BankBoy

I'm out shopping for my first Corvette, and I need to know how you can identify an L82 versus an L48.
I know this may seem very basic to most of the members of this Forum, but I have no experience with G.M. engines, all my other "Collector" cars being Fords.
I'm coming across ads for L82's in the years I'm looking at, ( '78 and '79 ), but I have no idea how to tell one from the other.
Also, any tips or advice on what to look for , as well as what to watch out for, would be appreciated.
Thanks.

Tom73

The engine type is coded into the VIN, If the 5th digit is a "4" then, for 78/79, it came from the factory with the L82. But what is in the engine compartment now, who knows. You would need to check the engine numbers to confirm that. The casting # and the stamp pad numbers. Then compare them the a source like the Corvette Black Book or the NCRS Judging Guide to confirm.

tom...

Paul L

Here is a 1979 L-82 VIN with the "4" as mentioned by Tom. This is unit #10002.






[Modified by paul67, 9:01 AM 10/2/2003]

adamdinat

78 and 79 are also badged on L82 on the spedo/tach and hood.

RLaFarge

If the stock breather is on the car it will be a duel snorkle. Also there will be L-82 on the bottom of the tach. :yesnod: But the VIN is the best way to know for sure.


[Modified by RLaFarge, 9:20 AM 10/2/2003]


[Modified by RLaFarge, 9:21 AM 10/2/2003]

page62

Don't restrict yourself to buying an L82. They are not worth that much more from a collector's standpoint. And around here, it seems many folks dump the original engine for a ZZ4 anyway.

And whaddya think I'm gonna do when my oringal motor bites the dust? :yesnod:

fauxrs

All of the above - with the exception of the dual snorkle - will identify if the car came equipped originally with an L-82 but will not help ID the engine under the hood.

The only way to ID the engine itself is to check the stampings on the block - just behind the AC compressor (if so equipped) on the passenger side of the engine - in fornt of the head.

On the 78 there will be a number followed by a three letter suffix, if the suffix is either CMR or CMS - then the engine is a L82, anything else and it is not...I do not know the suffix code for the 79's although they may be the same.

If the engine has been rebuilt, and has been decked, then the code will be misisng and you will not be able to determine the engine at all.

BTW - the dual snorkle might be a way to identify and L82 in 78 as only they came so equipped, but in 79 both L82 and L48 engines were equipped with dual snorkle air cleaners, making that an ineffective method. Besides it is way to easy to install such an air filter assembly.

Do not trust to badgeing - any badge can be installed, a L82 tach again will only indicate what came in the car originally. VIN and engine codes..the only way

RLaFarge

That is good to know about the duel snorkles. I had been misinformed about it. I figured it would be easy to add one, in fact I have a spare if anyone needs one. :lol:
Like most, the motor in my vette is no longer the l-82 motor. I got a crate motor and stuck in mine. fauxrs gave some good advice on the best way to know if the motor is or not. The motor in mine was supposed to 225 hp, but there is no way and sluggish as it was. Now, it moves A LOT better.