So, i used to own a 74 with a L82/4-speed manual before i joined the Navy 9 years ago. Here is my question, is the L48 with an auto a comparable motor? i know it lacks 60hp, but in the long run is that a deal breaker? Any inputs are welcomed. The difference between two different versions is 4k.

 

So your wondering if a corvette with a factory installed automatic trans and the lowest output v8 offered in 1974 is a bargain because you can save $4k?
How do I answer this?
1) is it a very nice car or a turd
2) do you care if it's original?
3) how much are we talking?
My personal opinions probably wont amount to much but here goes.
1)I wouldn't even consider a 1974 corvette unless it had a factory 454.
2) I wouldn't put a dime into a car unless I saw potential and loved it.
3) if I could pay the same cash and get exactly what I wanted why settle?
Look, I mean no disrespect to anyone. But if you don't love it for what it is, or envision it to what it can become, why ask?

 

That's fair enough. That is the kind of input i want.

 

With your name airframer, may I assume you have something to do with aircraft structures?

 

Yes, y?

 

I've got 32 yrs in aviation. Several in structures, most in line maint. Some in ndt inspection. It's all good.

 

That's awesome.

 

Are you still working in aviation? I'm on my last legs. We need new blood.

 

i am yes, currently i am in school in Miramar, but normally i reside in New Orleans working on F-18s.

 

Ok cool! I work for SWA they are getting ready to hire for LAS. About 4 spots available. Don't know what commitment you have left with the navy but heck, get your resume in there if possible!

 

While that is appreciated, i want to know if i am wasting my money on a L-48

 

Lol! Yeah I think so.Unless it just calls to U!

 

No the L-82 calls to me

 

i just se potential with the other though.

 

Depending on year the difference in power isn't that much... for example the 1980 L48 is 190HP, the L82 is 230HP. 40HP, which is over 20% difference, so not insubstantial. but not huge. It is a little more for some earlier years because the 1980 L48 got the aluminum intake and dual snorkel air cleaner that previously only the L82 got.

The basic difference between the L48 and the L82 as far as power goes is mostly in the heads and cam. The L48 has 8.2:1 compression and smaller valves and ports compared to the L82's 8.9:1 compression and slightly larger valves and ports. The L82 cam has slightly more lift and duration than the L48 which combined with the slightly more freflowing heads give the L82 a slightly higher usable max RPM up to 6000 RPM vs the L48's 5300 RPM. Also the L82 is a 4 bolt block and the L48 is a 2 bolt block... but that only means the L82 is going to be a little more durable and the L48 will take an awful lot of hot rodding or abuse.

Here's the thing though. Compared to modern smallblock heads and cams the L82 isn't that hot. The $2k GMPP 290HP crate motor with a decent intake and carb (or TBI system) will shred a stock L82.

FWIW, even the 2 bolt part of the L48 isn't the end of the world -- you could always have it drilled for 4 bolt splayed steel main bearing caps... and a block with those is way stronger than the standard 4 bolt nodular iron caps.

If you can buy an L48 car for $4k less than an L82 car, you can eeeeeeeasily upgrade the L48 with a set of higher performance heads and cam or swap in a crate motor and have more power with some money left over. The crate motor is really the easy way to go to get a big kick in the pants power wise for not a lot of $$$.

 

Thank you

 

$4K difference in what you really desire vs settling, seems like a small amount over the entire time of ownership you likely will have.
You mention you used to own a 4spd, now you're considering an a/t, is there some reason you don't want to go back to a 4 spd? The fun factor increases substantially in a 4 spd car vs an a/t car.

Spend the extra $4K, and don't look back.

 

How important is the manual transmission to you? If it isn't that important you could go with the L48 and upgrade it or throw in a crate motor. If you really want a manual the cost to upgrade the transmission is not trivial, especially if you also replace/upgrade the engine.

 

It isn't really that horrible price wise to do a manual conversion these days. There are kits which take a lot of the trouble out of it. And if you go down the worm hole of spending a little more to make yourself happy... a 5 or 6 speed vs. the old 1970s 4 speed will get you both a much lower 1st gear ratio as well as an overdrive 5th (or 6th) which will make highway cruising a lot more pleasant (and drastically improve gas milage).

Realistically though, $4k is enough to do a Tremec conversion, but it would only leave maybe $1k left over to warm up the L48... that isn't enough to do a crate motor or both heads and cam, but it would be enough to do cam and put on some tubular shorty headers and if it was a pre-1980 L48, probably an aluminum intake... that would narrow the horsepower gap between the L48 and a stock L82 significantly and with a deeper low gear the L48 + 5 speed would probably at least feel faster than a stock L82 w/ 4 speed.

Going with the L48 + upgrades also gives you the option of doing it a little at a time... That's what I'm doing... I've got most of the parts collected up to do a 5 speed conversion for my 1980 L48.

 

if both cars are in the same condition go with the l-82 4 speed. It cost me close to $4K just to swap my auto out for a 5 speed.