Looking into 1980 Corvettes
Thread Starter
Heel & Toe
Joined: Apr 2010
Posts: 22
Likes: 0
From: Brewster New York
Looking into 1980 Corvettes
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.
Last edited by Ace159; Apr 21, 2010 at 11:03 PM.
Pro
Joined: Feb 2001
Posts: 509
Likes: 15
From: Calgary, Alberta, Canada
Hi Ace 159, you certainly asked the question in the right place as the corvetteforum is a major resource regarding corvettes.
The 1980, 81 and 82 body styles were all basically identical with the exception of the 82 having the flip rear window, crossfire engine and different available options. The 1980 was offered with 3 option engines, the LG4 - 305 california, L48 - 350 and the L82 - 350 being the highest horsepower. The 1981 has the L81 350 and the 1982 was offered with the 350 crossfire. The 1980 had no computer and was the last production year at the St. Louis plant. From 1981 to the present, all corvettes are produced at the Bowling Green plant. In 1980, GM produced over 40,000 corvettes, so there is good probability along with some patience you will find one to your liking. In my opinion, most parts for the 1980 are still available or with some searching can be found.
I hope this starts the thread going for you Ace 159...who's next?
The 1980, 81 and 82 body styles were all basically identical with the exception of the 82 having the flip rear window, crossfire engine and different available options. The 1980 was offered with 3 option engines, the LG4 - 305 california, L48 - 350 and the L82 - 350 being the highest horsepower. The 1981 has the L81 350 and the 1982 was offered with the 350 crossfire. The 1980 had no computer and was the last production year at the St. Louis plant. From 1981 to the present, all corvettes are produced at the Bowling Green plant. In 1980, GM produced over 40,000 corvettes, so there is good probability along with some patience you will find one to your liking. In my opinion, most parts for the 1980 are still available or with some searching can be found.
I hope this starts the thread going for you Ace 159...who's next?
Racer
Joined: Jul 2009
Posts: 326
Likes: 8
From: Carrollton Texas
The Computers started to creep in to the mix in '81 and '82. The '82 crossfire was not available with a 4 speed. I have seen nice examples of all 3 years and some good running crossfires. It's all in what YOU want! The speedo can be changed but for mods the '80 is the one. My brother has an '80 with a crate 383, 4 speed auto and gears. Original means Zip to him yet I keep mine like the day it was delivered...It's all in what YOU want! Good Luck and keep us posted!
Last edited by TexasTechDad; Apr 22, 2010 at 09:25 AM.
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Drifting
Joined: Mar 2003
Posts: 1,711
Likes: 2
From: Rochester NY
The 1981 C3 made in St Louis had Lacquer paint and the 1981's made in Bowling Green had Acrylic paint.
Advanced
Joined: Mar 2006
Posts: 62
Likes: 0
From: Saint Louis MO
The differences I can think of between the L-82 and the stock engine 350, from 1980 are L82 rated at 220 HP vs 190, has finned valve covers, is a 4bolt main vs 2bolt, and has an auxiliary electric fan. All 80s have 85mph speedometer unless they were a direct export out of the US, this was a Federal requirement.
I can think of no difference in the body between 80, 81 & 82 other then what was stated above, but these years are different from earlier years.
I can think of no difference in the body between 80, 81 & 82 other then what was stated above, but these years are different from earlier years.
Thread Starter
Heel & Toe
Joined: Apr 2010
Posts: 22
Likes: 0
From: Brewster New York
Wow, Thanks alot guys for all the info. So the 80' and 81' have the same body huh. Do you know what is the differnce between the two besides the computer? Im guessing the 80 will be easier to maintain than the 81. Can i also ask in your opinion what would drive someone to shoot for the 81' instead of the 80'. Thanks alot guys
Racer
Joined: Jul 2009
Posts: 326
Likes: 8
From: Carrollton Texas
Hi Ace, Depends on whats available...A nice '81 at the right price with the option you want, color etc might be a good deal. Set some perameters for you searh and get to it. For sure do your homework regarding the birdcage, suspention and what it will take to make the car what you want it to be. Personal inspection of the vehcle before you lay out any money, don't let the excitment of a new Corvette carry you away!!!
Safety Car
Joined: Oct 2000
Posts: 3,547
Likes: 12
From: Carbondale Pa.
Wow, Thanks alot guys for all the info. So the 80' and 81' have the same body huh. Do you know what is the differnce between the two besides the computer? Im guessing the 80 will be easier to maintain than the 81. Can i also ask in your opinion what would drive someone to shoot for the 81' instead of the 80'. Thanks alot guys
Team Owner
Joined: Jun 2000
Posts: 38,923
Likes: 1,482
From: Southbound
Cruise-In II Veteran
The 80 models were assembled at St. Louis. California 1980 models got the LG4 305 engine with compuer; all others got the L-48 or optional L-82 engines. 4 speed was available with the L-48, but not with the LG-4 or the L-82.
1981 models have no optional engines - L-81 350 for all with computers; 4 speed was available. Most 81s were assembled at St. Louis, but Bowling Green began assembling 81s in at the end of June, 1981.
No optional engines or transmissions for the 1982 models; all are Crossfire TBI with 700R AT and computers. The Collector Edition was a C3 commemorative.
Le Mans Master
Joined: Jun 2007
Posts: 7,666
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From: Where it's always hot as Hell-South Louisiana.
St. Jude Donor '07-'08-'09-'10-'11-'12-'13
However, the 81's dropped the steel rear leaf & added the fiberglass one.The 81's dropped the laquer paint the 80 had. in MHO, get an 81 and remove the emissions (if ok in ur state) and you're better off. Changing the steel leaf is the same cost of changing the q-jet on an 81 to a non-computer q-jet.
Team Owner
Joined: Jan 2006
Posts: 37,637
Likes: 3,118
From: Crossville TN
'80 had HEI ignition, Q-jet carb similar to previous years; '81 had a one-year-only ECU system integrated with special distributor and carb with an electronic mixture regulator built in (new parts difficult to find); '82 had the Crossfire 2-throttle-body design and ECU that was repeated in '84 with the first C4 (nice system when it works right; tough to find folks who can work on them).
Race Director
Joined: Jan 2000
Posts: 12,399
Likes: 247
From: San Jose CA
However, the 81's dropped the steel rear leaf & added the fiberglass one.The 81's dropped the laquer paint the 80 had. in MHO, get an 81 and remove the emissions (if ok in ur state) and you're better off. Changing the steel leaf is the same cost of changing the q-jet on an 81 to a non-computer q-jet.
I'd rather start with a car that wasn't prewired for computers if my intention was to run it with mechanical engine controls.
My $2e-2.
Drifting
Joined: Apr 2008
Posts: 1,992
Likes: 56
From: Antioch IL
the last car to roll out of St. Louis was on Aug 01 1981. the production in Bowling Green started in June of 81. There was a lot of weight reduction on the 81. in the rear the leaf spring was changed for the composite mono spring, with the exception of the 4 speed. the intake manifold is made out of aluminum. the valve covers were finned L-82 style. the car came with stainless tell headers in stead of the cast iron exhaust manifolds. the automatic trans mission was the TH350C with a lock out converter. the only year to offer this on all cars. 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.
I almost forgot all the 80-82 had 85 MPH speedometers.
I almost forgot all the 80-82 had 85 MPH speedometers.
Last edited by larryg3; Apr 22, 2010 at 04:00 PM.