L82 vs. Mustang GT
Thread Starter
Instructor
Joined: Jun 2001
Posts: 174
Likes: 3
From: Ann Arbor MI
L82 vs. Mustang GT
I had an opportunity to drive my sister's new Mustang GT the other day and it was a real eye-opening experience. It is a LOT faster than my stock '76 L82. What really surprised me was how much faster it reved.
My questions: Is the ford engine supposed to be this much more responsive? Is the stock L82 naturally a slow-reving engine or is there something about my engine to make it sluggish? My engine doesn't bog down when I hit it, but it just doesn't rev anything like the mustang. What are some of the things I can do (without modifying the engine) to improve the performance and responsiveness?
My questions: Is the ford engine supposed to be this much more responsive? Is the stock L82 naturally a slow-reving engine or is there something about my engine to make it sluggish? My engine doesn't bog down when I hit it, but it just doesn't rev anything like the mustang. What are some of the things I can do (without modifying the engine) to improve the performance and responsiveness?
Team Owner
Joined: Jun 2001
Posts: 43,136
Likes: 155
From: Thomson Georgia
Re: L82 vs. Mustang GT (A2Shark)
My buddie just got a 98 Gt vert and I can EAT HIS LUNCH in the quarter. It is not even close. If your car is stock the first thing I would do was Headers and a nice 2.5 pipes with H or x pipe and some free flowing mufflers. Then I would change Cam,heads,manifold, Carb.........You can see where I am going :D
Race Director
Joined: Apr 1999
Posts: 15,148
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From: NM
Re: L82 vs. Mustang GT (A2Shark)
Heck, the Honda Accord V6 has more power then your 76 L82 (210 vs. 245). For the era the 76 L82 was one of the best out there. But it does not compare to the batch of current performance cars.
Team Owner
Joined: Feb 1999
Posts: 34,455
Likes: 665
From: Republic of Texas
Re: L82 vs. Mustang GT (A2Shark)
The Stang engine is a SOHC (Sing Over Head Cam), the Cobra of course have DOHC's. They tend to rev faster but have a loss of low end torque. Plus the Ford V8 is 281ci, less cubic inches and a shorter stock is why his engine rev's faster.
:cheers:
:cheers:
Le Mans Master
Joined: Mar 2002
Posts: 7,456
Likes: 2
From: Coming home from Luckenbach Texas
Re: L82 vs. Mustang GT (A2Shark)
For starters, a stock '76 Vette and a stock '02 Stang is an apples-to-oranges comparison. The mid-70s were very challenging for automakers as they struggled with new-at-the-time emissions regulations. Early catalytic converters were very restrictive. And electronic fuel injection was not to be seen for several years.
There's a LOT you can do to make a stock L82 more respnsive. For starters, recurve the distributor. Swap out the exhaust. Change the intake manifold and tired old carb. And lots, lots more. So get your wallet ready!
There's a LOT you can do to make a stock L82 more respnsive. For starters, recurve the distributor. Swap out the exhaust. Change the intake manifold and tired old carb. And lots, lots more. So get your wallet ready!
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Melting Slicks
Joined: Aug 2001
Posts: 2,043
Likes: 1
From: Elkhorn WI
Re: L82 vs. Mustang GT (A2Shark)
As said above, it revs faster....but at a great loss of torque and cubes. You can make your 350 do the same...
then their is your gears, which in the day 20+ years ago, they were worried about economy, not so much as performance....hence the 3.08's or 273's?, anyways....
drop in a free flow exhaust, better gears 3.55-3.70,3.73, if u want more, then cam, head work, carb etc. and you will awaken the 20yr+ old engine to be a GT-eater.
I'll bet that 80% of the vettes on this forum that have been modified from the stock 20+ yr old configuration and would smoke the '02 GT........ :cheers: ...but probably wouldn't even bother in the first place as no more a contest....
