L-82?? fact or fiction for 1981

[glaso81]

Recently I have seen 2 differant ads selling 1981 corvettes with "RARE" L82 option I have always believed there to be only the L81 engine in the 81- could anyone shed some light on this as if there were any L82's built for the 81 model year I surely would buy one of the two I've seen advertised. I know the likelyhood is that someone is leading or has been lead astray with the car he/she is selling.

 

[bill81vette]

according to the restoration guide that I have,the L82 option is nothing more than the 350ci engine..of which 5069 were sold,out of 40606 1981 corvettes soldfor the model year..

 

[Yoda]

Hi there,

I am not aware of any L82 engines in our 1981 Corvette. From all the information I've seen all the 1981's came with the one engine option only, that being the L81 190hp 350 CID. I haven't seen any documentation to prove otherwise.

If someone has information from GM St. Louis or the Bowling Green plants please forward the information to me so we can include it on the [url="http://www.L81VetteRegistry.com]L81VetteRegisty[/url]

 

[bill81vette]

Bud,the L82 refers to corvettes option code(RPO#) for the 350ci engine only it was a code that was used from 1973 thru 1981I dont believe it refers to any thing else
bill

 

[DDLS3]

I have the original owners manual for my 81. On the specifications page it lists one engine only RPO L81. I also have a GM 1981 Corvette specifications manual that I got directly from GM several years ago. It clearly states on page 77 quote "there were no optional Corvette engines for 1981". If there was a L82 GM didn't publish anything acknowledging it's existence.

 

[bill81vette]

yup your right! thats what it says in mine too,I would have to say that it must be a misprint in the "How to restore & modify your Corvette" by richard newton or is inaccurate:confused :confused

 

[Yoda]

makes perfectly good sense to me

Bud

 

[glaso81]

Thanks All! I'll take that as a no on L82s.

 

[vettenick]

I bought mine in 81...only one engine available. Although the L81 looks like the L82...aluminum manifold and black valve covers, chrome air cleaner, etc. That's where the similarity ends.

 

[ZAL81]

Basically, the L81 is a de-tuned version of the L82.

 

[Tom73]

Basically, the L81 is a de-tuned version of the L82.

Not really, it is an L48 with a computer controled carb

 

[ZAL81]

Not really, it is an L48 with a computer controled carb

Sorry, but I stand by my original statement.

 

[Tom73]

Sorry, but I stand by my original statement.

Hummmm, 1980 L48 was 190hp, and the 1981 L81 was also 190hp. The 1979 L48 was 195hp.

 

[vettenick]

Gentlemen, the L-81 had different heads, cam, and block.

 

[GerryLP]

Zal,

Perhaps the L81 could perform a little better if adjustments to the ignition advance program were made. So yes, the L81 has an amount of de-tuning related to smog emmission requirements and the like, but that hardly makes it an L82.

Just like Vettenick stated, I also believe the L82 had different intake and exhaust valves, a different cam profile, a different piston (higher CR), and perhaps other "hardware" differences.

Look at the peak Torque and Horsepower between the two. The L82 reaches its torque peak sooner in the power band. On the other hand, the L81 has an impressive torque peak of 280ft/lbs. I am not quite sure at which point it reaches that value, but for a smog car -not bad.

If there is an L82 in a 1981 vette, then I would be inclined to think that it's as a result of an engine swap.