82 Collector's Edition

[Whoareyou1982]

Hey guys, I just purchased an '82 Collector's Edition 'Vette and I'm pretty excited about it. It's certainly a project, fortunately, almost everything that's wrong with the car has a replacement part bought for it already. The front air dam/bumbper cover is screwed up, but he has a new one, he bought all new weather stripping, even though it doesn't need it yet, new leather was put in by the previous owner, needed the radiator put in, etc. The only big downside to the car is it could use a new paint job eventually. My question is this: Since this is the collector's edition with silver-beige paint that was exclusive to this car (at least for that year it was exclusive to this car, beyond that I don't have a clue) where could I get the paint for it? I have a connection in the car painting business, but I would need to get a hold of the paint. Also, any idea how much paint would be required for a total repaint? I also was wondering how hard it would be to add some horsepower to the car, since it came from the factory with only 200. That's far down the road, but still something I'd like to ponder. This is my first GM so I know next to nothing but the basics about them. I appreciate any help you guys could give! Thanks!

 

[78SilvAnniv]

Welcome Whoareyou1982!

Welcome to Corvette Action Center.
I would check (have no clue as to availablity) the Corvette Catalogs and ebay for decals for your paint scheme if you want to re-paint as 'correct', however when I repainted my silver anniversary (which was a decal car) it was all done with paint and masking and I like the way it turned out.
Good luck with your new vette!
Heidi

 

[Eric]

Hi Kyle! Congrats on the Vette and welcome to the CAC!

The 82 CE is hands down one of the nicest looking Vettes around in my opinion. Your paint color can be custom mixed without a problem at any good paint shop. The decals are another story. All of the Corvette supply shops sell the pinstriping kits but none sell the hood and side grill fading decals so you have to hope for an NOS set to show up on eBay or at a swap. Also, be sure to have the guy mix up a small batch of the darker bronze color to paint the taillight recesses.

With all of the 82 CE's out there, I'm sure some decal company is bound to reproduce those fade kits someday.

Regarding power, some of our 82 members have tweaked the Cross-Fire system (82-Guy) and I'm sure they'll chime in.

Best of luck and don't forget to wave.

 

[luvmy82]

You can get your paint color numbers off the doors of your car.

If you choose to repaint and don't want to get the decal kit that has the gradient fades on the hood and sides, someone who knows what they are doing can paint this on for you. My car was repainted and the decals were put on but, the hood gradient has this "crackle" in it and personally, I would have preferred in GM painted this on from the get go. The gradient kits are a small fortune and run...are you ready for this.....$1,500 at and aftermarket firm. I have their website if you want to do it the true GM production way and apply the decals.

There is a website out there that you can post messages to that is exclusively for 82 CE's and there are alot of knowlegable guys/gals on there that can tell you anything you need to know about your CE. Here's the URL: http://www.b2g3.com/boards/board.cgi?user=jyeatman

I have to concur with 71Shark when he said that hands down, the 82CE really is a beautiful car! Not that I'm biased...and here's why...

 

[luvmy82]

How do you post a picture at the end of your post? I used to be able to do it? What's the secret?http://www.picturejudge.com/memberpics/luvmy82/images/Suzanne In Hell 5x7.jpg

 

[Rob]

How do you post a picture at the end of your post? I used to be able to do it? What's the secret?http://www.picturejudge.com/memberpics/luvmy82/images/Suzanne In Hell 5x7.jpg

Take the spaces out between the img-tags and the URL You need to put that in your signature.

 

[Guy]

Welcome to the , Kyle and congrats!
Several of us 82 owners have found that the Hypertech Thermo Master computer chip will add an easy 20hp. The best price I found was on www.autozone.com for about $120. The modern programming will also prevent early tourque converter lock-up at low speeds (a pain in the butt on 82's).


Guy

 

[Zektor]

Whoareyou1982,
A lot of people think the Cross-Fire Injection system on a 1982 car sucks. But, I do not agree. Ok, so it's not the most fuel efficient EFI system out there... but we are talking 1982 here!!!

It's actually very simple to work on and CAN make more power with simple mods. A have a 1982 myself, not a Collector Edition car but exactly the same mechanically.

I've done relatively simple mods on my car to give it roughly about 250Bhp. And I have tested it using my G-Tech Pro performance analyser and I get a 0 to 60 mph time of 6.5 seconds. Much better than the standard 8.1 seconds to sixty. Also, mid-range performance is much improved.

Enjoy your car!

Cheers
Dazza

 

[Glensgages]

Whoareyou1982, your FIRST GM product? If you're done messin' with them 'type-F' products, get a tetanus shot; you won't find rust on a Vette! First, try finding a good, reputable paint shop, and get the 'faders' painted-on; you'll be happy you did. I saw an '82 C.E. at a Show this weekend; the hood-decal looked like crocodile-skin. Do you want THIS in 20 more years? The C.E. also had true dual exhaust, with no cat OR mufflers; just 2.5" pipes to the chrome-tipped tail-pipes! The owner claims it runs MUCH better (I can vouch that it DOES sound better than my '82, too!), and didn't 'screw' with the stock ECM! Controlling the converter lock-up, and up/down shifting of the balky 700R4 is nice, too. If you can live with lower MPG, changing the 2.87:1 rear gears will help; I think 3.08s, 3.36s, 3.55s, and 3.73s are a direct-fit in your housing. In the next year, I'll be in the process of hot-rodding my Cross-Fire, and am open to any & all help in this project.

 

[Whoareyou1982]

Thanks for all the replies guys! I'm glad the decals were brought up because that was a big concern of mine, as well. I agree that this is one BEAUTIFUL car. Even in its less-than-perfect state I could gaze at it for hours. I appreciate all your help and I'm sure I'll need even more in the future. Until then, keep it safe guys!

Kyle

 

[Billy]

Hey whoyouare,

I've got a C.E. as well. The decals were in perfect shape when I bought the car almost 7 years ago, but after that amount of time in the southwest sun the hood decal is really bad. I tried removing it with a heat gun and mild sand paper, but that only took paint off as well. I've been quoted $5000 for a re-paint (faded decals painted included), but have decided to do a little restoration work to the rest of the car first. I've seen some re-piants whre the base silver-beige metalic looked beautiful, but the faded paint was off a little. Anyway, it's a beautiful paint scheme. Also, the stock Crossfire with it's good low end torque will beat a tuned port until about 30-40MPH and then it's all over (I know from experience), but the low end torque makes the Crossfire a lot of fun in city driving.

 

[Glensgages]

I was told to try the guys who air-brush choppers & racing helmets for the 'faded' decals. They're ALWAYS doing custom stuff like that. Might be a solution.....

 

[PHOENIXMIKE]

For performance information type in crossfire injection in your search engine. Go to the cross fire injection forum moderated by Twinne. These guys are amazing! They have an incredible amount of information about the crossfire and how to increase
performance. They have tried all the good and bad ways to make power and will save you from making mistakes and from wasting your money on things that do not work. Good luck.