:crazy:
[Modified by ylose, 12:27 PM 3/25/2003]
then their is your gears, which in the day 20+ years ago, they were worried about economy, not so much as performance....hence the 3.08's or 273's?, anyways....
drop in a free flow exhaust, better gears 3.55-3.70,3.73, if u want more, then cam, head work, carb etc. and you will awaken the 20yr+ old engine to be a GT-eater.
I'll bet that 80% of the vettes on this forum that have been modified from the stock 20+ yr old configuration and would smoke the '02 GT........ :cheers: ...but probably wouldn't even bother in the first place as no more a contest....
:crazy:
[Modified by ylose, 12:27 PM 3/25/2003]
Race Director
Joined: Dec 2000
Posts: 10,896
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From: CO
Re: L82 vs. Mustang GT (ylose)
Is the ford engine supposed to be this much more responsive?
Yes, its a brand new mustang GT. Drive a brand new corvette and see how sluggish the GT feels.
Is the stock L82 naturally a slow-reving engine or is there something about my engine to make it sluggish?
Is it a naturally slow reving engine? It isn't a max performance car. Cam is mild. Restrictive exhaust. But its pry smooth and runs very well for being almost 30yrs old
My engine doesn't bog down when I hit it, but it just doesn't rev anything like the mustang. What are some of the things I can do (without modifying the engine) to improve the performance and responsiveness?
Plugs, wires, timing, exhaust. Maybe a different carb. your best off just rebuilding the whole thing. with about 3 grand you could make it so fast you will crap your panties.
:D
[Modified by flood, 1:44 PM 3/25/2003]
Yes, its a brand new mustang GT. Drive a brand new corvette and see how sluggish the GT feels.
Is the stock L82 naturally a slow-reving engine or is there something about my engine to make it sluggish?
Is it a naturally slow reving engine? It isn't a max performance car. Cam is mild. Restrictive exhaust. But its pry smooth and runs very well for being almost 30yrs old
My engine doesn't bog down when I hit it, but it just doesn't rev anything like the mustang. What are some of the things I can do (without modifying the engine) to improve the performance and responsiveness?
Plugs, wires, timing, exhaust. Maybe a different carb. your best off just rebuilding the whole thing. with about 3 grand you could make it so fast you will crap your panties.
:D
[Modified by flood, 1:44 PM 3/25/2003]
Race Director
Joined: Apr 1999
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From: NM
Re: L82 vs. Mustang GT (flood)
It isn't a max performance car. Cam is mild. Restrictive exhaust.
tom...
Thread Starter
Instructor
Joined: Jun 2001
Posts: 174
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From: Ann Arbor MI
Re: L82 vs. Mustang GT (Roscoe's C3's)
OK- I guess I'll start with the exhaust and timing and see what happens.
A mechanic suggested that I run an intake cleaner thru my carb because I am likely to have a buildup of carbon deposits in the intake, and this would make a difference. Have any of you done this? Does it cause damage to the carb? Does it make a difference? Is there a product that you would recommend?
Thanks (and sorry for all the questions).
A mechanic suggested that I run an intake cleaner thru my carb because I am likely to have a buildup of carbon deposits in the intake, and this would make a difference. Have any of you done this? Does it cause damage to the carb? Does it make a difference? Is there a product that you would recommend?
Thanks (and sorry for all the questions).
Safety Car
Joined: Jun 2001
Posts: 4,004
Likes: 2
From: Severna Park Md
Re: L82 vs. Mustang GT (A2Shark)
Put yur 76 L82 up against a 76 mustang, you know the mustang II. Im sure youll beat that one. What a dud that was. The fact is, 76 was a bad year for domestic factory performance cars of almost any make. These days pony cars are quite pumped, even in stock form. Its the difference in era. I agree that much can be done to improve yur L82. headers and true duals are a good start along with a better advanve curve and good free flowing air filter. If you wanna get it to rev thru the gears faster, consider a lower rear gear ratio. Were all L82's 4 spd? I was gonna ask if you had manual or auto tranny.
