L82 Discussion
Thread Starter
Instructor
Joined: Sep 2009
Posts: 150
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From: Glen Allen Virginia
L82 Discussion
In a couple of Corvette Market Magazines lately there has been some comments made refering to L82's as a "Sleeper" in the market and the
L82/M21 combo as not getting it's day in the sun yet. I know that being realistic these will never carry the value of a chrome bumper big block or LT1.
I thought of posting this to start a realistic discussion on your opinion on this and do you think there will be stand out years for this motor/trans combo.
I think that '73/'74 would be the best due to no catalytic converters and the highest HP ratings of the L82s
L82/M21 combo as not getting it's day in the sun yet. I know that being realistic these will never carry the value of a chrome bumper big block or LT1.
I thought of posting this to start a realistic discussion on your opinion on this and do you think there will be stand out years for this motor/trans combo.
I think that '73/'74 would be the best due to no catalytic converters and the highest HP ratings of the L82s
Melting Slicks
Joined: Apr 2006
Posts: 2,084
Likes: 14
From: Airdrie Alberta
I have a 73 L82/M21 and am very happy with the performance.
The 73 L82 was basically a 72 LT1 with hydraulic lifters and retained the 2.02 heads with pushrod guide plates, screw in rocker studs, "Pink Rods", forged crank etc and 9-1 compression.
The L82 option was actually more expensive than the 454 option in 73
The 73 L82 was basically a 72 LT1 with hydraulic lifters and retained the 2.02 heads with pushrod guide plates, screw in rocker studs, "Pink Rods", forged crank etc and 9-1 compression.
The L82 option was actually more expensive than the 454 option in 73
Thread Starter
Instructor
Joined: Sep 2009
Posts: 150
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From: Glen Allen Virginia
I should have put in the post that I have a 74 L82/M21.
I to am very happy with it, I was just hoping to start an open, good discussion on what I have read recently. I have no intention of selling so I'm not looking for values, it's just you don't read much about them and they are sometimes treated as the unwanted step children of optional motors.
I to am very happy with it, I was just hoping to start an open, good discussion on what I have read recently. I have no intention of selling so I'm not looking for values, it's just you don't read much about them and they are sometimes treated as the unwanted step children of optional motors.
Melting Slicks
Joined: Mar 2007
Posts: 2,100
Likes: 12
From: Frederick Maryland
Up until a few years ago I had a '78 Silver Anniversary L82, though with an automatic. It was a fine running car...plenty of power and very smooth. When I removed the exhaust and replaced it with a complete true dual exhaust, it really woke the engine up.
The L82 is nothing to apologize for...a fine engine...especially compared to other contemporary cars.
The L82 is nothing to apologize for...a fine engine...especially compared to other contemporary cars.
Advanced
Joined: Sep 2008
Posts: 77
Likes: 0
From: Marion Iowa
I also own a 74 L82/M21 combo. I bought it because I thought it was more valuable than a base car and had more engine to offer.
Does anyone know if the engine has the same design and performance as a 73?
For what its worth, the February 1974 issue of Road & Track compared the L82 (not the 454) to Dino 246 GTS, Jaguar E-type V12, Mercedes-Benz 450 SL and the Porsche 911 Targa. The categories that were compared were:
peformance and economy-corvette 1st in performance (fastest in quarter mile)
ride, handling and brakes-corvette 1st in braking
comfort, controls, vision
noise and removable tops
It is an interesting article that you can find online.
Even though peformance was waning in 1974-the Corvette was still beating all the imports!
Like other corvette "models", I think the L82/M21 will have its place in value and collectability. I don't think it has arrived yet
I think the most compelling reason to own one is that they are fun to drive!
Does anyone know if the engine has the same design and performance as a 73?
For what its worth, the February 1974 issue of Road & Track compared the L82 (not the 454) to Dino 246 GTS, Jaguar E-type V12, Mercedes-Benz 450 SL and the Porsche 911 Targa. The categories that were compared were:
peformance and economy-corvette 1st in performance (fastest in quarter mile)
ride, handling and brakes-corvette 1st in braking
comfort, controls, vision
noise and removable tops
It is an interesting article that you can find online.
Even though peformance was waning in 1974-the Corvette was still beating all the imports!
Like other corvette "models", I think the L82/M21 will have its place in value and collectability. I don't think it has arrived yet
I think the most compelling reason to own one is that they are fun to drive!
Intermediate
Joined: Jun 2010
Posts: 29
Likes: 2
From: Cairns Qld Australia
I have a 1975 L82 4 speed coupe. This is my first corvette and although i wanted a chrome bumper car they were out of my price range.
I think i am better off with this car because of reliability (electric wipers & electronic ignition )
Although my car is very original i have personalised it with PO2 hubcaps & hope to fit 1969 style sidepipes one day.
With a 2.5 in true dual system & 1.6 ratio rollertip rockers on a standard L82 engine its a lot of fun.
I love my car and believe any corvette is better than no corvette.
I think i am better off with this car because of reliability (electric wipers & electronic ignition )
Although my car is very original i have personalised it with PO2 hubcaps & hope to fit 1969 style sidepipes one day.
