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
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