Team Owner
Joined: Jun 2001
Posts: 23,380
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From: Virginia USA
Re: L82 vs. Mustang GT (A2Shark)
Go out and find a 1976 Stock Mustang II with a V8. You'll smoke it. :yesnod:
A 1976 Mustang was UGLY :U and SLOW :bb
Drop in a ZZ4 or a Stroker and you'll have no problem with just about anything on the street today.
A 1976 Mustang was UGLY :U and SLOW :bb
Drop in a ZZ4 or a Stroker and you'll have no problem with just about anything on the street today.
Le Mans Master
Joined: Nov 1999
Posts: 5,768
Likes: 3
From: San Diego CA
Re: L82 vs. Mustang GT (A2Shark)
OK- I guess I'll start with the exhaust and timing and see what happens.
A mechanic suggested that I run an intake cleaner thru my carb because I am likely to have a buildup of carbon deposits in the intake, and this would make a difference. Have any of you done this?
A mechanic suggested that I run an intake cleaner thru my carb because I am likely to have a buildup of carbon deposits in the intake, and this would make a difference. Have any of you done this?
Does it cause damage to the carb?
Does it make a difference?
Is there a product that you would recommend?
Thanks (and sorry for all the questions).
As for the reasons why the Mustangs engine is more responsive the answers have all been listed.
>fuel injection (cant be beat for throttle response)
>smaller displacement/bore/stroke whatever - all change the rev capabilities of an engine
>Gearing is less a factor
Thread Starter
Instructor
Joined: Jun 2001
Posts: 174
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From: Ann Arbor MI
Re: L82 vs. Mustang GT (Jvette73)
JVette73-
My L82 is a 4-speed, but not all of them were built that way. It has the 3:70 rear end. I do have a high-flow cat that seemed to make a little difference.
Back in the 70's I owned a 76 rustang II - the WORST car I ever had, and that's saying a lot given all the crappy cars I have owned over the years. It was a 4-cylindar car built on a Pinto frame and handled almost as well as a Pinto. It eventually died of rust. I believe they are now built on a 70's Fairmont frame - a step up.
The thought of one of these cars beating a Vette - any Vette - is a little unsettling to me.
My L82 is a 4-speed, but not all of them were built that way. It has the 3:70 rear end. I do have a high-flow cat that seemed to make a little difference.
Back in the 70's I owned a 76 rustang II - the WORST car I ever had, and that's saying a lot given all the crappy cars I have owned over the years. It was a 4-cylindar car built on a Pinto frame and handled almost as well as a Pinto. It eventually died of rust. I believe they are now built on a 70's Fairmont frame - a step up.
The thought of one of these cars beating a Vette - any Vette - is a little unsettling to me.
Safety Car
Joined: Jun 2001
Posts: 4,004
Likes: 2
From: Severna Park Md
Re: L82 vs. Mustang GT (A2Shark)
A2Shark, you got a good platform there. An L82 with a 4spd and 3.70 is a nice setup. The L82 cam profile is mild performance from factory. With a free flowing exhaust and a good timing curve it should be fairly decent. Also check to make sure the secondaries on the 4bbl are comming in when needed. Exhaust and timing curve and general good tuning should give you good bang for the buck.
Race Director
Joined: Aug 1999
Posts: 10,073
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From: Toronto
Re: L82 vs. Mustang GT (A2Shark)
An '02 stang is a 5.4 sec 0-60, 14.4/99mph 1/4 mile car. The '76 L82 is a 6.8, 15.2/92 car. BIG difference. :yesnod:
The GT and an L98 would be a good match, also the L79, L46.
The GT and an L98 would be a good match, also the L79, L46.
Burning Brakes
Joined: Oct 2001
Posts: 842
Likes: 3
From: Woodruff SC
St. Jude Donor '10
Re: L82 vs. Mustang GT (A2Shark)
Well, I.ve got a 77, L48, stock except Performer intake, chambered exhaust, & my son came up beside me in a buddys 2000 Pony Vert 5 speed & we kicked them off at about 25 mph and I left him sitting. Didn't go but about 1/8 to 1/4 mile but, I got him. But, they went and put on a turbo so I'll probably leave him alone now. It's Quick!!