new corvette owner
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Heel & Toe
Joined: Jul 2017
Posts: 20
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new corvette owner
This Tuesday I'm going to pickup my first Corvette. Its a 4 speed 1979 L-82 with a Weiand 142 on it. I've had my fair share of fun with engines but have NEVER has a forced induction engine. I was wondering what the horsepower limits of the top and more specifically bottom end of the stock L-82 are. Owner is claiming 300-325 hp range and says its always been set at 5 psi. I don't have the cash to throw in new connecting rods after the purchase and also don't have the cash to rebuild. Is there anything specific I should look for to show engine damage? What should I look and listen for on the blower?
Safety Car
Joined: Mar 2007
Posts: 3,652
Likes: 49
From: Bridgewater nj
Sounds like a fun ride. Detonation and over revving will be your only worries if the car is in good running condition. 79 non L82 is a two bolt main motor with very low compression but I'm not sure if L82 was a 4 bolt that year. Perfect for a blower as long as you don't rev it past 5800 rpm. Good oil and often oil changes are a good idea. A trans and oil cooler should be on the to do list if you are in a warm area. Good luck!
Last edited by hugie82; Jul 28, 2017 at 10:02 AM.
Burning Brakes
Joined: Apr 2013
Posts: 1,194
Likes: 109
From: Las Vegas NV
According to this guy:
https://www.corvetteforum.com/forums...post1576548686
Fairly low compression, forged bottom end, 4-bolt main.
Underpowered late 70s emission crap.
Sounds perfect for a blower! Run it like its stock!
https://www.corvetteforum.com/forums...post1576548686
The differences probably vary by year but essentially boils down to the following:
Crank L82-forged L48-cast
Pistons L82-forged L48-cast
Intake L82-Alum L48-iron
Cam L82-performance L48-std (performace is just a generalization the L82 cam is a higher perf cam than the L48 but in comparison to aftermarket cams isnt all that splendid)
Valves L82-large L48-small
Block L82-4bolt L48-2bolt
Compression L82-8.9:1 L48-8.2:1 (1978)
there are other changes for example in 78 the L82 exhaust was 2 1/2" while the L48 was 2 1/4" (IIRC)
Crank L82-forged L48-cast
Pistons L82-forged L48-cast
Intake L82-Alum L48-iron
Cam L82-performance L48-std (performace is just a generalization the L82 cam is a higher perf cam than the L48 but in comparison to aftermarket cams isnt all that splendid)
Valves L82-large L48-small
Block L82-4bolt L48-2bolt
Compression L82-8.9:1 L48-8.2:1 (1978)
there are other changes for example in 78 the L82 exhaust was 2 1/2" while the L48 was 2 1/4" (IIRC)
Underpowered late 70s emission crap.
Sounds perfect for a blower! Run it like its stock!
