L81 Or L82 Engine In 1981 Corvette???
Team Owner
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From: Southbound
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...Also, NADA lists L82 motor as option in its values....
...Just because the factory said they didn't make it, and it isn't in their option book, doesn't mean they didn't produce it...
Racer
Joined: May 2009
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From: Columbus OH
[QUOTE=Easy Mike;1570874613]Post the links.
Here's one
http://newlondon.craigslist.org/cto/1236501232.html
What you don't believe what's posted on craiglist?
Here's one
http://newlondon.craigslist.org/cto/1236501232.html
What you don't believe what's posted on craiglist?
2nd Gear
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81 Corvette Engine
Hey...dumb newbie here! I'm somewhat puzzled! I was under the impression that the 1981 Corvette ONLY came with an L81 Engine with 190 horse power from the factory. But according to this info it also came with an L82 350-cid V8, 230-hp engine. I'm looking at buying a white one with red interior. The VIN # is 1G1AY8764BS404232, which according to this site http://www.motorera.com/corvette/1980/vet81.htm the VIN# reveals an L82 350-cid V8, 230-hp engine as mentioned above. Or am I misinterpreting something here? Help!!!
Oh...thanks!!!:o
Mitch
Oh...thanks!!!:o
Mitch
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From: McHenry Illinois
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8th Gear
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L 82 in 1981 Corvette
I have owned 3 Corvettes and the last one I purchased was in January of this year. I realize and from reading alot of info that only the L-81 came as the only option for the 81s. But my VIN numbers along with my build sheet says I have the L 82 230 hp. engine. I placed a call to the National Corvette Museum and they were able to verify that my VIN was correct and that the engine was an L 82. Does this make the Vette worth more?
8th Gear
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For the longest time (years) St. Louis hid the last 1983 Corvette from Detroit and then talked to the execs about having one, the execs. promised not to destroy it and it now sits in the museum. Estimated worth is in the millions.
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Burning Brakes
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From: Syracuse IN
I own an 81 with a small block 350 lol. I really don't care if it was an L81 or L82 neither engine in stock form is anything to brag about. I would guess all of the 81's had an electronic carb and distributer. This would really be the differance between these two engines. Al
Pro
Joined: Oct 2008
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From: Hayward Wi
the book i have lists the only 190 HP option for the 1981 as a L48 mentioning nothing about the L81.. its by mike Mueller. another book of his about the SBC lists the L81 as the only option for the 81 vette..
to settle this thing someone should give the NCM a call and ask.
from what i know about automakers is they dont always do things as it says in the "books".. ie like derating engines and such...
Last edited by PuddleJumper; Sep 9, 2010 at 10:17 PM.
Team Owner
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Finally, those who say it doesn't exist don't know much about Chevrolet. Just because the factory said they didn't make it, and it isn't in their option book, doesn't mean they didn't produce it. The history of Corvettes, Camaros, Chevelles, and Chevy/GMC trucks bear this out time and again.
...I owned from 1977-1984 an original motored numbers matching 1967 L-78 396/375hp Chevelle SS. This engine option wasn't listed by Chevrolet as an optional motor for a 1967 Chevelle in any literature, order form or sales brochure, yet Chevrolet built 612 of them making them the fourth rarest engine RPO car built by Chevrolet(per quote from a Super Chevy magazine).
...they estimate less than 30 survive with their original L-78 396.
...my most valuable "keeper" that I let slip away. Knew what it was when I sold it, just needed the funds due to the situation I was in at that time. Sold it in '84 for $5600.
Had 41,000mi on it when I bought it, sold it with 52,000mi on the clock.
8th Gear
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As far as the L81 and L82, your correct its really nothing to brag about as far as what is bigger and blah blah blah, just curious as to whether or not its worth more as a collector vehicle. Kinda like back in the day you could buy a Plymouth Super Bird with a 426 hemi for under $5,000. Had I known it would be worth what they are worth today .........well you catch my drift.
Pro
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From: Hayward Wi
8th Gear
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As I understand from reading the L48 is the same as the L81. Now this was just reading from a corvette magazine. The issue I am writing about is that there may be no option for the 1981 mentioned or offered in literature but the numbers match in my 81 and according to the build sheet, National Museum along with the the rest of the misc. papers I have it ended up with the L82 230 hp. engine. No its not a big powerhouse and that is not what this post is about. Its along the same line as St.Louis hid the last remaining 83 from GM knowing the order came down to destroy all remaining of the 44 produced. In doing this St. Louis did hide it for years. So if they could do this (hide the only remaining 1983, they could put a few L82s in the 1981s here and there.
Race Director
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Would you mind sharing your actual VIN with us? (leave off the last 2-3 digits if you want
Its along the same line as St.Louis hid the last remaining 83 from GM knowing the order came down to destroy all remaining of the 44 produced. In doing this St. Louis did hide it for years. So if they could do this (hide the only remaining 1983, they could put a few L82s in the 1981s here and there.
8th Gear
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Sure and this is off the original paper work and cross checked with VIN on car and the build sheet. 1G1AY8769BS41*** According to the book and History of The Corvette the 6 denotes L82/350 V8 230 hp. There are alot of references out there. My other Vettes are 1982s with the cross fire and of course automatic. I am the 2nd owner of the 81 and the original owner had not done a thing to the motor but it sounds as though its been beefed up some? Anyway tell me what you think.
Race Director
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http://www.corvetteactioncenter.com/...1981/81id.html
Many books erroneously printed L82 instead of L81.
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That's looks to be the same format as every other '81 I've seen, including the '6'. This link shows also shows the engine codes, maybe you could double check that too:
http://www.corvetteactioncenter.com/...1981/81id.html
Many books erroneously printed L82 instead of L81.
http://www.corvetteactioncenter.com/...1981/81id.html
Many books erroneously printed L82 instead of L81.
The Black Book shows all 40606 1981 VIN's starting as 1G1AY876
The L81 valve covers are magnesium, the exhaust manifolds are stainless from the 1980 305 motor.