C4 Tech/Performance L98 Corvette and LT1 Corvette Technical Info, Internal Engine, External Engine

Are they all the same?

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Old Sep 23, 2010 | 10:52 PM
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Default Are they all the same?

Are L98 blocks the same as any other gen1 350 blocks?
I have heard that the iron in the vette blocks is a different alloy than a standard 350 block.
Also are all 87 and newer blocks made for roller cams even if they didn't come with one?

Was wondering if I need to stay with my vette block or if I can use a junkyard piece for a rebuild and have the same thing.
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Old Sep 25, 2010 | 02:33 PM
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just a bump hoping someone has any info on this. Thanks
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Old Sep 25, 2010 | 04:59 PM
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bumpo !
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Old Sep 25, 2010 | 05:02 PM
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vette block same material as all others. nothing special.
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Old Sep 25, 2010 | 09:10 PM
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Originally Posted by IBVETN2
Are L98 blocks the same as any other gen1 350 blocks? I have heard that the iron in the vette blocks is a different alloy than a standard 350 block.
Same iron. Some people like to believe "vette" parts are always better.

Originally Posted by IBVETN2
Also are all 87 and newer blocks made for roller cams even if they didn't come with one?
Yes, all '87 & later have the studs for the lifter hold down, even the truck blocks with non-roller cams.

Originally Posted by IBVETN2
Was wondering if I need to stay with my vette block or if I can use a junkyard piece for a rebuild and have the same thing.
If you are going to go that route, get a vortec block from a 96-98 C/K Truck / 96-99 GM SUV / 96-02 GM Van.
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Old Sep 25, 2010 | 10:32 PM
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Originally Posted by ZBRA
Yes, all '87 & later have the studs for the lifter hold down, even the truck blocks with non-roller cams.

1 pce seal blocks are machined for the roller hardware whether roller cam was fitted or not



Originally Posted by ZBRA
If you are going to go that route, get a vortec block from a 96-98 C/K Truck / 96-99 GM SUV / 96-02 GM Van.

Many truck blocks are 4 bolt mains
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Old Sep 25, 2010 | 10:40 PM
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My 89 vette has a truck motor in it.
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Old Sep 26, 2010 | 01:02 AM
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Originally Posted by CorvetteMike2004
My 89 vette has a truck motor in it.
Just take the truck dished pistons out, put some flat tops in, and you have a strong short-block ready to go.
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Old Sep 26, 2010 | 03:16 PM
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If you are going to go that route, get a vortec block from a 96-98 C/K Truck / 96-99 GM SUV / 96-02 GM Van.[/QUOTE]

Are these blocks 4 bolt? maybe a forged crank or a cast nodular like the l98?
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Old Sep 26, 2010 | 03:24 PM
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Originally Posted by IBVETN2

Are these blocks 4 bolt? maybe a forged crank or a cast nodular like the l98?

A lot of the truck and van engines are 4 bolt but that wouldn't make any difference since your corvette engine isn't.

All L98's are 2 bolt main.

Last edited by Keystring; Sep 26, 2010 at 06:22 PM.
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Old Sep 26, 2010 | 06:36 PM
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Originally Posted by vetteoz

1 pce seal blocks are machined for the roller hardware whether roller cam was fitted or not





Many truck blocks are 4 bolt mains
The 383 Pete K built me used a truck block, its the best way to get a cheap 4 bolt main. But Pete has built some strong motors with 2 bolt mains, I think he told me the 383 he had in his Vette was 15 years old and it saw some serious track time with no problems...WW

Last edited by WW7; Sep 26, 2010 at 06:45 PM.
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Old Sep 26, 2010 | 08:44 PM
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Originally Posted by IBVETN2
Are these blocks 4 bolt?
L31 's from the 3/4 & 1 ton trucks are

http://paceperformance.com/index.asp...&ProdID=225981

Last edited by rodj; Sep 26, 2010 at 08:47 PM.
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Old Sep 26, 2010 | 09:37 PM
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Originally Posted by WW7
The 383 Pete K built me used a truck block, its the best way to get a cheap 4 bolt main.
I also used a 4-bolt main block out of a 350 PU for my 383. I believe they were in GM trucks from 87ish to 92ish. Maybe longer.

I considered that an upgrade from the factory 2-bolt block. Both blocks are 638 blocks with the same alloy.
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Old Sep 26, 2010 | 11:16 PM
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Originally Posted by Keystring
A lot of the truck and van engines are 4 bolt but that wouldn't make any difference since your corvette engine isn't.

All L98's are 2 bolt main.
But it would save me the time of installing splayed 4bolt caps on my 2 bolt L98 block
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Old Sep 26, 2010 | 11:29 PM
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Originally Posted by GREGGPENN
I also used a 4-bolt main block out of a 350 PU for my 383. I believe they were in GM trucks from 87ish to 92ish. Maybe longer.

I considered that an upgrade from the factory 2-bolt block. Both blocks are 638 blocks with the same alloy.
is the 638 the last 3 digits of the casting number? Is there a different casting number for the 4 bolt blocks so you don't have to pull the pan to look?
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Old Sep 26, 2010 | 11:58 PM
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If you're going the splayed mains route, use a 2 bolt block, it will be marginally stronger, there's more metal down there around the main cap web.
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Old Sep 26, 2010 | 11:58 PM
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Originally Posted by IBVETN2
is the 638 the last 3 digits of the casting number? ?
638 is same block casting on my '93 truck block and my '89 L98 .Both 2 bolt . You will find it listed as a early 1 pce seal block ('86 - '94 )
Vortec L31 4 bolt block for my 383 is 880 ; same as used for ZZ4 Crate engine ('96 -'00 )

Last edited by rodj; Sep 27, 2010 at 12:08 AM.
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Old Sep 27, 2010 | 01:28 AM
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Originally Posted by johnnyevans
If you're going the splayed mains route, use a 2 bolt block, it will be marginally stronger, there's more metal down there around the main cap web.
Doesn't splaying a 2-bolt cost less too? With a 4-bolt, don't you have to get new caps (e.g., 2-bolt caps)?

638 is just what's stamped on the block for 4-bolts and 2-bolt 1-pc RMS. As such, I'd think their metal content would be identical. That's the only reason I mentioned it (referring back to the OP question about alloy).
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Old Sep 27, 2010 | 07:29 AM
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Originally Posted by IBVETN2
But it would save me the time of installing splayed 4bolt caps on my 2 bolt L98 block
Umm.. true..true..

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Old Sep 27, 2010 | 11:09 PM
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Does the L31 Vortec either 2 0r 4 bolt mains have powdered metal rods? Not sure what a powdered metal rod is. Are they better than the X rods that are in the L98?
Does the L31 have a better crank than an L98?
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