L82 or 48? Swindled?
Burning Brakes
Joined: Jun 2010
Posts: 1,165
Likes: 93
From: Bellmore NY
I do agree with a lot of what you are getting at... while I largely believe that he was concerned about paying for something that was misrepresented, he did show an interest if there were any power gains from the modifications.
Burning Brakes
Joined: Jun 2010
Posts: 1,165
Likes: 93
From: Bellmore NY
He thought he paid for the performance engine option and he might very well have one.. There might be more value in that upgraded numbers matching possibly rebuilt 2 bolt than a tired old stock 77 l82. Thats all I'm saying.. if it was that important for collector value the vin should have been googled.
He thought he paid for a car that was born with a performance option as advertised and badged on the hood.
I agree he may have a car with an engine modified for performance, and yes he should have done his homework... EDIT: I believe this was an afterthought on googling the VIN, and not to insult the buyer, but I suspect he didn’t know any better....and that his googling lead to this entire thread...and my interpretation of his usage of the word “swindled” leads me to believe he believes he paid extra for a misrepresented vehicle.
but then again... i can only interpret what I’m seeing, and you interpret it differently. Unless the poster spells it out exactly, we will never know. I doubt you or I care enough to need to know who is exactly right
Last edited by Big Block Dave; Dec 10, 2020 at 10:36 AM.
Burning Brakes
Joined: Jun 2010
Posts: 1,165
Likes: 93
From: Bellmore NY
He thought he was buying a REAL L-82 because it came with the optional performance engine. What he got was an L-48 although it was advertised as an L-82. Swindled? Yeah, but it's on him for not doing his homework. But, do people take other people at their word? Of course, but not always. I think most people, excluding politicians, are honest. Yes, there are crooks but their a minority. As mentioned already, maybe the seller was naive and thought he had bought and was now selling a real L-82? Just because 'we' know about VIN codes doesn't mean every vette enthusiast does. That's just reality.
totally agree
Racer
Joined: Oct 2013
Posts: 362
Likes: 11
From: MARSHALLVILLE OHIO
I saw a comment on on how well an L48 can be tuned. I have a 79 L48 that had been driven very little when I bought it. The first thin I did was to get a good tune on it which included a Pertronix upgrade (adjustable curve and advance and a hot module), plugs, wires and rejetted carb. The Cat disappeared and it had a test pipe installed. I had a chance at Super Summit at Norwalk for a fun run. First time for me to run on a actual timed run. I didn't flog the old girl and tuned 16.066 et at 88.99 mph. In my research that is darn close to L82 times. I since have had the carb rebuilt twice, the first kit was junk, the second a performance rebuild. Wanted to replace stock mufflers this fall found the guts had come apart. Don't know how it now compare to the old times. To answer the OP the engine numbers will tell the tale. the valve covers are after market and I question the quality definitely not worth what I paid for them. Be armed with correct info an have a discussion with the seller. With what I've read for the street a well tuned L48 may be the ticket for the street.
Burning Brakes
Joined: Jun 2010
Posts: 1,165
Likes: 93
From: Bellmore NY
My corvette book in my living room says a 79 l82 4 speed car ran 15.6 @91. It doesn’t cite a source, but I’m sure some magazine did that.
Let’s be honest... for smog era it’s not bad, but it’s not something that would frighten the average driver.
Intake, exhaust, and a different gear set would wake up any stock 350, whether l48 or l82. Wanna get saucy? Throw in a cam and a high stall converter (for you automatic guys) and watch for something slightly over/under a 14.0 at mid to high 90’s mph suddenly appear.
25 years ago I threw together a 83 t-type regal affectionately known as The Hebrew National (I’m Jewish). Motor was a bullish!t 9:1 350 with an old school L79 cam. 2800 stall and 3.42s this car ran 14.2’s at 96 on regular radials.
Let’s be honest... for smog era it’s not bad, but it’s not something that would frighten the average driver.
Intake, exhaust, and a different gear set would wake up any stock 350, whether l48 or l82. Wanna get saucy? Throw in a cam and a high stall converter (for you automatic guys) and watch for something slightly over/under a 14.0 at mid to high 90’s mph suddenly appear.
25 years ago I threw together a 83 t-type regal affectionately known as The Hebrew National (I’m Jewish). Motor was a bullish!t 9:1 350 with an old school L79 cam. 2800 stall and 3.42s this car ran 14.2’s at 96 on regular radials.
Last edited by Big Block Dave; Dec 14, 2020 at 06:32 PM.
