Engine Selection For 1989 Corvette
Thread Starter
Intermediate
Joined: May 2011
Posts: 40
Likes: 0
Engine Selection For 1989 Corvette
I recently became the prod owner of a 1989 Z-51 coupe. It has been modified autocross style, with a nice exhaust, C5 Z06 wheels and coil over shocks.
It has a stock engine, and I am craving more power.
However, I also want a car that will be reliable for long road trips. I bought the car to drive it, so reliability is a key factor.
I had considered an LS swap, but after considering all of the extra costs, I just don't think it's worth the trouble.
So, the choices are:big inch small block, turbo motor, or supercharged.
I'm kind of leaning towards forced induction, because it doesn't require a radical cam to make power. I've been told that forced induction engines are quite docile until you put your foot in it.
A friend recommends just going with a ZZ383. It is pretty much a plug and play install, and it's from the General, after all. GMPP crate engines are tested and proven to production car standards. This does give a lot of peace of mind on long tours.
I'd like to hear other forum members opinions on this choice.
I'm after the best compromise between power and reliability.
It has a stock engine, and I am craving more power.
However, I also want a car that will be reliable for long road trips. I bought the car to drive it, so reliability is a key factor.
I had considered an LS swap, but after considering all of the extra costs, I just don't think it's worth the trouble.
So, the choices are:big inch small block, turbo motor, or supercharged.
I'm kind of leaning towards forced induction, because it doesn't require a radical cam to make power. I've been told that forced induction engines are quite docile until you put your foot in it.
A friend recommends just going with a ZZ383. It is pretty much a plug and play install, and it's from the General, after all. GMPP crate engines are tested and proven to production car standards. This does give a lot of peace of mind on long tours.
I'd like to hear other forum members opinions on this choice.
I'm after the best compromise between power and reliability.
Pro
Joined: Jun 2006
Posts: 508
Likes: 1
From: Miami Florida
You didn't mention the mileage on the motor but if it's high, one thought would be to re=build your present motor to perhaps a nice torque monster 383. Add a set of AFR heads, a good reliable and smooth idling but power producing cam, headers, etc. That's what I did to my 89 and I couldn't be happier. It's fast and reliable.
Steve
Steve
Instructor
Joined: Feb 2003
Posts: 210
Likes: 10
From: Chitown il
I would go this route. 500hp on pump gas and NA. Plus it's all forged and comes ready to drop in with a carb and intake and it's dyno tuned.
http://www.ultrastreet.net/engines/4...treet_alum.asp
http://www.ultrastreet.net/engines/4...treet_alum.asp
Instructor
Joined: Feb 2003
Posts: 210
Likes: 10
From: Chitown il
oops my bad, ad says less carb and ignition, i'd call them, there was another guy on here somewhere with a c4 and the 472 sbc engine. it's 14k though.
http://www.ultrastreet.net/engines/472_bigdawg.asp
http://www.ultrastreet.net/engines/472_bigdawg.asp
Thread Starter
Intermediate
Joined: May 2011
Posts: 40
Likes: 0
Thanks for the responses.
My vette has 64k miles on it. My only question, as far as rebuiling it goes, is how strong is the block? It is my understanding that the L98 is a two bolt main.
I was very inspired by the "Stealth TPI" article in Car Craft. The rebuilt an L98 as a 383 and got 458 HP and over 500 lbft.
If I were to rebuild the original engine, is it possible and desirable to have it machine for four bolt allayed caps?
As for that 472, it's awesome but I don't think it's in my price range. I could build a nice 383 or even 421 for under $10k and spend the rest on tools.
Anyone here have experience with the long term reliability of a centrifugal blower motor?
My vette has 64k miles on it. My only question, as far as rebuiling it goes, is how strong is the block? It is my understanding that the L98 is a two bolt main.
I was very inspired by the "Stealth TPI" article in Car Craft. The rebuilt an L98 as a 383 and got 458 HP and over 500 lbft.
If I were to rebuild the original engine, is it possible and desirable to have it machine for four bolt allayed caps?
