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Sales literature implies that the finned aluminum valve covers on later L82 engines is some sort of "performance" upgrade? Is this true or is it purely cosmetic? I suppose they're a bit lighter than the steel ones with increased surface area to dissipate a bit more heat but do those things really matter? I did some searching and can't find this question.
No clue but maybe internally with oil?
seen this post over ten years ago on yahoo
Anonymous
1 decade ago
Favorite AnswerTrue, for the most part you cannot just exchange valve covers and chrome adds nothing.
HOWEVER, In the case of, for example the older high performance Chevrolet, particular the big block Corvette covers, there was a difference from the grocery getter valve cover and the Vette cover.
The high performance engines in the Vette got deflectors or stamped steel "points" added above the rocker arms to channel oil normally just splashed from the rockers and push rods, to drip directly on to the rocker arms increasing lubrication, particularly at higher RPM.
If this in fact reduced friction at the rockers, beyond just additional lubrication, you would have gained at least some HP.
Chevy used the "dripers" on any SPH engines with stamped steel valve covers on BB. aluminium covers never had them. its more of a appearance thing then anything else
While don't know if it matters much in this regard chrome RADICALLY reduces heat transmission via radiation. In other words chrome side pipes certainly look "cool" but flat black ones will be significantly less hot.
no hp advantage, but possibly a reliability advantage. The L46 covers, which I believe are effectively the same as the L82 covers, had drippers cast in that dropped oil splashed up strait into the rocker.
Last edited by Dynra Rockets; Aug 11, 2020 at 08:33 PM.
no hp advantage, but possibly a reliability advantage. The L46 covers, which I believe are effectively the same as the L82 covers, had drippers cast in that dropped oil splashed up strait into the rocker.
The insides of the finned covers on my 73 L82 look exactly the same as Dynra's.
2025 c3 ('74-'82) of the Year Finalist - Unmodified
2023 C3 of the Year Finalist - Unmodified
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Originally Posted by SwampeastMike
While don't know if it matters much in this regard chrome RADICALLY reduces heat transmission via radiation. In other words chrome side pipes certainly look "cool" but flat black ones will be significantly less hot.
I don't know either, but they sure look good shiny.....
no hp advantage, but possibly a reliability advantage. The L46 covers, which I believe are effectively the same as the L82 covers, had drippers cast in that dropped oil splashed up strait into the rocker.
Yes, but little known fact that the L46 in 1969 did not have the drippers (I believe the Z28 Camaro in 1969 as well). So, Chevy still rated the L46 as 350 HP in both 69 and 70? Just marketing speak? I don't care. These covers are great looking.
My Original L82 valve covers looked like Sevent6’s if you could look though the grease and grime. Long gone now but I agree they did look cool and definitely made the motor run better, lol.
L82 Valve Covers
