Lookin' for 82 CE Gurus
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Lookin' for 82 CE Gurus
I'm researching a magazine article on 82 Collector Edtions.
The car I'm using as the example for this story seems a bit unusual in that it seems to have base suspension but a (9-leaf) steel rear spring. I was under the impression that 81s and 82s with automatic and w/o FE7 had a composite (monoleaf) rear spring and that only FE7 cars have a (7-leaf) steel rear spring. I'm looking for an expert on 82s who can enlighten me on this spring issue.
Also, two rear axles are listed for MY82, a 2.72 and a 2.87. Anyone know which axle is in what kinds of cars? I'm surprised there is even two ratios listed. Was the 2.87 some kind of "performance" ratio? If so, what cars got it?
Lastly, I'm a little confused about the existence of a rear stabilizer bars on base suspension cars. One source of information I ran across says that base cars had a front bar and no rear bar with only FE7 cars (Gymkhana Susp) having a rear bar. Others sources show front and rear bars for both levels of suspension with the FE7 having the larger bars.
[Modified by Hib Halverson, 5:00 PM 3/8/2004]
The car I'm using as the example for this story seems a bit unusual in that it seems to have base suspension but a (9-leaf) steel rear spring. I was under the impression that 81s and 82s with automatic and w/o FE7 had a composite (monoleaf) rear spring and that only FE7 cars have a (7-leaf) steel rear spring. I'm looking for an expert on 82s who can enlighten me on this spring issue.
Also, two rear axles are listed for MY82, a 2.72 and a 2.87. Anyone know which axle is in what kinds of cars? I'm surprised there is even two ratios listed. Was the 2.87 some kind of "performance" ratio? If so, what cars got it?
Lastly, I'm a little confused about the existence of a rear stabilizer bars on base suspension cars. One source of information I ran across says that base cars had a front bar and no rear bar with only FE7 cars (Gymkhana Susp) having a rear bar. Others sources show front and rear bars for both levels of suspension with the FE7 having the larger bars.
[Modified by Hib Halverson, 5:00 PM 3/8/2004]
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Re: Lookin' for 82 CE Gurus (Hib Halverson)
FE7 had 7 leaf steel springs, the others composite. If it's a true FE7 car it will have aluminium strut rods, it's the only C3 to have that. Seems like someone changed the rear spring.
Only FE7s had a rear sway bar in 82 and I think for all other years it's the same.
Only FE7s had a rear sway bar in 82 and I think for all other years it's the same.
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Re: Lookin' for 82 CE Gurus (Twin_Turbo)
Rats!
Now this is really getting complicated.
The car has aluminum strut rods. A rear bar and a nine-leaf spring.
In the past, nine-leaf springs were the low rate, base spring for 63-80.
I'm gonna bet someone did change the rear spring. I bet the stock 7-leaf broke and was replaced by a seven.
Anyone know the wire dia. used on the FE7 ft. spring?
Now this is really getting complicated.
The car has aluminum strut rods. A rear bar and a nine-leaf spring.
In the past, nine-leaf springs were the low rate, base spring for 63-80.
I'm gonna bet someone did change the rear spring. I bet the stock 7-leaf broke and was replaced by a seven.
Anyone know the wire dia. used on the FE7 ft. spring?
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Re: Lookin' for 82 CE Gurus (Hib Halverson)
Hib, I owned an 82 CE for a few years. The standard spring for 1980 was a 9 leaf. It was also standard for 4 speed 81's. The monoleaf fiberglass spring was standard for 81 automatics only and all 82 std suspension cars.
The optional spring FE7 for 1980-82 was steel and consisted of 9 leaves simular in design to the std 1980 spring. The part # for this spring was 14021604, which was stenciled on the botton of the spring in yellow paint.
In 82 the 2.72 ratio was used with standard wheels, 2.87 with aluminum wheels.
Only FE7 cars have a rear stabilizer.
Hope this helps. :chevy
[Modified by gq82, 6:57 PM 3/8/2004]
The optional spring FE7 for 1980-82 was steel and consisted of 9 leaves simular in design to the std 1980 spring. The part # for this spring was 14021604, which was stenciled on the botton of the spring in yellow paint.
In 82 the 2.72 ratio was used with standard wheels, 2.87 with aluminum wheels.
Only FE7 cars have a rear stabilizer.
Hope this helps. :chevy
[Modified by gq82, 6:57 PM 3/8/2004]
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Re: Lookin' for 82 CE Gurus (gq82)
It helps, much. Thank you.
