I posted a few days ago about my 1980 that has an l48 engine. It sounds like this car was not really made for speed, and drinks gas like it's free. I am wondering how bad of an idea it would be to put some small displacement turbo engine in. The main issue I would see is that it would have to be full custom, since there are no kits on the market. Lmk what you folks think!

 

Words like blasphemy and sacrilege comes to mind

 

Although the 80 L48 was never known for it's amazingly fast performance (and certainly slow by today's standards). The L82's had respectable sub 6 second to 60 performance, but the L48 auto in stock form would be lucky to hit 60 in just shy of 8 seconds. that's like base model Honda Civic territory today. LOL.

To add to that, fuel economy wasn't great either on the 80 MY (or any non-fuel injected C3), however, it depends on what your gas mileage is - if you're getting like 8 miles to the gallon - you either have a lead foot, or it's probably not running optimally. But if you're worried about fuel economy in a C3 Corvette, then you're not in the right car.

It makes no sense to put a small displacement turbo in a car that weighs 3500lbs, not to mention, that would be considered blasphemy, and you'll likely be shunned by the Corvette crowd. No need to pursue a silly idea like that when you can build your existing motor out, or swap in a crate motor to receive a noticeable increase in performance without having to re-engineer the car/driveline for a small turbo motor.

If you want better fuel economy and performance, it makes much better sense to consider the LS3 route - those motors will wake this car up, which should get you 25 (or better) fuel-injected MPG to boot if your keep your foot out of it most of the time.

 

My issue is that I'm told the drive train is not able to handle a high power engine. And if I'm swapping out all those parts in addition to the engine, that gets expensive quick. I figure that with a smaller engine I could exceed the power of the l82, with less drive train replacement and better gas as a happy accident if I so desire.

 

1980 Turbo Vette at Corvette Museum

The conspiracy continues. Probably a bad thing if they ever admitted building a non-emissions certified vehicle driving around on the street.

 

how fast you trying to go?
im assuming you have a TH350 or TH400,
both are generally good for 400-500hp.
My TH400 is 48 years old, never rebuilt, gets launched hard all the time and still hasn’t broke!
There’s always a weak link. If you’re putting down enough power to break a TH400, the differential won’t be too far behind it. And after that the half shafts are likely to go.

 

a 700R4 will help

 

IF...You want to go fast, buy a C8 ZO6...

If you want to swap engines in your '80...I am thinking LS7 with a Tremec 6 behind it...If you are not rich, go with an LS3.....Sleeper

If you want to cruise and enjoy a nostalgic ride, Let that L-82 BREATHE!
"Holley" 4150 750cfm, intake, cam and big exhaust...

Save all that money from not buying the C8 and get a gas card...

 

It's not a L82. It's a L48. If he had an L82, he probably wouldn't be complaining that the car wasn't made for speed. Unless he's used to a Tesla or modern sportscar acceleration.

 

Mmmmm......Yep.....Missed that....
LS it is!

 

Nah. If he had a manual transmission (L48 only in 80, but a more worthwhile swap than an engine), he wouldn't be complaining at all.

For some reason, only the manuals got the upgraded half-shaft U-Joints. Not that it matters, the Batwing differential is the probable weak link. And the tires.

OP, if you want to drop in a turbo, read through this thread first. Even if you swap in a spicy Dorito engine, as long as you post pics, many here will think it's cool, me included.

https://www.corvetteforum.com/forums...strip-car.html

 

I get it, but you've missed the point. That's not what the OP asked. The OP didn't ask whether to turbocharge his existing V8. He asked how to put in a small turbocharged engine. And I quote....

"I am wondering how bad of an idea it would be to put some small displacement turbo engine in."

Although the OP did not specify, I take that as being a turbo 4 or 6 motor. Unless he's talking about a 3 liter twin turbo flat crank V8 motor from the Ferrari 288 GTO, which would cost a fortune. LOL! The OP would have to clarify what he means by small displacement turbo engine.

 

Did you click on my link? The OP of that thread swapped in a low displacement (5.3L) Gen III LS engine, added a turbo, swapped in a more capable AUTO trans, and replaced the rear differential with one that can survive use and abuse.

If that doesn't cover everything the OP asked, I don't know what does.

Bonus, blown spicy Dorito swap in a Corvette (but it's a C5)
https://gmauthority.com/blog/2019/05...ls-fest-video/

 

Sure it would work. But it's going to cost you tons and spend countless man hours you'll never get back ...just to chase a few MPGs. You have to look at the vehicle weight. You'd most likely end up changing the transmission, re-gear, computerize the engine/trans ...and spend countless hours optimizing the fuel maps. Rewire the car, upgrade the steering/brakes/hvac. It'll still leak water, be noisy as heck inside & drive like an old car. All for maybe 5 mpg improvement. Kind of like My Hummer H3 with an all aluminum 5-cyl DOHC gets the same fuel economy as my Dodge Ram, as my 03 Jeep GC 4.7 V8, Older Jeeps I've had with I-6's, as my 1988 Chevrolet pickup, and within spitting distance of the new Ford Bronco with TT. ....

You'd put a ton of money into a car you'll be driving less than 2000 miles a year, countless man-hours you'll never get back, and it's STILL going to drive and handle like an old car. The best might be to put a 4-spd OD tranny in it or 5 or 6spd manual. Or .....why not enjoy it for what it is and put the money and time into a Porsche or newer Vette when you're ready. I've personally seen a few C5's for $10k which were nice driveable cars.

 

Interesting quote from THIS article I read the other day that stuck with me:
"No amount of money or labor or modern parts can make an old car drive like a new one. Rick Katzeff learned this the long and hard way after sinking some 3,000 man-hours into a blank-check restomod of a 1969 Dodge Charger. Katzeff is no novice, either....."

Why not buy a $10K C6 and drop a $2k C3 body onto it [Link Here] (with necessary modifications of course)? Take the hint from the article above. Sure it'll be a lot of work, but you end up with the speed and performance and quality of car you seek.

 

A correctly tuned 1980 Corvette should get 16 MPG......in fact.....any base model L-48 or L-82 that is tuned correctly should get that.....assuming the Cat is removed......
If you are getting much less than that......then you either have a carb in need of a rebuild, timing is way off or both.......
An engine that is in perfect tune will get max fuel economy and max power......a LOT of people can't wrap their heads around this.

Jebby

 

Indeed. I alluded to that in my first post to the OP

 

No reason and old SBC can't do well on mileage. With a TH700R4 and 3.42 axle, I was getting 21 mpg on the highway out of a carbed 350. Edelbrock Perfomer level build.... this was back in the early 90's.

Final drive ratio has a huge bang for the buck on fuel economy.

With my current setup, I knock down 28-29 mpg cruising along at 80 mph after the ECM kicks into "highway mode" fueling.