Hey guys,

I am new here and new to vettes I jest bought a 78 L82 two tone gray silver anniversary edition with only 67,000 miles on it for $4,000 the only problem is it has sat for the past 12 years the under carriage is in awesome condition it does need a new paint job and it needs to be torn down and cleaned and re build because it sat for so long I took it out on the hi way and I could only get it up to about 75mph before it started squealing and sounded like it was revving really high but the tach is gone along with most of the other gauges I am giving my car to a friend to work on this summer because I will be off at basic training for the Army national guard down at fort lennardwood Missouri. I would like to up grade parts as we go threw and replace them I am going to get a brand new exhaust but what would be the best brand flow master? and can you guys help me comprise a list of all the things and brands that should probably get replaced I want to build this as a daily summer driver and I want it to have some kick for when my smart *** friends like to race me up at the track. My friend is hopping to have everything done for when I get back next November because I plan on taking it down to Florida next Christmas

Thanks guys any help would be appreciated

 

If it has the original drivetrain I would keep it as stock and original as possible even though you are tempted to modify it. GM parts or GM restoration parts if availabe. If it's not original, all bets are off! Do what you want. If it's been sitting 12 years and you plan on a long trip with it it needs all new bushings, belts, hoses, shocks and tires. Probably brake calipers and pads. All fluids immediatly drained and replaced and a major tuneup. Then drive it awhile to make sure the bugs are worked out. Enjoy your new old vette, and welcome to the forum!

 

Remember it's 28 years old... you should replace all gaskets and all rubber components.

 

it is all original so i plan on keeping it original but i do want a new exhaust and sound system other than that its staying orignal but with like the cap rotor coil and i dont know what else when i go to do the tune up what brands do you reccomend and like accell offers performance versions of all of these componants will i see a diference in performance frome like these parts and like a k&n filter or are they not worth it

 

also what would cause it to have a top speed of like 75 in fourth gear

 

Belts. hoses, compression check, plugs, plug wires, distributor cap, rotor, carb rebuild. CHANGE ALL FLUIDS BEFORE MOVING IT AGAIN!!!

 

is it worth upgraiding the whole ignition system (cap, rotor, coil, plugs) is it worth spending the money on an msd performance ignition system and how do you guys find the bosch plugs???

 

yes, change the plugs, cap, rotor, ignition wires, air filter, oil, coolant.

get new radiator hoses, new fan belts.

Get Champion or AC plugs. Total cost should not be more than $100.00

 

i know i need to do all of that but is it worth up graiding to like the msd super HEI kits

 

Keep it stock if it's matching #s. Use GM, AC delco components. The MSD Ignition won't do much for you with a stock engine, exhaust and carburation. You already have HEI and your components were designed and matched to work together as a unit by GM engineers that were trying to pull as much power out of these as possible with the emission requirements at the time. First thing to do is CHANGE ALL THE FLUIDS!!! and do a compression check. If the compression is not uniform all the money you spend on parts still won't make it run right

 

if compression is not uniform what do i do like if one cilinder is higher or lower because i know in my suburban i have one cilinder with fairly high compresson compaired to the others and all around it is higher than what the book seys it should be

 

do you guys have any preffured fluids and why

 

Shell rotella oil. Search the forum on this. High zink content. Better lubrication for older engines. I use Amsoil in the rest of the drivetrain. Never had a drivetrain failure with it. I don't even have to use the posi lube in the rear end with the Amsoil. It's expensive but it doesn't take much to fill the diff and trans.

 

k thanks

 

buy a corvette black book and see if the engine is a match...

get your vin codes and check the interior color and trans type....

ask the owner who owed the vette before them??

double check the L82 people put emblems on L48 all the time...

If it is orginal and not extra crispy?

pull motor and bag it and tag it... buy crate engine and headers have fun!!!

or

I would do rebuild on the motor...L82 heads can clean up nice with 3 angle value job, shaved slightly and pocket porting to give you somne extra hp with changing it... and you may get a way with just slighly larger factory L82 replacement cam...

i would not do headers, but i nice 2.5 alm pipe and mufflers(you should keep the cats)...and i would keep all the underhood stuff as factorty correct as possible....that car could make you some money

 

Change all ignition components. You don't need to get a fancy ignition box. If all of your stock parts are working properly, they will provide enough spark for that engine. But like 63make said, change all the fluids immediately.

And welcome to the forum.

 

First of all thank you for your service to our country!

Second, what are you doing driving 75 MPH on 12+ year old dry-rotted tires and in a car whose overall condition is totally unknown?!?!

Now that you survived that....

Concentrate on maintenance first. Get it on the road first and flush out any bugs. You have plenty of time on performance parts in the future.

12 year old gas is one good reason you couldn't get the car over 75 MPH. There are numerous posts here about changing all of the fluids. That is very important. Don't forget to drain all of the gas too. I'd use fuel system cleaner too. Afterward make sure you change the fuel filter. Having the whole carb rebuilt would be a good idea too along with the full tune up.

Definitely use AC components for all of your maintenance items.

Another cause to limiting the car to 75 MPH could be a clog in the exhaust system. I suggest going to 2.5" true duals with dual high-flow cats. At the very least, change the cat that's on it now.

I'm surprised you had brakes. Corvette calipers are famous for leaking with infrequent driving. Again, at the very least change the fluid and check the pads before driving it again.

When I buy used cars I like to flush out the oil system. I change the oil and filter but I substitute two quarts of dextron III automatic tranny fluid. It has a much higher detergent level. I let the engine run for about ten minutes. Don't rev it above 3000 RPM's and check the oil pressure just in case. Afterward shut it off and let the engine cool down. Then change the oil and filter again with a quality oil and AC oil filter.

Flush the cooling system and replace the water pump, hoses, heater hoses, thermostat, radiator cap, and coolant. Check the fan clutch.

Change all of the vacuum lines.

Check all of the light bulbs too.

You might as well change the shocks. There are many helpful posts on which to use. When you change any of the rubber suspension components, replace them with Energy Suspension polyurethane pieces. They're reasonably priced and won't break down like the original parts do

Good luck and stay safe!!

 

I can make it a little less painful with the AMSOIL Preferred Customer Program which saves you about 25%. Anyone interested can drop me a PM.