FROM ITS DOCUMENTED HISTORY, MY 1980 CORVETTE IS ALL ORIGINAL. MY CONFUSSION LIES IN THE DIFFERENCE BETWEEN A L48 AND A L82. ACCORDING TO ALL MY PARTS AND ACCESSORY CATALOGS AND THE PICTURES THEY SHOW, I HAVE A L82 BUT ACCORDING TO THE EMMISSION LABEL AND THE V.I.N. IT IS A L48... I'VE BEEN TOLD BECAUSE OF THE CHANGING FROM ST. LOUIS TO BOWLING GREEN BETWEEN 1980 AND 1981 IT IS VERY POSSIBLE I HAVE A L82 WITH L48 DOCUMENTATION. DOES ANYONE HAVE ANY INFORMATION ON THIS SUBJECT.

                                                                     TAZMAN

I would think the VIN and emissions sticker would give the correct information, but anything's possible. If it's original an L48 would have stamped steel valve covers painted engine color and an L82 would have the finned alloy black valve covers.

The numbers on the intake, carburetor and distributor should give some idea of what the motor is.

If the VIN is accurate as to the engine, the fifth digit should be an 8 for an L48 and a 6 for an L82. If the fifth digit is an H, then it's a 305 engine which I believe was California only.

Gunslinger is right. Plus I would like to add to the subject.

 I highly doubt that the switching from St. Louis to Bowling Green theory has any merit. All 1980 vettes are St. Louis cars. 1980 was also the last year for the L-48 and L-82 engine designations. 1981 there was only one engine...the L-81 190HP.

The switch over to B.G. took place for the 2st half of the '81 production. ***(Well after the 1980's were made.)***

St.Louis produced all solid colored Corvette's in 1981. And B.G. produced all two tone 1981 Corvettes.

If your car is a 4 speed, then it's an L-48. L-82 for 1980 could only be had with a automatic transmission.

Sarge

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GEN III 5.7L "LS6" Engine swap
TKO500 5 spd.

Tazman, get the numbers/letters off of the engine "stamp pad", and that will tell exactly what engine you have. It's possible the engine has been changed, and there is no documentation for it. It's also possible that some components have been changed, such as the valve covers, etc., to make it look like an L82. Who knows? The stamp pad will tell the tale. Not many people faking the '80 models(yet!).

ZAK = L48-350TRANS(fed)
ZAM = L48-4SPD(FED)
ZBC = L82-350TRANS(FED)
ZBD = L82-4SPD(FED)
ZCA = LG4(305ci)-350TRANS(CALIF)

There is a code for the 4spd/L82, but they were NOT used in '80.

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Joel Adams
C3VR Lifetime Member #56    
My Link


(click for Texas-sized view!)             NCRS

"Money can't buy happiness -- but somehow it's more comforting to cry in a CORVETTE than in a Kia"

   THANKS FOR THE REPLYS... THE VALVE COVERS ARE ALUINUM FINNED AND THE AIR INTAKE HAS TWO INLETS INSTEAD OF ONE. DOES THIS GIVE ANY INDICATION. ALSO, WHERE DO I FIND THE ENGINE STAMP PAD WITH THE CODES???

                                                               TAZMAN

Under the A/C compressor there is a small rectangular ledge where the cylinder head and block meet. It's stamped on there. Take a flashlight and look straight down between the valve cover and the A/C compressor. You might be able to read it provided there is no grease built up there.

If there are no numbers or letters there they may have been machined off during a engine overhaul.

Sarge

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GEN III 5.7L "LS6" Engine swap
TKO500 5 spd.

Chances are, its gonna be really dirty/greasy. Please resist the temptation to use a large screwdriver to clean the pad off. It will scratch the pad, and then some NCRS judge down the road will take a 38 point deduction for it!
Spray some brake cleaner on it, or use a mild degreaser(Simple Green, etc.), and a rag to wipe it off. Adams' Apple38660.7825462963

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Joel Adams
C3VR Lifetime Member #56    
My Link


(click for Texas-sized view!)             NCRS

"Money can't buy happiness -- but somehow it's more comforting to cry in a CORVETTE than in a Kia"