comparing L82 vs L48
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Joined: Jun 2002
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From: Palm City Fl
comparing L82 vs L48
Hey everybody. New to forum; looking to buy C3 - '74 to '79. Hey..I LIKE the rubber bumper cars!! :cool: I sold my 69 coupe 350/350/4 speed a few years back and am starting to shop around. The L48 vs L82 performance difference in relation to the car price is my question. I could warm over a L48 with a mild cam and intake and upgrade the exhaust and surpass a L82...right? As the exhaust.. are the manifolds different? I would rather have better flowing cast manifolds than deal with the hassle of headers. Any thoughts or inputs? Looking for 250 RELIABLE and USEABLE horsepower. Thanks a bunch :cheers:
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Joined: Aug 1999
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From: Toronto
Re: comparing L82 vs L48 (OnlyC3-4me)
For driver-condition cars, the premium charged by L82 sellers shouldn't be much so it might be worth it to jump into one, remove pollution crap (if allowable) headers, exhaust and you should be at 250 with any L82.
However, for a car whose engine you want to open up and rebuild for a mild buildup, buy the l48 and build to 300+ with intake, cam, headers, exhaust. Do the heads and you get a lot more fun for the money.
Either way BUY THE BEST CONDITION CAR regardless of L48 or L82 and you will find that either one will be a good starting point for performance. :chevy
However, for a car whose engine you want to open up and rebuild for a mild buildup, buy the l48 and build to 300+ with intake, cam, headers, exhaust. Do the heads and you get a lot more fun for the money.
Either way BUY THE BEST CONDITION CAR regardless of L48 or L82 and you will find that either one will be a good starting point for performance. :chevy
Drifting
Joined: Jul 1999
Posts: 1,542
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From: Plano TX
Re: comparing L82 vs L48 (SuperFast80)
I have a 1980 L82 which I have owned for many years. Just get the best price and condition regardless of motor. The L82 was old tech and not worth the extra money. Mine is in the corner of the garage. I installed a ZZ4 motor with new tech roller cam. A lot more power and better gas mileage. Save your money and build or buy a roller cam motor.
Dave
Dave
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From: Toronto
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Joined: Jan 2000
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From: San Jose CA
Re: comparing L82 vs L48 (OnlyC3-4me)
The L-82 would probably last longer and enjoy being revved on. It has much stronger internals than most motors, even the L98 which has comparable HP but much more torque.
If you wanted to build the engine in the car, the L-82 bottom end could take a bit more power than the L-48. However, it would be a "travesty" to do anything to the bottom end of the car, sooooo...
Take an L-48 or ZQ3 car and install a ZZ4. :) Or engine of your choice.
Better yet, buy a 80 LG4 and get another 305 off the road!!! (You'd have to do a lot of work to do that, and I think the emission gods would have a major cow... but I just like saying 'get another 305 off the road').
-Steve
If you wanted to build the engine in the car, the L-82 bottom end could take a bit more power than the L-48. However, it would be a "travesty" to do anything to the bottom end of the car, sooooo...
Take an L-48 or ZQ3 car and install a ZZ4. :) Or engine of your choice.
Better yet, buy a 80 LG4 and get another 305 off the road!!! (You'd have to do a lot of work to do that, and I think the emission gods would have a major cow... but I just like saying 'get another 305 off the road').
-Steve
