what about the L98???

[tg1hq]

Hey, I always here about yalls LS1s and LT1s and how awesome they are, but what about my L98??? I have an 89 Formula 350 (Automatic) with an L98 and I'd like it to hold it's own with the 4th gen engines.
Can anyone tell me anything about the L98 engine to make me feel better, or tell me how I can make her strong enough to stand proud on the line next to you 4th genners???

[tuske427]

What do you want to know? you have a 350 chevy engine, it can be built up. just be prepared to spend some $$, as would anyone looking to build their engine up. your engine will take the same basic methods in gaining power as any other engine.

People tend to like the "latest and greatest". Until something replaces it, engines like the LT1 and LS series of engines will hoard the spotlight. Besides, they're more efficient engines. They've had the advantage of CAD, not to mention everything known about your engine was helpful in refining the engines you know as the Gen 2, 3, etc... Your engine was drawn up on a drafting board in the early 1950's. There was no history behind it. it created history. Besides, today's engines are more efficient at making power, have a higher baseline level of power, and since they're the ones under the spotlight ,they are the the ones that are featured, everyone knows and talks about ,etc...

Use this to your advantage. Be the under dog. Be "old school". build your engine up and show everyone that your engine/ car is something to reckon with. There are tons of parts out there for the first gen chevy smallblocks. they've been building them since 1955. they still build them today, and they're probably cheaper than LT1 or LS1 parts.

[Twizted_3KGT]

That sounded like a engine building pep talk! Now go get em tiger!!

I got an L98 too and I used to ask that same question. To run with the latest gens shouldn't take too many mods. Feel better?

[silver87ta]

L98! Hooha!!
*flex*

[tg1hq]

I sure do feel better! It's payday weekend coming up! I think I'll be spoiling the ol' Red Dragon this weekend!

Thanks guys!

[FormulaLT1]

I have had a few L98 Vettes and those engines are torque monster and with very little done , you will take a LT1 easy and with a little more on top of that a LS1 as well.

[Azzkker]

you can go to http://www.lt1intake.com/ to check that out. he retrofits the lt1 intake to fit on the sbc 1 engines. there have been good power gains posted by people at thirdgen.org. i have a couple of these and they look nice when polished.
but, if you have sportsman 2 or dart heads, the intake needs material added by the water jackets (ask me how i know). this intake is one of the biggest contributers in power for the lt1 over the l98.

a little resarch can go a long way when it comes to adding cheap hp. also, check out a cam swap, comp sells them for the roller motors for a couple hundred bucks. you can build a very fast and streetable l98 for not a whole lot of money, or you can sink several grand in it and have a killer sleeper that nobody will suspect due to the 3rd gen being catogorized as a "hick" car.

thanks

[ikeyballz]

oo. hmm i need to do some of that, u got more info on what i should do if i got a couple g's?

i own 2 f-bodys, a 2.8 and a5.7...would help the 5.7 project move along.. :]

[Azzkker]

well, first if your going to do the lt1 intake, i would suggest you get a set of used afr 190, or 195, you can get them for around a grand usually, and they will add more hp than almost any other part compared to stock heads. if thats to rich for your blood, i would try to get a set of aluminum l98 vette heads, or a good set of aftermarket cast heads, i only paid 400 bucks for my sportsman 2's allready ported, but i wouldnt suggest this head for the lt1 intake unless you can weld aluminum.

for the cam, this is the one i got, its the biggest l98 cam they make, almost an exact replica of the ho firhawk cam of the 91- 92. this will require a stall if you have an auto.http://store.summitracing.com/defaul...-503-8&FROM=MG

for rockers, this is what i got, there overkill, but there the best.
http://store.summitracing.com/defaul...305-16&FROM=MG

i used the best valve springs that comp suggested, but i would deffinantly buy a valve spring shim kit and a valve mic like this one. you would be supprised of the differnece in height.
http://store.summitracing.com/defaul...A-4929&FROM=MG

then you need guid plates and hardened push rods, felpro 1205 intake gaskets, head gaskets, timing chain (pererably double roller), a walbero 255 lph fuel pump, and a larger oil pan like this one from morroso, be sure to get the matching pump and pickup for the new pan http://store.summitracing.com/defaul...-20182&FROM=MG

a set of hooker super comp lt headers will gain power as well.

then after all that, you will want a chip burnt for your setup so it will run like a top and idle like a sleeping baby.

a larger throttle body would see a marginal gain but it is not requried for this setup. it is more of a personal preference.

obviously this is a lot of work, so if you can do it yourself, you will save the large labor costs of installing all of this. you dont have to remove the motor for this. you would need to lift the engine up a couple feet to install the oil pan and pump. just remove the radiator and ac condensor for the cam install and your most of the way home.

this is a lot to take in at once, and probably to much for you to buy at once (i saved for a couple months ) but you could pick up the stuff like heads and cam, oilpan, and install the rest later.

good luck

thanks
anthony

[Twizted_3KGT]

Do This: http://khturbo.net/ttiroc/TTIROC.html

[Azzkker]

Originally Posted by Twizted_3KGT

Do This: http://khturbo.net/ttiroc/TTIROC.html

yea, it only runs about 12 - 16 grand to assemble an engine stout enough to make a setup like that worth it. i know, i have some of the stuff needed to build one. all i need is the motown block for the 427 small block, the rotating assembly, and the turbo's. iv got custom headers made from stainless works for my 89 roc. i hope to get the money together over the winter after my 85 t/a is back together after its resto mod.

[ikeyballz]

nice... thanks! lol ill start figuring out.. but im kind of afraid of tweaking the engine too much, my trans sucks ass and it just died AGAIN. good thig i got a warranty.. are u having this prob? stupid autos, its lame they didnt offer the 5.7 with a 5 spd..

[Azzkker]

Originally Posted by ikeyballz

nice... thanks! lol ill start figuring out.. but im kind of afraid of tweaking the engine too much, my trans sucks ass and it just died AGAIN. good thig i got a warranty.. are u having this prob? stupid autos, its lame they didnt offer the 5.7 with a 5 spd..

i have a t56 in mine, did a swap from the 700r4 to it, i also hate auto's.