As for that 472, it's awesome but I don't think it's in my price range. I could build a nice 383 or even 421 for under $10k and spend the rest on tools.
Anyone here have experience with the long term reliability of a centrifugal blower motor?
Thread Starter
Intermediate
Joined: May 2011
Posts: 40
Likes: 0
I would go this route. 500hp on pump gas and NA. Plus it's all forged and comes ready to drop in with a carb and intake and it's dyno tuned.
http://www.ultrastreet.net/engines/4...treet_alum.asp
http://www.ultrastreet.net/engines/4...treet_alum.asp
But that aluminum 427 is sweet. It's designed for all day cruising, and 525 HP is nothing to sneeze at.
I'll keep saving and scheming.
Burning Brakes
Joined: Nov 2008
Posts: 995
Likes: 1
From: Naples Campania
I'm definitely in the "vote for 383" club. I replaced by blown up L98 with a ZZ4 with a 30 bore and I wish I had the time and money to roll it into a 383.
Rebuilding the stock motor into a 383 is a very viable option. The motor is block in these cars are solid and with that mileage, you shouldn't have to worry about anything. That all kinda goes out the door anyways. Just about everything gets thrown out the door when the do a stroker kit.
Stroke the stock motor with a miniram. She will be a monster.
How do you like those coilovers btw?
Rebuilding the stock motor into a 383 is a very viable option. The motor is block in these cars are solid and with that mileage, you shouldn't have to worry about anything. That all kinda goes out the door anyways. Just about everything gets thrown out the door when the do a stroker kit.
Stroke the stock motor with a miniram. She will be a monster.
How do you like those coilovers btw?
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Drifting
Joined: Oct 2006
Posts: 1,934
Likes: 3
From: Citrus Heights California
You didn't mention the mileage on the motor but if it's high, one thought would be to re=build your present motor to perhaps a nice torque monster 383. Add a set of AFR heads, a good reliable and smooth idling but power producing cam, headers, etc. That's what I did to my 89 and I couldn't be happier. It's fast and reliable.
Steve
Steve
You might be able to have your stock aluminum heads ported and rebuilt. I would get a 383 short block and a mild cam. You really will need a better intake. A superam would be good if you can find a used one.
Race Director
Joined: Nov 2003
Posts: 12,220
Likes: 446
From: Overland Park Kansas
2020 Corvette of the Year Finalist (appearance mods)
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You don't have to look hard to find a couple of threads for 396 stroker builds. Two recently run in this forum.
383 is fine too, but someone thinking about FI might want more. Maybe even a 421 like Rick has finally launched.
Splaying is a great option for a 2-bolt setup. I'd bet you could splay your block and rebuild with forged internals for quite a bit less than a GM ZZ383. I'd only pay stealership money if I had to. OTOH, splaying isn't necessary for a low-end torque motor. Just use AFR fasteners. Or bore it for a 4-bolt. Or, trade and start over. Lots of options.
Tuning is easier to find help with when not going the FI route. OTOH, there is another FI forum if you want to peruse through it. That's where I started before I ended up with a 383.
As I also was a fan of the "Stealth TPI" article, that's what I modeled my build after. Except I used AFR vs honing the 113's. I'm quite happy with the results. Tons of torque. Lots of fun. Reliable for years. Easy to tune.
383 is fine too, but someone thinking about FI might want more. Maybe even a 421 like Rick has finally launched.
Splaying is a great option for a 2-bolt setup. I'd bet you could splay your block and rebuild with forged internals for quite a bit less than a GM ZZ383. I'd only pay stealership money if I had to. OTOH, splaying isn't necessary for a low-end torque motor. Just use AFR fasteners. Or bore it for a 4-bolt. Or, trade and start over. Lots of options.
Tuning is easier to find help with when not going the FI route. OTOH, there is another FI forum if you want to peruse through it. That's where I started before I ended up with a 383.
As I also was a fan of the "Stealth TPI" article, that's what I modeled my build after. Except I used AFR vs honing the 113's. I'm quite happy with the results. Tons of torque. Lots of fun. Reliable for years. Easy to tune.