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Old Mar 23, 2012 | 04:52 PM
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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.
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Old Mar 23, 2012 | 05:27 PM
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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.
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Old Mar 23, 2012 | 07:41 PM
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So I guess you could say it is no longer a L98 when the TPI goes away.
That's my take too.
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Old Mar 23, 2012 | 08:06 PM
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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.
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Old Mar 23, 2012 | 08:46 PM
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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.
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Old Mar 23, 2012 | 10:02 PM
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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.
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Old Mar 23, 2012 | 10:54 PM
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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.
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Old Mar 24, 2012 | 01:56 AM
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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.
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Old Mar 24, 2012 | 11:36 AM
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Pics of your setups?
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Old Mar 24, 2012 | 12:04 PM
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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
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Old Mar 24, 2012 | 12:10 PM
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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



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Old Mar 24, 2012 | 01:13 PM
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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
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Old Mar 24, 2012 | 02:17 PM
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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!

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Old Mar 25, 2012 | 01:30 PM
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This one is no longer an L98:http://forums.corvetteforum.com/c4-f...-corvette.html
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Old Mar 25, 2012 | 01:37 PM
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Originally Posted by corvetteronw
AHA yea it is i see the A.I.R. pump.
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Old Mar 25, 2012 | 01:41 PM
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I think batch-fire injection makes it an L98 almost as much as the tpi manifold did.
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Old Mar 25, 2012 | 01:48 PM
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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?
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Old Mar 25, 2012 | 09:21 PM
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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.
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Old Mar 25, 2012 | 10:28 PM
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Originally Posted by Joe B.
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Old Mar 26, 2012 | 08:34 AM
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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.
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