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78 pace car question.

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Old Dec 31, 2021 | 05:09 PM
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Default 78 pace car question.
Did all 78 pace cars come with the L82 motor or did some come with the L48? I just bought a pace car, it does not have the L82 badge on the hood nor does it have the finned valve covers. Not sure which motor it has. The seller was unsure too.
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Old Dec 31, 2021 | 05:10 PM
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Both were available
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Old Dec 31, 2021 | 05:12 PM
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Originally Posted by diverrick
Did all 78 pace cars come with the L82 motor or did some come with the L48? I just bought a pace car, it does not have the L82 badge on the hood nor does it have the finned valve covers. Not sure which motor it has. The seller was unsure too.
No- the L-82 was an option. Look at your VIN:

L (Fifth Character in VIN) L – Base Engine / X – L82 Engine
Last edited by KingRat; Dec 31, 2021 at 06:29 PM.
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Old Dec 31, 2021 | 05:17 PM
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Ok. Thanks for the quick reply. I think this one is the base motor from what I saw. I'll check the numbers once it gets home here. It is a awesome car.
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Old Dec 31, 2021 | 06:24 PM
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not enough difference to have decided to pass on the car. either in value or power output.
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Old Dec 31, 2021 | 07:39 PM
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Originally Posted by KingRat
No- the L-82 was an option. Look at your VIN:

L (Fifth Character in VIN) L – Base Engine / X – L82 Engine
In 77 , X was for a L82. In 1978 they changed the fifth character to a 4 to designate a L82. Same L for the L48.
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Old Jan 1, 2022 | 05:09 AM
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Here's link to a relatively recent article on the 1978 Pace Car, published by Corvette Magazine

First of its Kind: The 1978 Pace Car Endures

It includes Pace Car build numbers that dispelled decades of myths.
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Old Jan 1, 2022 | 11:56 AM
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Good clear and concise article. Thanks
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Old Jan 2, 2022 | 09:28 PM
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Mine is an L
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Old Jan 3, 2022 | 04:48 AM
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So what are the last five digits of the VIN...what transmission is in it?
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Old Jan 3, 2022 | 07:30 AM
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[QUOTE=hunt4cleanair;1604534422]So what are the last five digits of the VIN...what transmission is
02904 'It also has the "L"in the 5th position so I know it is the L42. Automatic Transmission.
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Old Jan 3, 2022 | 10:13 AM
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Default 78sa l82
Quick check....look at the stamping pad should say CMS, measure the harmonic damper should be 8" for a L-82.
All L-82 came with emblems on the Hood,

Fast fact...L-82s were not available in most of California,

L-82 4 spds are the ONE... with less than 20% of the 78 population.

It's on the hood for all to see!
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