Engine Identification

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Jun 26, 2025 | 06:50 PM

JerryChops

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7th Gear

Joined: Dec 2022

Posts: 7

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From: Dayton OH

Engine Identification

Need some help from the gurus. I have a 1982 corvette thats been through at least 4 owners. A lot can happen in 43 years so I'm trying to figure out what's in it. Below is the stamp on front passenger deck pad, but I don't know how to read these, and the internet tells me it's not a valid number. So was it decked and a random number stamped, or am I just bad at Google?

Jun 26, 2025 | 07:09 PM

JerryChops

Thread Starter

7th Gear

Joined: Dec 2022

Posts: 7

Likes: 4

From: Dayton OH

Okay I was just bad at Google. ZBA=82 Crossfire

C5111839 partial VIN matches vehicle VIN

Jun 26, 2025 | 09:46 PM

gbvette62

Race Director

Joined: Oct 2000

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From: Shamong, NJ

The full V0415ZBA decodes as follows:

"V" - Flint MI engine plant.
"04" - April, the month the engine was assembled.
"15" - 15th day of the month it was assembled.
"ZBA" - 1982 350 Corvette engine with Federal emission equipment.

The VIN derivative breaks down as:

"1" - Chevrolet Motor Division
"C" - 1982
"111839" - The sequential build number, the 11,839th 1982 Corvette built.

Jun 27, 2025 | 11:45 AM

srs244

Safety Car

Joined: Sep 2005

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From: Southeast, Tennessee

St. Jude Donor '09 thru '26

blackbook also lists the ZBA as "350 200 hp a" for automatic transmission

Jun 27, 2025 | 11:56 AM

Bikespace

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Joined: Mar 2017

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From: Virginia

Here are the rest of the C3-specific engine codes. ZBA was indeed used in 79 and 82, but with the VIN match, that's an 82 engine.

https://corvettec3.ca/engines.htm

You can get a copy of your car's dealer invoice from GM for $50-. Link in my signature.

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