L-82 or no?
Thread Starter
Burning Brakes
Joined: Jul 2009
Posts: 1,132
Likes: 14
From: A town SC
L-82 or no?
I know what ive been told and read,but is there any way that my 81 could be a l-82 car.It has emblems on the front fenders above the creece middle ways between door and front fender. Ive known this car for twenty years these enblems have been there ever since i can remember. and look as if they have aged with the car.I have seen other cars the same model with the emblems in the same place.Can give vin info if needed.Just curious as this car is missing the original engine. Thanks in advance,VIC......
Burning Brakes
Joined: Aug 2006
Posts: 1,058
Likes: 27
From: Eastern North Carolina
This probably will not help you at all. It is my understanding that all 81s are L-81s. That was the only engine option available for that year. With that being said if you check the value of a 81 Vette on the NADA web site, they show a optional L-82 engine and place a value on it.
Tim
Tim
Burning Brakes
Joined: Apr 2007
Posts: 1,178
Likes: 15
From: Montreal Quebec
have a look at your serial number for the fifth digit being a Y If it is the car as been equipped with a L81 from the factory and the only engine available for that particular year so that must answer your question and about the L82 emblem it was common and a great addition to add those on an L48 or even an LG4 305 california vette 
Melting Slicks
Joined: Apr 2006
Posts: 2,084
Likes: 14
From: Airdrie Alberta
I don't even see an optional engine available... sure depressing compared to 69 for engine options 
http://www.idavette.net/facts/81.htm
http://www.idavette.net/facts/81.htm
Team Owner
Joined: Jun 2000
Posts: 38,923
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From: Southbound
Cruise-In II Veteran
Yes, but it didn't leave the factory that way. The L-82 optional engine ended after the 1980 model run; there were no optional engines for the 1981 model year. Your car would have had the only Corvette engine available - the L-81.
If you have an L-82, it was installed by a PO.
Post the engine code from the pad on the block at the front of the right head. It will identify the engine in your car. You will also find a stamp of the VIN of the car the engine was originally installed in. See if the VIN derivative matches your VIN.
Your L-82 emblems are probably aftermarket. They're easy to apply.
If you have an L-82, it was installed by a PO.
Post the engine code from the pad on the block at the front of the right head. It will identify the engine in your car. You will also find a stamp of the VIN of the car the engine was originally installed in. See if the VIN derivative matches your VIN.
Your L-82 emblems are probably aftermarket. They're easy to apply.
Thread Starter
Burning Brakes
Joined: Jul 2009
Posts: 1,132
Likes: 14
From: A town SC
Yes, but it didn't leave the factory that way. The L-82 optional engine ended after the 1980 model run; there were no optional engines for the 1981 model year. Your car would have had the only Corvette engine available - the L-81.
If you have an L-82, it was installed by a PO.
Post the engine code from the pad on the block at the front of the right head. It will identify the engine in your car. You will also find a stamp of the VIN of the car the engine was originally installed in. See if the VIN derivative matches your VIN.
Your L-82 emblems are probably aftermarket. They're easy to apply.
If you have an L-82, it was installed by a PO.
Post the engine code from the pad on the block at the front of the right head. It will identify the engine in your car. You will also find a stamp of the VIN of the car the engine was originally installed in. See if the VIN derivative matches your VIN.
Your L-82 emblems are probably aftermarket. They're easy to apply.
. This is how the lady purchased it and she did nothing but store it mostly. All thats gone now though.
Dono Just wondering if i had a fluke car,thats all....
Team Owner
Joined: Jun 2000
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From: Southbound
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Thats the problem,the original engine is gone.I was told it was an L82 engine.Previous owner said it was a steel crank motor.Only L82s came that way correct?Any other way to tell? The emblems were GM and pretty much looks as old as the car..PO?? Ive known this car since 86 or 87, lady owned so she wouldnt have modified it.It was hit in the front with light damage some time in the first 5 or 6 years past 81.Then some crazed Eklers nut ordered every body kit part they had in the catalog. This is how the lady purchased it and she did nothing but store it mostly. All thats gone now though. Dono Just wondering if i had a fluke car,thats all....
. This is how the lady purchased it and she did nothing but store it mostly. All thats gone now though. Dono Just wondering if i had a fluke car,thats all....
Le Mans Master
Joined: Nov 1999
Posts: 5,768
Likes: 3
From: San Diego CA
Thats the problem,the original engine is gone.I was told it was an L82 engine.Previous owner said it was a steel crank motor.Only L82s came that way correct?Any other way to tell? The emblems were GM and pretty much looks as old as the car..PO?? Ive known this car since 86 or 87, lady owned so she wouldnt have modified it.It was hit in the front with light damage some time in the first 5 or 6 years past 81.Then some crazed Eklers nut ordered every body kit part they had in the catalog. This is how the lady purchased it and she did nothing but store it mostly. All thats gone now though. Dono Just wondering if i had a fluke car,thats all....
. This is how the lady purchased it and she did nothing but store it mostly. All thats gone now though. Dono Just wondering if i had a fluke car,thats all....While it is possible that the engine installed NOW could be identified as an L-82 from a previous year. There is NO WAY your car was originally equipped with an L-82 based on all the information available to the corvette enthusiast community.
Team Owner
Joined: Aug 2000
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From: Massillon,Ohio USA
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St. Jude Donor '08-'09-'10-'11-'12
....does your car have it's original emissions label under the hood??? It will(or should)say what the original motor was. If it does, you're going to see what everyone has been saying that it was. An L-81 engine.
Thread Starter
Burning Brakes
Joined: Jul 2009
Posts: 1,132
Likes: 14
From: A town SC
This is not a big deal to me,It is now a big block car. I know the add SS emblems to a malibu,RS emblems to a camaro thing.Just wasnt sure that it had been done to this car.I guess it was,and within the first couple of years after manufacture. I had read that 81 L82 engine wasnt a option just wanted to ask and see if there were any 81s that slipped through the cracks as a L82. Not that it would make it any thing more than it is, being the motors gone anyhow. Thanks for the imput
