Topic: Info on 1982 Corvette
in Forum: C3 General Discussion
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vettejack said: My '82 just turned 80,000 miles with no issues. Crisp, immediate starting, no hesitation on throttle up, and no dieseling when shutting down. Replaced TBI and metering units right from the start. Another preventive fix you might consider is pulling the fuel pump from the tank and immediately replace the teflon hose clamps with steel. At one point in time, my car would not stay running until my mechanic and I troublshot the system back to the pump and found rotten teflon.
Other than that, smooth as silk going down the road...turning heads and getting tons of thumbs up. I had people tell me that the car looks 'low' and "mean" in their rear view mirror and that its the shape is of what they remember about Corvette as a kid. I take the '82 to shows, leaving the '06 to travel with everything else. The '06 garners no where near the nostalgic conversation as what comes from viewing the '82. 
As far as price vs. mileage...I consider what you have told us here to be right in the ball park...Vette-n-Vestments quotes the '82 as average at $12,800, low price at $5750 and high price at $23,500.
I won't insult anyone here with what price goes with what condition of the vehicle. We all can figure out what low and high is when comparing the condition of the vehicle against money and value.
The Collectors Edition...which had its' own pricing, is not considered in this part of the conversation.
As far as my own '82? I would consider it a 17K to 19K car, just by what I've done to it. Some of that money could very well be sentimental value coming out as well.
One year appreciation for an '82 stands at 3%, while the 5 year appreciation stands at 2%, so, the '82 is doing fairly well and climbing.
With Mecum and BJ auctions saturating the 68-72 'bumper cars' market with big money, they will soon turn their attention to the last of the C3...betcha!
Thank you so much! Your comments along with the others, is building my confidence!
I have a '68 numbers matching L-79 bla bla bla that needs nothing that I bought on ebay for $23,600. First year of the C3......this is what happens over the winter when you have more thinking time than driving time.......I thought wouldn't it be nice to also have the last year C3. So I started looking on the internet and happen to find this one about 15 miles away.
I've spoken to the owner and he echos his add, so the proof will be in the pudding, so to speak. I've been to my Credit Union to Posture the buy, so I'm ready to go! I've got an appointment to see it tomorrow at noon. He told me that he has one other interested party in Breckenridge CO, but I called first so I get first shot. Not sure if this is a seller's ploy or if it's true.
Agreeing with your thought on the future appreciation of the '82, this car's condition and low mileage, I thought it might be a good opportunity. I was thinking of offering $13,000, not to low ball but just to get the best deal possible. However when I see and drive it, if it is as stated and with all the pointers that I've gotten, I'm not sure I want to let it get away
at $14,000.
at $14,000.
All good stuff though......quick start.......idles smooth. I heard no complains about the ride, suspension, brakes etc. on '82s. I love to do Car Shows so I'll be giving the interior and exterior cosmetics and the wheels a hard look.
Thanks again guys!!!
God Bless, rick
'75 Steel Blue Stingray Coupe
'75 Hot Red L82 Stingray Convertible
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tb2k82ce said: I completely agree with everything but the 16psi. 11psi is way low the guys at DCS like it in the 13psi area. I was having problems with the engine running rich. so I went with 13psi and have not found any issues with performance.
But you will if you do not have a new fuel pump and more than 12psi coming out of it.
You do want to replace the fuel pump for sure and yes it does come out from the top of the tank but it take some fiddling to get it out.
Also be prepared to replace some of the gas hose when you do the pump. Have a car available to go to the auto parts store.
By the way you will need a special tool to adjust the fuel pressure and you will need a means to measure it between the TBI's. The stock fuel lines will most likely be hard to get off and you need to be careful about bending them when you do try to take them off. I purchase replacements with a place for a gauge before I took mine off. I do not believe DCS offers that setup any more. I do not know if they plan on doing it in the near future or not.
Some people thing a pressure gauge there is a waste of time and I understand where they are coming from. But I figure it is better than connecting and disconnecting the line multiple times.
