jet1991`s 1980 Corvette L82 - (Huge pictures)

[jet1991]

jet1991`s 1980 Corvette L82

• Just bought my first car ----------- Post 1
• More pictures ----------------------- Post 31
• Driving it for the first time -------- Post 47
• Amcar show -------------------------- Another thread

I bought my first car 3 weeks ago and yesterday my parents picked it up in Halden and drove it all the way to Karmøy. 700 kilometers in a 30 years old car. It`s an 1980 Chevrolet Corvette c3 L82. A real L82. 230 hp net and 370Nm torque from an 350 small block is not much, but it`s plenty enough for me.

More pictures here: http://s926.photobucket.com/albums/ad106/jet1991/Corvette - hjem fra Halden/
And these are the sellers pictures: http://www.rbauto.no/1980 Corvette svart-rod indiana.htm

The car is in pretty good condition and completely stock (EDIT: D`oh! Stroker, but everything else is stock, even the exhaust) and it`s going to stay stock, but there is a few small (read: a lot of) things that needs fixing up:

• The car has a higher clearance on one of rear wheel wells. Needs new body mounts. Ordered
• The exterior is really dirty and the interior also needs a good cleanup. - DONE! Washing, polishing, waxing and cleaning the interior took me around 20 hours.
• There`s a little surface rust (thats what it is called, right?) on the frame. I`ll get a workshop around here to treat it when we have removed the rust.
• The horn doesnt work The horn button doesn`t work
• The front air dam needs to be replaced - DONE!
• The washer pump doesn`t work It works but not well.
• The right power window seems to be stuck, but the motor works Fixed
• The seat covers and carpet are new, but not installed correctly
• The rear end of the car stands taller than it should. new rear spring bolts could fix it - After some driving the car now sits level.
• The heater makes some really bad noises, probably needs bearings or just grease. Temporarily disconnected
• The paint on the nose is damaged, but you have to take a close look to find it. The car has probably been driven into something.
• There is a small white dot of paint on the inside of one of the brake lights. I`m hoping I can remove it without ruining the paint - DONE!
• All the wheel bearings needs to be replaced
• The belts needs to be replaced
• The t-top weatherstriping needs to be replaced
• The left side mirror is slightly loose. Fixed
• There`s a lot of paint chips that seems to have been "repaired" with nail polish...
• The center wheel caps are from a earlier c3 corvette and needs to be replaced with correct ones. ordered correct ones.
• The aftermarket radio\casette works, but the speakers are blown.
• The lower radiator hose has a small leak. Might be the radiator.
• The reverse lights doesn´t work Fixed
• The power locks unlocks one door and locks the other. Fixed
• The neutral safety switch doesn`t work Fixed
• One of the front lights stopped working. The whole light is just one big light bulb. Ordered new + spares

I think that is all. at least for now...

The car cost me almost 30000 dollars here in Norway. The insurance cost my father about 300 dollars. It would have cost me 3000 - 4000 dollars for a similar insurance! My drivers license cost me around 6500$. You can`t get your license for less than 4500$ here in Norway, IF you do everything perfectly. which isn`t really possible.

I would have loved to drive it home myself but I`m at work in Aberdeen right now and I`m returning home in the beginning of May. I`m going to attend an amcar-show the 8th of May and I`ll post the pictures here. I`m also going to update this thread when I get home and start fixing up the car

I`m sorry about my lack of proper English. I work in Scotland but I still can`t talk the damn language...

 

[buickgnx88]

Awesome ride! You need to upload some videos of the exhaust.

 

[TheCracker]

Very nice. My favourite version of the Vette by far. Looks nice and clean too 👍

I`m sorry about my lack of proper English. I work in Scotland but I still can`t talk the damn language...

No, neither can they

 

[CyborgGT]

Your English is just fine. if you ask me.

Beautiful Vette, good luck with it 👍. I'd imagine they're rare in Norway?

 

[Jim Prower]

Ah, nice Vette, despite being one of the more unloved models (emissions-strangled V8 made no power unless you started toying with it.) Still, after a bit of research on that motor, I think it's probably enough (Especially as it's the most powerful L82 ever offered since '74s 250hp option,) though a simple exhaust and properly-sized carb change could uncork quite a bit of power. Just keep that fiberglass in good condition.

The clearance could be the shocks, but it could also be a mildly bent sway bar/Anti-Roll Bar. I don't know if the Corvette had them at the time, but I assume they did.

 

[Eric.]

Ugliest license plates ever. Poor thing.

Congrats!

 

[jet1991]

Beautiful Vette, good luck with it 👍. I'd imagine they're rare in Norway?

No, not at all, theres a lot of them where I live (small town) and I`ve heard there are a lot of similar "amcar-societies" around the whole scandinavia. There`s also 3 REAL Shelby Mustangs (1 350 gt, 1 500gt and the last I`m not sure), 2 first generation thunderbirds and an perfect condition Ford A in the 5000 citizen town where I live. And a Pontiac GTO Judge, those are rare, right? And there is 3 Tommy Kaira ZZ-S`es close to where I live, have anyone else on this forum actually seen a real one?

take a look at this (Norwegian craigslist): http://www.finn.no/finn/car/used/result?CAR_MODEL/MAKE=753&CAR_MODEL=912 117 corvettes for sale in Norway. Mostly c3s but all 6 generations

And you can get "old" license plates that match those that were made when your car was new, but it`s only for 1971 and older vehicles. There`s also companies specialising on making "original" license plates for older vehicles, but they are actually illegal to use on the road. You can get a 1000 dollar + fine and even be imprisoned for using them on the road. Thats "how we roll" here in Norway... I`m going to get some real (well, fake really) plates later and keep the normal license plates in the car. Of course the license number will be the same on both plates, which means I really didn`t do anything wrong. But there`s always someone who`ll argue with me, hopefully "someone" is not an police officer.

