Head upgrades with L82 Intake??
Thread Starter
7th Gear
Joined: Nov 2024
Posts: 7
Likes: 0
From: Oak Harbor, Wa
Head upgrades with L82 Intake??
So I recently bought an aluminum L82 Intake for my 79 L48. I want to improve or upgrade my heads while using this intake. Is it possible to get aftermarket heads that will work with this set up? Or will I have to sell the intake and go all aftermarket?
Race Director
Joined: Nov 2006
Posts: 13,225
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From: Sunshine Coast, Queensland, Australia
2025 C3 of the Year Finalist - Modified
2024 C3 of the Year Finalist- Modified
2022 C3 of the Year Finalist - Modified
Cruise-In VIII Veteran
Other than slight weight savings. There is absolutely no benefit to that intake.
Yes you would be ahead getting a manifold that matches up to your heads and actually flows better.
Yes you would be ahead getting a manifold that matches up to your heads and actually flows better.
Melting Slicks
Joined: Apr 2021
Posts: 2,707
Likes: 2,153
From: Minnesota
Any non-vortec style small block Chevy heads will work just fine with that intake. If you’re keeping the short block the same I would recommend the parts from this thread.
Melting Slicks
Joined: Aug 2011
Posts: 3,124
Likes: 259
BUT IT IS basically the same as your L48 intake
I believe that (your new) intake may have a slight advantage as on the EGR aluminum intakes the primary and secondary bores were open to each other on the same side - if you are racing every little advantage helps.
I wouldn't intentionally buy it to replace an L48 intake.
There are better aftermarket intakes that allow you to use your original (Q'Jet) carb.
Last edited by QIK59; Jan 25, 2025 at 05:13 PM.
Le Mans Master
Joined: Oct 2010
Posts: 6,936
Likes: 848
From: melbourne florida
2023 C3 of the Year Finalist - Modified
I agree the aluminum L-82 intake is the same garbage they put in pickups and vans. It is in no way a performance intake. It is not the old z/28 intake if you find one of those use it. What will you do with a 40 yr old intake if the water passage leaks for some reason?
Le Mans Master
Joined: Mar 2004
Posts: 7,493
Likes: 1,501
From: Little Rock AR
That intake will not make or break your build. If you have room under your hood to run a taller intake you should, but C3's are tight under there. There is NO magic short intake that makes crazy power. I run the factory L-82 aluminum intake with Dart Iron Eagles and the ports are a good match out of the box. That's worth keeping in mind as you look for available heads. I can tell you my solid flat tappet stroker 383 with that intake has way more than enough torque to fry the tires at will. I would not hesitate to run it if you already have it.
