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Don't buy an '81 unless you are not electronically challenged like most of us on this Forum. It was the first year for a rudimentary 'engine management system' and has one-of-a-kind carb, distributor, ecu and harness..plus an O2 sensor and other connected sensors.
There is nothing 'wrong' with that system...if it works. And when it is working, it does a much better job of managing the engine than any prior year C3. All of those parts are available or rebuildable; but you have to do the work or find someone who knows how...and that's getting less and less as time goes by.
The 80-82 C3 group is a nice group of vehicles. You just needed to know what you are getting into.
1980 - non-electronic system
1981 - UNIQUE electronic system
1982 - Cross-Fire engine w/ twin throttle body injectors and OBD-I ECM system (same system as was in the 1984 C4)
Take your pick!
I had 2 81s that unique stuff was all off by 100k when i rebuilt the one and long gone from my second before i got it, many c3s have a carb that didnt come on them, that unique stuff it really only of interest to purists or someone where state says it has to be on there working,
For that matter an 82 is unique also,
1982 - Cross-Fire engine w/ twin throttle body injectors and OBD-I ECM system (same system as was in the 1984 C4)
I am electronically challenged. But I wonder about the TBI. I wonder if it's the same type of TBI in my K5. Anyone know where I can cross reference GM part numbers and start researching if and what the differences are?
I love my '80 4-speed. The late C3s are sexy, cheaper to buy, and you have fewer Vette hardliners telling you not to change any bolt or screw that's didn't come from the factory line...
I love the bookends of the C3 generation and one day will have a chrome bumper as well!
Were the late St. Louis cars really that bad? St. Louis is my hometown so I keep thinking about getting an STL car, but I read the same thing elsewhere.
I'm sure my 81 looked good to the PO, the first owner. The body work simply did not age well compared to other C3's of that time, and I didn't know the extent of the problem. Other cars may have had a better finish and aged better, but the quality of the bondo filler on my car is suspect and it must have been used on all the cars of the day. I decided to go all out to kill the problem by having my body guy grind out the old crap and replace it with modern crap - I didn't want to risk the problem coming back to haunt me.
I don't want to suggest that I am unhappy or regretting my 81 - my first C3 purchase. Since time is money, (I'm not retired) buying a very local car made it effectively less expensive for me. And the fact that the bones are in great shape means body off work was not required - saving a huge pile of cash since I have no time or skill to do that kinda work. Also, I'm not a purist, the car has 383 stroker engine and a 700R4 tranny making it more fun to drive.
It's satisfying to work hard so I can cough up $ to preserve a piece of history, for myself at least.
Youre crazy if you dont jump on this when was the last time you saw on e in this shape? In the long haul its a good buy!
Dont care for any electronics, or automatics but would get this in a hot second..and put lots of miles on it. Seriously, consider this most this yr are torn up roaches with a little shiny paint left and lots of issues.
Youre crazy if you dont jump on this when was the last time you saw on e in this shape? In the long haul its a good buy!
Dont care for any electronics, or automatics but would get this in a hot second..and put lots of miles on it. Seriously, consider this most this yr are torn up roaches with a little shiny paint left and lots of issues.
Youre crazy if you dont jump on this when was the last time you saw on e in this shape? In the long haul its a good buy!
Dont care for any electronics, or automatics but would get this in a hot second..and put lots of miles on it. Seriously, consider this most this yr are torn up roaches with a little shiny paint left and lots of issues.
You either want one of these cars, or you don't. That's a personal decision for you and something you have to decide.
Oh, I want one. I was just thinking more along the lines of advice from people like "I wish I wouldn't have bought my 198x because of the way component Y was built and installed they all fail sooner or later and ended up costing me 5k to fix. I should have bought the 197x instead because it didn't have this component".
Of course, I haven't seen anything like that _yet_, but that's why I'm here asking.
BTW, y'all are great - one thing I've noticed over the last 20 years or so is that no matter what you buy, if there's a friendly forum with knowledgeable and helpful people, it just makes ownership that much more enjoyable.
Between my 68 C3 and my 80 C3 I enjoy driving the 80 much more. I find that 1980 has a much more comfortable ride and with the 700 R4 conversion on long-distance rides I get much better gas mileage and a quieter ride than the 427 in the 68.
I find with the 68 you're always "driving" the car and with the 1980 it's more of a relaxed driving.
Back in 2008 we took the 68 to Vegas and by the time we got to the hotel all I wanted to do was take a nap. In 2009 we took the 1980, it was a much more relaxed driving and by the time we got to Vegas I was ready to gamble.
IMG 6224
Last edited by Douglas Mariani; 03-27-2017 at 12:30 PM.
If I can round up the money Im getting it!! Always been anti low hp, anti auto etc but this would make a great DD (yes!) I could enjoy for a long time just a stock cruiser with Ac
I've always loved the look of the 80-82s most. I was almost tempted by a 79 that was well priced but the deal fell through. In the end I'm glad it did and when I saw my 81 for the first time I knew if that car exact car didn't work out, I wasn't going to look at anything outside those years.
Each to their own but I think the nose and tail of the 80-82 cars is the best.
Do it! Bought my first one -a 1982- few years back and have no regrets. Zero. I've had only a couple minor issues other than normal maintenance. I loved looking for one and the research it entailed, especially here. I would only suggest to take your time and enjoy the process and ask many questions. Good luck.
Stupid question time. Are all '78-82 Corvettes T-Top equipped?
Yes, ALL have T-tops. There are two versions--fiberglass/plastic that are color keyed and mirrored (from the outside) glass. The glass ones have no inner headliner (obviously) so they give a bit more headroom.
Oh, I considered that one. I'm just not in a place to buy right now. I'm just starting my research and saving my dollar bills.
One like this is what you want. Most of us come from experience after buying what we think is a decent car and ending up spending major $ on paint, interior, electrical drains, trans issues, leaks here and there, vacuum hoses all jacked up, surprises from previous owners, etc...
You can prob. get one for $7,500 or so, then plunk in about $6-9k on it easy and be almost to where this one is at in my opinion. That one is gorgeous quite honestly.
One like this is what you want. Most of us come from experience after buying what we think is a decent car and ending up spending major $ on paint, interior, electrical drains, trans issues, leaks here and there, vacuum hoses all jacked up, surprises from previous owners, etc...
You can prob. get one for $7,500 or so, then plunk in about $6-9k on it easy and be almost to where this one is at in my opinion. That one is gorgeous quite honestly.
The only problem with that one, and I mean ONLY problem from my view, is that it's too nice. I want something I can drive every day. That means rain, cold, likely mud in the interior, dog hair...And then I want to modify it a bit as I see fit. I would feel guilty abusing that one. It needs to go to a home that will keep it like it is.
80 is the best year of those three imo. Had a few of them and regret selling them always liked that year, after i sell my belair when i get back from vaction thats what im looking for as well. Good luck in your search
03-27-2017, 12:31 AM
