lieber680

Old school guy here with halfway new school toy. Have the 1988 Vette with the stock L98 with aluminum heads. I believe the block is the first generation SBC but are they really the same as far as hardware? Example; if I wanted to do which most feel would be a mistake, and convert it to carburation, an Edelbrock and Holley set up off of my 1974 Camaro would work. Gear drive valve train with elimination of the knock sensor. Things like that....

Sorry if this seems like a stupid question but...

PatternDayTrader

I thought 87 was the year that switched blocks and crankshafts to accommodate the one piece rear main seal.

856SPEED

vader86

Yes its the same, you just have a 1 piece rear main and provisions for a hydraulic roller camshaft.

454z06

You might not have the whole drilled for the mechanical fuel pump pushrods. Also the middle two bolts on eash side of the intake manifold may be drilled at a different angle.

65Z01

Indeed, even within the 3rd gen. Camaro time line the intake details varied.

383vett

I'm using the equivalent of an early block (World Products). Your dipstick will be on the driver's side but otherwise, no problem.

FASTAZU

Stay with TPI

Hot Rod Roy

Why would you want to do that? Are you having trouble with your TPI?

I've got 240,000 miles on my '84, and my despised CFI still has its adjustments welded into position from the factory! I'd say GM was pretty confident about their design to WELD the thing, so as to discourage tampering! I'll bet you won't be able to do that with your four-barrel! My car starts good, runs good, and gets good mileage. What more could you ask for? (I'll admit that I have 'tampered' with the engine internals.)

Kevova

88 block I doubt will have provision for mechanical fuel pump. 86 last year of carbs. 87 revise block for roller. I can see the extra machining for fuel pump discontinued. The TPI fuel pump has too.much pressure (42+ psi) for carb even with regulator. You only need 5-7 psi in most cases. You would need different distributor also. Tuning the exsiting ECM might be a better option. Geardrives are not normally street equipment and would require ESC ( knock sensor) to be disabled(prom). What are your performance goals? 10.0 and 30 mpg is a dream not a goal. lol

C409

….. … AND , the L98 aluminum heads have the SAME intake manifold bolt angle as your early Camaro … the reality is that the C4 vette has a hood clearance problem … your intake and carb might fit but an air filter and housing may not …..

Tom400CFI

Not on the 'Vette. "Vette heads maintained the standard intake flange and bolt pattern through '91.


1. That is true. They don't drill the hole for the pushrod.
2. Untrue. Volume would be the problem, not pressure. The pressure isn't managed by the pump, it's managed by the regulator, which you can change/modify or replace. It's true however that fuel delivery is something that does need to be addressed.
3. I agree. W/o all the sensors in place, ECM won't work. W/o the ECM working, timing won't work. Need a mechanical/vacuum HEI distributor.

Ahnenerbe

I did not know you can get a prom burned to delete the knock sensor. I would love to run a gear drive in my 89. I know some people hate them but that sound is awesome at a stop light.