Once and for all, could someone please tell me,for a model year 1980,did G.M. put together L-82 engines with 4-speed transmissions??? Could you order one this way new back then??? Does it matter if the car was a U.S. model or a Canadian one??? Also, I've seen ads in the paper for 81's with 4-speed trans. as well as 78's & 79's. Did they really come with the L-82 & 4-speed, or is this just a bubba thing??? Most true 4-speeds that I've come across have the L-48 eng. in them. Ultimately I want to know if I'm searching for something that doesn't exist. To me an 80 with a L-82/4-speed combo would be sweet!!!

 

I don't know the number of cars made but yes the 4 speed was standard in 1980 and the auto was an option but at no additional cost. So yes it was possible to get a L-82 with 4speed.

 

Ronny,

There has always been some conjecture about this...

There were definitely some L82/manual transmission cars supplied to the press fleet for magazine tests and such, but I have been told by several people more knowledgeable about these "late model" cars than myself that there were no L82/four speed cars sold to the public. There is some conjecture as to what happened to the press fleet cars...

Too bad... A 1980 L82/four speed car is one rubber bumper Corvette that I wouldn't mind owning!

Regards,

 

This is what I was afraid of. So if I want an L-82, then, I'm stuck with the auto trans. and then must convert to a 4-speed. This kind of goes against my thinking unless the L-82 car was really worn out so bad that modifying it wouldn't further subtract from the car. Perhaps a better way to go is to look for a 4-speed car and then drop something in with a little more get up and go than the L-48 it came with. Comments anyone???

 

Hey this info goes for 1980, but what about 79 & 78. The reason I'm interested is another way to go is find a 78 or 79 and hang the bumpers from an 80 to get the same effect as the 80.

 

Why not find a 1980 California Vette? No one will blame you for yanking the 305 out to stuff in a ZZ4. (My future plans along with a 700R4 overdrive tranny.)

Matt

 

This would be the route that I would take.

Chevrolet small blocks are pretty versatile... There are quite a few options available to you depending upon how much more horsepower you feel that you need and what you can afford.

Regards,

 

Ideally, I would like to be able to keep things like the PB. & PS. AIR etc. working. It makes no sense to me to have a fully loaded car, and then as soon as you want to go a bit faster, it's at the expense of all the creature comforts. I have seen too many cars that go like hell and look great, but, your lucky if the PW. even work when done. If memory serves me right, the 1980 L-82 had around 230 HP. And, my L-48 made around 190 when fresh. That 40HP. makes a big difference. Now, I believe that it's possible to go another 40-60 more and clock in around 300 or so HP. and still keep the AIR and such operational. This hooked up to a 4-speed makes this car come alive and be what it was intended to be. Oh and by the way the hood must be able to close. Does this limit the type of manifold available and or carb?

 

According to IdaVette ...

L82 350ci 230 hp Engine 5,069
MM4 4 Speed Manual Transmission 5,726

Check the VIN ... if the fifth digit is a 6 it is a true L82

Engine code ZBD L82 4 speed
ZBC L82 Auto

 

Really, this is exciting! I'd love to know but I'll bet they never kept track of how many were made of the ZBD code cars.

 

Here's two I have found in a simple search

http://adcache.collectorcartraderonl...6/12842686.htm

This one doesn't have a photo...

1980 CHEVROLET CORVETTE, black on black, L-82 4-speed, 7000.00 in recent receipts, $10000, (651)768-9495 NEWPORT, MN

 

It does limit it, but on 73 and up cars, there is more room than the 68-72 cars. You can fit a decent sized manifold under there.

AC

 

Where do I find this engine code on the car. Naturally, I know where the VIN. no. is, as well as the tire card and the trim card, but I can't seem to find anything that resembles this engine code. Help.

 

dosen't the 78 and 79 have the same bumpers as the 80-82? I thought it was just more common for the 80-82 to have the full front spoiler hanging down and the rear molded deck....
just thinking again (ouch)

 

'78-'79 had optional "add on" front and rear spoilers -- some call it the Indy pace car package.

1980-82 had different front and rear sections that had molded in spoilers front and rear.

 

RonnyV1980, This code, commonly refered to as the suffix, is on the engine "pad". The pad is a machined, smooth part (more or less horizontal) of the block in front of the passenger side head. If you look down the front of the head it's at the gasket surface. If you have A/C, it will be below and just inboard of the compressor. There are two sets of numbers stamped into this pad. The one, usually closer to the head and of larger font, is a number stamped there at the engine assembly plant. It contains a letter, four numbers and then three more letters. Example: "V0324ZBC". The first letter is usually a V for 350 engines. This indicates Flint, Michigan assembly plant. The numbers, as in our example, 0324, indicate the month and day the engine was built. The last three letters, The suffix code, indicate the use the engine was built for. Each vehicle engine/transmission conbination had a specific code. For 1980, there was ZAK, 190 hp 350 w/auto trans. ZAM, 190 hp 350 w/manual trans. ZBC. 230 hp 350 w/auto trans. ZBD, 230 hp 350 uncertain usage. And last but also least, ZCA, 180 hp 305 w/auto trans and Cal emissions.
Oh yea! The other number on that pad is put on at the auto assembly plant after it has been designated for a specific car. The last 5 numbers should match the last 5 numbers of the VIN.

 

Fantastic info Strike3, this is just what I was after. When you say ZBD 230 HP. & uncertain usage, what does this mean? Did this engine go into other cars as well, or was this the L-82 with a 4-speed? Thanks.

 

Ronny;

Find a 79 L82 4sp... Then you won't get a computer, a Dana2.87 rear end, a ST-10, a wider rear spring, different rear strut rods, different differential carrier bushings, 200 lbs in weight
savings, an 85 mph speedometer and a whole bunch more.

You will get a L82, you will get a 4sp, and you will get a car that is so much more interchangable with the previous year cars.

Or just work on finding a 79 4sp, you can always upgrade the motor later to L82+ specs.
The 4sp is the more expensive and harder to find part anyways.

Adam Krolnik
81 4sp RED
rebuilt suspension (front/back), dynomax super turbo's, new cat.
Searching for double hump type heads (461, 462, 041, 186)

 

I didn't think there was a computor on 80's? Also, I found a dealer sales catalogue for 1980, and nowhere on it does it say that when you order an L-82 that you must have it with an Auto trans. What it does say, is that the L-82 is available at Extra Cost, which we all know, and that the 4-speed was standard, and the Auto was available at NO Extra Cost.

 

Exactly...and to my knowledge the '80 didn't have a computer. only difference compared to a '79 is the front and rear bumpers, the 2 door compartiment (instead of 3 doors) and I think the interior (seats) changed a bit...can't remember. The '80 is really a great car and you can't go wrong with it.