1980 L-82 Build help
Thread Starter
Intermediate
Joined: Feb 2021
Posts: 36
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1980 L-82 Build help
I need to pull my trans and have it rebuilt along with my top end gaskets need replaced. I am looking to maybe do the heads and non roller cam (would prefer not to do the cam if possible) with some shorty headers. Anyone do this? was it worth it?
Dr. Detroit
Joined: Mar 2012
Posts: 10,097
Likes: 4,027
From: New Braunfels Texas
If you brought this to me....I would recommend the trick Flow DH175 head.....the Edelbrock 2101 Intake.....and a long tube header with a nice free flowing exhaust.
Use a 1.6 rocker on these heads for .480/.490 lift on the stock L-82 cam......which is not a terrible piece. These three things...along with proper jetting and ignition curve/timing....will pump about 80 horsepower into your setup.
I do not recommend shorty headers as the long tubes are just as much work to install and reap much more benefit........
The Trick Flow 60cc head will bump your stock compression (about 8.9 to 1) to a healthy 10 to 1.......
Jebby
Use a 1.6 rocker on these heads for .480/.490 lift on the stock L-82 cam......which is not a terrible piece. These three things...along with proper jetting and ignition curve/timing....will pump about 80 horsepower into your setup.
I do not recommend shorty headers as the long tubes are just as much work to install and reap much more benefit........
The Trick Flow 60cc head will bump your stock compression (about 8.9 to 1) to a healthy 10 to 1.......
Jebby
Dr. Detroit
Joined: Mar 2012
Posts: 10,097
Likes: 4,027
From: New Braunfels Texas
My thought is that you increase the flow quite a bit with the other parts......and the stock intake becomes a bigger cork than it already is.......the stock Q-jet intake is all done at around 325 horsepower.........if you were to run the stock intake on a Trick Flow head with headers it would probably choke the combo by about 30+ horsepower......
Although the 80' intake is aluminum......is it almost the exact same casting as the original low rise Q-Jet intake that appeared on millions of passenger cars.......it is 100% not a performance piece.....
The 68' 327/350 didn't make it's advertised horsepower due to this intake which was implemented that year only......it made about 330 horsepower.....
Jebby
Although the 80' intake is aluminum......is it almost the exact same casting as the original low rise Q-Jet intake that appeared on millions of passenger cars.......it is 100% not a performance piece.....
The 68' 327/350 didn't make it's advertised horsepower due to this intake which was implemented that year only......it made about 330 horsepower.....
Jebby
Le Mans Master
Joined: Mar 2004
Posts: 7,502
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From: Little Rock AR
The factory aluminum L-82 intake makes the same power as the Edelbrock 2101. No need to replace it. If you ask Edelbrock, that is what they will tell you. There is only 5/8" hood clearance with the stock setup so unless you want to add a hood scoop you need to keep that manifold stock. Spend money on better heads. Recurve the distributor, and open up the exhaust. Get Lars to overhaul your Quadrajet if it isn't working right. That's what I did with mine. Keep the cold air intake too.
Dr. Detroit
Joined: Mar 2012
Posts: 10,097
Likes: 4,027
From: New Braunfels Texas
I agree with the stock intake being marginally better at power levels in the 325hp range........but put heads on it and it will not flow what you need....it does wake up considerably with heads but you will leave 25hp on the table as you approach 400hp.....this is a fact.......and at this level.....an Air Gap/RPM is worth another 10......which shows how much more flow the heads actually need......
The 2101 flows a LOT better than the stock Q-Jet intake.......and when you have potential to make 50hp per cylinder, you need that flow.....
The 2101 will fit under the hood of an 80-82......it fits the 68-72' and they have even less clearance.......
I also agree with the Q-Jet......have Lars jet it for the power level.......
The 1.6 rockers on the L-82 cam are important too.....most aluminum as cast street heads (like the Dart 180) start to stall at .500......so getting the valve open that far will reap benefits......big ones......
The setup I describe will make 400hp......
Good luck with whatever you decide to do.....
Jebby
The 2101 flows a LOT better than the stock Q-Jet intake.......and when you have potential to make 50hp per cylinder, you need that flow.....
The 2101 will fit under the hood of an 80-82......it fits the 68-72' and they have even less clearance.......
I also agree with the Q-Jet......have Lars jet it for the power level.......
The 1.6 rockers on the L-82 cam are important too.....most aluminum as cast street heads (like the Dart 180) start to stall at .500......so getting the valve open that far will reap benefits......big ones......
The setup I describe will make 400hp......
Good luck with whatever you decide to do.....
Jebby
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The factory aluminum L-82 intake makes the same power as the Edelbrock 2101. No need to replace it. If you ask Edelbrock, that is what they will tell you. There is only 5/8" hood clearance with the stock setup so unless you want to add a hood scoop you need to keep that manifold stock. Spend money on better heads. Recurve the distributor, and open up the exhaust. Get Lars to overhaul your Quadrajet if it isn't working right. That's what I did with mine. Keep the cold air intake too.
Also consider advancing the cam 4 degrees for. More performance . The factory grinds. Zero advance in their cams.
Thread Starter
Intermediate
Joined: Feb 2021
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Update and where do i go from here
I got the intake @Jebbysan recomended, i also found a nearly new set of edelbrock preformer RPM 195, 64CC heads with 202's
So now i need to get rockers and push rods any help in this area is much apprecaited
I got the intake @Jebbysan recomended, i also found a nearly new set of edelbrock preformer RPM 195, 64CC heads with 202's
So now i need to get rockers and push rods any help in this area is much apprecaited