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

l98 heads possibilities

Thread Tools
 
Search this Thread
 
Old Oct 8, 2012 | 03:05 PM
  #1  
FostersPerformance's Avatar
FostersPerformance
Thread Starter
Melting Slicks
20 Year Member
Liked
Community Favorite
Top Answer: 1
 
Joined: Jul 2003
Posts: 3,499
Likes: 878
From: Saratoga Springs NY
2024 C4 of the Year Finalist - Modified
2022 C4 of the Year Finalist - Modified
Default l98 heads possibilities

Hi and thanks...
Im not gonna start a huge discussion here, just a basic question.

Im fully building an engine for my 88. Around 450hp mark, give or take. I have a choice of building a NA, FI 383, or a blown 350 EFI. I have my l98 heads, and when you look at the GM 383 engine, it almost seems the same 'small' head as the l98.

So my question is, will the l98 heads, professionally built, support a NA 383?

I dont want to buy heads if i dont need to, but i also dont wana dump alot of money into the stock ones if they wont support it.

Like i said, didnt want this to turn into a huge head discussion, just was curios.

Thanks all!!!
Reply
Old Oct 8, 2012 | 04:36 PM
  #2  
RPP_Corvette's Avatar
0RPP_Corvette
Former Vendor
 
Joined: Oct 2012
Posts: 192
Likes: 2
From: corpus christi tx
Default

Originally Posted by FostersPerformance
Hi and thanks...
Im not gonna start a huge discussion here, just a basic question.

Im fully building an engine for my 88. Around 450hp mark, give or take. I have a choice of building a NA, FI 383, or a blown 350 EFI. I have my l98 heads, and when you look at the GM 383 engine, it almost seems the same 'small' head as the l98.

So my question is, will the l98 heads, professionally built, support a NA 383?

I dont want to buy heads if i dont need to, but i also dont wana dump alot of money into the stock ones if they wont support it.

Like i said, didnt want this to turn into a huge head discussion, just was curios.

Thanks all!!!
You shouldn't have any problem improving the stock heads for the 383 setup. You will be limited by the stock intake at higher rpm.
Reply
Old Oct 8, 2012 | 05:00 PM
  #3  
FostersPerformance's Avatar
FostersPerformance
Thread Starter
Melting Slicks
20 Year Member
Liked
Community Favorite
Top Answer: 1
 
Joined: Jul 2003
Posts: 3,499
Likes: 878
From: Saratoga Springs NY
2024 C4 of the Year Finalist - Modified
2022 C4 of the Year Finalist - Modified
Default

No stock anything lol...Only the stock block casting (highly modified) and the stock heads (just the castings, nothing else). They were the only 2 things ive kept from the l98.
Alot of guys running these heads with different intakes? Like i said, i just worried about the small valves, and intake runners if it will support 425-450hp.
And with a blower i worried about the small cc's of the head giving me too much compression. Actually, i worried about that with the 383 as well, but figured id deal with that if i decided to run these heads.

Thanks again
Reply
Old Oct 8, 2012 | 08:52 PM
  #4  
84wannabezo6's Avatar
84wannabezo6
Instructor
 
Joined: Oct 2010
Posts: 215
Likes: 1
Default

You can fit 2.00 intake and 1.56 exhaust in there but I was surprised at the difference beteen the stock valves and the manley street flo with undercut stems that I ended up using. The stock valves had a ridge on back of the valve instead of a nice angle. I dont have a flow bench but you can tell there is a big difference.Look at John Lingenfelters book on small block mods He liked those heads.
Reply
Old Oct 8, 2012 | 09:04 PM
  #5  
Mike 92LX's Avatar
Mike 92LX
Burning Brakes
 
Joined: Jan 2000
Posts: 831
Likes: 31
From: Merritt Island Florida
Default

Stock L98 heads can be made to support 383s easy on motor and pump gas. TPIS,LPE etc used to do it all the time. With a good porter, matched cam and intake you should be okay. Keep will be the intake(runner length) and cam duration-have to make sure they compliment each other.

Now is the time to decide if you are going to run forced induction or not...
Reply
Old Oct 8, 2012 | 09:47 PM
  #6  
GREGGPENN's Avatar
GREGGPENN
Race Director
20 Year Member
Liked
Loved
Community Favorite
 
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
Default

Thicker decks, better oiling, and heavier castings are the main selling points of a head (like AFR) over stock-improved heads. With the cost of FI compared to the price-increase of ported vs. AFR, I don't understand why you'd even consider using the stock heads.

