Follow along with the video below to see how to install our site as a web app on your home screen.
Note: This feature may not be available in some browsers.
I know this can vary a lot with maintenance and use but in general how many miles can be expected out of a stock L98?
Thanks for your input.
that depends mostly on the level of horsepower and the quality of the parts and assembly care, and your driving style,if its nearly stock and regular maininance is done correctly and frequently (filters,& oil changes) and you keep the rpms reasonable ,youll easiy get 100k-150k before a refresh becomes necessary (rings & bearings & gaskets)
boost the hp significantly , but use decent parts and youll still get 80K-130K, (I know several 383s Ive built have over 100K currently and are still fine, (with only the standard,oil,filter,& sparkplug changes)
the secret is getting good quality forged parts correctly clearanced, installed and ballanced and keeping the oil and filters clean and frequently changed,and the heat the engine sees reasonable (IE oil temps kept under 240F and over 215F and coolant temps under 220f and over 190F) and not running the rpms into rpm levels where valve control or heat levels up to where detonation becomes an issue.
most guys will have few problems simply because your generally not useing a sports type car as your main and only transportation and most guys don,t put excessive mileage on the (TOY) they built, my 3 corvettes for example seldom see more than 10k-15k a year in drive time (each) and I drive constantly, but I generally use the parts truck for a good deal of the little trips.
btw Ive got 80K on my main current toy(1985 ,383 vette)and its showing no wear/problems, but its been dissassembled and re-assembled several times durring major parts testing
keep in mind that as hp and stress increase the projected durrability tends to go down, unless better parts are used, doubl;e the hp and you can expect the life expectancy to get lower, but its excessively high rpms, lack of proper maintenance and heat that breaks down oil and causes detonation and weakens valve springs ,more than mileage alone that hurts, as these factors tend to increase stress and wear on parts
Dude,A Long Time!!I have a 86 C4 here that has 280'000 miles on it and it's not even had a Valve Job or Timing Chain yet!! It's geting it's 5th paint job!!!
initial ''puff'' of smoke at start-up is classic sign of oil going down valve guides...prolly guides are worn ( 180k, the guides should have been reworked at least twice already for best performance, but some have been left to suffer)...valve guide seals will harden/ leak with age ==even if those were replaced a few years ago when (if?) ''valve job'' was done, new seals might be due...you can ''nickel=dime'' the engine (if budget is tight) or ''bite the bullet'' and just drop a ''crate'' motor in and enjoy (prolly cheaper over the long haul, if you plan to keep the car a while)
if the state inspector didn't fail the upper ball joints, prolly drive ok with em, but as you get more ''seat time'' you may notice some ''vagueness'' in steering...new b/j will be noticeable...''lower'' ball joints are critical, as the inspector didn't call out the lowers, those are likely already replaced (or the inspector missed ??)