Gold Yenko at Mecum sets record

[PeteLeathersac]

Originally Posted by Copo_Cartel

I was told early on ….by a well connected person that was at the drag strip ….saying that the motor was an L-88 ….that had replaced the L-72 . Only for the magazine test session.

‘

Wow if true also sounds like the same trick Jim Wangers pulled off w/ the 421 powered GTO they supplied Car & Driver for their 03/64 Ferrari/Pontiac GTO performance comparison.
The positive results of that article greatly affected GTO sales also cool too, the car exists today w/ who other than our own SYC Member Tenney.

~ Pete

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[Steve Shauger]

Originally Posted by lycan

Surely someone would have noticed aluminum heads? The magazine article emphasized that the only aluminum under the hood was the intake manifold ... hmmmmm

I heard that firsthand as well, however I was told it was a shortblock and asked about the heads but no information( 840 wouldn't work). The other issue the original owner stated he went 11.68 when he owned it with the L72. I wasn't there but I do have questions for anyone including Hedrick, how he called it basically stock. Even the sound of an L88 vs L72 would tip off anyone even if you never lifted the hood. It is a single source and Grump or Stahl who worked on the car never made mention.

[Copo_Cartel]

I was told that he was told to start the car only as instructed and leave hood closed

[lycan]

Originally Posted by Copo_Cartel

I was told early on ….by a well connected person that was at the drag strip ….saying that the motor was an L-88 ….that had replaced the L-72 . Only for the magazine test session.

Originally Posted by Copo_Cartel

I was told that he was told to start the car only as instructed and leave hood closed

If these ^^ are true, we've ALL been fooled ... big time

[Stefano]

The story of the L88 is Kool no doubt. It only adds to the mystique and Legendary status of this Yenko.

However:

While the ET's run by this car were very impressive and industry leading, for back in the day ...

The 11.94 @ 114mph best run is indicative of a well tuned and prepped L72 not an L88. The L88 would have saved approx 80lbs and added approx 100hp over the L72 set up.

[daveg]

Some things to add.
First and second design L-88's are VERY different.
Actually, VERY little is the same between the 2

Assuming this was a first design.
840 heads would be a direct bolt on.
If exhaust seats were slightly enlarged all hard parts from the 842's could be used.
Exhaust valves are not as big as 074's.

This combo would have been closed chamber and 12.5- 1 compression.
This combo would have looked stock and is a huge upgrade.
Cam would have sounded quite different.
If a fair fight [motor wise anyway] was desired this should have been run against a 68 Hemi Dart or Barracuda.
Street Hemis are castrated like a Boss 429 Mustang.
Both are very mild in pure stock form.


Second design L-88's are open chamber and 12- 1 compression.
Never installed in cars [IIRC] and are really a ZL- 1 with a 512 cast block.

[luzl78]

Maybe the l88 aluminum heads were painted orange?

[lycan]

Didn't L72 engines come with a 780 CFM carb in 1969?

[Stefano]

You guys are making this way too complicated. It did not run L88 times it ran L72 times! The crew at hand was a drag racing dream team, no amateurs allowed.

[turbojet427]

Personally I love this discussion. The history and mystic of this car just keeps getting better. I can't wait for Ryan to get Warren's paper to see what it says. The BOTTOM line is, this car is going to a great collection/collector for us all to enjoy and not becoming an auction whore. Cheers and keep it coming!