Loa

Don't have one yet, but when I do start to shop for my vette next spring, I was going to look for one with the bigger engine in it. (76-77)

Current plan is to do a check-up, a recurve, headers+true duel exhaust first. Then I'll see about a cam and a new intake.


Thanks for the inputs,

Loa

Priya

The net horsepower on a 75-77 L82 is probably going to be pretty close to the 275 gross on your Challenger. And I think the Corvette's probably going to be 200-300 lb lighter.

Bocaguru

Since you like the look of the rubber bumper Vettes, the best value of all is the 1974 big block (454 CI / 7.4L).. The last year of the BB and due to the many people that look down on the two piece "split rear bumper" 74s have a very low market price. You can find the verts for under $20k with BB and coupes down into the $12-15k range. Remember that if you find a numbers matching car, it will hold its value and even got more valuable in a few years. The BB cars have plenty of performance with 275 or 365 HP depending on what you read.. a modified car is expensive to repair and does not hold re-sale value, due to buyers fearing the "Bubba" factor in the workmanship. 1974 is the last year of BB vert, you can't go wrong with one of those.

Here is a great value and example of under-value for 74 BB

http://www.hemmings.com/classifieds/...e/1664417.html

gkz

3.73s first.

iokepakai

76 in my garage.Looks stock but far from it...Engine mods,roller cam,aluminum heads,air gap manifold,crane ignition,& best mod of all a Richmond 6 spd trans.Borgeson box for quick steering.Runs great gets 20 mpg on the hiway and has lots of get and go....76 was inexpensive and fun to mod....Lovin every mile when driving it...

Shark Racer

L-82 is the same size as an L-48 (350ci), just has slightly better heads, more aggressive cam and stronger rotating assembly.

76CSRvette

from what I heard the L82 was basically the same as the LT1 with a less aggressive cam and lower compression (I.e pistons and what not) but its the engine that saved the performance in chevy and corvette for that matter. I wish I woulda payed more attention when I was building my motor I woulda gone a different direction... If I make a LT1 spec motor and f41(I think) suspension package can I put lt1 badges and not get flamed. jmho

Shark Racer

You'll still get flamed, just by fewer people, and only after you've explained that you built an LT-1 spec motor.

I wouldn't go through the effort, myself. You can add a hundred horsepower with a minimal cost delta and have the car drive better everywhere in the powerband by using modern parts.

Snoopysvet

I am digging those 1999 prices!

Karsten

After weight out all the machine work, new heads, cam, pistons and labor I opted for a ready to go motor.

375 HP 350

http://high-performance-engines.com/...duct_Code=HP89

Or now I see they have this to offer.

383 Stroker with 415 +HP

http://high-performance-engines.com/...duct_Code=HP94

Karsten

Loa

Maybe. Then again, the 75-77 corvettes have a reputation for being dogs (even on this very forum) and the 1970 340 mopars have a reputation for being very fast. (Again: I don't care about vette/mopar rivalry)

I know, but I was looking for a *much* cheaper project. I see very interesting 75-77 corvette projects for around 5000$ all summer long. Since I can do the labor, I could see getting a very powerful sbc vette with new headers, exhauts, cam and intake for ~7000$. That's just not possible with a 74 bbc.

Thinking about them as well, but it's too pricy for my budget, because I'd still have to buy/install headers and exhaust.

Thanks again for more inputs.

Also, I read on wikipedia, quoting an old (of the time) Hi-Performance Cars magazine that the L82 had a less interesting torque curve, compared to the L48. They preferred the engine with less HP because of this. Any comments on that from people who have driven both?

Loa

Priya

Who knows what a car's reputation is worth, that's why I and others have suggested you buy an L82 75-77 tune it up and see how it feels to you before you look at modifying it.

Shark Racer

They are dogs, but reputation doesn't spin the tires.

I'd rather drive an L-48 in traffic than an L-82. 15 years ago, I would have loved to have the extra 35 horsepower... now it's pretty much a wash. If I had to guess, I'd guess that the L-82 is more fun once you're rolling; i.e. you'd appreciate the extra power cruising in the mountains, or on a road course, autocross, etc.

I'd get whatever car is in better condition and meets your budget. A cam and a decent tuneup will get you close if you get an L-48. If you decided to do a 383, the only benefit you'd really get from an L-82 is the 4-bolt block. And that's not even all that big a deal. You can get 4-bolt blocks for pretty cheap if you look around...