I'm thinking it's only about 10% of your blower cost -- added on top of ported 113 (stock) head price -- to get into a head specifically designed to hold up to the demands of FI.

Even on a stock build, I don't think there's a ported (even CNC-d TPIS porting) that can equal the 195's.

My opinion is the 113's are great, can be ported well, but can be beat (and should be beat) for anyone serious about building.

You sound serious. (except that you didn't say FI and 650hp in the same sentence! )
Reply
Old Oct 9, 2012 | 08:43 AM
  #7  
FostersPerformance's Avatar
FostersPerformance
Thread Starter
Melting Slicks
20 Year Member
Liked
Community Favorite
Top Answer: 1
 
Joined: Jul 2003
Posts: 3,499
Likes: 878
From: Saratoga Springs NY
2024 C4 of the Year Finalist - Modified
2022 C4 of the Year Finalist - Modified
Default

Believe me, keeping it around 450hp is almost like im compromising lol.....I build big block marine engines all in the 'mild' 600hp range. But i know anything over that is a waste on the street.... Met a guy last year with a brand new ford gt 500 modified to 760hp. The guy couldnt grab traction to save his life. He actually regretted it, saying it was a waste...

Yeah, i might go with the AFRs, and build the l98 heads for another engine. Got a PM from a AFR rep, gonna consider it..

Thanks everyone for the advice!
Reply
Old Oct 9, 2012 | 09:58 AM
  #8  
cv67's Avatar
cv67
Team Owner
15 Year Member
 
Joined: Oct 2004
Posts: 81,241
Likes: 3,063
From: altered state
St. Jude Donor '05
Default

For the money you can beat the AFR head
What is going to cost to completely go through your L98s with big valves guides seats etc etc I bet you spend as much or more on old castings that dont compare.

450hp with stock valves on a tpi never happen period no matter how much porting.
Reply
Corvette Stories

The Best of Corvette for Corvette Enthusiasts

story-0

8 Most "Only Corvette Owners Understand" Quirks and Problems

 Pouria Savadkouei
story-1

10 Reasons the C6 Z06 is Still A Performance Benchmark After 20 Years

 Joe Kucinski
story-2

How Much Horsepower Every Corvette Engine "LOST" in 1972

 Joe Kucinski
story-3

Top 10 DOs and DON'Ts for Protecting Your Convertible Top!

 Michael S. Palmer
story-4

Top 10 Most Explosive Corvettes Ever Made: Power-to-Weight Ratio Ranked!

 Joe Kucinski
story-5

150 hp to 1,250 hp: Every Corvette Generation Compared by the Specs That Matter

 Joe Kucinski
story-6

8 Coolest Corvette Pace Cars (and Replicas) of All Time

 Verdad Gallardo
story-7

Top 10 Corvette Engines RANKED by Peak Torque (70+ Years of Muscle!)

 Joe Kucinski
story-8

Corvette ZR1X Will Be Pacing the Indy 500, And Could Probably Race, Too!

 Verdad Gallardo
story-9

Top 10 Corvettes Coming to Mecum Indy 2026!

 Brett Foote
Old Oct 9, 2012 | 10:22 AM
  #9  
383vett's Avatar
383vett
Race Director
20 Year Member
Liked
Loved
Community Favorite
 
Joined: Apr 2003
Posts: 17,700
Likes: 1,667
From: moraga ca
Default

If you are going to keep it at 450hp, why bother with FI? You can easily build a 383 with those horses without going through the expense of forced induction. A good induction system, cam and heads will get you there in a blink.
Reply
Old Oct 9, 2012 | 11:32 AM
  #10  
FostersPerformance's Avatar
FostersPerformance
Thread Starter
Melting Slicks
20 Year Member
Liked
Community Favorite
Top Answer: 1
 
Joined: Jul 2003
Posts: 3,499
Likes: 878
From: Saratoga Springs NY
2024 C4 of the Year Finalist - Modified
2022 C4 of the Year Finalist - Modified
Default

When i said FI, i was meaning Fuel Injected..Sorry for the confusion...Planning to build a fuel injected 383. I ditched the TPI long ago. Still for sale actually..
Reply
Old Oct 9, 2012 | 12:27 PM
  #11  
383vett's Avatar
383vett
Race Director
20 Year Member
Liked
Loved
Community Favorite
 
