C3 Tech/Performance V8 Technical Info, Internal Engine, External Engine, Basic Tech and Maintenance for the C3 Corvette
Sponsored by:
Sponsored by:

L82 Indentification

Thread Tools
 
Search this Thread
 
Old Oct 13, 2002 | 11:52 PM
  #1  
BankBoy's Avatar
BankBoy
Thread Starter
Heel & Toe
 
Joined: Sep 2002
Posts: 23
Likes: 0
From: Santa Clara CA
Default L82 Indentification

Hi.
I am currently shopping for a 78-82 with an L82 engine. How can I tell if really IS an L82? Are there certain numbers stamped in the block? Are there certain parts that would indicate an L82? I mean, the VIN tag may say the car was built with an L82, but how can I confirm that the engine that is now in the car is an L82?
Any tips/ help would be much appreciated.
:confused:
Reply
Old Oct 14, 2002 | 12:00 AM
  #2  
mp77's Avatar
mp77
Racer
 
Joined: Oct 2002
Posts: 393
Likes: 0
From: texas city texas
Default Re: L82 Indentification (BankBoy)

The VIN will tell you. Mine had L82 badges on it but found out it was an L-48. On 77 L as the fifth digit means L48. X means L82. On 78 L still means L48 but I believe there is another digit for L82. I think L on 79-82 means L48 as well. Dont know what the #s for L82 for those years. Someone on here will. Good luck. I did not find out mine was L48 til after I bought it. As for the engine being original, there are numbers stamped on the block. I believe thay should match the last five of your VIN. :cheers:


[Modified by mp77, 4:02 AM 10/14/2002]
Reply
Old Oct 14, 2002 | 12:12 AM
  #3  
BankBoy's Avatar
BankBoy
Thread Starter
Heel & Toe
 
Joined: Sep 2002
Posts: 23
Likes: 0
From: Santa Clara CA
Default Re: L82 Indentification (mp77)

I understand that the VIN will call it out if the car was BUILT with an L82, but how can I tell if the engine IN the car is an L82?
Reply
Old Oct 14, 2002 | 12:13 AM
  #4  
Tom73's Avatar
Tom73
Race Director
25 Year Member
Active Streak: 120 Days
All Eyes On Me
Liked
 
Joined: Apr 1999
Posts: 15,134
Likes: 477
From: NM
Default Re: L82 Indentification (BankBoy)

The VIN will only tell you if it came from the factory with the L82. It cannot help you with what is in the car now. You would need to check the stamp pad to confirm the numbers there. Best bet is to pick up a copy of the "Corvette Blackbook" so that you will have the numbers for all the years you are interested in.

Good Luck,

tom...
Reply
Old Oct 14, 2002 | 02:38 AM
  #5  
tnt76vette's Avatar
tnt76vette
Drifting
 
Joined: Nov 2000
Posts: 1,428
Likes: 0
Default Re: L82 Indentification (Tom73)

.[QUOTE] Best bet is to pick up a copy of the "Corvette Blackbook" so that you will have the numbers for all the years you are interested in.[QUOTE] DONT LEAVE HOME WITHOUT IT
Reply
Old Oct 14, 2002 | 02:52 AM
  #6  
'79ProwlerOrange's Avatar
'79ProwlerOrange
Safety Car
 
Joined: Feb 2002
Posts: 3,556
Likes: 0
From: Seattle WA
Default Re: L82 Indentification (tnt76vette)

mine is really an L-82 want it? :lol:
it is truly an L-82 but its has some mild massaging, so if your going original... still looks bone stock (the engine) and im actually painting black if your interested. IM me or email me if so.
Reply
Old Oct 14, 2002 | 09:32 AM
  #7  
Paul L's Avatar
Paul L
Team Owner
15 Year Member
 
Joined: Aug 1999
Posts: 30,995
Likes: 98
From: Ontario
Default Re: L82 Indentification (BankBoy)

Here is an example for a 1979 L-82 with a build date of November 6, 1978.
-V is Flint, Michigan
-1027 is engine date of October 27
-ZBB is automatic transmission
-19 is 1979 model year
-S is St. Louis, Missouri
-4 is L-82 (L-48 would be 8)
-10002 is the unit production number



On the VIN the fifth digit is 4 (L-82, the L-48 would be 8) and you see the matching production number of 10002.




[Modified by paul79, 8:37 AM 10/14/2002]
Reply
Old Oct 14, 2002 | 09:44 AM
  #8  
Neo Fender's Avatar
Neo Fender
Drifting
15 Year Member
 
Joined: Mar 2001
Posts: 1,411
Likes: 2
From: St. Louis, Missouri
Default Re: L82 Indentification (BankBoy)

First, I believe 1980 was the last year for the L-82 option. Second, don't pay too much more for an L-82. Assuming the original engine is still there, it's gonna have plenty of mileage on it after 22 - 24 years. You'll end up paying extra for an engine that will have to be rebuilt/replaced before long.

Also, near the front of the right cylinder head there should be a three character engine type code:

1978: CMR or CMS
1979: ZBA or ZBD
1980: ZBC or ZBD
Reply
Corvette Stories

The Best of Corvette for Corvette Enthusiasts

story-0

Top 10 DOs and DON'Ts for Protecting Your Convertible Top!

