Looking into 1980 Corvettes
Le Mans Master
Joined: Jun 2007
Posts: 7,666
Likes: 1
From: Where it's always hot as Hell-South Louisiana.
St. Jude Donor '07-'08-'09-'10-'11-'12-'13
as I just bought an 80 model 6 weeks ago. My last C3 was an 81. Both have thier pluses and minuses......Cant wait to remove the paint off this 80 in the fall, gonna have a beer party over here if anyone is interested.
Le Mans Master
Joined: Jun 2007
Posts: 7,666
Likes: 1
From: Where it's always hot as Hell-South Louisiana.
St. Jude Donor '07-'08-'09-'10-'11-'12-'13
Melting Slicks
Joined: Jul 2004
Posts: 3,304
Likes: 8
From: Avon, Indiana
Well THE 1980 corvette
Hey Guys, im fairly new to corvettes and the 1980 corvette really caught my attention. I did some research and i had some question i was hoping u guys could answer. What's the difference between the L-82 and the stock engine, is their a difference in the body? Is the 85 mph limit to the speedometer on all the 80 corvettes? Any other information would come in handy. Thanks a lot guys, i appreciate it.
Hey Guys, im fairly new to corvettes and the 1980 corvette really caught my attention. I did some research and i had some question i was hoping u guys could answer. What's the difference between the L-82 and the stock engine, is their a difference in the body? Is the 85 mph limit to the speedometer on all the 80 corvettes? Any other information would come in handy. Thanks a lot guys, i appreciate it.
5th Gear
Joined: Apr 2010
Posts: 5
Likes: 0
I picked up an '81 a little over a year ago. It's a numbers-matching, low mileage, August 1980 St. Louis model, with fresh paint and interior. I fiddled with the 'puter as there is a short somewhere; lost interest in it, picked up only an MSD distributor, stuck it in there in about half an hour, and the thing is amazing. My dad had about 5 or 6 of them from a 1968 427 tri-power on; and it's the best riding Vette I've ever been in (certainly not the fastest, but light and very smooth).
Thread Starter
Heel & Toe
Joined: Apr 2010
Posts: 22
Likes: 0
From: Brewster New York
I picked up an '81 a little over a year ago. It's a numbers-matching, low mileage, August 1980 St. Louis model, with fresh paint and interior. I fiddled with the 'puter as there is a short somewhere; lost interest in it, picked up only an MSD distributor, stuck it in there in about half an hour, and the thing is amazing. My dad had about 5 or 6 of them from a 1968 427 tri-power on; and it's the best riding Vette I've ever been in (certainly not the fastest, but light and very smooth).
ps. how do you put up your location in user cp
Last edited by Ace159; Apr 22, 2010 at 07:49 PM.
Melting Slicks
Joined: Sep 2004
Posts: 3,227
Likes: 670
From: Northeast
If you decide on an 81 you might want to take a few hours drive and look at this one. Ran into the guy Tuesday nite and this car looks good. Couldnt believe how nice the paint was etc. :
http://providence.craigslist.org/cto/1687084734.html
http://providence.craigslist.org/cto/1687084734.html
Le Mans Master
Joined: Oct 2000
Posts: 6,362
Likes: 30
From: Oak Harbor WA
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Pro
Joined: Apr 2010
Posts: 608
Likes: 1
From: Mississauga/Oakville Ontario
Racer
Joined: Mar 2010
Posts: 392
Likes: 0
From: Okawville IL
St. Jude Donor '14
I picked up my 1980 on Jan 9th of this year, SO Far I have no complaints with it at all. Just remember it is a 30 year old vehicle, it wont be perfect and things will break. I use mine as a daily driver, the first few weeks everything that was going to break, did. But before I got it it was not drove that often. So as I put her to use the little things came up one after the other. Now she is in very good running shape. I put at least 52 miles on her a day, five or six days a week, and then my days off I drive more
If you need any info on my 80 or some of the thing I have had worked on feel free to PM me.
Mike.
If you need any info on my 80 or some of the thing I have had worked on feel free to PM me.
Mike.
Last edited by MCMLXXX; Apr 23, 2010 at 12:52 AM.
Racer
Joined: Mar 2006
Posts: 264
Likes: 1
From: west central INDIANA
Quote:
Originally Posted by larryg3
the 80 had the th350 with the exception of the 305 california that had the th350c the 82 introduced the 700R auto trans. just to mention a few facts.
Something is not right here.
My 80 has the th350c trans lock up converter, VIN correct, dated dec. 7,1979
Originally Posted by larryg3
the 80 had the th350 with the exception of the 305 california that had the th350c the 82 introduced the 700R auto trans. just to mention a few facts.
Something is not right here.
My 80 has the th350c trans lock up converter, VIN correct, dated dec. 7,1979
Melting Slicks
Joined: Apr 2008
Posts: 2,625
Likes: 242
From: Russell Ontario
St. Jude Donor '09
Mine also came with the 350c original in it , but some of the books say it never had that, the Haynes manual also does not have much info on the 80 , although they are close to the same car! The emblems are different from 80- to 81 -82, Ron
Le Mans Master
Joined: Dec 2009
Posts: 6,397
Likes: 649
From: Saskatoon Saskatchewan
Interesting. I assume the 82 also came with the stainless steel headers, could these headers be swapped onto a 79 L82? Would they offer similar backpressure reductions to aftermarket headers?
C3 Corvette Enthusiast
Joined: May 2008
Posts: 1,071
Likes: 3
Hey guys, I see the post about the 80-81 had 85 MPH speedometers, my '79 has a 85 MPH speedo - did GM start phasing them in early or do I have a non-original speedo. (Possibly both?)
I looked at an '80 the same time I looked at my '79 - They appeared to be almost identical but the seller wouldn't budge off of the asking price of 15K for his machine.
I was able to pick up my '79 for a lot less than 15K.
I looked at an '80 the same time I looked at my '79 - They appeared to be almost identical but the seller wouldn't budge off of the asking price of 15K for his machine.
I was able to pick up my '79 for a lot less than 15K.