One additional question, when you say the 2.87 axle came with aluminum wheels, do you mean the CE wheels only or the CE wheels along with the N90 wheels which are aluminum but not the same as the CE wheels.
[Modified by Hib Halverson, 6:16 PM 3/8/2004]
One additional question, when you say the 2.87 axle came with aluminum wheels, do you mean the CE wheels only or the CE wheels along with the N90 wheels which are aluminum but not the same as the CE wheels.
[Modified by Hib Halverson, 6:16 PM 3/8/2004]
Le Mans Master
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From: Myrtle Beach SC
Re: Lookin' for 82 CE Gurus (gq82)
Hib, I owned an 82 CE for a few years. The standard spring for 1980 was a 9 leaf. It was also standard for 4 speed 81's. The monoleaf fiberglass spring was standard for 81 automatics only and all 82 std suspension cars.
The optional spring FE7 for 1980-82 was steel and consisted of 9 leaves simular in design to the std 1980 spring. The part # for this spring was 14021604, which was stenciled on the botton of the spring in yellow paint.
In 82 the 2.72 ratio was used with standard wheels, 2.87 with aluminum wheels.
Only FE7 cars have a rear stabilizer.
The optional spring FE7 for 1980-82 was steel and consisted of 9 leaves simular in design to the std 1980 spring. The part # for this spring was 14021604, which was stenciled on the botton of the spring in yellow paint.
In 82 the 2.72 ratio was used with standard wheels, 2.87 with aluminum wheels.
Only FE7 cars have a rear stabilizer.
Hib:
gq82 got it right! 80-82 FE7 got the 9 leaf spring and rear stabilizer...as did FE7 RPOs from 75 on.
The front springs are rated at the 550 lb/inch and I've seen them with the BHJ code but the BHK broadcast code is also specified for FE7.
I looked over a couple of NCRS articles on springs but did not see front spring diameter specified. While diameter may have been a factor...spring height was also a factor with the stiffer more compact characteristic of FE7. But you knew all that. I've done some other research on 82s...drop me a note if you need anything else.
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Race Director
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Re: Lookin' for 82 CE Gurus (PB82CE)
I learned something new, so 82 FE7 has a 9 leaf spring..hmm... then the single one I have ever seen (vettes are rare here) had the wrong spring. It was an FE7 car with both bars, alu struts and if i remember correctly it had a 7 leaf spring.
Le Mans Master
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From: Minneapolis, Mn USA
Re: Lookin' for 82 CE Gurus (Twin_Turbo)
The 9 leaf for 80-82 for FE7 suspension is 2 1/2 inches wide, therefore making it a little more stiff than the earlier 9 leaf 2 1/4 inch wide springs.
The 82s front FE7 coil springs are also the same as std springs.
Brent...
The 82s front FE7 coil springs are also the same as std springs.
Brent...
Thread Starter
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Re: Lookin' for 82 CE Gurus (MN-Brent)
All this input is really helpful.
Thanks to all.
Let me confirm one statement made here.
Only 1982s with FE7 had the aluminum strut rods. All others had the older-type, steel strut rods. Is this correct?
Thanks to all.
Let me confirm one statement made here.
Only 1982s with FE7 had the aluminum strut rods. All others had the older-type, steel strut rods. Is this correct?
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Re: Lookin' for 82 CE Gurus (Hib Halverson)
yes, it's positively correct. I researched it. All others have the round tube style steel ones used in earlier cars, only the 82 FE7 has the forged aluminium struts.
[Modified by Twin_Turbo, 12:08 PM 3/9/2004]
[Modified by Twin_Turbo, 12:08 PM 3/9/2004]
Thread Starter
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Re: Lookin' for 82 CE Gurus (Vince'82)
Again, thanks to everyone here who's been posting info.
Let me ask something else...has anyone ever heard of a club, registry or owner's organization specificly for 82 CE owners?
Lastly, my article on 82 CEs will be publisheed in either the June or July issue of Hemmings Muscle Machines.
Let me ask something else...has anyone ever heard of a club, registry or owner's organization specificly for 82 CE owners?
Lastly, my article on 82 CEs will be publisheed in either the June or July issue of Hemmings Muscle Machines.
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Re: Lookin' for 82 CE Gurus (Hib Halverson)
http://www.82ceregistry.com but there's also a lot of them on http://www.crossfire.homeip.net
