1982 speedometer
Burning Brakes
Joined: Jan 2013
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From: Houston TX
Last edited by kozmic; Feb 18, 2019 at 10:36 AM.
Drifting
Joined: Aug 2015
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A 1982 Corvette has a cross-fire injection system with 200 HP. I don't recall the specifics of the transmission, however the 1982 Corvette and 1984 Corvette have very similar drivetrains. If you look up some older Motor Trends you should find that the top speed of the 1982 Corvette to be somewhere between 130 and 145, therefore a 140 speedo sounds about right.
Last edited by Atari_Prime; Feb 18, 2019 at 11:06 AM.
Race Director
Joined: Jul 2000
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From: Out Where the Buses Don't Run, Eglin AFB/ Niceville FL
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It's been changed. Mine had the same when I bought it used. Look at your crossed flag emblem in the speedo. All 82's had the 85 speedo.
Team Owner
Joined: May 2005
Posts: 20,174
Likes: 400
From: NY
St. Jude Donor '26
Not unique to Corvette. I believe it was int he late 70 the gov't mandated or at a min suggested that Spedo's only go to 85 MPH as to not encourage excessive speeding. That went away in the med 80s
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Melting Slicks
Joined: Feb 2017
Posts: 3,232
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From: PHX AZ
I too have a 82 CE....the speedo/ face has been changed and probably the speedo gear in the tranny. GOOD FOR YOU! REJOICE! I'm reduced to doing math on the fly.... 36mph/1000 rpm.
BTW an 82 CE IS A C-3 for those who are reading challenged....it's the LAST of the C-3's
Unka Hal
.70 4th gear locked up and 2.87 rear with 255/60/15 tires and you get the above.
Unkahal how fast are you going? 3000 rpm! LOL
BTW an 82 CE IS A C-3 for those who are reading challenged....it's the LAST of the C-3's
Unka Hal
.70 4th gear locked up and 2.87 rear with 255/60/15 tires and you get the above.
Unkahal how fast are you going? 3000 rpm! LOL
Last edited by L-46man; Feb 18, 2019 at 03:05 PM.
Racer
Joined: Nov 2017
Posts: 319
Likes: 125
From: Midwest
A previous owner almost certainly changed your speedo out for the 140mph face you have installed now.
From about 1974-1987, the maximum speed limit all across America was set at 55mph, mandated by federal law. Today, that probably seems hard to believe for some.
Adding insult to injury, a federal regulation, effective 1 Sept 1979, required all domestic vehicles, including the 1980-1982 Corvettes, to be fitted with speedometers that read to a maximum of 85mph—with 55mph highlighted—which was orange for the Corvette.
That regulation only lasted about two years before it was repealed. Federally mandated speed limits were fully repealed by 1995, returning that authority back to the states.
The 85mph speedometer began being installed on very late 1979 Corvettes, and ran through the end of C3 production.
From about 1974-1987, the maximum speed limit all across America was set at 55mph, mandated by federal law. Today, that probably seems hard to believe for some.
Adding insult to injury, a federal regulation, effective 1 Sept 1979, required all domestic vehicles, including the 1980-1982 Corvettes, to be fitted with speedometers that read to a maximum of 85mph—with 55mph highlighted—which was orange for the Corvette.
That regulation only lasted about two years before it was repealed. Federally mandated speed limits were fully repealed by 1995, returning that authority back to the states.
The 85mph speedometer began being installed on very late 1979 Corvettes, and ran through the end of C3 production.
Team Owner
Joined: Jan 2006
Posts: 37,637
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From: Crossville TN
You have to do more than just change the face plate. The gearing inside the speedo needs to be changed OR the electronics that drive the speedo must be altered to account for the gearing offset. Normally, this is just a full speedo unit change-out.
Last edited by 7T1vette; Dec 4, 2019 at 02:07 PM.
Racer
Joined: Nov 2017
Posts: 319
Likes: 125
From: Midwest
The original poster didn’t mention any issue with speedo accuracy, but to the relevant point made by 7T1vette, it is true that some folks just change the face to 140mph and leave the speedometer unit itself unconverted. I would think that would cause indicated speed to be about twice actual vehicle speed.
One option is to have a vendor perform a conversion service on the 85mph speedo unit, which should include the new 140mph face.
I think all this might risk an NCRS deduction.
Race Director
Joined: Mar 2017
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From: Virginia
Did someone say 1982?
At 5:35 in this excellent review, there's a shot of the 85 mph speedometer.
Why would someone change the face when you can buy a complete speedo/tach/lights cluster unit on eBay for less than $100-?
At 5:35 in this excellent review, there's a shot of the 85 mph speedometer.
Why would someone change the face when you can buy a complete speedo/tach/lights cluster unit on eBay for less than $100-?