cam install
Melting Slicks
Joined: Aug 2003
Posts: 3,414
Likes: 288
From: dayton oh
while it would be easier, you dont have to. Heads can easily be done with the motor in the car, but you'll need to pull the radiator to do the cam. At least that's what we had to do with our 82 project that we are mid-rebuild on.
what heads/cam you using ?
what heads/cam you using ?
Le Mans Master
Joined: Aug 2017
Posts: 8,336
Likes: 2,809
From: Cool Northern Michigan
Its not that bad of job "in the car". Why make more work for yourself pulling everything when its not needed.
Get a helper to remove the hood, store it upright.
Remove fan belts, all hoses.
Remove clutch fan
Loosen shroud and lay it on W.P.
Remove Rad (carefully)
NOW remove shroud.
Then W.P. Vibration Damper, timing cover.
The A/C condenser can be left. Just loosen four bracket bolts and force the unit forward. That will just clear the end of the cam.
Get a helper to remove the hood, store it upright.
Remove fan belts, all hoses.
Remove clutch fan
Loosen shroud and lay it on W.P.
Remove Rad (carefully)
NOW remove shroud.
Then W.P. Vibration Damper, timing cover.
The A/C condenser can be left. Just loosen four bracket bolts and force the unit forward. That will just clear the end of the cam.
Last edited by HeadsU.P.; Sep 24, 2019 at 06:16 PM.
Le Mans Master
Joined: Aug 2017
Posts: 8,336
Likes: 2,809
From: Cool Northern Michigan
Would also highly recommend getting the front end up on ramps. You will need access to rad hoses, shroud, front oil pan bolts, and will save you from a backache.
You will be surprised how fast all this goes. Time consuming is getting the exhaust away from the heads.
You will be surprised how fast all this goes. Time consuming is getting the exhaust away from the heads.
Safety Car
Joined: Nov 2005
Posts: 3,532
Likes: 1,185
From: Arizona - If you don’t know CFI, STOP proliferating the myths around it...
Just to say a little something here about an 82, this also goes for the 84. If your going to use the stock ECM and replace the cam and heads for whatever the reason. MAKE SURE YOU DO NOT STRAY TOO FAR FROM THE STOCK DURATION ON YOUR CAM CHOICE. If you do, you WILL have a lot of issues and cost you more money in the long run. I just wanted to let you know that before you buy a cam that is way to much for the ECM to handle since you will not be able to tune the 82 stock ECM. Also, you can replace both without pulling the motor, but much easier if you do. The shroud can be a PITA to remove. I hope this helps. 
Last edited by Buccaneer; Sep 25, 2019 at 07:29 PM.
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Drifting
Joined: Mar 2006
Posts: 1,263
Likes: 188
From: Wabasha Mn
I was in the same situation with my 84 C4 with "ceasefire system". Wanted more cam but did not want to have to mess with the computer and tbi tuning. Solved my issue and swapped my tbi xfire for a ZZ4 intake and 600 edelbrock carb. Just easier for me not having to mess with an ecm and tbi system. There was a reason the twin tbi system was short lived. I have a how to cheat sheet on how I did the carb conversion if interested.
Safety Car
Joined: Nov 2005
Posts: 3,532
Likes: 1,185
From: Arizona - If you don’t know CFI, STOP proliferating the myths around it...
I was in the same situation with my 84 C4 with "ceasefire system". Wanted more cam but did not want to have to mess with the computer and tbi tuning. Solved my issue and swapped my tbi xfire for a ZZ4 intake and 600 edelbrock carb. Just easier for me not having to mess with an ecm and tbi system. There was a reason the twin tbi system was short lived. I have a how to cheat sheet on how I did the carb conversion if interested.
ALSO...
augiedoggy - Correct!
Fast81 - Correct!
Last edited by Buccaneer; Sep 27, 2019 at 12:42 PM.
Melting Slicks
Joined: Feb 2017
Posts: 3,232
Likes: 1,232
From: PHX AZ
The TBI system WAS NOT 'short lived'....it was just two years in Corvette...... It was available in CHEVY TRUCKS for the rest of the decade...I had an 88 K-5 Blazer with single TBI. NEVER HAD A PROBLEM even at 68 degrees below zero.
they made 100's of thousands of them....
they made 100's of thousands of them....
Last edited by L-46man; Sep 27, 2019 at 01:08 PM.
Le Mans Master
Joined: Sep 2001
Posts: 7,739
Likes: 630
From: Unreconstructed, South Carolina
https://www.gmheritagecenter.com/doc...t-Corvette.pdf
see full MY 1982 L83 spec above ... straight from the General's mouth ... GM
pages 39 - 44
losta combustion chamber, gasket etc dimensioning at above GM reference source ... download & save it
Le Mans Master
Joined: Oct 2007
Posts: 7,442
Likes: 967
From: Tennessee/Rhode Island
Ok Let's try this one more time:
The L-82 cam is 222 duration (NOT 224) with .450/.460 lift
The L-83 camshaft is 202/206 duration with .410/.423
These 2 cams are NOT even remotely similar...............very different
The L-83 cam has the lift and duration of a typical passenger car V8 engine, designed for LOW RPM torque. The L-82 cam is a mid to high RPM flat tappet cam from the same era........
The L-82 cam is 222 duration (NOT 224) with .450/.460 lift
The L-83 camshaft is 202/206 duration with .410/.423
These 2 cams are NOT even remotely similar...............very different
The L-83 cam has the lift and duration of a typical passenger car V8 engine, designed for LOW RPM torque. The L-82 cam is a mid to high RPM flat tappet cam from the same era........
Last edited by jb78L-82; Sep 27, 2019 at 03:31 PM.
Drifting
Joined: Mar 2006
Posts: 1,263
Likes: 188
From: Wabasha Mn
If you read my post again you will see that I said the TWIN tbi system was short lived. Also my source ( SWC Duke on this forum) showed the L82 cam had 224-224 duration but could be wrong. Even at 222-222 @ .050 duration the L82 is not similar to the L83 cam. L83 cam has same basic specs as the L69 305 HO engine used in early 80s Firebird, Camaro, and Monte Carlo cars.
Last edited by wilcar; Sep 27, 2019 at 04:31 PM.
Le Mans Master
Joined: Oct 2010
Posts: 6,922
Likes: 839
From: melbourne florida
2023 C3 of the Year Finalist - Modified
The camshaft is just the beginning of the problem the cylinder heads are garbage and so is that intake manifold just look at the size of the ports on those things.
Le Mans Master
Joined: Oct 2007
Posts: 7,442
Likes: 967
From: Tennessee/Rhode Island
This comes up periodically about the L-82 duration:
These are the numbers I have seen since buying my 79 L-82 nearly 37 years ago.
Chevrolet Performance 3896962
•222 / 222 Duration @ .050''
•.450'' / .460'' lift
•114 Lobe Separation Angle
These are the numbers I have seen since buying my 79 L-82 nearly 37 years ago.
Chevrolet Performance 3896962
•222 / 222 Duration @ .050''
•.450'' / .460'' lift
•114 Lobe Separation Angle