Funny how I came to this thread because I was talking to someone at a car show this past weekend who claimed their 81 model was a L82. I didn't burst any bubbles, but decided to check it out online. I feel bad that this person was duped about what engine was in the car, which was purchased just last year. Oh well, I don't think they paid much of a premium for the lie they were told.
I've really enjoyed the education about the waning years of the immortal L82.

One more thing... Can someone decipher that engine stamp that Karol posted. I'm still curious.

I have a1981 with L82..
 

I remember on Thanksgiving Day 1981 my aunt drove up in A 1981 L82 white Corvette with camel interior. I bought the car about 5 years ago and the original Paperwork indicated that it had 1st been registered in the dealership owners name. It was a gift for his wife according to my Uncle and she did not like it which is how he came to own it. It has the L82 placards on the side.. It looks like I will have to take off the air conditioner compressor to get to the number on the front of the block. The car has less than 30000 miles on it but the interior is toast from sitting outside for almost 10 years...Vin # 1G1AY8760BS409265..

Position 8 of your VIN is 6.
The 6 is a 350ci/190HP
NOT an L82.

Why would my 81 have L82 Badges?
 

Thanks for your reply...The car originally had the L82 badges on it. Why would they have the L82 badge and not be the motor in the car? Good old boy network of car dealership owners wouldn't get 1st shot at what they knew shouldn't be sold?? Like sneaking in an L82 but stamp it to not show they broke the "emissions rules..Lots of rules were broken back then before the digital age would reveal funny biz..

I posted a stamp pad for a 78 to show what a typical pad would look like.
In this case:
V=Flint
April 13th
CMS= 1978 L82 automatic

Fishcharmer, post a picture of your stamp pad. You can buy L82 badges and stick them on any car to make people think that they have something but don't.

Your suffix will probably read ZDA,ZDB,ZDC,or ZDD

L82 badge since new...
 

I will have to remove ac compressor to see...seems the two badges "Stingray" and L82 would have different hole patterns and be an obvious cosmetic flaw..but what do I know? I know my uncle bought it from. dealership owner with less than 500 miles on it..

What does the paperwork say as far as options.
The L82 was never standard always an option.

Please don't remove anything. the "Stingray" badge and name was not used after 1976. The L-82 badges on 1980's were peel and stick pressure sensitive adhesive. They would be cheap to buy and VERY easy to mount. :beatdeadhorse:

Okay I lurked.

Post up the 'supposed' engine stamping pad number and build sequence.
L-82 were ALL 4 bolt mains with 8" harmonic balancers. (can't throw valve covers on THAT.

I'm going with the L-81 was the one and only.

While there were 'factories friends cars' and I've seen other cars 'that shouldn't have been'....These were certified SAE emission compliant engines. Imagine the LAWSUITS! (hello! VW did you learn anything?)
L-81 is basically an L-48. probably the 010 block as well.

Unkahal

You don't have to fit your whole head in there, just your phone. Flashlight in one hand, phone in the other, even an off-angle shot of the engine stamp pad is likely to be readable.

I will tell you this. the last of the 69 Z28s did not have 302 but had LT1 350s Reason they flat ran out. I examined a 1971 LT1 and it had high compression heads.. I speculate it was a true ZR2 Chevy does a lot of weird stuff. .

I am just wondering if your engine received some left over TRW forged L82 pistons? My 84 C4 has them and I understand they were used in some 85s also. My engine is a 2 bolt block.

The OP hasn't been back since his last post. Another fish tale...