Hey everyone,

I own a STOCK 1978 L48 with a HP rating of 185 nothing. I am looking to start modifying the engine. One caviat is that I am headed back to the peoples republic of California and am more than likely going to have to comply with their smog rules after I register the car there. I have been looking at putting a new intake manifold and carburator on and am wondering if anyone has any suggestions or comments about my idea listed below:

Edelbrock Carb: 350-1400 (Yes - 50 state legal)
Edelbrock Manifold: 350-3701 (50 state legal)

The car of course has an EGR valve. Do I have to retain the EGR system or can I modify the car anyway I wish and tweek it in such a way that it still passes the CA smog check? I can also buy an Edelbrock performance package with the above listed carb and manifold including a new camshaft and rocker arms. The only thing I don't know is if I have to remove the engine to get a new camshaft in or if there is enough room in the front to slide a new camshaft in without removing the engine. Long story longer I am looking to get a power increase (i.e. HP). How much HP increase with manifold and carb alone? New camshaft and rocker arms too? Thanks for anyone who responds.

~Charles

Hi,
I can answer your first question. You will have to retain the egr valve system on your car if you want it to pass smog. they look for them and also test for them. I am living in California. I just got my vette smogged and it failed because the egr wasn't functioning properly. I had to replace it. I can also asnwer one of your other questions. The carb and intake system you are wanting will give you some hp gain but not that much. It will make the engine breath better The most power gain you will see is with cams and heads as well as crank shaft configuration. I don't really know if you will have enough room to insall a new cam with the engine in. The little voices in my head say you won't. Hope this helps you out a little. I don't have a lot of expertise in C3 vettes but i am learning little by little.

you won't have enough room. I was going to install a cam aswell and i was told the engine has to be pulled. maybe he lied to have me pay more labor but the only way to know is to find out from someone who has done it. My garage says pull it.

I just went through the same thing on my 81. the mods actually help quite a bit. the car will launch sideways if persuaded enough!!!! I was able to slip the cam out without removing the engine everything short of the a/c condensor had to be removed. pretty sure all is the same on the 78 so you shouldn't have any problem.