Hey everyone. It's been a looooooooong time since I've posted on ThirdGen. After owning about 12 F-Bodies over the years, (sadly) for the last decade and a half (at least) I haven't had any ! I do still have my 79 T/A (since 1986) and my 87 C4 (so at least I still have an L-98 and still feel connected to the 3rd Gen cars and people ! )

I thought I'd "throw out" a quick feeler thread in case someone is doing an LS / 383 / other swap and removing (or has a running L98 around). In case anyone is bored: I picked up a super clean '79 L-48 Corvette (Automatic) recently. A little out of character for me as previous '68, '72, '76, 87 owner (all manuals except the C4) .

While this C3 looks like showroom on the outside, the previous owner (Body shop owner) got very tired of the "massive" 195HP L48 350 getting passed by laughing people in cars like Hyundai, Kia, Honda, Mini Cooper, Vespas..... and I think even one guy on one of those battery powered skateboards ! He partially tore down to rebuild and to "hop it up"...... but let's face it, I have no interest in using this engine.


I thought: Why not pick up an L-98 TPI engine from someone possibly doing an LS / other swap, not too crazy of a cam, headers etc, I really don't need to burn up tires or race from light to light with this car. I have to admit, my L-98 in the 87 with cam, head work, stock exhaust and a few mods is a nice reliable cruiser with the Automatic. Not my favorite Corvette, but I like the low-end torque, it runs like new, the wife can drive it etc. I think this same setup in the '79 would make a great cruise night / weekend driver..

I may possibly decide to carb this one, but I'd rather pick up something complete since I've done a few carb to TPI conversions in the past (and actually think the TPI looks pretty cool looking in the C3 engine bay. It's always a nice "conversation starter" on cruise nights.

If anyone has a running L-98 prior to removal at a reasonable price and is close by, I may be interested. I really think I'm leaning that way. I'd rather hear it run, but I WOULD TRUST a forum member on it's condition if it's already removed. If there is no wiring harness, ECM etc, that's not a big deal, I've done a few C4 track cars and have a few ECM's and wiring harnesses here already..

heck...If you're within driving distance and need a hand removing it, I'd be glad to pop over and help you do that as well. (They have beer where you live, right?? )

Thought I'd post and see if anyone has something taking up space / ready to be removed etc.

I'd (of course) pay cash in person,

 

If you did not find on yet there is one listed on eon Facebook Marketplace in NJ.
https://www.facebook.com/share/18KBg...ibextid=wwXIfr

 

Thanks Don, I reached out on that when I saw it posted a few weeks back. I don't need the trans, but didn't get any reply back for the seller. (Not a big deal as I can't hear it run and one "Great running low mileage one" I looked at had metal shavings in the oil so I'd trust a forum member who has pulled one but not really a stranger at this point. Heck, I could work with a Long Block at this point since I have lots of heads, intakes etc over here. I'm working on a 355 I may use in the 79 ( I was saving for another project), but would still pick up a running L-98 for the '79 if I run across one in the next few weeks before I drop this one in the car in the Spring.

 

If you decide to do a long block I do have a spare TPI intake, runners, plenum & throttle body if interested. They need a good clean up and runners have some small dings. The guy I got them from said they were on a 86 or 87 Camaro.

 

I'll keep that in mind/ Thanks.