i found a Vette with 37k but the car has a L98, i wished it had a LT1 but price,cond,miles and color i like, i have read on the form and on line about the issue with leaking intake gaskets should that be a deal breaker or not? how do i tell if the intake is leaking?

 

In my mind the l98 is less problematic overall and intake gaskets have never been a issue as long as you don't install vortec heads... Now those composite gaskets can be problematic...

 

As long as there are no oil leaks and the oil looks good on the dipstick, it's nothing to worry about. Even replacing the gaskets isn't a big deal if you have have some tools and a desire to get your hands dirty. Owning any old car is going to get expensive if you're paying other people to do everything.

 

Leaking Intake is in no way a deal breaker, but it would constitute a further look at some other points, usually when the Intakes leak they make a oily mess that can lead to wires becoming oil soaked/rotted, if the leak is really bad and the coolant leaks into the motor it could contaminate the oil, so beware of foamy oil or white cheese under the filler cap. Coolant in the oil usually makes me walk unless it is a very good deal and not to excessive, with no Bottom End Knock pretty well knowing the source of the contamination so it can be fixed before major damage occurs.


The thing most prevalent I found is that you will find a puddle of oil or even coolant in the back corners of the intake, another point of leakage is the China walls as some call them, the flat mating surfaces directly across the front and rear of the engine. these are more of a mess than a problem but need to be addressed all the same.

To replace the intake gasket is not to tough just a bit time consuming, and needs to done with know how it came apart and what wire and hose goes were, and marking the distributor for proper reinstallation. When intake reseal is finished CHANGE THE OIL because coolant will enter the engine and possibly bits of gasket materials.

before diving straight into doing the Intake make sure your injectors are in good shape and working well, because if there not now is the time to work with your injectors while the Plenum's are off during Intake reseal.

 

Hi

here is my input....

Nothing wrong with an L98 engine, install long tube headers and do a tune up. You should then be able to leave standard LT1 drivers scratching their heads, as you disapear into the distance.

There are horses for courses, the L98 has great torque from idle that can launch the C4 from a standing start. Yes the LT1 is designed for higher rpm, sacrificing torque and off the line performance.

In the end there is very little diference standard to standard, you will find in a quarter mile the L98 will be quicker off the line. However the
LT1 will reign it in with the 45 extra horsepower, passing the L98 just before the quarter mile finish.

There is very little diference in quarter mile times, to put down a L98 engine for a LT1. There is nothing wrong with TPI long intake runners, if you think so go talk to a C4 ZR1 owner. They have the best of both worlds, massive torque high rpm engine with and aditional 115 horsepower over an LT1.

The LT5 engine looks fantastic, a bit like an L98..

 

There is so much wrong with your post.

Nothing wrong with either but the LT1 is faster 0-60, 1/4 mile, and top end. Considerably faster. But L98s can be made to run quite well. Let's be honest, if you want a fast car neither of these would be on your radar. The days of 14s, 13s, and now 12 second cars being considered "fast" are over. If it doesn't trap 130+ it feels quite slow. It's all relative.

There is nothing wrong with that car. I would buy it in a heart beat if it was the correct tranny, color, and condition.

Good luck with your decision.

 

I did say the LT1 would pass the L98 before the end of the quarter mile, there is around half a second difference between the two.

Yes standard LT1 or L98 are slow in todays performance, but either can be modded to go a whole lot faster.

 

I was nearly pointing out that just headers on an L98 will not make it pass an LT1. And the 115 ho is not the difference from LT1 to LT5 and 45 hp is not the difference from L98 to LT1.

Again, both cars are nice and fun to drive.

 

Not getting into the debate of L98 vs LT1. Just look at stock rated HP between the two.

s carter has outlined the major issues that may occur if the gaskets are leaking badly.

A leaking intake gasket for a SBC will usually leak oil in the back into #7 and #8 cylinders before you have coolant issues. Just pull the spark plugs for 7 & 8 and look at them. If they are oil fouled then this points to a leaking intake gasket. As noted above, they are not difficult to replace, just time consuming to take everything off to get to the intake.

If you decide to buy the car, get back to us if your going to change the gasket yourself.