I was looking at a L05 for 92-93 Caprices. Anyone know the power rating for these engines? What would the power be if a LT4 hotcam in it? Are they 4-bolt main blocks? Any help would greatly be appreciated.

 

Their "rating" is about 210 HP IIRC. Very poor for a 350 in this day and time. Mostly because of the extremely crappy "swirl-port" TBI heads they come with.

A cam with no other mods probably wouldn't help. That's not the problem with that motor, the heads are. Put some heads that flow on there first, then it might actually make a difference how far you open the valves.

They are not equipped with 4-bolt caps. No need. The factory uses the extra bolts as "warranty insurance" in applications that traditionally have high crankshaft warranty rates; they don't spend a dime more than necessary on a low-stress application like that one.

 

Hmm ok thanks for the information, guess I can sratch that engine out the picture. Does anyone know a good 350 for less than $1800? I need an almost complete engine so basically a long block. Anyone know how much dealer replacement L98s go for?

 

the 300 hp 350 from go auto center is apopular one. The 300 hp rating is probably a bit optomistic but its a decent motor thats (almost) in your price range. The 330hp vortec they have is also quite popular.

 

Yea I went to a dealer site and asked about the L05. Seems that the 300hp motor is just a Caprice motor with a L98 camshaft. The one on the site is a bit pricey for me. Anyone know of this company http://www.chevy-350-engines.com/chevy-engine-246.html Thier engine isn't too expensive. Quoted to me at $1494 and that was the core and shipping included. Not a bad deal and it comes with a 7 year/ 70,000 mile warranty. Anyone know anything about these people?

 

The shortblock looks fine but they are using TBI swirl-port heads on the engine. They are no good. If you can get a short block from them and then port, polish, bowl-blend and gasket match a set of 305 heads, you will have a good solid 350!

Follow the link at the end of my sig.

 

What kind of power do you think that engine is pulling? Is there anyway to just port the heads that come with the engine? Or add a cam to it to give it some power if levels are low?

 

No, TBI heads are junk castings. A cam needs decent heads to make power, so it won't help by itself.

 

I beg to differ with you on that one. I took a pair of L05 heads and installed them with a LT1 cam and made 210 hp @ the rear wheels. Took them off ...ported them put them back on and made 250hp to the rear wheels. So that rumor about them being junk doesn't hold water.
Edit:
Check times in sig for this combo (w/T-5)

 

DD,

Did you grind the vane out of the intake ports, or just work around them?

 

There is a web site that sells Chevy 350's (L98) with TPI setup for $850.00. I can't remember the URL though.

 

Hey Don, how did that engine for $1400 sound to you? Did it seem to be a good engine for the cash?

 

Ok I scored some ZZ4 aluminum heads for cheap. These heads are basically L98 Corvette aluminum heads. How much do you guys think the LO5 will make with the aluminum heads?

 

L98 aluminum heads don't flow so great. But if you follow the instructions at the end of my sig, then they will flow great! Have at 'er, mate, and you'll have a set of heads you'll want to keep