Engine choice help
Melting Slicks
Joined: Aug 2016
Posts: 2,332
Likes: 1,161
From: CLEVELAND STUCK IN OHIO
2024 C3 of the Year Finalist- Modified
Seems to me, a big question needs to be asked..
.
Are YOU doing any work on the engine/drivetrain?
.
If your paying someone to do the work, your not saving any cash. You likely have plenty of disposable income to spend on your projects. This is the type of customers I build cars for. So YOUR decisions and opinion are based on different parameters than most of us here on the forum..
So bottom line,, do the best you can afford and be content and happy with your choice
.
.
.
Are YOU doing any work on the engine/drivetrain?
.
If your paying someone to do the work, your not saving any cash. You likely have plenty of disposable income to spend on your projects. This is the type of customers I build cars for. So YOUR decisions and opinion are based on different parameters than most of us here on the forum..
So bottom line,, do the best you can afford and be content and happy with your choice
..
Melting Slicks
Joined: Nov 2006
Posts: 3,327
Likes: 1,763
From: Apple Valley, MN
You have quite a few other areas other than the engine to ensure reliability. Check the differential axles for side play as they are notorious for excessive wear on cars in your vintage range. Check the wheel bearings for excessive play. Replace the front snubber bushing on the differential. Put in safety release hood release cables. Consider replacing the suspension bushings as they, if original, are likely rotted after all this time. Replace any rubber hoses in the fuel lines. Flush/replace the brake fluid.
Safety Car
Joined: Jul 2005
Posts: 3,668
Likes: 822
From: WI
Why don't you leave it as-is? It's been reliable for almost 40 years. IDK how you can beat that. Teach your son a bit of Corvette history and heritage (how they used to be). If you (I really mean..your son) can work on Carbs and simple ignition systems, it's a great place to start. Perfect learning ground. Learning the basics. Nothing more unreliable than a bunch of poorly-tested aftermarket parts from Asia ya can't get replacements for in 8 yrs.
Drifting
Joined: Aug 2019
Posts: 1,500
Likes: 492
L82 has 4 bolt main caps , forged steel crank , heavy duty rods , forged pistons , decent cam for factory stuff, all good parts from the factory, I would freshen the L82 if it really needs it , have the cylinder heads converted to positive valve seals and install your favorite port fuel injection and sell your carburetor to one of the guys on here that needs it
Team Owner
Joined: Feb 2003
Posts: 53,719
Likes: 9,227
From: Sitting in his Nowhere land Hanover Pa
2024 C2 of the Year Finalist - Unmodified
2015 C2 of Year Finalist
L82 has 4 bolt main caps , forged steel crank , heavy duty rods , forged pistons , decent cam for factory stuff, all good parts from the factory, I would freshen the L82 if it really needs it , have the cylinder heads converted to positive valve seals and install your favorite port fuel injection and sell your carburetor to one of the guys on here that needs it
Thread Starter
Advanced
Joined: Oct 2024
Posts: 80
Likes: 22
L82 has 4 bolt main caps , forged steel crank , heavy duty rods , forged pistons , decent cam for factory stuff, all good parts from the factory, I would freshen the L82 if it really needs it , have the cylinder heads converted to positive valve seals and install your favorite port fuel injection and sell your carburetor to one of the guys on here that needs it
I would say after building the Factory Five I feel comfortable taking out the old motor and putting a new one in, but I have no idea how to do anything with the internals.
I wasn’t planning on changing the motor right away, so what are some things that I can do right away for peace of mind? Replacing radiator hoses seems needed, but what other things should be on my list? (Things I can do quickly so that I can keep driving and enjoying it for now. Not things requiring pulling the motor)
Maybe I’ll build confidence in the factory setup over time. I would definitely put myself in the category of new hobbyists with little faith and familiarity in systems that we have since left behind. But I am very happy to learn and be educated by this forum, so thank you for the thoughts.
Team Owner
Joined: Feb 2003
Posts: 53,719
Likes: 9,227
From: Sitting in his Nowhere land Hanover Pa
2024 C2 of the Year Finalist - Unmodified
2015 C2 of Year Finalist
Just drive the car and let the car tell you want needs to be fixed. Change the fluids and have fun with the car
Team Owner
Joined: Jan 2007
Posts: 53,648
Likes: 878
From: Southern Cal Ca
St. Jude Donor '22
What’s a ballpark estimate for how much it costs to do the kind of things you’re suggesting? Even just an order of magnitude helps to make a comparison.
I would say after building the Factory Five I feel comfortable taking out the old motor and putting a new one in, but I have no idea how to do anything with the internals.
I wasn’t planning on changing the motor right away, so what are some things that I can do right away for peace of mind? Replacing radiator hoses seems needed, but what other things should be on my list? (Things I can do quickly so that I can keep driving and enjoying it for now. Not things requiring pulling the motor)
Maybe I’ll build confidence in the factory setup over time. I would definitely put myself in the category of new hobbyists with little faith and familiarity in systems that we have since left behind. But I am very happy to learn and be educated by this forum, so thank you for the thoughts.
I would say after building the Factory Five I feel comfortable taking out the old motor and putting a new one in, but I have no idea how to do anything with the internals.
I wasn’t planning on changing the motor right away, so what are some things that I can do right away for peace of mind? Replacing radiator hoses seems needed, but what other things should be on my list? (Things I can do quickly so that I can keep driving and enjoying it for now. Not things requiring pulling the motor)
Maybe I’ll build confidence in the factory setup over time. I would definitely put myself in the category of new hobbyists with little faith and familiarity in systems that we have since left behind. But I am very happy to learn and be educated by this forum, so thank you for the thoughts.
regardless of engine.
L82 can be solid and dependable like any other
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Thread Starter
Advanced
Joined: Oct 2024
Posts: 80
Likes: 22
Team Owner
Joined: Feb 2003
Posts: 53,719
Likes: 9,227
From: Sitting in his Nowhere land Hanover Pa
2024 C2 of the Year Finalist - Unmodified
2015 C2 of Year Finalist
why??? until the 80's when overdrive trans came out millions of people drove millions of miles and never gave it a thought. don't be spoiled by new cars. trust the simplicity of a old car
Safety Car
Joined: Jul 2005
Posts: 3,668
Likes: 822
From: WI
Changing the engine and swapping tranny's seems like a lot of work when a guy considers most C3 owners drive a couple hundred miles a yr....maybe 1200 on a good year. Ok maybe the first year you'll drive it more... less the second yr. Probably hardly at all after that. Sure ....some C3 owners drive theirs a lot. But they're the small minority. Just saying...
Yeah, drive it a while and see how it goes. Seems like a nice car. Learn up on the brakes before you dig into those. C3 Brakes are unique. And come with a whole host of 'best practices' ...that you might want to do some searches on. Cheers
Yeah, drive it a while and see how it goes. Seems like a nice car. Learn up on the brakes before you dig into those. C3 Brakes are unique. And come with a whole host of 'best practices' ...that you might want to do some searches on. Cheers