1973 Intake
Thread Starter
3rd Gear
Joined: Nov 2008
Posts: 3
Likes: 0
1973 Intake
I would like to change the stock cast iron intake to an aluminum one on my 73 Corvette(L82 engine). Hood clearance seems to be a problem. I am sure someone has already done the swap, complete with a twin snorkel air cleaner and Holley carb. Thanks
Melting Slicks
Joined: Oct 2006
Posts: 2,417
Likes: 336
From: Texas
a factory alum. L82 intake should work, this is the one i have, since you need to stay with the spreadbore style intake, if you're using the qaudrajet and after reading numerous post on the subject i believe the only intake that will work aftermarket wise is the edelbrock performer. some one thats done it will chime in here soon. hopefully.
http://cgi.ebay.com/ebaymotors/Intak...Q5fAccessories
http://cgi.ebay.com/ebaymotors/Intak...Q5fAccessories
Last edited by speedreed8; Nov 6, 2008 at 05:37 PM.
Burning Brakes
Joined: Jan 2007
Posts: 1,164
Likes: 1
From: Port Clinton Ohio
St. Jude Donor '08-'09-'10-'11-'12-'13
The Performer works if you are planning to use a low profile air cleaner. It is an inch or so higher than the stock manifold and my L-48 air cleaner looked rediculous and the hood wouldn't close. It has just enough clearance with a Moroso 14' air cleaner. This is with the Q-jet carb.
Here are a couple with the stock air cleaner.
And the Moroso.
Here are a couple with the stock air cleaner.
And the Moroso.
Le Mans Master
Joined: Sep 2003
Posts: 8,812
Likes: 2,029
From: eastern NC
You are correct, the aluminum L82 manifold (first available in 1978) uses a spread bore Quadrajet carburetor.
I came across this manifold back in the early 90's. #14057053... all I know is it didn't come on a Corvette. Port-wise, it's about the same as the stock cast iron that came on my '73, uses the stock Quadrajet and I thought it might make a good replacement... and look pretty stock to boot.
It uses the later model EGR valve than the one you have, but has no problem clearing the valve cover. What I did for the choke since it had no external provision for a choke (the same problem you will have with an L82 manifold), was have a local machine shop weld a small square of aluminum to the top of the passenger side exhaust crossover. I drilled and tapped it for the original choke. After blending it in a bit with a dremel and bead-blasting the manifold, you can't tell it didn't come that way. If the factory were to have made an aluminum manifold for the '73, they couldn't have done a better job.
This manifold has been on my '73 for more than 15 years without a hint of a problem.
Good luck... GUSTO
I came across this manifold back in the early 90's. #14057053... all I know is it didn't come on a Corvette. Port-wise, it's about the same as the stock cast iron that came on my '73, uses the stock Quadrajet and I thought it might make a good replacement... and look pretty stock to boot.
It uses the later model EGR valve than the one you have, but has no problem clearing the valve cover. What I did for the choke since it had no external provision for a choke (the same problem you will have with an L82 manifold), was have a local machine shop weld a small square of aluminum to the top of the passenger side exhaust crossover. I drilled and tapped it for the original choke. After blending it in a bit with a dremel and bead-blasting the manifold, you can't tell it didn't come that way. If the factory were to have made an aluminum manifold for the '73, they couldn't have done a better job.
This manifold has been on my '73 for more than 15 years without a hint of a problem.
Good luck... GUSTO
Drifting
Joined: Apr 2007
Posts: 1,970
Likes: 45
From: Cameron Park CA
Corvette Stories
The Best of Corvette for Corvette Enthusiasts
8 Coolest Corvette Pace Cars (and Replicas) of All Time
Verdad Gallardo
Top 10 Corvette Engines RANKED by Peak Torque (70+ Years of Muscle!)
Joe Kucinski
Corvette ZR1X Will Be Pacing the Indy 500, And Could Probably Race, Too!
Verdad Gallardo
Top 10 Corvettes Coming to Mecum Indy 2026!
Brett Foote
Top 10 C9 Corvette MUST-HAVES to Fix These C8 Generation Flaws!
Michael S. Palmer
10 Revolutionary 'Corvette Firsts' Most People Don't Know
Joe Kucinski
5 Reasons to Upgrade to an LS6-Powered Corvette; 5 Reasons to Stay LT2
Michael S. Palmer
2027 Corvette vs The World: Every C8 vs Its Closest Competitor
Joe Kucinski
