Hi,Ive got a 78 vette with the 190 hp 350 (L42?). I need more power to say the least. Ive got a set of vette L98  aluminium heads #10088113, 58cc, 1.94/1.5 valves. Question,will these heads help hp wise with maybe a Edelbrock intake and carb and also a mild cam? Doing a frame off rebuild on this vette with a real tight budget. Thanks,Frank

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The problem is gonna be compression ratio...you need more, to actually make a noticeable difference. I don't know if installing the L98 head will do anything other than take some weight off the front. A small, torque cam, and intake will help, as would headers, but I don't think it's gonna be a fire breather without tearing into the short block.
Others will chime in with different combos they have, and let ya know how their set-up works.


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Joel Adams
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I also question the need for HP.  Are you looking to peel the skin off your face going from 60 -100?  or are you looking to smoke the tires and do jack rabbit takeoffs.

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The L98 heads are a very small combustion chamber.  58 or 64 CC depending on the application.  This could create a problem with too high of a compression ratio.  Also the limiting factor on the L98 heads is the flow numbers on the intake side.  Even with a basic bowl blend and pocket porting they do not flow really high numbers. (<200 cfm)  These are the same heads provided on the ZZ4 crate motors.  The number one way to wake up a ZZ4 is to replace the heads.  HOWEVER being that they are a corvette based part and make 350 HP all day long in the ZZ4 they could be used for a "mild" build.  Seeing that 190 HP was stock for your car you would probably like 350 HP for a long while.  Be aware that these heads are quite sensitive to detonation.  Very little ping and you could destroy a good set really fast.  Watch your ignition timing.  Too much advance would be a killer.  Also at 10:1 compression 91 or higher octane is required.  If your block has been decked and you have the wrong choice in pistons you could have a static compression of over 12:1

Thanks CajunraceR,Ill do some reaserch into piston options.

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