My stock 73 L48/TH400/3.08 rear is leaking/burning oil. Also, 195 HP isn't enough. I want to put a 700R4 tranny in and rebuild the engine this winter. But there are way too many new choices out there. As I have been out of this game for 10-15 years, I need an education. I have rebuilt a couple of engines over the years, so I am not afraid to get my hands dirty, but want to get it right the first time by buying matched components.

I drive this car 60 miles every day and don't race it, but I like good torque and acceleration. I also want to keep it looking somewhat stock, as it is fairly original now, and I sometimes show it. I have come up with the following options to increase power while keeping as much originality and gas milage as I can. Naturally, the cam would depend on the heads. I would like to avoid using headers, too. I have L82 valve covers that I'd like to keep.

1. Buy new heads and rebuild lower end. Keep stock intake manifold/carb. But there are so many different heads out there. I don't need huge ports, just a head that flows well at low lifts: WP Torquers, AFR 185 or 190, Edlebrock? Vortec heads would require new intake manif and valve covers or adapters.

2. Put a 400 crank in my block, and add new heads as above? Should I have a remanuf 400 crank turned down? Are the $300 "383" cranks any good, or is it necessary to get the $600 one? Does that require a small base circle cam?

3. Crate motor? The 350 HO would allow me to keep the stock intake and carb; ZZ4 or Fast Burn 385 might be too radical for the gearing and OD. What is an HT 383, a truck motor? What about Summit's Recon 350?

4. What I really want is a big block, but I can't justify 12 MPG even with the OD tranny.

As you can see, I am seriously "conflicted". Any suggestions? Thanks, Joe

Buying a new ZZ4 would be the way to go if I was to do it over again. L-48's have to be the worst motor if you are looking for more power. I am putting Edelbrock heads on after rebuilding mine two summers ago. The stock heads are worn out and it would cost more to fix them right than replacing them. Valve guides are machined in the castings and the small valves would have to go. If you replace the heads, intake, and cam you could easily get 300HP. If you are going to put in a 700R trans you could change out the rear gear to a 3.70 and see some real low end power increases. With my 3.55 gear and trubo400 trans I get about 11mpg which stinks but is still highway driveable. (70mph at 3100rpm)

I just put the 350 HO Deluxe (complete from Carb to Pan) in my 79. It's rated @ 330 HP. I added headers and a true dual exhaust. The only other thing that I had to add was K&N Filters (Breather and Air cleaner). I've got an automatic 3 speed 350 Turbo transmission with a shift kit. The car flat moves.

Sarge is running the same engine in his 81 for the last 2 years with zero problems. He went with the long block option and decided to finish the rest himself. (I believe he's running a pair of modified 72 Ramhorn exhaust manifolds.)

Sarge and I both agree that as far as bang for your buck, the 350 HO (comes with Vortec heads) is hard to beat. My friend who swapped the engines mentioned that the car had the perfect amount of power. I'm also VERY happy with the amount of low end torque. Did I mention that the car moves?

Just my $.02, but the 350HO is one of the quickest/easiest ways to turn your stock Vette into a hot rod vette with out going overboard.

To see what Sarge did to his 350 HO long block, check out the "hood clearance" thread under General Discussion.

Good luck and enjoy!!
Andy

The present factory offerings of HO engines is just the ticket.
You start out with everything new and a warranty and just can't go wrong !

geo

Go for the ready made and warrenty. I'm in the middle of doing my 270 HP 350 and even doing most of the work myself its hard to beat the price and the big plus is its warrenteed. The only thing doing it your self I hope its done the way I want it and long as I don't screw up It may give me a little more overall performance. Plus I have some extra time to play right now.

Thanks guys. Anyone have any experience with the World Products heads? Joe