L82 vs L48 1979-1981
Thread Starter
Le Mans Master
Joined: Apr 2001
Posts: 5,305
Likes: 9
From: Weston FL
L82 vs L48 1979-1981
This has got to be some common info out there but I can't find it 
... I just found the info below on google, so figured I'd ask here 
My question applies to 1979 - 1981, L48 vs L82
Hp / torque difference?
I think 1980 was the last year for L82?
...Horsepower ratings of the two engines varied from year to year as Chevrolet attempted to meet changing emissions and fuel economy requirements. The L-82 horsepower ratings ranged from a high of 250 in 19'73-19'74 to a low of 205 in 19'75. In 1980, it's last year of production, the L-82 was rated at 230 horsepower. During the same time period, L-48 horsepower ranged from a low of 165 in 1975 to a high of 195 in 1974 and 1979.
... I just found the info below on google, so figured I'd ask here My question applies to 1979 - 1981, L48 vs L82
Hp / torque difference?
I think 1980 was the last year for L82?
...Horsepower ratings of the two engines varied from year to year as Chevrolet attempted to meet changing emissions and fuel economy requirements. The L-82 horsepower ratings ranged from a high of 250 in 19'73-19'74 to a low of 205 in 19'75. In 1980, it's last year of production, the L-82 was rated at 230 horsepower. During the same time period, L-48 horsepower ranged from a low of 165 in 1975 to a high of 195 in 1974 and 1979.
Drifting
Joined: Apr 2008
Posts: 1,992
Likes: 56
From: Antioch IL
for the record!!! 81 did not offer L48 engine. the only available option was the L81 for all 50 states.
for 79 L48 with 185 HP @ 4000 rpm and 270lb-ft torque @2400 RPM and L82 with 220 Hp @5200 RPM Torque 260 @ 3600 RPM
for 80 there were three engine options the 305 for california the L48 and the L82
the 305 numbers 180 HP @4200 torque 255@2000 the L48 185 HP@ 4000 RPM and Torque 270 @ 2400 RPM the L82 220 HP @ 5200 torque 260 @ 3600 RPM
the 81 vette had the L81
190 HP @4200 and torque 280 @ 1600 rpm
and since we are on a roll here is the data for the 82 vette
L83 (crossfire) 200 HP @ 4200 and torque 283@2800 rpm
hope this helps
for 79 L48 with 185 HP @ 4000 rpm and 270lb-ft torque @2400 RPM and L82 with 220 Hp @5200 RPM Torque 260 @ 3600 RPM
for 80 there were three engine options the 305 for california the L48 and the L82
the 305 numbers 180 HP @4200 torque 255@2000 the L48 185 HP@ 4000 RPM and Torque 270 @ 2400 RPM the L82 220 HP @ 5200 torque 260 @ 3600 RPM
the 81 vette had the L81
190 HP @4200 and torque 280 @ 1600 rpm
and since we are on a roll here is the data for the 82 vette
L83 (crossfire) 200 HP @ 4200 and torque 283@2800 rpm
hope this helps
Melting Slicks
Joined: Nov 2000
Posts: 2,663
Likes: 3
From: Palm Harbor FL
for the record!!! 81 did not offer L48 engine. the only available option was the L81 for all 50 states.
for 79 L48 with 185 HP @ 4000 rpm and 270lb-ft torque @2400 RPM and L82 with 220 Hp @5200 RPM Torque 260 @ 3600 RPM
for 80 there were three engine options the 305 for california the L48 and the L82
the 305 numbers 180 HP @4200 torque 255@2000 the L48 185 HP@ 4000 RPM and Torque 270 @ 2400 RPM the L82 220 HP @ 5200 torque 260 @ 3600 RPM
the 81 vette had the L81
190 HP @4200 and torque 280 @ 1600 rpm
and since we are on a roll here is the data for the 82 vette
L83 (crossfire) 200 HP @ 4200 and torque 283@2800 rpm
hope this helps
for 79 L48 with 185 HP @ 4000 rpm and 270lb-ft torque @2400 RPM and L82 with 220 Hp @5200 RPM Torque 260 @ 3600 RPM
for 80 there were three engine options the 305 for california the L48 and the L82
the 305 numbers 180 HP @4200 torque 255@2000 the L48 185 HP@ 4000 RPM and Torque 270 @ 2400 RPM the L82 220 HP @ 5200 torque 260 @ 3600 RPM
the 81 vette had the L81
190 HP @4200 and torque 280 @ 1600 rpm
and since we are on a roll here is the data for the 82 vette
L83 (crossfire) 200 HP @ 4200 and torque 283@2800 rpm
hope this helps
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Burning Brakes
Joined: Oct 2015
Posts: 781
Likes: 113
Realistically.either engine will get ya out and down the road nicely..Other than dyno measurement..doubt very many drivers of comparable year cars in comparable good running condition could discern the difference with the hood shut..I run a stock L48 in my '78..exception being performance headers and true dual exhaust w/no cat converter..and new wires, etc..&upgraded float on the Rochester quadrajet..I also use only ethanol free 92 octane gas..JIM
Racer
Joined: Mar 2016
Posts: 397
Likes: 127
From: Flowood MS
jim, I'm going to have to disagree. A 35 hp difference is definitely noticeable to most people. If you regularly see 4500 plus rpm like I do it would become very obvious due to the powerband differences of the two cams.
