Shark Racer

I agree with everything you said above, but would like to add that a heads/cam change on an L-48 would also put it into the 400hp game.

Snoopysvet

Found out just in 1978 L-48s did not have smog pumps (Xcept CA and high altitude

fauxrs

Engineer? Does Architect count?

Actually my car addiction comes form my Mom who raced cars in her youth. Attention to detail, I suppose probably depends on who you ask.

7t9l82

forged crank forged pistons same as LT-1 was that not a performance engine? compared to the crap that was available at the time it was a great engine. N.H.R.A. factored it at over 300 horsepower. this engine is over 30 years old remember? is or an L-88? no, but then an L-88 was a race engine

jb78L-82

I agree as well but the L-48 has cast pistons, cast crank, and cast connecting rods which are forged on the L-82, good insurance in higher HP motors but I think the 8:2 compression ratio for the L-48 will make getting to the 400HP target more difficult than the 9:1 L-82 compression. The L-82 is just a much stouter engine as it came from the factory. The L-48 is a standard GM passsenger car 350!

Snoopysvet

Sorry Fauxrs, just had to do it!

RCorvette Lover

I am looking at a 1977 Corvette....would be my first...VIN tells me it should be an L48 engine but it is 4 speed manual transmission. In my research I have not been able to find any reference to L48'swith manual transmission...and also I have seen references that only about 2000 Manuals were made in 1977...so my question is...did Corvette make the l48 engine with manual transmission in 1977 and this is just some rare one....OR is it possible the manual trans was added subsequently? Any assistance would be appreciated.

scottyp99

Hi, Jack!

Scott

qwank

L-48s were available with 4 speeds all the way to 1980, and in '81 the L-81 was also available with a 4 speed. the only thing that changed was 1980 L-82s were not available with 4 speeds.

Silver Vulture

well if you check the casting numbers as far as block, heads, intake and exhaust they where the same, changes were in the reciprocating assembly ,crank rods, cam, pistons and ofcourse aluminum valve covers at least in 1974, check http://corvettec3.ca/casting.htm, hope this helps a bit

wcsinx

It wasn't a good era for any engines no doubt.

The stock exhaust was a y-pipe to a single bead cat. You might as well be driving around with tennis ***** jammed up your tailpipes. Once you uncork them with headers, duals, x-pipe, and a decent intake, they wake up pretty damned well.

johnnyjaws

l48 was still faster in the 1/4 mile ha ha