Dumb Question
Thread Starter
Advanced
Joined: Dec 2001
Posts: 62
Likes: 0
From: Sweetwater TN
Dumb Question
I have a 1979 Vette...all original....Numbers match....Nothing has been done to the engine as far as I know(except water pump..valve cover gaskets..small stuff) no engine rebuild. My dumb question is....What engine do I have? I hear about...L-48's...L-82's...L-89's...LT-1's....L-this....L-that....LT-this...LT-that...etc. How do you know? And what about horse power? If it's just the original stock engine that came in Vette's that year what does that make it? :confused: :chevy :D :rolleyes: :cool: :yesnod: :lol:
Le Mans Master
Joined: Feb 1999
Posts: 6,807
Likes: 0
From: Hoosier
Cruise-In III Veteran
Melting Slicks
Joined: Nov 2001
Posts: 2,214
Likes: 0
From: Casa Grande AZ
Re: Dumb Question (Teresa)
I'm no '79 expert but I believe you could only get the base engine (L48) or one hi-perf engine (L82) in 79. The L48 was a 350 / 195 Hp and the L82 was a 350 / 225 Hp.
You can tell by the fifth digit in the VIN. An 8=L48 and a 4=L82
OR you can look on the engine block by the passenger head (front of engine) for one of these codes:
ZAA: L48
ZAB: L48
ZAC: L48
ZAD: L48
ZAF: L48
ZAH: L48
ZAJ: L48
ZBB: L82
ZBA: L82
You can tell by the fifth digit in the VIN. An 8=L48 and a 4=L82
OR you can look on the engine block by the passenger head (front of engine) for one of these codes:
ZAA: L48
ZAB: L48
ZAC: L48
ZAD: L48
ZAF: L48
ZAH: L48
ZAJ: L48
ZBB: L82
ZBA: L82
Instructor
Joined: Nov 2001
Posts: 190
Likes: 0
From: Troy IL
Re: Dumb Question (Teresa)
Now that depends. I have a 1979 L-48 which is rated at 195 Hp @ 4000 RPM? The L-82 which also came with 1979s was a higher Hp rated at 225 HP @ 5200 RPM on either account they are both 350 engines. You will have to check your VIN number. The 5th digit will tell you what type you have, if it is a 8 then you have a L-48 if its a 4 you have an L-82. More on what is different between the L-48 350 Small Block and the L-82 Small Block can be found on many internet sites.
Drifting
Joined: Mar 2001
Posts: 1,411
Likes: 2
From: St. Louis, Missouri
Re: Dumb Question (Teresa)
A little more info about the car, some of which you may already know:
Looks like the rear cap is from an '80 - '82.
The "ground effects" are an aftermarket (non OEM) item.
The wheels also appear to be from an '80 - '82. Up through '79, the hubs were black and the "slots" were unpainted. Yours apppear to have black slots and silver (chrome?) hubs. Your car possibly may have had rally wheels.
Looks like the rear cap is from an '80 - '82.
The "ground effects" are an aftermarket (non OEM) item.
The wheels also appear to be from an '80 - '82. Up through '79, the hubs were black and the "slots" were unpainted. Yours apppear to have black slots and silver (chrome?) hubs. Your car possibly may have had rally wheels.
Burning Brakes
Joined: Dec 2000
Posts: 1,183
Likes: 2
From: Des Moines Iowa
Re: Dumb Question (Neo Fender)
Quote: "Looks like the rear cap is from an '80 - '82."
I don't think so........the spoiler on Teresa's car looks too high to be stock '80 to '82 rear bumper assembly........looks like an after market rear spoiler on her '79 to me.
I don't think so........the spoiler on Teresa's car looks too high to be stock '80 to '82 rear bumper assembly........looks like an after market rear spoiler on her '79 to me.
Drifting
Joined: Mar 2001
Posts: 1,411
Likes: 2
From: St. Louis, Missouri
Re: Dumb Question (john's '81 mouse)
Quote: "Looks like the rear cap is from an '80 - '82."
I don't think so........the spoiler on Teresa's car looks too high to be stock '80 to '82 rear bumper assembly........looks like an after market rear spoiler on her '79 to me.
I don't think so........the spoiler on Teresa's car looks too high to be stock '80 to '82 rear bumper assembly........looks like an after market rear spoiler on her '79 to me.
Corvette Stories
The Best of Corvette for Corvette Enthusiasts
2027 Corvette vs The World: Every Model vs Closest Competitor
Joe Kucinski
10 Most Common Corvette Problems of the Last 20 Years!
Joe Kucinski
5 MOST and 5 LEAST Popular Corvette Model Years in History!
Joe Kucinski
2027 Corvette Buyer's Guide: Everything You Need to Know!
Joe Kucinski
10 Things C8 Corvette Owners Hate (But Won't Tell You)
Joe Kucinski
10 Best Corvettes Coming to Barrett-Jackson Palm Beach 2026!
Brett Foote
Every Corvette Grand Sport Explained! (C2, C4, C6, C7, & C8)
Joe Kucinski
Grand Sport & Grand Sport X Launch Alongside All-New 535hp LS6 V8!
Michael S. Palmer