Now if a guy envisions a rebuild or upgrades in the future the L48 is probably the better choice to start with.
Now if a guy envisions a rebuild or upgrades in the future the L48 is probably the better choice to start with.
Burning Brakes
Joined: Oct 2015
Posts: 781
Likes: 113
jim, I'm going to have to disagree. A 35 hp difference is definitely noticeable to most people. If you regularly see 4500 plus rpm like I do it would become very obvious due to the powerband differences of the two cams.
Now if a guy envisions a rebuild or upgrades in the future the L48 is probably the better choice to start with.
Now if a guy envisions a rebuild or upgrades in the future the L48 is probably the better choice to start with.
Melting Slicks
Joined: Jul 2009
Posts: 2,091
Likes: 40
I owned 78 L48 and 79 L82 , practically new back then. Both were fine for the day. L48 was super smooth nice grocery getter with auto , AC and 3:08 .
I traded it for the nearly new 79 L82 M21 3:70 axle car.with special suspension, alloy wheels , fat Eagle GT tires.
The personality were entirely different .
Dumping the cat., installing 74 style big exhaust , remove smog pump. Retuned . I was happy ....unless I bought a mega dollar Ferrari , nothing was as fast dollar for dollar in 1980.
This car ran as strong as the L82 74 cam corvette I had before both
I'll take the L82
I traded it for the nearly new 79 L82 M21 3:70 axle car.with special suspension, alloy wheels , fat Eagle GT tires.
The personality were entirely different .
Dumping the cat., installing 74 style big exhaust , remove smog pump. Retuned . I was happy ....unless I bought a mega dollar Ferrari , nothing was as fast dollar for dollar in 1980.
This car ran as strong as the L82 74 cam corvette I had before both
I'll take the L82
Last edited by LS4 PILOT; Aug 21, 2016 at 09:07 AM.
Racer
Joined: Apr 2013
Posts: 283
Likes: 18
From: South carolina
Racer
Joined: Dec 2014
Posts: 374
Likes: 42
From: Coldwater Mi
vtwindog@gmail.com
Pro
Joined: Jun 2016
Posts: 567
Likes: 82
From: Auckland
for the record!!! 81 did not offer L48 engine. the only available option was the L81 for all 50 states.
for 79 L48 with 185 HP @ 4000 rpm and 270lb-ft torque @2400 RPM and L82 with 220 Hp @5200 RPM Torque 260 @ 3600 RPM
for 80 there were three engine options the 305 for california the L48 and the L82
the 305 numbers 180 HP @4200 torque 255@2000 the L48 185 HP@ 4000 RPM and Torque 270 @ 2400 RPM the L82 220 HP @ 5200 torque 260 @ 3600 RPM
the 81 vette had the L81
190 HP @4200 and torque 280 @ 1600 rpm
and since we are on a roll here is the data for the 82 vette
L83 (crossfire) 200 HP @ 4200 and torque 283@2800 rpm
hope this helps
for 79 L48 with 185 HP @ 4000 rpm and 270lb-ft torque @2400 RPM and L82 with 220 Hp @5200 RPM Torque 260 @ 3600 RPM
for 80 there were three engine options the 305 for california the L48 and the L82
the 305 numbers 180 HP @4200 torque 255@2000 the L48 185 HP@ 4000 RPM and Torque 270 @ 2400 RPM the L82 220 HP @ 5200 torque 260 @ 3600 RPM
the 81 vette had the L81
190 HP @4200 and torque 280 @ 1600 rpm
and since we are on a roll here is the data for the 82 vette
L83 (crossfire) 200 HP @ 4200 and torque 283@2800 rpm
hope this helps
Instructor
Joined: Sep 2015
Posts: 122
Likes: 17
From: MA
I have an 81. Lets just say that my 2016 Tacoma gives it a run for its money. Its great to cruise around in but the TH350 sucks and 190 ponies gets old. I recently installed an iron rear end on my bat wing with 3.55s and put a TKO-600 in. I'll let you know how the car runs with the LS3 in about a month.
-Michael
Drifting
Joined: Aug 2015
Posts: 1,939
Likes: 477
From: NSW, Australia
C3 of Year Finalist (track prepared) 2019
I have an 81. Lets just say that my 2016 Tacoma gives it a run for its money. Its great to cruise around in but the TH350 sucks and 190 ponies gets old. I recently installed an iron rear end on my bat wing with 3.55s and put a TKO-600 in. I'll let you know how the car runs with the LS3 in about a month.
-Michael
-Michael
Last edited by Metalhead140; Sep 12, 2016 at 07:14 PM.
