C3 Tech/Performance V8 Technical Info, Internal Engine, External Engine, Basic Tech and Maintenance for the C3 Corvette
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Old Nov 15, 2023 | 12:46 PM
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Wondering if one of these will fit under the hood of a 73 L82. Thinking if getting a new 5spd too. Something modern but I don't want to modify the tunnel. Any suggestions. This add is from jegs, American dollars but seems reasonable for that kinda power. Has everything except a cpu. Can use a Holley for that or the sell them for around 1500.
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Old Nov 15, 2023 | 01:01 PM
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Should fit OK. A carbureted setup won't. Plenty of people have done thsi

https://www.corvetteforum.com/forums...directory.html
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Old Nov 15, 2023 | 01:11 PM
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Originally Posted by ignatz
Should fit OK. A carbureted setup won't. Plenty of people have done thsi

https://www.corvetteforum.com/forums...directory.html
Ya I get alot of people do it . It's the number of options available. Jegs had over 50 engines to choose from. All ls3. Also part combinations. I want a complete set up. Make it fit and go. This is the only complete unit I could find with an a/c pump which I need. Really want something I don't have to modify the car. Motor mounts and metal fab is easy. I don't want to get into body and paint. So want a bolt in engine and 5spd that doesn't require body mods.
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Old Nov 15, 2023 | 05:21 PM
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Not an LS3 but I did a 71 Corvette with a LS1. No issues with hood clearance with a LS6 intake. Today Tremec offers the TKX which makes fitting the 5 speed easier.
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Old Nov 21, 2023 | 04:05 PM
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I have a 1978 Pace car L82 4 speed, I'd like to upgrade it with a LS what ever fits and 5 speed tremic .. I don't want to get in to major modifications so I'm all ears in that department
The only question is should I do it to the one I have, 1 of 512 produced or just find some L48 auto with nice paint/body/int and butcher that one up?
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Old Nov 21, 2023 | 09:08 PM
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No need to butcher anything. The LS will bolt right in with an aftermarket kit. Holley maybe? The 5 speed of choice these days is the Tremec TKX. You can buy a complete kit to bolt the TKX into your LS swapped Corvette. I'm thinking American Powertrain or Silver Sport transmissions?
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Old Nov 21, 2023 | 11:15 PM
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The Pace Car L82 4 Speed is the most valuable and collectable one to have. I both Hot Rod and restore Corvettes. I don't consider a collectable Corvette a good Canidate for modern engine. But by doing so you will have the stratification that you just made everybody else's L82 4 speed that much more valuable.
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Old Nov 22, 2023 | 08:31 AM
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Ha. Perfect. I'd rather keep mine valuable as well! I will enjoy her for a minute & then sell her. Although, I do believe, for the most part, the purists & "numbers cars only" collectors are fading and the value & future of the "cool cars" is all about drivability ..restored & modernized.
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Old Nov 22, 2023 | 08:39 AM
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Originally Posted by CHOPSHOP124
I have a 1978 Pace car L82 4 speed, I'd like to upgrade it with a LS what ever fits and 5 speed tremic .. I don't want to get in to major modifications so I'm all ears in that department
The only question is should I do it to the one I have, 1 of 512 produced or just find some L48 auto with nice paint/body/int and butcher that one up?
Didn't you say in another thread you just bought two Pace Cars? Why not restomod the other one first, with an LS and a TKX, and turn another automatic C3 into something worth driving?

I've gotten great service from Silver Sport Transmission as I'm LS and TKX swapping my (black) 79. L48 auto no more!
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Old Nov 22, 2023 | 09:20 AM
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Yeah.. I have an L82 auto, I was considering her for swap, but it's a real nice car that is going to be easy to flip and make a little dough on to put towards the modernization of the next one. I think I can pick up a nice enough, dry, straight body and paint L48 for low teens. If I can find one with a blown motor, a little less..
On another note, I have not dug into silver sport trans, but why wouldn't I buy the tremic complete TKX kit to bolt on the LS? What am I missing.?
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Old Nov 22, 2023 | 09:34 AM
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Originally Posted by CHOPSHOP124
Yeah.. I have an L82 auto, I was considering her for swap, but it's a real nice car that is going to be easy to flip and make a little dough on to put towards the modernization of the next one. I think I can pick up a nice enough, dry, straight body and paint L48 for low teens. If I can find one with a blown motor, a little less..
On another note, I have not dug into silver sport trans, but why wouldn't I buy the tremic complete TKX kit to bolt on the LS? What am I missing.?
You absolutely would buy the complete TKX kit to bolt onto the LS. SST sells them. They may even have a Black Friday sale.

If you can flip the other one easily, good on you. But you'll just be making the automatic transmission a problem for the next owner.

Whatever you do, please start a new thread with your build!

*Tremec
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Old Nov 26, 2023 | 02:04 AM
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Originally Posted by CHOPSHOP124
I have a 1978 Pace car L82 4 speed, I'd like to upgrade it with a LS what ever fits and 5 speed tremic .. I don't want to get in to major modifications so I'm all ears in that department
The only question is should I do it to the one I have, 1 of 512 produced or just find some L48 auto with nice paint/body/int and butcher that one up?
Here is my 1978 LS3 swap / with T56 Magnum 6-speed.

1978 LS3 Swap Completed. - CorvetteForum - Chevrolet Corvette Forum Discussion

Also note my swap I didn't modify anything , no fabrication , or non reversible parts installed. I can return the car to the original L48 config the car was born with. I even kept the metal piece I cut out for the auto to 6 speed conversion ( shifter hole )

All parts where mounted to existing mounting points, all wiring made custom connectors to match to existing wiring harness. Same gas tank, routed new fuel lines using existing path the fuel vent lines ( driver side ) .
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