80smetalfan

But given that there was the L98 was the ONLY 350 offered during the thirdgen years, that statement doesn't make any sense.

Also, the LT-1 (the original one) from 1970 till whenever they killed it was pretty stout.

As far as 350 vs. 5.0, I don't really think you can compare 350 to 5.0 because honestly, as cheap as the aftermarket is for a 350, why would you choose to keep it stock, except to prove a point? I think that an L98 car with a T-56 and the correct bolt-ons could run with a car like 25th's 5.0. Things don't always break down by the numbers, ya know.

Also, people tend not to give L98s in 3rd gens the time of day, as far as tuning and whatnot is concerned. They usually go out and spend money on heads and cam, throw it together without tuning the combo at all (or consider a mail-order tune to be ideal), and then get pissed cause they barely broke 13s, as if TPI was going to tune itself. And then they buy a 4th gen with an LS1. This is a documented pattern, LOL. I've seen it happen over and over again.

If you look at what people have done with Vettes with L98s and T-56s, you can see that they can move faster with bolt-ons that you might think. I know there are C4 Vettes in the 12s with bolt-on L98/T-56 combos. Higher compression and lighter car, though.

ZEEYAA

My poor old 5.7 has 205k on it no bolt ons at all 3:23 gears with a sliping rear end/ real street tires, K&N, AFPR, if you want to call that a bolt on and a 2600 edge converter, and no tune.....LOL like that would matter with 205k. And run a 14.02/96.4 mph. I dont think thats to shabby for my combo, I cant waite to start doing a tune with my APU1, I hope to maybe stab some high 13s before I start doing some serious mods.

urbanhunter44

iTrader: (3)

I know LT5s aren't an SBC, but he only said "350" IIRC they are indeed 350s might be wrong though

Honestly the TPI isn't worth keeping and tuning. It's a garbage induction system.

Before the TPI brigade starts talking **** to me, YES they can go fast, but they will ALWAYS be limited in their potential.

mw66nova

iTrader: (13)

i personally really like the way tpi looks and streetability wise, they are decent. my buddies lt1 cammed 305 is going to be tpi inducted soon...but i'll keep my holley thank you!

80smetalfan

Try a run on drag radials or slicks. You're that close, I think with traction you'd hit high 13s for sure.

urbanhunter44

iTrader: (3)

It does look kind of neat.. but what's the good of the show, if you have no go?

Sidewayz28

one of my favorite sounding car is a mustang with exhaust. and i love fox bodies. LONG TIME NO SEE MW66NOVA!!!! its been a while! looks like that motor you got put together worked out quite well! congrats on the bad *** times. sounded like a fun race wish i coulda seen it.

80smetalfan

*corrects self* The LT5 was not a 4 by 3.48 inch 350. I guess it was 3.9 by 3.66. They were built by Mercury Marine.

As far as the TPI thing, I think cars like Formul8s somewhat prove that they can surprise. He was about 4 or 5 tenths away from a 12 second pass on a L98/700R-4 Formula with only bolt-ons and a stall. Sure, you can go 12s rather easily with an LT1 or 11s with an LS1, but low 13s isn't all that bad for a motor from 1985. But the powerband is certainly a love/hate affair.

mw66nova

iTrader: (13)

i was under the impression that the OHC lt5 was produced by Lotus
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how are you doin bro? looks like you gave up the thirdgen for a fourth? trader you gonna hafta bring that thing cross country and get wooped up on by a thirdgen! pm me man, let me know how your doing!

80smetalfan

The DOHC heads were developed by Lotus. The motor was assembled by Mercury Marine.

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/LT5#LT5

urbanhunter44

iTrader: (3)

Correct, it was quite a collaberation for it's time. Too bad it only made 375/405 hp. A DOHC 5.7L engine has alot of potential. Course if you go look, there are guys getting insane amounts of power out of them.

25thmustang

I actually wanted to build a 350/5-spd car to see how deep 12s it could go, but the cost was too much. To find a nice one near me it costs $6000+, and then to do all the bolt ons, just isnt worth it (in my case). I made a post a while back seeing what bolt on L98s ran, and got some fast cars, but they were almost all autos (I wont drive an auto, go figure).

The Vettes show what a 350 can do with bolt ons, and I definately know how fast they can be. I like the fox body because it is very cheap to go fast, most are 5-speeds, and we have plenty of national level heads up racing leagues where I can either make a name for myself, make money, or just have a good time racing cars with the same combo.

Either way, your smart sticking to a V8 RWD car to go fast. And if you got the coin and the desire, you can do whatever you want with any Mustang, Camaro, Firebird, or any other high potential V8.

Mike 92LX

iTrader: (6)

I think for a street car-a TPI 350 head cam car with a real rear in it so you can run real tires with a built 700R4/ or a TH tranny and a matching lock up converter can be a real beast and outrun a T56 car with the same mods. The stock rear can live for a while due to less drive line shock with the automatic. The T56 is more fun to drive though.

The LT5 is indeed a 350 motor. There are two out here that run ported heads,LPE cams blah blah that run 10s at almost 130MPH on drag radials and pump gas. Yikes. Not cheap to build or maintain though.

25thmustang

I didnt say T56, I said T5... T5 is a lot lighter than a T56, less DT loss, and with a few options out there Im sure you can get the right gear ratios for it. For the auto to run with a well driven 5-speed car on a tire your going to need a decent stall, and at the minimum a shift kit. The daily driving ability is there for both, but the gas mileage for the 5-speed is much better, and the fact your not driving the car but going along for the ride...

If I were to go about it, its stick shift or nothing!

Orr89RocZ

iTrader: (20)

thats sad that u dont have some cheaper cars up your way.... we have a few L98's here and there for less than 6000. i got mine for 4800. it was bone stock and CLEAN.

if your willing to travel u could find one. i gave myself a 4-5 hour drive radius. ended up finding the one about 45 min from me LOL. hell, for the right car, and the right price, i'd go anywhere

80smetalfan

If you look hard enough you can find some pretty sharp L98 cars for as low as $3500. There were 2 or 3 of them on our classifieds last summer. Even an L98 GTA that went for like $1700! But, finding one locally for that much isn't easy. Though if you search autotrader.com, you'll stumble across some at car dealerships for about $4000 or so that are very nice.

The expense is the T5 though. Gotta build it. They can be found on our classifieds cheaply, but I don't think they're up to snuff for a full bolt on L98 in their factory trim, in terms of torque.

pvt num 11

Just sold my 1988 L98 GTA for a mere thousand dollars. A/C went out, power antenna missing, and there was an intermittant coolant leak (very very small) on the intake manifold. Ran nice and strong, but I kept it bone-stock. I'll miss it.

25thmustang

Yeah but living in the richest state has its draw backs. Like if you find a decent not rusted L98 car, your dropping $5000+ easily. And the T5 would be a must, auto cars are just plain boring to me (and yes I have driven 10 second autos and 10 second sticks)!

mw66nova

iTrader: (13)

you simply will not get a t5 to last behind the l98 though. so you'd have to settle for either an lb9 w/ a t5, and build the t5 while your building an l98, or get an l98 car and do a swap.

Orr89RocZ

iTrader: (20)

u gotta go outta state. lol

25thmustang

Well I look at it this way, I am still in college and only have funds for one car, and to go fast for cheap with a stick, I am never going to touch what this car can do if I get a thirdgen. I would go out of state if I ever do decide to try this, but it will be down the road and I dont plan on licing in CT for long.

I will probably try it, but no time soon (its a shame too). But if someone else has a desire to, go for it!