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Right on Bob, Also in another post, there was the talk of "two hole crossmembers". '80-'82 did'nt have holes, the cross member went "up and over" the exhaust. Yes, even the manuals trans cars had the same frame as the automatics-I remember because I slid my crossmember back on the exhaust to give me more clearance to lower my four speed transmission when I redid the clutch three years ago. :smash:
Check the VIN to make sure it was an original L82. 5th digit would be "6" if L82. L48 was "8" and the 305 used for calif was "H". Then check the cross member. If it is welded in then it was on original manual trans frame. Automatic used a removalble crossmember. Then check the block stamping to make sure it is original engine. One number will end with the last 5 or 6 digits of the VIN. The other will end with ZBC or ZBD if it is an L82.
If these match you have found a rare car. The Corvette Black Book states "The 4-speed manual transmission was not available with the optional L82 engine, with the possible exception of a few early production builds." That is something else to check. The VIN build sequence should probably be under 1000.
tom...
i hope I’m the exception to the rule. I purchased my 1980 because this is what I have always wanted, and the posts here suggest the car I bought isn’t what it is? Please clarify if I’m missing the point. I’m not a mechanic, but love corvettes.
the posts here suggest the car I bought isn’t what it is?...
What did you buy? The VIN is for a 1980 Corvette with the optional L-82 engine. The L-82 was available only with an automatic transmission due to problems of not getting the L-82 4 speed emissions certified.
#20775 was assembled in March, 1980 at St. Louis. My 80 L-82 was also assembled in March, about a week before your car.
Last edited by Easy Mike; May 4, 2018 at 03:19 PM.
Valve covers are probably the worst way to identify an L -82. Check for the large harmonic balancer indicating an internally balanced engine.I seem to remember there being some made but darn sure a rare beast.
40,614 1980 Corvettes produced; 5,726 with the 4-speed option for about one in every seven. How many with the L-82? Probably no way to know for certain. How many are still out there? Also a toss-up. Cruise and enjoy.
I have an 80 Corvette with a 4 speed. I also know how many L-82's had a 4 speed. Absolutely "0" the manual transmission and L-82 did not pass emissions and so they could not be sold.
Sorry didn't pay attention to the date of the post.
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