- Chevy L88 Heavy-Duty 427 Big-Block

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Street rod, musclecar, race car-whatever you drive, if you are reading HOT ROD, it means you just can't resist the urge to make it stronger, faster, and better. But unlike a typical government contract, you'd like to get the job done on time and within budget. To that end, Pit Stop is here to help resolve your technical problems. Whether it's theory, resolving a thorny driveability problem, recommending the best combination, or helping to locate a hard-to-find part, we'll answer as many questions in these pages as space permits. When e-mailing, don't forget to include "Pit Stop" in the subject line, as well as your real full name and hometown or military unit, base, or ship in the message. If you have quality digital photos of the car or problem, and if they're at least 300 dpi at 4x4 inches or larger in size (bigger is always better), send 'em in too.-Marlan Davis

L88 vs ZL1
What's the difference between a stock L88 and a stock ZL1? My roommate and I are fighting. Please help calm things over here at Central Washington University.
Garrett Lee
Ellensburg, WA

About 150 pounds. The Chevy L88 heavy-duty 427 big-block was factory-installed in '67-'69 models, while the original all-aluminum 427ci ZL1 was an option only in late '69s, so the differences depend on which model-year L88 you're talking about. Essentially, the late-'69 second-design L88 was basically the same engine as a ZL1, except on the L88 the block was still cast-iron, the cam was slightly milder, and the ZL1's high-volume oil pump was not installed. For detailed differences, see the spec chart. Note you can still buy an improved, bare ZL1 block today under GM PN 12370850. Just because those engines were nasty doesn't mean you guys gotta be too-go stand in opposite corners and take a time-out.

Where Do I Getrestoration catalogs for a '7011/42 Ford Falcon, as well as a disc-brake swap kit for the front?
Jeremy Sasser
Pensacola, FL

Dearborn Classics (Bend, OR; 800/252-7427 or 541/318-7471; www.dearbornclassics.com) is a good comprehensive restoration parts dealer. Stainless Steel Brakes (Clarence, NY; 800/448-7722 or 716/759-8666; www.ssbrakes.com) is one source for disc-brake conversion kits.an intake manifold for a '73 Buick Apollo with a Buick 350?
Mike Meloshinsky
Hope, BC, Canada

You have your choice of the Stage 1 350 Buick intake (PN TA 1235) from TA Performance Products (Scottsdale, AZ; 480/922-6807; www.taperformance.com) or the Poston Enterprises (Atmore, AL; 800/635-9781; www.postonbuick.com) intake (PN B350).

...a good software program for engine building/designing?
Arcangelo Limanni
Toronto, ON, Canada

ProRacing Sim LLC (Memphis, TN; 901/259-2355; www.proracingsim.com) offers a wide range of engine and vehicle-dynamics simulation software ranging from the entry-level DeskTop Software series all the way through the professional-level Dynomation Advanced Pro.

two SPAL 10-inch puller fans for the '89 S-10 with a 350 that I'm building?
Scott Foster
Bluffton, IN

SPAL USA (Des Moines, IA; 800/704-8067; www.spal-usa.com) sells direct.

...license-plate-light housings for '91-'92 Camaros?Ben Allgeier
Louisville, KY

There is both a lefthand and a righthand assembly. GM has discontinued them, but Year One (Braselton, GA; 800/932-7663 or 706/658-2140; www.yearone.com) still lists the driver-side "tag-light housing" under PN B34LH. For used assemblies, try Jimmy's Bowtie Supply (Shelbyville, TN; 800/414-JIMS or 931/695-5204; www.jimmysbowtie.com).

...a torque-arm mounting bracket for installing a Ford 9-inch rearend in a '95 F-body Camaro?
R. Bentson
Wall, SD

A weld-on bracket (PN CE-7009) is available from Currie Enterprises Inc. (Anaheim, CA; 714/528-6957; www.currieenterprises.com).