 great gifts Corvette enthusiasts actually want for Father's Day!

By Michael S. Palmer | 2026-06-03 15:43:40


VIEW MORE
story-9
8 Most "Only Corvette Owners Understand" Quirks and Problems

Slideshow: These are the quirks, annoyances, and oddly lovable problems that every Corvette owner eventually learns to live with.

By Pouria Savadkouei | 2026-05-28 09:31:39


VIEW MORE