With a 2.5 in true dual system & 1.6 ratio rollertip rockers on a standard L82 engine its a lot of fun.
I love my car and believe any corvette is better than no corvette.
Race Director
Joined: Apr 1999
Posts: 15,157
Likes: 478
From: NM
As far as collector value goes, the cars with the optional engines do best. Just look at the chrome bumper cars, you have the base engine car (ho-hum) and then you have the LT1 and the bigblocks. Those with the optional engines are where the money is.
Look at what happened with the C4/C5..... With the C4, you only had one engine option until the LT5 came out. With the C5, it started out with only one engine so all Vettes were the same. Then they added the Z06. C6 has a few more engine options.
If you have a model with only one engine all cars are the same and nothing to make one stand out over the other. That is the advantage of the C3, all the engine options. Always go for the optional enigne.
The L82 is a GREAT engine. In an era of droping HP and increasing emissions it stood tall. The 73/74 L82 power was not exceded by another small block Chevy until the new small block GM engine (LT1) came out in '91.
Look at what happened with the C4/C5..... With the C4, you only had one engine option until the LT5 came out. With the C5, it started out with only one engine so all Vettes were the same. Then they added the Z06. C6 has a few more engine options.
If you have a model with only one engine all cars are the same and nothing to make one stand out over the other. That is the advantage of the C3, all the engine options. Always go for the optional enigne.
The L82 is a GREAT engine. In an era of droping HP and increasing emissions it stood tall. The 73/74 L82 power was not exceded by another small block Chevy until the new small block GM engine (LT1) came out in '91.
Last edited by Tom73; Jul 3, 2010 at 02:18 AM.
Race Director
Joined: Oct 2000
Posts: 12,710
Likes: 3,161
From: Shamong, NJ
Don't get me wrong, I like the L-82 and always thought it was a great engine for the era.
30 years ago I had a 74 L-82, 4 speed with 3.70 gears. In stock, untouched form (except for pulling the AIR pump) and on radials, it ran mid 14s in the quarter mile. With a few minor tweeks, such as recurving the distributor, and it was running high 13s. I had bought the car to be my wifes daily driver, so I never went further with things like headers, but I'm sure they would have really brought that engine alive.
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Burning Brakes
Joined: May 2009
Posts: 850
Likes: 36
From: Providence RI
As the chrome-bumper market rises in price, people will be looking more closely at the rubber-bumper cars, and some will appear more desireable than others. I think the '73's already have their fans, along with the '78 Pace-Cars and '82 Collector's Editions.
After that, there are a few main things that distinguish the available rubber-bumper cars:
* Convertible in '74-'75
* LS-4/L-82 and/or 4-spd transmission
* Vertical Flat or Sugar-scoop rear glass
* Differences in bumper design: Unique '74 combo, '80-'82 revised nose-and-tail, optional rear spoiler in '79, etc.
I think that soon the market will regard a '74 L-82 4spd convertible as far different from '79 L-48 automatic car, and that there will be fewer blanket statements about "rubber-bumper" cars as if they are all of equal collector value. There are already some people who recognize this, but I think soon it will spread as a general consensus in the collector world.
After that, there are a few main things that distinguish the available rubber-bumper cars:
* Convertible in '74-'75
* LS-4/L-82 and/or 4-spd transmission
* Vertical Flat or Sugar-scoop rear glass
* Differences in bumper design: Unique '74 combo, '80-'82 revised nose-and-tail, optional rear spoiler in '79, etc.
I think that soon the market will regard a '74 L-82 4spd convertible as far different from '79 L-48 automatic car, and that there will be fewer blanket statements about "rubber-bumper" cars as if they are all of equal collector value. There are already some people who recognize this, but I think soon it will spread as a general consensus in the collector world.
Last edited by bobbarry; Jul 3, 2010 at 08:41 AM.
Le Mans Master
Joined: Dec 2009
Posts: 6,397
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From: Saskatoon Saskatchewan
Melting Slicks
Joined: Mar 2007
Posts: 2,100
Likes: 12
From: Frederick Maryland
Correct...the M21 is the close ratio 4-speed, the M20 is the wide ratio and the M22 is the very heavy duty "Rock Crusher" 4-speed. All are excellent transmissions...it just depends on the engine and how the car is set up as to which transmission was installed.
Drifting
Joined: Jun 2003
Posts: 1,455
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From: Upstate South Carolina
Advanced
Joined: Jun 2006
Posts: 94
Likes: 0
From: Chehalis Wa
Christian, I own a 78 L82 4speed. The M21 rpo code is still correct but the transmissions are manufactured by Borg-Warner no longer built by Muncie after 1975 i believe. Still a lot of fun to drive and 4 speed 78-79 cars are pretty rare.
Le Mans Master
Joined: Oct 2005
Posts: 6,251
Likes: 487
From: Glen Allen, VA
Being a L-82/M-21 owner, I sure hope the value goes up, but realistically, since mine is a 79, I'm not expecting anything. I tell people that mine is the highest performance Corvette available in 79. Mine also has a 3.70 rear. It has some minor upgrades and for me, does just fine. I keep saying one day I'm gonna take it to the track. I'd love to see if I could get a 13 second quarter out of it.
