Hi! I am looking to buy a vette from the above stated year models in the next few months. Would some one please direct me to a site with general info and options for these year models?

I would also like a few tips on what to look for and what to avoid.

Also, I am planning to mod anything I purchase b/c I want more than the L48 and L88 engines (those were the only two available 75-82, right?) have to offer? What kind of inexpensive heads are good for these engines? What about a cam? Carb, etc?

Thank you,
c3dreamer03

 

L48 and L82. I don't have much time to write, because I've been out in the garage all night, but you will get several responses, I'm sure. Good luck!!

 

Oh, thanks....
Was the L88 the early C4 engine? :confused:

With my current job I can afford the payment, but I'm not sure if I can cover my own insurance (that's where good ol' mom and dad come in - hopefully) and still have money to play with. BTW... I am 16, and will be 17 in two months. Anyone of you older fellas ensure a son or daughter on one of these?

In general, do insurance companies gouge even you older guys b/c it's a vette? I know that question is probobly asked a lot by guys my age and it's difficult to answer... but are you guys paying out the wazoo on insurance?

 

http://www.corvettearchive.com :thumbs:

 

1st of all, let me welcome you to the Forum! Hang here Friend, there is a wealth of knowledge to be gained. To really answer your Q, you kinda need just how far you want to go under the hood.....certain cams, etc are excellent for the street, while other parts will let ya down there, but really raise He77 on the track. I have mildly modified my 76 L-48 from a stock HP rating of 180 to a kinda "healthy" rating of 345 and didn't have to pull out the motor. Better heads, cam, and headers alone did this for me. Many more knowedgeable motor Gurus here than me who will be more than glad to help you......Just hang around.....U'll C......... :seeya

 

L88 was the high performance Big Block in -67 to -69, producing 430 horsepowers from 427 cubic inches. 430 HP in paper, in real life there was more...

L98 was the C4 engine from -85 to about -89 if I'm correct... :cheers:

 

Welcome to the forum, I believe I answered a couple of your posts on LS1.com.
The L48 and L82 for that matter was fairly restricted do to emissions. It wouldn't take much to bring the performance to 350hp-400hp level. Headers, intake, and cam will get you close if not more.

:cheers:

 

Thanks for the info!

I'ld just want to go for a little street build up.... nothing geared towards the track.

Anything I should just plain run from when shopping around?

 

Most people think since Vettes are made of fiberglass they don't rust. Well the frame does and that should be the first to check. Don't be afraid to get down on the ground and look under the car to check, it will save you a lot of time and heartache down the road. Surface rust isn't an issue, but major rust is. If you could take some pictures and post them on the forum I'm sure eveyone would their opinion on condition and price.

:cheers:

 

I wish I could find it now but there is a really good checklist somewhere online for the purchase of an older Corvette. You want to pay attention to...

>As Corey says...rust...specifically in the areas around the rear trailing arm pockets where the frame turns 90 deg. to go over the rear end, in the areas of the birdcage around the windshield and along the long main frame runners under the doors.
>Check the bearing/side yoke play in the rear end by jacking each rear tire up off the ground and grabbing the tire at the 12 and 6 o'clock positions. in this position try to rock the top/bottom of the tire in and out. There should be little to no movement. Movement here can indicate - rear bearings (expensive) side yoke wear (expensive), strut rod wear (not too bad) or a combination of all three (ouch)
>Remove each tire and inspect the calipers - corvette brakes are finiky at the best and a PITA at worse. look for dark stains or wet calipers - check brake fluid level - drive the car - does it pull in any direction? is the pedal firm or spongy?
>Depending on where you live, check to ensure that all emissions equipment is installed, this equipment is often removed by previous owners and is quite expensive to replace. If your locale has any kind of inspection on vehicles - this type of stuff is probably part of it.
>The engine in truth is the least of your worries, the ubiquitous small block chevy that appears in this car is virtually no different from the one in your neighbors station wagon or pickup truck, parts are plentiful and inexpensive. The L-82 will have better internals and will have more initial value but the L-48's are easily modified and are much less expensive.
>transmissions are typical chevy - appearing in everything so dont worry about those.

The most expensive parts of the vette are the rear suspension (nothing is shared across the GM line) the interior - again - little is shared and the repro houses run the pricing - and paint - it costs alot to paint these cars if you are looking for a good job. you can do Maaco but the result may not be to your likeing.

The 78 and later cars have more interior space for storage so you and a friend can travel long distances and actually carry something with you - if that matters - but the 77 and earlier have the more classic C3 styling.

Hope some of that helps


[Modified by fauxrs, 7:56 AM 5/28/2003]

 

I have a nice '75 L-88 Coupe I'll sell you, cheap, $50,000-one of a kind :lolg:

 

You might want to check the 79registry for more info about 79's :cheers:

http://www.vettefinders.com/79registry/front.htm

 

You may have been thinking of the L-83 more commonly known as the cross fire and many other bad names. :lol: :cuss :skep:

C-4's used the L83, then the L98, then the LT1. :thumbs:

 

Check out my website for info on each of the year. Also do a search of the archives. If you are planning on modifying the car and have to pass thru emmisions you proablably want to avoid the 81 & 82 because they are computer controlled. The '81 is unique because it has a computer controlled carc and the '82 has the crossfire injection. These cars can be modified, but you options are more limited if you need to stay legal. :cheers: