79 L82 QUESTION
Thread Starter
Heel & Toe
Joined: Mar 2002
Posts: 16
Likes: 0
From: WHITEVILLE TN
79 L82 QUESTION
I have a 79 l82 and want to do something to the engine compartment. Have any of yo removed the air ductwork in the engine? I have thought about getting rid of the air intake plastic thing and the ducts that lead to the air cleaner lid.I would like to replace with a chrome air cleaner. Will this affect the car in a negative way?What about valve covers? Do I repaint or replace? They are pretty expensive in catalogs. Thanks. :chevy
Drifting
Joined: Nov 2000
Posts: 1,428
Likes: 0
Re: 79 L82 QUESTION (RALLYWHEEL)
Some will tell you that you are drawing cooler air with your system intact.....I say once ya get movin it dont make any difference whether its there or not. I took mine off of my '76 when I did my mods, and went to a K&N 3" Filter which still fits under the Hood.....Not sorry but cant really brag abt any perf. boosts either :cheers:
Le Mans Master
Joined: Nov 1999
Posts: 5,768
Likes: 3
From: San Diego CA
Re: 79 L82 QUESTION (tnt76vette)
Some will tell you that you are drawing cooler air with your system intact.....I say once ya get movin it dont make any difference whether its there or not. I took mine off of my '76 when I did my mods, and went to a K&N 3" Filter which still fits under the Hood.....Not sorry but cant really brag abt any perf. boosts either :cheers:
Otherwise - no worries.
Melting Slicks
Joined: Nov 2000
Posts: 2,663
Likes: 3
From: Palm Harbor FL
Re: 79 L82 QUESTION (RALLYWHEEL)
I yanked all that plastic duct work and crap and went with a Edelbrock drop base air filter. I haven't noticed a drop or improvement in performance. My opinion is, yank it out and go chrome. It looks a LOT cleaner!!! Plus, it SOUNDS cooler when you floor it. You can actually hear the roar of the engine.
[Modified by 79MakoL82, 1:38 AM 5/18/2002]
[Modified by 79MakoL82, 1:38 AM 5/18/2002]
Team Owner
Joined: Aug 1999
Posts: 30,995
Likes: 99
From: Ontario
Re: 79 L82 QUESTION (RALLYWHEEL)
I prefer the stock look but that is simply a matter of taste. I doubt that you will see a noticeable change in performance if you modify as described. But it certainly will not hurt the engine. The valve covers can be painted with high-heat paint with good results. Again it is a matter of taste.
On what parts you intend to remove, they are expensive. So store them in case you change your mind. Or for the next owner. There is a segment of the market who prefer unmodified vehicles.
On what parts you intend to remove, they are expensive. So store them in case you change your mind. Or for the next owner. There is a segment of the market who prefer unmodified vehicles.
Race Director
Joined: Aug 1999
Posts: 11,123
Likes: 673
From: SE Pennsylvania
St. Jude Donor '03 thru '26
Oldtimer
Re: 79 L82 QUESTION (RALLYWHEEL)
I agree with Paul79 on saving the parts you remove, but there is also the matter of the air that is not blocked from going through the radiator. so I'd watch to see if the temps don't start rising.
Drifting
Joined: May 2000
Posts: 1,478
Likes: 38
From: Long Island NY
Re: 79 L82 QUESTION (killain)
there is also the matter of the air that is not blocked from going through the radiator. so I'd watch to see if the temps don't start rising.
RALLYWHEEL...I hade to remove the foward plastic air intake system, due to the fact that it would not allow the L88 hood to close all the way. I didn't notice any decrease of increase in performance, however as Killain stated in the previous post, make sure you block off the space that the ducting removal leaves with a foam stripping. (Home Depo 2" pipe insulation works well). The reason being, cool air must be directed to front of the rad. Makes for a cooler radiator envirornment on thos hot days. Good Luck, L8TER, Paul.
Melting Slicks
Joined: Nov 2000
Posts: 2,663
Likes: 3
From: Palm Harbor FL
Re: 79 L82 QUESTION (paul79)
On what parts you intend to remove, they are expensive. So store them in case you change your mind. Or for the next owner. There is a segment of the market who prefer unmodified vehicles.
[Modified by 79MakoL82, 10:43 AM 5/18/2002]
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Melting Slicks
Joined: May 2002
Posts: 2,508
Likes: 0
From: Wisconsin
Re: 79 L82 QUESTION (RALLYWHEEL)
Didn't the L48 hp go from 190 to 195 when the dual piping was put in? That means you get to draw twice as much air, right? Cold air makes more horsepower. By removing all the piping you now can draw a lot more air, but not as cold. It shouldn't make any difference then. There is a balance. Only when really hot will it matter. I say go cowl induction :) Keep the parts though, my dad still has all the original parts to his '64, so in theory we could take it back to original, but a 10 second drag car is too much fun :)
Racer
Joined: Jul 2000
Posts: 351
Likes: 0
From: Stoney Creek, Ontario, Canada
Re: 79 L82 QUESTION (79MakoL82)
Personally I haven't had any problem without the piping. By the way, it was only the late 70's L-82 that had dual snorkels. Cheers.
[Modified by 76Pitter, 9:14 PM 5/18/2002]
[Modified by 76Pitter, 9:14 PM 5/18/2002]
Drifting
Joined: May 2000
Posts: 1,478
Likes: 38
From: Long Island NY
Re: 79 L82 QUESTION (76Pitter)
By the way, it was only the late 70's L-82 that had dual snorkels. Cheers
[Modified by Vettesic, 3:30 PM 5/19/2002]
Racer
Joined: Mar 2002
Posts: 499
Likes: 0
From: honolulu HI
Re: 79 L82 QUESTION (Vettesic)
if i get a hold of a stock set-up i will take it to the track versus the open chrome set-up that i have and see which gets more air :p: the chrome set-up looks and sounds wayway better in my opinion..
[Modified by razz1980, 3:19 AM 5/20/2002]
[Modified by razz1980, 3:19 AM 5/20/2002]
Melting Slicks
Joined: Mar 2001
Posts: 3,365
Likes: 5
From: Lake Villa IL
Cruise-In IV Veteran
Cruise-In V Veteran
St. Jude Contributor
Re: 79 L82 QUESTION (RALLYWHEEL)
I just restored a set of center bolt valve covers for my newly rebuilt engine (in progress). I soaked them in mineral spirits, sand blasted them, wire brushed them, primed them, painted them, and then clear coated them. They went from rusty piles of garbage to looking sweet.
I had chrome covers, but I didn't like them. I want a sleeper.
I had chrome covers, but I didn't like them. I want a sleeper.
Intermediate
Joined: May 2002
Posts: 41
Likes: 0
From: Topsfield MA
Re: 79 L82 QUESTION (RALLYWHEEL)
You can easily (and inexpensively) upgrade your stock aircleaner by getting a chrome top cover and wing nut. That way you can have your cake and eat it too!! Corvette Central, Ecklers, etc... sell them.
