'89 rebuild ?
Thread Starter
Instructor
Joined: Oct 2004
Posts: 208
Likes: 1
From: Santa Rosa CA
'89 rebuild ?
I have had my ’89 from new and will probably die with it. Not my primary auto but I like to have it around. 120k miles but in great shape. I want to keep the original engine and stock appearance, it also needs to pass CA smog
It needs a head gasket now and I am wondering if there any worthwhile head upgrades while I have them off other than getting them surfaced, seals, valve grind, etc. I will probably rebuild the block next year. I have no problem with extra spending on both projects if there are some items that would increase HP without creating drivability issues.
Any advice from the L98 gurus?
It needs a head gasket now and I am wondering if there any worthwhile head upgrades while I have them off other than getting them surfaced, seals, valve grind, etc. I will probably rebuild the block next year. I have no problem with extra spending on both projects if there are some items that would increase HP without creating drivability issues.
Any advice from the L98 gurus?
Former Vendor
Joined: Nov 2006
Posts: 2,482
Likes: 3
From: Carmichael ca
I would say if you're keeping the stock intake manifold, there's not much to be gained by changing heads. The Superram intake I have on my car has a carb #, so its smog legal. I'm not sure what other manifolds do. If you want to go that far, heads and intake, you'll be spending $3k plus.
Le Mans Master
Joined: Dec 2000
Posts: 7,839
Likes: 22
From: San Diego, Ca
Have the front and read intake mounting holes counterbored for the intake gasket retainers used with the '91 and current production heads - buy the gaskets first and take them to your machinist so he can see what needs to be done. They'll keep the gaskets in perfect alignment when you drop in the manifold and stop the intake leaks which (according to GM) sets up galvanic corrosion which kills the head gaskets.
Le Mans Master
Joined: Jul 1999
Posts: 5,009
Likes: 38
From: jackson nj
Melting Slicks
Joined: Feb 2006
Posts: 2,753
Likes: 15
From: backwoods upstate ny
keep your oem engine as is for future 'matching numbers' resto and for 'periodic' re-install for 'exercise' (at 'smog' time?)...build a 'bigger hammer' for playtime...total engine R&R is really not that hard, like having a baby, after the first time, having oem engine in for smog check reduces 'pucker factor' to zer0
Thread Starter
Instructor
Joined: Oct 2004
Posts: 208
Likes: 1
From: Santa Rosa CA
keep your oem engine as is for future 'matching numbers' resto and for 'periodic' re-install for 'exercise' (at 'smog' time?)...build a 'bigger hammer' for playtime...total engine R&R is really not that hard, like having a baby, after the first time, having oem engine in for smog check reduces 'pucker factor' to zer0
Race Director
Joined: Nov 2003
Posts: 12,221
Likes: 446
From: Overland Park Kansas
2020 Corvette of the Year Finalist (appearance mods)
C4 of Year Winner (appearance mods) 2019
Take (or send) your heads to a porter who can increase their flow. A good one can get 50+cfm out of them. With a superram (already suggested) and a mild cam (if desired), you'd be about as good as you can get with a stock motor.
Consider larger bore shorties if you do the superram. Or, the coated/ported/reworked L98 manifolds from McJack's (eBay).
Consider larger bore shorties if you do the superram. Or, the coated/ported/reworked L98 manifolds from McJack's (eBay).
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