1979 C3 L-48 worth for collectors - engine swap or leave as is?

[Claude]

Hey guys!

New to the Corvette world, so please be gentle,,,
I am looking at buying a 1979 with an L-48 which appears to be in great shape, at least from the pictures available.
From the searching I have done, I see the L-48 has a lower market value due to its less powerful engine of course.
So my question is: assuming this C3 has the original matching numbers engine and tranny, should I keep the stock engine or swap it for a more powerful combo from a market value perspective?
I already own a 2000 Porsche Carrera convertible, so the performance of the C3 is not critical to me. The Porsche goes enough!
But this all black T-Top C3 is just drop-dead gorgeous!!! I just wish it has the L-82...
So, swap it or not?

 

[Rruuff Day]

Hey guys!

New to the Corvette world, so please be gentle,,,
I am looking at buying a 1979 with an L-48 which appears to be in great shape, at least from the pictures available.
From the searching I have done, I see the L-48 has a lower market value due to its less powerful engine of course.
So my question is: assuming this C3 has the original matching numbers engine and tranny, should I keep the stock engine or swap it for a more powerful combo from a market value perspective?
I already own a 2000 Porsche Carrera convertible, so the performance of the C3 is not critical to me. The Porsche goes enough!
But this all black T-Top C3 is just drop-dead gorgeous!!! I just wish it has the L-82...
So, swap it or not?

Matching numbers don't mean a lot anymore to most buyers but the other side of that is you would be swapping engines for only a 30 hp gain if you went with a same year L82 engine. If your L48 works well and you won't miss having the get up and go performance and just drive it for the nice car it is, leave it. The L48 is a tough build to get much more out of it with engine mods as well. If you will miss the power, drop an LS2 or LS3 in it instead of the L82. As the 79 isn't rare or overly special, market value for an LS2 or 3 upgrade would increase resale for the driver who wants that performance but likely not enough to pay for the mod either. That's totally just my opinion.
And welcome to the forum.

 

[Claude]

Thanks a lot Rruff Day! And very good advice!
I was not thinking of swapping with an L-82, 25 ponies ain't worth it! I was thinking more of a suitable crate engine. But not to the level of LS2 or 3, something less costly. But the idea of keeping it as is, allows me to enjoy it anyway AND keep enough budget to complete the Porsche project...sorry to be talking about my other dream car! Sure you can understand.
And I can just decide to swap later if an opportunity comes along.
On a more technical note, did I actually read that the L-48 has more torque than the L-82? I have read 270 ft-lbs for the L-82 (@3600 rpm) and 285 ft-lbs (@3200 rpm) for the L-48! So accelleration can't be that bad, can it?

 

[Rruuff Day]

Thanks a lot Rruff Day! And very good advice!
I was not thinking of swapping with an L-82, 25 ponies ain't worth it! I was thinking more of a suitable crate engine. But not to the level of LS2 or 3, something less costly. But the idea of keeping it as is, allows me to enjoy it anyway AND keep enough budget to complete the Porsche project...sorry to be talking about my other dream car! Sure you can understand.
And I can just decide to swap later if an opportunity comes along.
On a more technical note, did I actually read that the L-48 has more torque than the L-82? I have read 270 ft-lbs for the L-82 (@3600 rpm) and 285 ft-lbs (@3200 rpm) for the L-48! So accelleration can't be that bad, can it?

All depends on your perspective Claude. 195 horses will get you where you need to go but if you need that instant punch throttle response to get a smile....well.... And no worries talking about your Porsche...We are car people here and although we sometimes make jokes about non corvettes, that's just our warped sense of humour... lol.... All good.

 

[gdh]

Auto or 4sp, 3.36 or 3.55 rear?

 

[nascar03]

@Claude Welcome to a bit of our World. We do like them Porsche cars too.
The L48 is somewhat wanting for power. If all you wish is a nice Touring car that looks great than just enjoy the car with the L48. If more power is needed(?) then a crate engine like you mentioned is a perfect replacement. And put your L48 aside for future.
I installed a crate ZZ4 engine in our ‘75 coupe in 1998. It totally woke the car up. The original engine is STORED away for if I ever entertain the possibility of vintage/collector plates in the future.

enjoy the ride.

graham
Langley, BC

 

[jimmythec]

My 1973 L-48 had a cam in it that was pretty impressive until I spun a main bearing at 330,000 miles (I know only 330,000 on the original engine, well they don't make them like they used to). So I replaced it with a ZZ-3 crate motor (circa 1994). Redid the TH-400 with a shift kit and made some small mods to the original Quadrajet and it would break the tires loose in all 3 gears shifting automatically when you stepped on it. It was turning high 12's at the strip at well over 100 MPH with the stock tires. Would still have it if my Dad hadn't spun it out and total it. He did not know how powerful it really was.

So my recommendations would be: If you want to keep it numbers matching you can actually get the L-82 internals needed to convert the L-48 to an L-82, and it will be plenty fast especially if you have a shift kit made for the TH-350. (I am assuming you have an auto as most L-48's were auto). If want it to go modern day fast you should look into a Chevy ZZ-whatever crate engine (not sure how far the numbers have gone on that crate motor). If you go the ZZ crate engine way, you should also upgrade the suspension so you don't do what my Dad did to mine.

 

[1st Vette]

All depends on your perspective Claude. 195 horses will get you where you need to go but if you need that instant punch throttle response to get a smile....well.... And no worries talking about your Porsche...We are car people here and although we sometimes make jokes about non corvettes, that's just our warped sense of humour... lol.... All good.

So will the bus……

 

[1st Vette]

Hey guys!

New to the Corvette world, so please be gentle,,,
I am looking at buying a 1979 with an L-48 which appears to be in great shape, at least from the pictures available.
From the searching I have done, I see the L-48 has a lower market value due to its less powerful engine of course.
So my question is: assuming this C3 has the original matching numbers engine and tranny, should I keep the stock engine or swap it for a more powerful combo from a market value perspective?
I already own a 2000 Porsche Carrera convertible, so the performance of the C3 is not critical to me. The Porsche goes enough!
But this all black T-Top C3 is just drop-dead gorgeous!!! I just wish it has the L-82...
So, swap it or not?

You could always pull out the original engine and stick it in the back of the barn in the event you ever want to put it back to factory matching numbers and drop in a crate engine for now. Best of both worlds…..you would probably enjoy driving it more with 450 hp as opposed to the L-48’s 195 hp ….