Yet another L82 upgrade thread
Thread Starter
Team Owner
Joined: Jan 2006
Posts: 39,390
Likes: 171
From: Into the Mystic And yet, despite the look on my face, you're still talking TN
St. Jude Donor '09 thru '25
Thanks for all the good advice, everyone. I have decided to first thing go to true duals and possibly heads later. Still on the fence about the headers because of the stock appearance.
Haven't posted in this section in a while, still just as good as ever
Haven't posted in this section in a while, still just as good as ever
Le Mans Master
Joined: Feb 1999
Posts: 8,351
Likes: 75
From: Tampa Bay FL
Burning Brakes
Joined: Apr 2007
Posts: 1,039
Likes: 62
From: Kona Hawaii
Research roller cams vs flat tappet cams.http://www.lunatipower.com/Tech/Cams...tOrRoller.aspx Performance gains are worth the cost.Several members have done the switch.If your L82 bottom end is in good shape I wouldn't hesitate doing heads,& retro roller hyd cam,you'd have a nice performing street motor.The L82 is a 4 bolt main with forged components.Match the new heads with a roller cam ,you'd be smoking!!
Advanced
Joined: Dec 2013
Posts: 56
Likes: 3
I just joined the forum and this thread is REALLY helpful! I bought my '78 L82, 3.70, close ratio four speed last month. After lusting after Corvettes since I was 12 I finally took the plunge. After attending to the suspension and steering in a couple of weeks, the next step will be true duals, no smog controls, and possibly headers. From there I plan to drive it and see if I want to live with that level of HP or if a cam/intake manifold/carb is in the future.
Safety Car
Joined: Jan 2009
Posts: 3,736
Likes: 56
From: anchorage ak
I just joined the forum and this thread is REALLY helpful! I bought my '78 L82, 3.70, close ratio four speed last month. After lusting after Corvettes since I was 12 I finally took the plunge. After ading to the suspension and steering in a couple of weeks, the next step will be true duals, no smog controls, and possibly headers. From there I plan to drive it and see if I want to live with that level of HP or if a cam/intake manifold/carb is in the future.
Advanced
Joined: Dec 2013
Posts: 56
Likes: 3
Captain Shark (and others) have you decided on a true dual system? My '78 L82, 4 spd. has the drilled cross member so it looks like a system for a '74 and up would work ("looks" being the operative word). I put a Dynamax cat back system on a '95 Caprice with an LT1, and while my performance AND mpg improved, the drone at highway speeds was really annoying. I'd like to avoid that with any system I install. Is the CC system good sounding without being irritating?
Last edited by 78L82; Dec 20, 2013 at 10:32 AM.
Safety Car
Joined: Jan 2009
Posts: 3,736
Likes: 56
From: anchorage ak
Thanks for the welcome and the advice.
Captain Shark (and others) have you decided on a true dual system? My '78 L82, 4 spd. has the drilled cross member so it looks like a system for a '74 and up would work ("looks" being the operative word). I put a Dynamax cat back system on a '95 Caprice with an LT1, and while my performance AND mpg improved, the drone at highway speeds was really annoying. I'd like to avoid that with any system I install. Is the CC system good sounding without being irritating?
Corvette Stories
The Best of Corvette for Corvette Enthusiasts
Top 10 Most Expensive Corvettes Ever Sold on Bring A Trailer
Brett Foote
10 Things Every Corvette Owner Needs (2026 Edition)
Michael S. Palmer
8 Most "Only Corvette Owners Understand" Quirks and Problems
Pouria Savadkouei
10 Reasons the C6 Z06 is Still A Performance Benchmark After 20 Years
Joe Kucinski
How Much Horsepower Every Corvette Engine "LOST" in 1972
Joe Kucinski
Top 10 DOs and DON'Ts for Protecting Your Convertible Top!
Michael S. Palmer
Top 10 Most Explosive Corvettes Ever Made: Power-to-Weight Ratio Ranked!
Joe Kucinski
150 hp to 1,250 hp: Every Corvette Generation Compared by the Specs That Matter
Joe Kucinski
8 Coolest Corvette Pace Cars (and Replicas) of All Time
Verdad Gallardo
Advanced
Joined: Dec 2013
Posts: 56
Likes: 3
I went hooker comp ceramic coated and dual 2.5" with flowmasters. I've been told that flowmasters rob power. Either order a mandrel bent kit from ecklers etc. Or have an exhaust shop build you some mandrel bent. I assume my duals are true, as I've never caught them sleeping with another vette.
I'm looking into Pypes system as it is mandrel bent. May have to wait on headers and live with the existing manifolds until I get into the engine at a later stage. Hopefully with a more free flowing intake and exhaust it will liven things up a bit.
Safety Car
Joined: Jan 2009
Posts: 3,736
Likes: 56
From: anchorage ak
Glad your duals have been faithful I'm looking into Pypes system as it is mandrel bent.
May have to wait on headers and live with the existing manifolds until I get into the engine at a later stage. Hopefully with a more free flowing intake and exhaust it will liven things up a bit.
I'm looking into Pypes system as it is mandrel bent. May have to wait on headers and live with the existing manifolds until I get into the engine at a later stage. Hopefully with a more free flowing intake and exhaust it will liven things up a bit.