Crate engine, or modify an L48?

[MaineShark]

So far, I have only been able to find L48 cars (no L82's - at least none in respectable condition). I plan on making some performance modifications in the future, anyway, so that isn't a big problem, if I can find one for a good price.

I'm shooting for somewhere in the neighborhood of 300-350 HP, when it is all said and done, although useable power is far more important to me than the actual number.

What I am wondering is, would it be easier to get power out of an L48 (how many of the L82 parts just bolt on?) or would it be simpler to just replace the L48 with a crate engine?

Joe

 

[Bob Chadwick]

I don't know about simpler but I have been told that it is cheaper and that you have an overall engine warranty, where with building from parts all you would have is warranties on the individual parts.

On the cost issue, I think that is also dependent on how much of the work you could do yourself.

Bob

 

[smurfvet]

Crate. It's new, and from what I have read about them, GM does a good job making the engine components match the hp output. If you parts one together, who knows?

 

[Tom73]

I would pull the L48 and either store it away (if you should want numbers matching in the future) or sell it to off set costs. Then I would go buy a GM PerformanceParts crate engine. Even get a factory warranty that way.

tom...

 

[smurfvet]

Good point about storing the original engine. Who knows what will happen in the future- even on a pallet that engine's worth bucks to the right person who wants "original".

 

[MaineShark]

Sounds like a crate is definitely the way to go.

Any idea what I might be able to sell the L48 for (roughly)? Matching numbers don't really matter to me, on a car of this era. If I eventually save up enough for a restored car, it will be a '69. If I can get a few bucks for it to offset the cost of the crate engine, that much better.

Joe

 

[Jack]

I would pull the L48 and either store it away (if you should want numbers matching in the future) or sell it to off set costs. Then I would go buy a GM PerformanceParts crate engine. Even get a factory warranty that way.

tom...

;stupid I'm with tom ... store L48 & buy GMPP crate.

PS ... if your L48's serial number coincides with your VIN ... hang on to it. L48 is low performance & has little value today (tops $150-$200 for a wore out lo-po 350?) or forseeable future for anyone ... BUT owner of your VIN ... it may make a big difference later if you sell & have original engine available.
JACK:gap

 

[smurfvet]

Well, the old saying applies... whatever the traffic will bear! Or as P.T. Barnum said- "there's a sucker born every minute".
If you advertise it as a 74 Corvette engine, I"ve seen numbers from $500 to 1500. in this area depending on HP, condition, mileage and "completeness". If somebody does want a "correct year" engine, that helps.

Word from someone who's done it before- don't get into the "parts" business. Sell it all at once, if you have to.

Just remember, even though the "matching numbers" don't mean a thing to you, someone in the future may make their decision to buy the car only on the fact the original engine comes with it. You will NEVER get that engine back, or find it again for that matter. There's a LOT of "redated" engines out there. I bet if all the "original" engine cars were rounded up and counted, you would have more "original engine" cars than Chevy ever made in a year.

My $0.02- store it

 

[L82Shark75]

If your looking into crate engines, look into the ZZ4 motor. A member at the forum here, Evolution 1980, installed and has no complaints, just a sore neck from those powerful shifts. (checkout his 1/4 mile run, it'll only reinforce it). According to L-82.com the highest HP rating for a L-82 is 250HP. Nowhere close to 350HP. If you do switch parts I would seriously look into getting a sweet pair of heads, intake manifold, and a wild camshaft. I wouldn't waste my time with trying to find L-82 parts, that's just me though. I don't wanna discourage you. Check out L-82.com you may find some useful info there. Good Luck!!

 

[Jack]

although useable power is far more important to me than the actual number.

For most folks' street cars "useable power" equates to torque. Might I also suggest you consider GMPP's HT383 crate ... hp's right where you desire ... plus gobs of torque ... all on 87 octane ... for about $3500 - $4000. This motor produces great numbers in the rpm range a street car typically lives at.

 

[ChuckG]

The $100 to $150 bucks you'll get from selling your original L48 will be chump change when/if the time to sell your car comes. Regardless of what others say, the original motor to many if not most buyers is of great importance, probably adding thousands to the selling price. Chuck

 

[page62]

L-82 parts differences are mostly internal. 4-bolt mains, different heads, crank, pistons. Hmmm...sounds like a crate engine!

 

[vigman]

Split here

I'm currently building a 327 ( see Mystery 327 next gen post).

I wanted to have a good compromise between 65 OLD SCHOOL high HP & good parts..... I'm into this thing about 2K and a LOT of man hours.

I looked into buying a crate.. and it was just out of the price range ( I thought ) at the time.

My engine is almost done... and if you factor in sweat equity... I lost out... but it is a labor of love..... so I call it a push.

I do not have a warranty... but I did take my time doing everything correctly... so.

If you do not have the proper tools & work area & CONNECTIONS ( local machine shop )

Buy the crate...

If not... there is NOTHING more satisfying then building your own and hear it burp to life.

But there is nothing more dissapointing then cranking it over and seeing a leak... hearing a weird scrape or clunk.

This has been the first engine I have built in about 10 years.... ( not including small bike motors) and I was amazed on how much I forgot and had to re look up stuff.

The crate is a bolt & go....


So choose wisely!


Vig!

 

[Hijinx]

On GM crate engines, here are a few items to think about;

ZZ4 - 405lbs torque, 355hp upgradable via GM with HOT kit to well over 400 hp

385 Fast Burn - 385lbs torque, 385hp

HT383 - 415lbs torque, 325hp

All of these engines are within $400 of one another. The ZZ4 is probably the best deal pound for pound and I know lots of people who have them and love them!

 

[mmvette80]

I pulled the L48 and installed a crate. Saves time and $$

 

[impala]

I did the same as mmvette80 and put in a GM Crate motor. Something that saved me money was to buy it over the internet on the GM Performance web site to save from having to pay Sales Tax. My orignal L48 190hp engine has the stock dish pistons and the stock 462624 cylinder heads which I understand have a tendency to crack if you have them tweaked. The math showed it was cheaper to go with a crate engine.

Eugene

 

[MoeJr]

I would just pull the L48 and tuck it away and install a crate motor. GM has a 350/330 hp motor which is not overly expensive and only 20 hp shy of your goal. The L82 Vette motor used the 350/350hp cam and heads. Thats why it had higher hp and .5 points more compression. Just my .02