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GMC L48 specs: 350 ci (5.7L) 8-cylinder, 4.00 x 3.48 in (101.6 x 88.4 mm) bore and stroke, 8.5:1 compression. Built 1972–1973. Used in the Chevrolet Camaro.
The GMC Small Block Chevy (L48) is oversquare — the 4" bore exceeds the 3.4799" stroke by 14.9% — a layout that favors airflow and RPM over leverage at the crank. The 3.4799" stroke puts mean piston speed at 4,000 ft/min around 6,900 RPM, which is where a production bottom end is generally considered at its limit. Each of the 8 cylinders displaces 43.8 ci (717 cc).
8.5:1 on iron heads is low by modern standards and generally happy on regular pump fuel.
It is one of 27 engines in the Small Block Chevy family, sitting between the 265 ci and 400 ci members. 2 factory variants share these dimensions across 1972–1973.
| Displacement | 350 ci / 5.7 L |
|---|---|
| Bore | 4" |
| Stroke | 3.4799" |
| Cylinders | 8 |
| Configuration | V8 |
| Compression ratio | 8.5:1 |
| Bore/stroke ratio | 1.149 |
| Block material | cast iron |
|---|---|
| Head material | cast iron |
| Valvetrain | OHV |
| Fuel type | gas |
| Firing order | 1-8-4-3-6-5-7-2 |
| Years | 1972–1973 |
| Bore/stroke character | 1.149 — oversquare — bore exceeds stroke, which favours higher RPM and larger valves |
|---|---|
| Mean piston speed at 6,000 RPM | 3,480 ft/min — conservative for a street engine |
| Displacement per cylinder | 43.8 ci |
| Static compression | 8.5:1 — low by modern standards, generally happy on regular pump fuel |
Each link opens the calculator with this engine's specs already filled in.
These records share identical bore, stroke, displacement and compression. They differ by model year and factory power rating.
| Year | Advertised HP | Code |
|---|---|---|
| 1972 | — | L48 |
| 1973 | — | L48 |
12 factory vehicles, 1967–1980. Each year opens that model's engine table.