Hi guys, going to look at a 1980 L82 and have questions. I'm a C-3 owner so I know what to look at, but what about power? Does it have any? Does it require premium fuel? The car has 75k miles, good paint, auto etc. $9000. firm, any other help would be appreciated.

 

All 80 Corvettes run on regular unleaded fuel, as do all other 71-82's.

The 80 L-82 is marginally faster than the base L-48, with an auto. An L-48 4 speed, in the hands of a good driver, might be able to equal an L-82.

As far as power goes, you will have people on here tell you about how all 75-82 Corvettes are dogs. Compared to newer Corvettes, or even the new V6 Camaro, they are slower. When compared to other cars of it's era, there wasn't much that could keep up with it.

In reality, the performance of the 80 Corvette, wasn't much different than that of mid 60's 250 and 300 horse Corvettes. An 80 L-82 would run high 15's in the quarter mile, while a 300 horse mid year probably ran mid 15's. When you figure in that the 80 can turn those times on regular gas, and has power steering, brakes, windows and locks, as well as air, cruise, AM/FM stereo w/tape, etc.; is the performance really all that bad?

Even though the 80 Corvette is more comfortable than earlier Corvettes, it probably handles as well, or better, than any of them too. Especially when equipped with the optional 60 series tires and/or Gymkhana suspension.

 

I've had two '80 L82's and other than standard things to look for in C3's, just make sure it's actually an L82. VIN number, engine codes, little things like it says L82 on the tach face.

Copied from the web (meaning who knows if it's correct!):

Hello, the difference in 1980 chevrolet corvette engine specifications are as follows. The 1980 corvette had three different engines available, in order of power and performance, the L-82, the L-48, and the L-G4. The L-82 was the most powerful and in general, that is the main difference. They were both 350 ci. but the L-82 had more horsepoer, compression, and torque.

The L82, or L-82 in the 1980 corvette was a 230 horsepower engine at 5200 RPM, it had 260 lbs of foot torque @ 3200 RPM, it was also a 350 cubic inch with a 4 barrel carb, compression ratio of 9.0:1, bore of 4.00 in., stroke of 3.48 in.

The L48, or L-48 in the 1980 corvette was a 190 horsepower engine at 4000 RPM, it had 270 lbs of foot torque @ 2400 RPM, it was 350 cubic inch with a 4 barrel carb, compression ratio of 8.5:1, bore of 4.00 in., stroke of 3.48 in.

The LG4, or L-G4 in the 1980 corvette was a 180 horsepower engine at 4200 RPM, it had 255 lbs of foot torque @ 2000 RPM, it was 305 cubic inch with a 4 barrel carb, compression ratio of 8.5:1, bore of 3.74 in., stroke of 3.48 in.

 

i have a 1980 l-48 4 speed car. it was nice to drive. Had a little pop. that motor is on the stand and it now has a 383 stroker. Much better. Just no way around it... 190 HP in a vette is wrong!!

 

230hp, 40 more than the L-48. The 80 L-82 was the last optional engine available in the Corvette until the ZR1, if Corvette trivia interests you. Expect an AT car; the 4 speed was not emissions certified with the L-82.

No. My 80 L-82 likes premium but runs fine all day on regular cheapo no lead.