I know that DCS has been less that responsive sometimes but I personally have purchase a lots of stuff from them including having them put bushing in my TBIs. Fast they are not. It took about 4 weeks for the TBIs round trip. They did tell me it would be 3 to 5 weeks so they were within what they said. I was just hoping for faster time.
They have always done good by me including walking me through a number of things when there was no money involved. http://www.crossfireinjection.net/
John
Just a side note DCS has come up with a balancing tool for the TBIs that is a lot simpler than the water manometer process and more accurate than using paper as a filler gauge. They are just waiting time to have them calibrated. I build a water manometer and tried to balance mine but the shafts were worn to much to have much luck.
Thanks again guys!!! I didn't buy that nice '82 Silver Coupe...........but I found a '82 Collector Edition in great shape with 52,000. He has window sticker, tank sticker, and a great story behind it. Cosmeticly very good and tight. Starts right away, no smoke, no rust under neath, but runs a little rough. Spoke to the Corvette Center and that said when they sit to long the injectors can clog up. He said if I bring it to him for anywhere from $200 to $1,000 it's run great. I got the car for $13,500. Here is the link. Again thanks and I already have my first question
The '82 has a 85mph speedometer.......what happens to the speedometer when you drive it 90 or 95 or.........? Do you damage it?
God Bless, rick
'75 Steel Blue Stingray Coupe
'75 Hot Red L82 Stingray Convertible
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rmendoza said:The '82 has a 85mph speedometer.......what happens to the speedometer when you drive it 90 or 95 or.........? Do you damage it?
Nope. Shouldn't hurt a thing.
Congrats on the Collector's Edition!!
Joel Adams
C3VR Lifetime Member #56 
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"Money can't buy happiness -- but somehow it's more comforting to cry in a CORVETTE than in a Kia"
Trust me, going over 85 does not hurt the speedo. Good luck with the CE!
Dave
Lifetime Member #116
Dave's '82 
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Oak Creek, WI - USA
Joined: 5/21/2008
Posts: 1965
Vette(s): 1981 Great White Shark. Red Interior, 350/190 hp. PS, PB (SS), A/C CC, T-Tops. Served three years in Active Duty Army, then Retired Air Force after 34 years! Badger State Vettes Car Club. 175,000 Original miles!! Now own a 1998 C-5!
rmendoza said: I have the first year C3 '68 and have been thinking about picking up a C3 last year '82.
I don't know a thing about them and their reliability. I know they came out with the Cross Fire Fuel Injection and the mileage and horse power went up over the preceding year. I know they put the engine in the '84 C4 but not much else.
The asking prices and conditions are all over the map. I know in reading about their average value, they have dropped a few % over the last year and are unexplainably low over all.
I have found what appears to be a nice one on craigs list locally. It has 29,000 original miles and he dropped the price from $15,500 to $14,000. This is more than I had in mind to spend because I wanted to tinker.
My boss is looking for his first corvette and is thinking C6 around $30K, which he will be able to find a nice one for that. However, since this is CO and we have limited driving months I thought this '82 in its condition and mileage for $14K might be a good first starter vette and it's a C3.
What do you guys think?
The
82 had the first crossfire injection engine not fuel injection. Is the
1982 a Collector's Edition or the base model??? The price you state is
a good price for the Collector Edition but not for the base model.
Dan da Man
(fixed quote box-aapple)
|UPDATED|3/4/2014 10:44:59 AM (AZT)|/UPDATED|
Dan,
The link that was in your "Quote" was a base coupe.
The one I bought had the link below and is in fact a Collector Edition
Not only can you see from the pictures, but the VIN has a 0 in the 6th position designating it a CE.
Originally a Colorado car being sold at Purifoy Chevrolet in Ft Luption CO. I pulled CARFAX and it picked it up in 2001 when it was registered in CA. The 6 records in CARFAX indicating periodic re-registration and only 1290 miles were put on the car since 2001.
