L78 Camaro Debate

[WpgCarguy]

Have a debate going on: Have a 68 Camaro SS which originally came with L78 engine (have Canadian docs). Engine long gone, replaced with 1975 454 big block. Should this Camaro still be considered an L78 car? Not selling, just bench racing with another guy.

[396L35]

If you have the docs to prove your case then there should be no questioning the car being a real L78... Just put it this way: You have a car that was an original Yenko conversion car but the 427 is long gone and now it sports a 350 in it, I still say its a Yenko car.... Hope this helps...

[firstgenaddict]

With out a doubt still an L-78. These cars were built to race and few have their born with engines (many more are matching numbers ) LOL.

[enio45]

If its a potential yenko car, it will have more than the L78....such as the special trim tag, extra large sway bar and the 140 speedo.....if you have these with the L78, then you might have a non converted yenko car....other than that you have a nice L78 car which is also hard to come by!

[Rick H]

Let's not confuse the original posting with another posting containing an example about a Yenko. He asked about an L78 car not a Yenko or non-converted Yenko.

Yes, an original L78 with docs is still an L78 Car.

Rick H.

[396L35]

I was just giving an example for the guy with the L78, I didn't mean to confuse anyone... Sorry

[Rick H]

Not you, Mark.

Rick H.

[LS6 RAT]

This topic is certainly of interest to me, we had a similar discussion over on the Corvette Forum site, discussing a '69 tri-power 'vette missing its original engine, but has 'build sheet' to prove how factory equipped.

Several did not consider it a tri-power Corvette anymore without its original engine, others stated it was, because it had proof that it came that way. The engine itself is what made the car, without it, it is just another "as built" Corvette, however a Shelby GT 500 missing its original 428 Cobra Jet engine would still be considered a Shelby because of the unique features the car was built with. A Hemi 'cuda without its engine, is still a Hemi'cuda because of its unique frame/body alterations which make it destinct from other models. A Boss 429 Mustang, same way. However what about an LT-1 Corvette, special engine, if missing, does the big block hood, larger exhaust piping make it unique enough from other 'vettes to still call it an LT-1? I guess what I'm infering is, that the car itself without drivetrain, is it enough to still be what it was, without unique features of the body to set it apart from other models? My opinion is that the car itself should have unique features that differ it from its brothers/sisters enough that not just the engine dictates this controversy.

[Salvatore]

If the VIN and or paperwork say it is a tri-power corvette it is. Just doesn't have the original engine. If I would put a tri-power motor in a corvette that had a 327 in it originally I could not call it a tri-power car could I? Grumps 68 nova was an L79 car from the factory. He put a BB in it to run SS/D. It was still an L79 car though. JMO

[PeteLeathersac]

Without a doubt, being a Canadian car thus having bulletproof documents available, this IS an L78 car period. . Actually it's more an L78 than many of the 'real' L78's out there! .

~ Pete