Joined: Apr 2003
Posts: 17,700
Likes: 1,667
From: moraga ca
Default

Originally Posted by FostersPerformance
When i said FI, i was meaning Fuel Injected..Sorry for the confusion...Planning to build a fuel injected 383. I ditched the TPI long ago. Still for sale actually..
Got it!
Reply
Old Oct 10, 2012 | 12:57 AM
  #12  
65Z01's Avatar
65Z01
Team Owner
20 Year Member
 
Joined: Dec 2000
Posts: 90,675
Likes: 304
From: SE NY
Cruise-In II Veteran
Default

If you do go with the 113 heads I suggest installingnew seats with 2.02"/1.60" performance valves, 5-angle valve job, etc.

Both TPIS & David Vizzard have flow numbers on stock & worked 113 heads so you can see if your 450hp target is possible.
Reply
Old Sep 24, 2013 | 01:28 PM
  #13  
FostersPerformance's Avatar
FostersPerformance
Thread Starter
Melting Slicks
20 Year Member
Liked
Community Favorite
Top Answer: 1
 
Joined: Jul 2003
Posts: 3,499
Likes: 878
From: Saratoga Springs NY
2024 C4 of the Year Finalist - Modified
2022 C4 of the Year Finalist - Modified
Default

Glad I waited..Just got a set of GM performance fast burn aluminum heads for free!!!! SCORE!!!!! Even came with steel comp cams roller rockers 1.6R...Came off a boat with a cracked block...So I guess the L98's will be sitting a while. Thanks everyone!
Reply

Get notified of new replies

To l98 heads possibilities





All times are GMT -4. The time now is 12:35 PM.

story-0
8 Most "Only Corvette Owners Understand" Quirks and Problems

Slideshow: These are the quirks, annoyances, and oddly lovable problems that every Corvette owner eventually learns to live with.

By Pouria Savadkouei | 2026-05-28 09:31:39


VIEW MORE
story-1
10 Reasons the C6 Z06 is Still A Performance Benchmark After 20 Years

Slideshow: 10 reasons why the C6 Z06 is still a performance benchmark after 20 years.

By Joe Kucinski | 2026-05-27 17:20:09


VIEW MORE
story-2
How Much Horsepower Every Corvette Engine "LOST" in 1972

Slideshow: How much horsepower every Corvette engine lost in 1972.

By Joe Kucinski | 2026-05-27 16:54:53


VIEW MORE
story-3
Top 10 DOs and DON'Ts for Protecting Your Convertible Top!

Slideshow: How to Protect A Convertible Top: 10 DOs & DON'Ts

By Michael S. Palmer | 2026-04-03 00:00:00


VIEW MORE
story-4
Top 10 Most Explosive Corvettes Ever Made: Power-to-Weight Ratio Ranked!

Slideshow: The 10 most explosive Corvettes ever built based on power-to-weight ratio.

By Joe Kucinski | 2026-05-20 07:23:03


VIEW MORE
story-5
150 hp to 1,250 hp: Every Corvette Generation Compared by the Specs That Matter

Slideshow: From C1 to C8 we compare every Corvette generation by the numbers.

By Joe Kucinski | 2026-05-12 16:54:12


VIEW MORE
story-6
8 Coolest Corvette Pace Cars (and Replicas) of All Time

Slideshow: Some Corvette pace cars became collectible legends, while others perfectly captured the look and attitude of their era.

By Verdad Gallardo | 2026-05-11 09:50:51


VIEW MORE
story-7
Top 10 Corvette Engines RANKED by Peak Torque (70+ Years of Muscle!)

Slideshow: Ranking the top 10 Corvette engines by torque output.

By Joe Kucinski | 2026-05-05 11:58:09


VIEW MORE
story-8
Corvette ZR1X Will Be Pacing the Indy 500, And Could Probably Race, Too!

Slideshow: A Corvette pace car nearly matching IndyCar speeds sounds exaggerated, until you look at the numbers.

By Verdad Gallardo | 2026-05-04 20:03:36


VIEW MORE
story-9
Top 10 Corvettes Coming to Mecum Indy 2026!

Among a rather large group of them.

By Brett Foote | 2026-05-04 13:56:44


VIEW MORE