Jay-Dog

Anyone ever run into this? I did yesterday while looking at a 76 "L-82". Vin number fifth digit is a L not an X. Am I right? Shouldn't it be an X? The engine does match the vin. Is there any other way to tell if it's a real L-82?

Eddie 70

According to the Black Book, X should be an L82. Those emblems can be bought through and corvette catalog.

Jay-Dog

Thanks Eddie. Any idea what the value difference is between a L-82 and a L48? I was thinking maybe $500-$700.

big_G

The carb. and distributor #'s are different, L82 has an aluminum intake manifold...If you pull a valve cover, there should be guide plates for the pushrods. There are other things internal to the engine such as 4 bolt main bearings, forged pistons, higher compression ratio and a steel crank. Lots of goodies on an L82!

Jay-Dog

Big G, good info.

Chopper Larry

A decent rebuild (less than $2500) will put any 350 way over the original L-82 spec.
That's my plan, and I won't be running any "stinkin badges"!

comp

what about a crate long-block ??? from GM

big_G

Ya, but L82's sure make a good starting point!

Paul Borowski

I do not believe aluminum intakes came on L-82s until 1978. '76 & '77 L-82s still used cast iron intakes.

big_G

Know-it -all .... lol

greyghost79

yeah, my 79 L82 has an aluminum intake

ACECO

My 75 L-48 had/has L-82 hood emblems and a console plate indicates an L-82 also. I knew it wasn't when I checked the VIN but what originally tipped me off was the stamped/painted valve covers. I asked the PO what was up w/the "fake" emblems and he said that when he had the hood painted he added them to "dress it up" a bit. He swore no deception was intended. Of course that doesn't explain why the console plate/sticker was changed.

ALWAYS do your homework when shopping as anything could have been changed in the 23-37 years these things have been around.

Tom73

NADA Guides, www.nadaguides.com, show about 20% more for the L82.

tom...

Ibuyvettes

L82's had finned magnesium valve covers. Do not get caught up on engines though. A good L48 car is better to have than a sh*tty L82 anyday.

KenSny

And a good L82 is better than a good L48 anyday........

And the L82 had aluminum valve covers then they changed after '76, maybe late 70's early 80's. Paul B. will probably chime in here to correct me since I don't have it memorized.....

fauxrs2

aluminum in 78 as well....dont think they went to mag until the C4

ruby76

76 L82's were aluminum intakes too, so Im sure 77 was.

Fifth Digit Code: L=350ci 180hp, X=350ci 210hp

My 76 is a L48 turned L82 clone, no 'X' in VIN. just like putting "SS" on a "RS" camaro. Had mine appraised, and apraiser said no real difference in assessed value whether it was true L82 or not as long as it is a solid car.

Both L48's and L82's for 76 had 333882 head castings (cast iron), but 882's on L82 had larger valves

Jay-Dog

Many years ago, I had a set of camel hump fuelie heads marked as 392 casting. Do Corvette L-82 engines use these type of heads to get higher compression?

Tom73

The higher compression in the L82s come from the piston shape, not the heads.

VettePower

My 77 Block says my engine is an L82, but I have cast iron intake..........