540 vette

I would like to get 300 to 350 horsepower from the L48 in my car. I don't want to go with a crate engine because of my budget. I have about $2500 to spend. I recently sold a 99 and would like to get about the same hp as that did. I have a basic idea on what I want to do. I just want to see what others would do.

badrad

How deep are you willing to go into the engine? A head, cam and intake swap will do wonders for it. The Edelbrock package 2022 would fit the bill but I would change the cam, the ones in their packages are really old technology but should be easy on the valve train.

Grumpy 427

My L48 is now a 350 hp 390 Tq motor done by my local engine builder. Its his own version of a GM crate motor. 2 bolt main 9.0-1 compression, Dual pattern comp hydraulic cam non roller. Heads are warmed over 882 truck heads, 1.94 intake 1.60 exhaust. intake is an Eddy dual plane with a 1406 eddy carb.

I dropped off a block crank rods oil pan intake carb and Distributor. He supplied the rest. Put the motor on the dyno, broke in the cam, seated the rings and made some pulls. $3600.00 out the door tax paid. Comes with 6 months/ 6000 mile warranty

billla

Headers and exhaust.
Cam, heads and intake. Vortecs are well within your budget.
Tune.

Should get you right there

540 vette

I was thinking about the Performer package from Edelbrock.

johnt365

The following link is to a thread I posted with some rear wheel chassis dyno data from my build up. The cam gave the largest power increase but I doubt the results would have been the same if the other modifications were not in place.

http://forums.corvetteforum.com/c3-t...mp-xe268h.html

It is important to note that since I finished the motor, I had to upgrade the torque converter to a 2800 stall and switched the rear end to a 3.55 unit in order to make the car operate in the cams power band.

Chevy High Performance did a series years ago about the Vortec heads and matched it with a comp cam xe268h cam. It's going to take both components and new heads can get pricy quick. You may find something interesting on craigslist...

qwank

You won't see the number they advertise with your low compression pistons

Ironcross

use your old engine as a core and build it to a L-79`s specifications and you engine is still all stock appearing with its correct numbers...the result, 350hp

Jedi926

I have a very tired L48 motor also. I have chosen to go the crate route.

Take the time to look at www.phoenixengine.com they can give you the motor you would like for your budget.

Also, take a look at Jeggs or Ecklers they offer Chevy crates 290 hp for just under $2K.

Good luck. Let us know what you decide to do.


P.S. If I have unintentionally committed a forum faux pas by suggesting a vendor that is not listed on the forum, then I apologize. Good day.

Camivette

Jegs has a couple of crate engines with what you're looking for in your price range and are offering free shipping.
I myself would build the engine into a 383. I loved the feel in my 77 many years ago.

cv67

AFR 180 heads about 1500-

Cam in the 220ish range @.050 FT or hyd roller take your pic. Big price difference. Even throwing an Isky 270 mega cam at it would work.

Good used dual plane intake
650+-carb
1-5/8 primary headers
Recurve your distributor
roller rockers possibly pushrods
Gaskets fluids
Should creep up on 350 at the tire Id bet and be close to budget. Perhaps a touch over but youll love how it runs.

cardo0

You really should review the series of acticles by Chevy Hi-Performance on a GM crate 350". This should give a good idea of it takes to get a low compression 350 to over 400hp. Take a look: http://www.chevyhiperformance.com/te...ild/index.html

http://www.chevyhiperformance.com/te..._ii/index.html

http://www.chevyhiperformance.com/te...iii/index.html

http://www.chevyhiperformance.com/te..._iv/index.html

Hope this helps ya,
cardo0

63mako

I would do some research before dealing with phoenix engines.
http://www.ripoffreport.com/director...ix-Engine.aspx

540 vette

I really don't want to pull the motor from the car. I will tear it down to the short block and add heads, cam, intake and carb. And headers. I am going to order a set of Hookers probably tomorrow.

bluedawg

Do your self a favor, don't skimp on the heads, there are many good heads out there & there are tons of cheap heads, nothing out there in the line of good cheap heads. I favor afr, great flow with hogging out the ports. they really can't be beat in the 23 degree head category.

Jedi926

Thanks 63Mako, just read the reports, that will make me think twice about using this shop. Everything I read was positive. Great tip.

63mako

No problem. I remembered a forum member a few years back that had major problems with no resolution so I did a quick search.

63mako

Great advice! Look at the Howards cams at Summit. $500 gets you a billet core retro hydraulic roller and lifters. AFR heads need the +.500 lift of a roller cam to get the full benefit of the heads.

540 vette

I was thinking Performer RPM heads and definitely a roller hydraulic cam. I don't know what size yet. Also a performer intake and probably a 750 vacuum secondary holley. I am ordering the headers today. I also guess I will keep the HEI.

Jedi926

Being that I am 2k miles away from Phoenix, that could have been a disaster for me. Their website is very misleading then. I will be looking at the GM site again and just go with them.