 Michael S. Palmer
story-1

Top 10 Most Explosive Corvettes Ever Made: Power-to-Weight Ratio Ranked!

 Joe Kucinski
story-2

150 hp to 1,250 hp: Every Corvette Generation Compared by the Specs That Matter

 Joe Kucinski
story-3

8 Coolest Corvette Pace Cars (and Replicas) of All Time

 Verdad Gallardo
story-4

Top 10 Corvette Engines RANKED by Peak Torque (70+ Years of Muscle!)

 Joe Kucinski
story-5

Corvette ZR1X Will Be Pacing the Indy 500, And Could Probably Race, Too!

 Verdad Gallardo
story-6

Top 10 Corvettes Coming to Mecum Indy 2026!

 Brett Foote
story-7

Top 10 C9 Corvette MUST-HAVES to Fix These C8 Generation Flaws!

 Michael S. Palmer
story-8

10 Revolutionary 'Corvette Firsts' Most People Don't Know

 Joe Kucinski
story-9

5 Reasons to Upgrade to an LS6-Powered Corvette; 5 Reasons to Stay LT2

 Michael S. Palmer
Old Oct 14, 2002 | 12:24 PM
  #9  
wcsinx's Avatar
wcsinx
Team Owner
20 Year Member
Liked
 
Joined: Mar 2002
Posts: 24,160
Likes: 78
Default Re: L82 Indentification

*scratches head* ... didn't the L82s have different valve covers than the L48s? ...can't ... remember ...
Reply
Old Oct 14, 2002 | 12:32 PM
  #10  
vettesite's Avatar
vettesite
Burning Brakes
10 Year Member
 
Joined: Aug 1999
Posts: 774
Likes: 0
From: Palatine IL
Default Re: L82 Indentification (wcsinx)

Besides the VIN and engine suffix numbers here are a few visual clues. Remember these can be changed easily.

* Aluminum finned valve covers
* Aluminum intake (not painted engine color)
* L-82 graphic on the speedo
* L-82 badges
* All L-82s came with automatic transmissions in 1980
* L-82s came with heavy duty 4 row radiators


[Modified by vettesite, 11:26 AM 10/14/2002]
Reply
Old Oct 14, 2002 | 12:37 PM
  #11  
Paul L's Avatar
Paul L
Team Owner
15 Year Member
 
Joined: Aug 1999
Posts: 30,995
Likes: 98
From: Ontario
Default Re: L82 Indentification (wcsinx)

Here is a pic of my L-82 that I took this morning for another thread. Two primary visual clues are the finned aluminum valve covers (the L-48 had stamped steel) and the aluminum intake. But checking the numbers is a much more accurate way of getting to the truth.

Reply

Get notified of new replies

To L82 Indentification





All times are GMT -4. The time now is 08:44 PM.

story-0
Top 10 DOs and DON'Ts for Protecting Your Convertible Top!

Slideshow: How to Protect A Convertible Top: 10 DOs & DON'Ts

By Michael S. Palmer | 2026-04-03 00:00:00


VIEW MORE
story-1
Top 10 Most Explosive Corvettes Ever Made: Power-to-Weight Ratio Ranked!

Slideshow: The 10 most explosive Corvettes ever built based on power-to-weight ratio.

By Joe Kucinski | 2026-05-20 07:23:03


VIEW MORE
story-2
150 hp to 1,250 hp: Every Corvette Generation Compared by the Specs That Matter

Slideshow: From C1 to C8 we compare every Corvette generation by the numbers.

By Joe Kucinski | 2026-05-12 16:54:12


VIEW MORE
story-3
8 Coolest Corvette Pace Cars (and Replicas) of All Time

Slideshow: Some Corvette pace cars became collectible legends, while others perfectly captured the look and attitude of their era.

By Verdad Gallardo | 2026-05-11 09:50:51


VIEW MORE
story-4
Top 10 Corvette Engines RANKED by Peak Torque (70+ Years of Muscle!)

Slideshow: Ranking the top 10 Corvette engines by torque output.

By Joe Kucinski | 2026-05-05 11:58:09


VIEW MORE
story-5
Corvette ZR1X Will Be Pacing the Indy 500, And Could Probably Race, Too!

Slideshow: A Corvette pace car nearly matching IndyCar speeds sounds exaggerated, until you look at the numbers.

By Verdad Gallardo | 2026-05-04 20:03:36


VIEW MORE
story-6
Top 10 Corvettes Coming to Mecum Indy 2026!

Among a rather large group of them.

By Brett Foote | 2026-05-04 13:56:44


VIEW MORE
story-7
Top 10 C9 Corvette MUST-HAVES to Fix These C8 Generation Flaws!

Slideshow: the top 10 things Corvette owners want in the C9 Corvette

By Michael S. Palmer | 2026-04-30 12:41:15


VIEW MORE
story-8
10 Revolutionary 'Corvette Firsts' Most People Don't Know

Slideshow: 10 Important Corvette 'firsts' that every fan should know.

By Joe Kucinski | 2026-04-29 17:02:16


VIEW MORE
story-9
5 Reasons to Upgrade to an LS6-Powered Corvette; 5 Reasons to Stay LT2

Slideshow: Should you buy a 2020-2026 Corvette or wait for 2027?

By Michael S. Palmer | 2026-04-22 10:08:58


VIEW MORE