God Bless, rick
'75 Steel Blue Stingray Coupe
'75 Hot Red L82 Stingray Convertible
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Joined: 6/12/2011
Posts: 139
Vette(s): 1982 corvette crossfire production numer C5101985. Color is silver and claret. All original numbers match. slight mods to crossfire for better efficiancy and power balanced and added fuel pressure assembly between throttle bodies,
I have an 82 CE that is balanced, tuned, 50k output hei, runs best at 12 psi between throttle bodies (fuel pressure gauge between throttle bodies. upgraded 86 fuel pump for higher out put, smaller torque converter, b and m shift kit in tranny. 76,400 miles.
I dont have an issue with it, once i got the right fuel pressure she runs great.
Sure I have to tinker on it now and then, but it idles at 500 rpm, shifts good, fly's down the highway.
Marcus
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Oak Creek, WI - USA
Joined: 5/21/2008
Posts: 1965
Vette(s): 1981 Great White Shark. Red Interior, 350/190 hp. PS, PB (SS), A/C CC, T-Tops. Served three years in Active Duty Army, then Retired Air Force after 34 years! Badger State Vettes Car Club. 175,000 Original miles!! Now own a 1998 C-5!
rmendoza said: Dan,
The link that was in your "Quote" was a base coupe.
The one I bought had the link below and is in fact a Collector Edition
Not only can you see from the pictures, but the VIN has a 0 in the 6th position designating it a CE.
Originally a Colorado car being sold at Purifoy Chevrolet in Ft Luption CO. I pulled CARFAX and it picked it up in 2001 when it was registered in CA. The 6 records in CARFAX indicating periodic re-registration and only 1290 miles were put on the car since 2001.
Dummy me never looked at the URL you sent!!! DUH!!!! You got it?? Great!
Dan da Man
johnu said:
LOL,
dyoes said:
Many C3 snobs pooh-pooh the later cars because they weren't fast. Hell, was anything fast in 1982?
LOL,
My last three mini-vans have had more HP then mine. 
John,
After 40 + years of corvettes, I have to agree with you. In the 10 I've had, I've experienced hair raising situations in my youth and more controlled pleasurable experiences as I matured. As I mellow with age my attention and appreciation has shifted to the shear beauty of the lines and the reliability of a Chevy. All with their special aspects, IMO a beautiful C3 has that eye drawing, jaw dropping capability to leave an indelible image on your mind.
When I test drove the '82 CE saturday, I got the feeling that I was in a touring car with its great freeway ride. With a great story and price, it was a no brainer. This is the car that I'm taking on the National Corvette Caravan this year. Assembly Plant move to BG in '81 and the '82s their first production run, I'm taking her to her birthplace.
God Bless, rick
'75 Steel Blue Stingray Coupe
'75 Hot Red L82 Stingray Convertible
Former Member
Send PM
Oak Creek, WI - USA
Joined: 5/21/2008
Posts: 1965
Vette(s): 1981 Great White Shark. Red Interior, 350/190 hp. PS, PB (SS), A/C CC, T-Tops. Served three years in Active Duty Army, then Retired Air Force after 34 years! Badger State Vettes Car Club. 175,000 Original miles!! Now own a 1998 C-5!
rmendoza said:
John,
johnu said:
LOL,
dyoes said:
Many C3 snobs pooh-pooh the later cars because they weren't fast. Hell, was anything fast in 1982?
LOL,
My last three mini-vans have had more HP then mine.
John,
After 40 + years of corvettes, I have to agree with you. In the 10 I've had, I've experienced hair raising situations in my youth and more controlled pleasurable experiences as I matured. As I mellow with age my attention and appreciation has shifted to the shear beauty of the lines and the reliability of a Chevy. All with their special aspects, IMO a beautiful C3 has that eye drawing, jaw dropping capability to leave an indelible image on your mind.
When I test drove the '82 CE saturday, I got the feeling that I was in a touring car with its great freeway ride. With a great story and price, it was a no brainer. This is the car that I'm taking on the National Corvette Caravan this year. Assembly Plant move to BG in '81 and the '82s their first production run, I'm taking her to her birthplace.
I will be doing the caravan also!! Hope to meet with you, rmendoza!!
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