Is a L82 a good engine - The 1947 - Present Chevrolet & GMC Truck Message Board Network

Mountain Man · 09-27-2003, 10:07 PM

I have been looking at some late 70's Vettes and early 80's.

Is the L82 a desirable engine, and what type of HP would it have.

*Randy70C-10* · 09-27-2003, 10:34 PM

L-82 is a good engine, but at the low end of horsepower producers. They make 180 horses on a good day.

gashog · 09-27-2003, 11:21 PM

L-82's were the optional engine and L-48 was standard. The L-82 did feel quicker to me. Better heads, cam and if I rememer correctly slightly higher compression.

Mike C · 09-28-2003, 10:32 PM

The L82 was rated at 245 hp in the 73 and 74 Z/28s. It was 255 in the 74-75 'vettes and down 30 more after cat converters show up. It is ~ 9:1 compression and has 76cc heads that have 2.02/1.60 valves and screw in studs and guideplates. It was the most powerful SBC from its intro until the LT1 debuted. They run OK, but the open chamber heads are down 20hp compated to the earlier closed chamber ones, all else being equal.

lukecp · 09-28-2003, 10:36 PM

So that is 255 net HP?
That is pretty good....i didn't know they produced that much. A Vortec 350 produced 255 net HP.....

sameyrasmea72 · 09-29-2003, 12:54 AM

For the years that you are looking at, unless it's pre 74 where you could get a BB, the L-82 is the best your going do. These cars aren't real desireable YET, but I guess they will be next inline. A '75 convertible L-82 (last conv.)will be highly desireable someday and sortof already are, if you see any of those while your looking.

I personally (jmo) would stay away from 76,77,78. According to my dad, who owned a used dealership at that time, said they were the worst vett ever made with the exception of the '84. Again just my opinion . If you find one you like get it!!! They are old enough that any of them should only go up in value.

A 1982 L-82 ( i think they offered L-82 til'82) seems like it would be desireable soon. Last of the L-82s? and last of the body style.

A 1983 is ultra rare if you see one of those.

09-27-2003, 10:07 PM	#1
Mountain Man Registered User Join Date: Jan 2002 Location: Calgary, Alberta, Canada Posts: 451	Is a L82 a good engine I have been looking at some late 70's Vettes and early 80's. Is the L82 a desirable engine, and what type of HP would it have. __________________ 72 C10 Cheyenne Super Full trim Factory tach dash A/C dash Factory tilt 350 / 350 power train - with Edelbrock components.

09-27-2003, 11:21 PM	#3
gashog Active Member Join Date: Oct 2002 Location: Lake co. california Posts: 192	L-82's were the optional engine and L-48 was standard. The L-82 did feel quicker to me. Better heads, cam and if I rememer correctly slightly higher compression. __________________ 69 Custom/10 454 Turbo 400 and 70 Custom/20 350 Turbo 350, 73 cheyanne C/10 also 69 camaro Z/28 and 85 Iroc Z

09-28-2003, 10:32 PM	#4
Mike C Registered User Join Date: Dec 1999 Location: Austin, TX, USA Posts: 7,727	The L82 was rated at 245 hp in the 73 and 74 Z/28s. It was 255 in the 74-75 'vettes and down 30 more after cat converters show up. It is ~ 9:1 compression and has 76cc heads that have 2.02/1.60 valves and screw in studs and guideplates. It was the most powerful SBC from its intro until the LT1 debuted. They run OK, but the open chamber heads are down 20hp compated to the earlier closed chamber ones, all else being equal. __________________ 44 Willys MB 52 M38A1 64 Corvette Coupe 68 Camaro 'vert LT1 & TH700 69 Z/28 355 12.6's @110 69 Chevy Short Step 4 1/2"/7" drop 72 Jimmy 4WD 4spd 4" & 35's 02 GMC 2500HD 4x4 Duramax

09-28-2003, 10:36 PM	#5
lukecp Formerly yellow72custom Join Date: May 2001 Location: Austin, TX Posts: 7,531	So that is 255 net HP? That is pretty good....i didn't know they produced that much. A Vortec 350 produced 255 net HP..... __________________ '72 Chevy C10 Mild 350/TH350/3.07. Ochre/White. Old high school ride. '70 GMC C2500 '62 327 4bbl/SM465/4.56-geared Dana 60. White/White. Project or parts truck. '97 Saturn SL DD. 1.9/5-speed. 40+ highway mpg

09-29-2003, 12:54 AM	#6
sameyrasmea72 Senior Member Join Date: Aug 2003 Location: Lubbock, Texas Posts: 2,443	For the years that you are looking at, unless it's pre 74 where you could get a BB, the L-82 is the best your going do. These cars aren't real desireable YET, but I guess they will be next inline. A '75 convertible L-82 (last conv.)will be highly desireable someday and sortof already are, if you see any of those while your looking. I personally (jmo) would stay away from 76,77,78. According to my dad, who owned a used dealership at that time, said they were the worst vett ever made with the exception of the '84. Again just my opinion . If you find one you like get it!!! They are old enough that any of them should only go up in value. A 1982 L-82 ( i think they offered L-82 til'82) seems like it would be desireable soon. Last of the L-82s? and last of the body style. A 1983 is ultra rare if you see one of those. __________________ 72 Cheyenne Super 80 Silverado Blazer 2wd Last edited by sameyrasmea72; 09-29-2003 at 01:06 AM.

09-27-2003, 10:34 PM	#2
Randy70C-10 Account Suspended Join Date: Mar 2001 Location: Virginia Beach, Va. U.S.A. Posts: 15,320	L-82 is a good engine, but at the low end of horsepower producers. They make 180 horses on a good day.



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