69 Corvette Question
 

A buddy of mine wants to make his 69 L-89 Vette into a stocker. He has the 427, aluminum headed, 3x2 motor. Anybody try to run this? I would like to put him into contact with someone that knows what there talking about. I can imagine it would have a real high horsepower rating. Im not a Vette guy. Thanks, Ron

Re: 69 Corvette Question
 

HP around 380 give or take 5. I think dave casey runs this combo. Look him up on this forum. Good guy and easy to talk to.

Re: 69 Corvette Question
 

To many NEW cars in the classes that it will run and not a cheap combo to run either.

Re: 69 Corvette Question
 

Sounds like fun and if he has the drive and the wallet, tell him to jump in! Competitive or not, it would be a fun ride. Especially if he puts a stick in it! :)

Re: 69 Corvette Question
 

Dave Casey has the 427/400 hp. 3X2 motor in A/S

First,,, You'll need lot's of $$$$$$$$$$ Ask Bruce Noland he just finished a 454 Corvette,,,
I would go with the L-88 motor, You should be able to get some help from Steve Calabro,
He's running that motor and is a real nice guy.
It would be a fun car to race, But no way will it run with the new car's,,,,

Re: 69 Corvette Question
 

Johnny and Chad Rhodes run Johnny's black Corvette with the 3X2 427 with iron rectangle port heads. The problem with that combination is the intake manifold and carburetors. It can be made to run, but it is a very tough combination. I've been helping them with it over the last few years. That engine is pretty much a 427/425, except with a low profile intake which seems to hurt power,and the 3 two barrel carburetors. That engine is rated at 435HP, with iron heads. It is rated at 445HP with replacement aluminum heads.

As Ken said, the L-88 427/430 (at 440HP with 401 heads) is probably a better combination. Joe Fasano and Steve Calabro run that combination in the silver Corvette. That engine, with the replacement aluminum heads, is rated at 440HP.

For the 5HP difference between the two engines, you get a bigger cam, more compression, and an 850 carburetor on a better intake by going to the L-88.

As others have said, the older Corvette has no chance against the new cars.

Re: 69 Corvette Question
 

I'll bet it's a lot better than a NASCAR Hemi 1x 4bbl in A/S!

Re: 69 Corvette Question
 

X2 what Ken and Alan said.

Re: 69 Corvette Question
 

I worked on a SS L89 engine 15 years ago that was a '68 spec engine. We hand built three intake manifolds and never could get the performance we wanted. Leon Miranian was the most successful running the 3x2, but his combination was the oval port. I believe that even he eventually gave it up for a single four barrel. We found that the 3x2 on the high compression rec port alum head engine was worth about 20 hp over the 850 carb. I'm not sure the stocker combination would do the same because of the cam difference. We were working when the power factors were 480 for the L88 and 495 for the L89. A '68 L88 spec motor is better than a '69, but you have to run a stick. I would go with the L88.

Re: 69 Corvette Question
 

Hey Dwight, The L-88 stick car would be FUN !!!! :)

Re: 69 Corvette Question
 

Does your friend realize that he's destroying a $200,000.00 car only to be uncompetitive?

Sell it and buy a competitive, running car and pocket the extra $100,000.00!

JimR

Re: 69 Corvette Question
 

Pretty sure Johnny Rhodes black 68 Corvette is a real 68 427/435 4 speed car he has owned for about 40 years, and raced it for most of those years. He's had it a lot longer than he's had Chad. I'd keep the car, too. :cool:

Re: 69 Corvette Question
 

Thanks for the replies guys. Sounds like the L-88 is the way to go. I'll relay the info to him and hopefully show him this. Thanks

Re: 69 Corvette Question
 

Being a Corvette "freak" I agree,please save the original car,there only
original once.

Re: 69 Corvette Question
 

the only difference might be the cool factor. the new cars are fast ,but you gotta respect a guy who builds fast old rare stocker.

Re: 69 Corvette Question
 

The point being is that he has an extremely rare car, why destroy it?
If he wants to race his combination then buy a Corvette builder and drivetrain and leave his car original.

JimR

Re: 69 Corvette Question
 

I would think when this fellow adds up the cost he will freak out, as I said, the L-88 aint cheap. Add the rear change over to the price of a competive engine should be enough to choke anybody. Dont cutup a good car !

Re: 69 Corvette Question
 

That is what I am currently building 69 - l88
Would have to agree on not cutting up a original numbers matching big block car getting hard to find
Hoping to have mine done for this coming spring

Re: 69 Corvette Question
 

Craig Couris has a nice, good running '69 L88 car that can be bought for a lot less than the cost to build one.

Jimmy Parker

Re: 69 Corvette Question
 

That's a fact, Jimmy, Craig's car is an outstanding piece, and it could be bought for about 1/2, or less, what it would cost to build one as fast and as nice. You do excellent work, and Armstrong builds good horsepower.

Re: 69 Corvette Question
 

X - 3

Re: 69 Corvette Question
 

Let me put him in a 68 BB Corvette at a reasonable price. I've got an idea for another car that I'd like to try. Might even trade for his street car.

Re: 69 Corvette Question
 

and I'm sure dad would keep the car over me if given a choice. I'm sure for a lot of years the car was cheaper. And yes, it is a real 427/435 4 speed car. Only original parts dad doesn't still have is the trans case. Dad broke it back before i was born, and no one cared about numbers back then.

the 435 3x2 combo is tough, the rectangle port intake is worse than the oval port intake. No matter what we have tried, it seems to be a bit slow to 330', it does however run very well from 1000' to the stripe. It would be a better combo with a stick for sure.

Re: 69 Corvette Question
 

Like Jimmy and Alan said. Craig's car is an awesome piece with no expense spared. Low 9.70s at GMP three years ago. It has a fresh motor and trans. and sitting in the garage mahal on a big powder puff ready to go. --------