'89 rebuild ?

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Nov 4, 2009 | 10:23 AM

george4

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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?

Nov 4, 2009 | 11:17 AM

0Paul Ruggeri

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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.

Nov 4, 2009 | 03:07 PM

george4

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From: Santa Rosa CA

I was hoping that something might be done to the heads and/or intake that would improve performance now or at least when I got around to redoing the block. Maybe not. Thanks.

Nov 4, 2009 | 04:58 PM

SunCr

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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.

Nov 4, 2009 | 05:26 PM

Redvette_22

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From: jackson nj

Quote:

Originally Posted by george4

I was hoping that something might be done to the heads and/or intake that would improve performance now or at least when I got around to redoing the block. Maybe not. Thanks.

PM sent

Nov 4, 2009 | 05:32 PM

redrose

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From: backwoods upstate ny

Quote:

Originally Posted by george4

want to keep the original engine and stock appearance, it also needs to pass CA smog

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

Nov 4, 2009 | 08:25 PM

george4

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From: Santa Rosa CA

Quote:

Originally Posted by redrose

Good idea.

Nov 4, 2009 | 09:47 PM

GREGGPENN

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From: Overland Park Kansas

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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).