Is a L-48 a bad engine?

[Stan_Morrow]

I finnaly found a corvette sitting near my house (I did the thread wondering if I should go online to look for a Corvette or not) The only problem is I heard that the L-48 engine isn't very good (but easily upgraded) Is the L 48 so bad? The Corvette is a 1976 with alot of work needed on it. Luggage rack was ripped off and it has non stock rims, needs new carpeting, and the interior is in decent (but not too good) of shape. It needs a new front bumper (held on by tape) and the paint is missing on the top drivers side. (not origonal paint either.. has a red with black trim finnaly moving up all the way to the back. A full black back and bumper) the car runs good and the driver since he got it from California, he says hes only put 1200 miles on it. Hes asking for 3,300. Am I getting ripped off? Or should I save for a bigger engine older car?

 

[klb76]

I own a 76 L-82... and I love it!!!! but I wanted rubber bumpers and I didn't want a chrome bumper vette, I notice from your sig that you are looking for a 70-74 vette. I think 3300 is definitly reasonable for the car you described, but only if it is the car you want. Don't buy it just because it is close and watch out for the fever! :cool

klb

PS For about the price of a new paint job you could have the engine of your choice, so don't let the L-48 scare you away!

 

[twiget]

Stan,

For the car your describing, 3300 sounds ok. Like klb said, make sure it's the car you want. All the repairs will easliy cost as much if not more than an older car in better condition with a bigger engine.

At 180hp (I think) the L-48 is rather anemic, heck some Civic's have more hp and less weight... But on the bright side, it is a Chevy small block, so it's capible of a lot more hp. I think the biggest thing that sapps the power of those cars is the exhaust.

My '78 had an L-48 in it. Sure it was kind of embarrasing to be toasted by an eclipse with a turbo. But it's been my experience that no one give a riced Eclipse a second look, they are a dime a dozen. A shark on the other hand... I've had people come up to me and ask what kind of car it was, cause they had never seen anything so cool!!!

Jason

P.S. Welcome to the CACC, and good luck with what ever you decide. And keep us posted.

 

[smurfvet]

I've got an L48 and it's great for a driver. I found a book that goes into building the 2 bolt main engines up to 350 hp or so, and keeping it just as dependable as the 190 hp it is putting out now. All you need to do is pick the right parts.

The low hp engines are more or less indestructible. The question is what do you want to do with the car? Street race? Put in a brand new crate engine. Enjoy driving it? Keep the L48.

 

[Stan_Morrow]

My main goal if I buy the 1976 would be just to fix it up to kinda show room condition. I also want the horespower not to race, but just for show. So the L-48 isnt to bad? Or should I just save for a older Corvette? Right now I'm in the mode that any Corvette (well at least 1969 to 1982) would do great. And maybe just buy the older more horespower 1970 Corvette later on when I can learn to handle the Corvette better. I don't know really. I'd hate the thought of a Civic passing me easily, but in the long run I wouldn't like to race a American classic to end up wrecking it with carelessness. (We have snow alot)

Thanks for the replys and all the help members of the Corvette Action Center hass done for me. A great orginization.

Stan Morrow

 

[smurfvet]

Your weather is worse that mine, so I know what you are talking about with the "s" word. My L48 goes down the road just fine. I had carb and wiring problems early on, and resolving these got the car to a good point. I enjoy the car for what it is- a two seat (as in no kids) touring car. If I ever get to the point where I want to chew up some other vehicles, I'll put in the 350 hp crate engine.

Remember, the sharks are the least expensive Corvettes out there. If you want a reasonable ride, without constant tuning headaches, go with it. I had a Nova SS396, a Chevelle SS396 and a Nova with a 500 hp or so 350. Constant "massaging" and tinkering, not to mention bucks. This car- turn the key and drive it.

 

[78SilvAnniv]

I'm very happy with my L48, CA emissions (170-175hp)

We recently went on a day trip to the mountains and she easily hung with a 1996, 1988 and a 1977. I was actually surprised at her power and handling capabilities!
Take note, the engine is fresh (less than 5 years old) and she had a tune up and carb rebuild this past summer so she was running fine.
We have removed the air pump and fan clutch (flex fan) and will be installing chambered exhaust this next week, so these things have free-ed up some hp.
Heidi

 

[vigman]

What is the main diff between 48 & 82

Heads?
Cam?
Aluminum intake?
Exhaust different?
The carb & distrib the same,right?
I get the 82 is a 4 bolt... but the bearing's don't MAKE horsepower.
The displacement is the same.

Enquiring minds want to know...

BTW $3,300 seems high... I would offer $2,500-$2,700.00

Stick or auto?


Vig!

 

[GS Diva]

We have an L48 and, while it's no head-snapper, it sure gets looks!! You mention you want to get it into showrrom condition. That can become extremely expensive!! Our '74 had a new paint job a year and a half ago. There was no body damage, but we had the rear and front bumpers replaced. This first class paint job cost $5,000. Now we're looking into having the entire interior replaced and just got a $4,000 price for that!!!

These prices don't even include any mechanical work, and any other unknowns, that are sure to be needed. Guess what I'm trying to say is...look around a bit more!!

Elaine

 

[MaineShark]

You could always do what I decided to do: get one that is relatively practical (like my '79, which came with all the heavy, hp-robbing creature comfort options), and then, in a few years, get another for performance (once I get this one paid off, I'm going to look for a '73, drop in a crate engine, and generally make it impractical but fun).

The only downside with my plan, is I will be seriously hurting for garage space in a few years. I may seriously have to think about finding a different place, with a larger garage (or add a garage, separate from the house, or find someone locally with an extra bay that I can rent).

Joe

 

[StarFX]

welll i got my 77 L48 for 3500, there was nothing ripped off of it, and the bumper surely wasnt falling off, so i figured it was a nice price. however the paint was bad, as was the interior, and im preparing to hop the engine up, 180 hp is embarassing for a vette, lol. But i guess what im getting to is that i think the one your looking at is a little over priced.

 

[billybob]

The L48.. ahhh the tweakers engine, assuming the block is sound there are some serious mods you can make to it.

But the engine isnt or shouldnt be the only thing you look at, rear diff, transmission should also be items aswell. You can have a 500hp fire breathing monster (which you can get out of a L48), but unless everything else can handle the power your still out.

Get a car that will make you happy or better one that you will be happy with. I'm sure if you go in with 2500 in cash the owner will be hard pressed to turn it down. Mention some numbers that you would be potentially be spending just trying to restore the vette, not tweak it.

Keep in mind that you would be looking at some $$$ to get the car back to base level and what you dont pay on initial cost can be used to put towards this goal. This is where I would personally start then tweak from there.

Bill

 

[Jack]

Is a L-48 a bad engine?

Nope! While it offers relatively low hp numbers, L-48's probably the most durable, trouble-free and cheap-to-repair vette motor in past 32 years. It's been a solid basis for countless successful performance upgrades.
JACK:gap