 

[Bram Turismo]

Din heldig gris!

Pick me up a time eh? We'll make a nice trip on the E18. I only live half the country south from you (Grimstad)

30,000 dollars, that's what... 180,000 kroner? Man, you must've worked HARD to get that money together! Fantastic ride! 👍

I've got a mate here in University who comes from Rogaland, next time I see I'll ask if he knows you, his name is Rudy

 

[astrosdude91]

When I was in High School, I had a friend with an '82 Vette. And it was junk! It spent more time in the shop than on the road! Good luck with yours though.

 

[Strittan]

Nice ride! 👍

Your English is just fine. if you ask me.

Beautiful Vette, good luck with it 👍. I'd imagine they're rare in Norway?

Not in Sweden they ain't, so I guess they're pretty common in Norway as well, although we are a little more into the Americana than they are.

 

[Bram Turismo]

Not in Sweden they ain't, so I guess they're pretty common in Norway as well, although we are a little more into americana than they are.

Seriously?!

I've never met any other persons that are into American cars like Norwegians are. They are probably even crazier about RAMs and F-150s than Americans are

 

[jet1991]

When I was in High School, I had a friend with an '82 Vette. And it was junk! It spent more time in the shop than on the road! Good luck with yours though.

82 Corvettes have fuel injection and an ECU. 81 Corvettes got only the ECU. My car got none of those and it works. I`ve heard a lot of nasty things about the Cross-Fire injection and I don`t like electronic "magic". But of course Thats just my opinion. I know the cars were good when they were new, but 30 years old magic really frighten me.

 

[Strittan]

Seriously?!

I've never met any other persons that are into American cars like Norwegians are. They are probably even crazier about RAMs and F-150s than Americans are

Really? My mistake then.

However, all my friends are more or less into US muscles and 4 of them owns a 60's/70's muscle car. I also thought since we're quite dominant in european drag racing, and there is a US car show every weekend somewhere (if not on several places) in the country during the summer that we were a little bit more into it. But fair enough. It just makes me happy you're into the hobby and have passion for these cars as well.

 

[Sertsa]

Awesome! And 230 HP delivering power to the rear wheels in a light, fiberglass body is a lot of power, especially since it pre-dates electronic nannies. Learning to drive that car is seriously learning how to drive. Did I say "awesome"?

 

[buickgnx88]

Actually that's 230hp at the crank. So about 180-200 at the wheels.

And the curb weight is around 3500 pounds.

 

[Parnelli Bone]

:jealous: How do you manage to find a C3 in Norway?

 

[jet1991]

Awesome! And 230 HP delivering power to the rear wheels in a light, fiberglass body is a lot of power, especially since it pre-dates electronic nannies. Learning to drive that car is seriously learning how to drive. Did I say "awesome"?

Light? 1500 kg is not what i`d consider light. but 230 hp is a lot more than the typical ricers around home have in their 318`s and oooh 320`s. doesn`t say much really. And the car has an automatic gearbox. You could not get 1980 L82s with manual gearboxes. But yes, it`s awesome.

Actually that's 230hp at the crank. So about 180-200 at the wheels.

And the curb weight is around 3500 pounds.

230 NET hp is 230 hp at the rear wheels. And 3500 pounds is close. 3500 pounds = 1575 kgs, but according to the eeeh "vognkort" (I think it`s called pink slip) my car weighs just under 1500 kgs.

:jealous: How do you manage to find a C3 in Norway?

There is a lot of Corvettes for sale here and they are cheap compared to new cars (I paid less for mine than the cheapest new car costs)

This is another car, but everything (year, engine, colours) is the same.
Oh, I can`t visit youtube at work. I you want to see the video, search for "L82 Layla" on youtube.

 

[Jim Prower]

no, net is from the crank, same as Gross

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Horsepower#SAE_net_crankshaft_horsepower

 

[buickgnx88]

230 NET hp is 230 hp at the rear wheels.

Wrong.

SAE net horespower does NOT, contrary to some assumptions, measure horsepower at the drive wheels; both gross and net ratings are at the flywheel, and don't reflect power losses in the drivetrain.

http://ateupwithmotor.com/automotive-terms/47-gross-versus-net-horsepower.html

 

[jet1991]

no, net is from the crank, same as Gross

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Horsepower#SAE_net_crankshaft_horsepower

Ok, you won. Which means an 30 years old engine will probably not produce more than 150 hp at the rear wheels then. Hmm. Suddenly my Corvette became an slowette. But are new cars hp rated at the wheels or at the crank? It`s something that has bothered me for a long time.

Are there anyone else out there who owns an corvette? Haven`t seen much love for these cars on this forum.

 

[buickgnx88]

Always at the crank, since it's the most consistent. Otherwise they would have to take in account various drivetrain and accessory hp losses which, as useful as it would be, would be almost impossible to accurately figure unless every vehicle is dynoed.

 

[Jim Prower]

Aye...

And, like I said, building power in these cars is a cinch. Exhaust, Carb, horsepower.

 

[buickgnx88]

From what Jim said:
Look for a carb that's around 600cfm, and perhaps a decent aluminum intake manifold that's good from idle to 5-6000rpm. Call a company such as Crane or Comp cams and find a nice hydraulic cam to match. A new timing chain along with a new cap and plug wires will help round out the engine. Some cheap long-tube headers with high-flow cat(s) and a nice Flowmaster 50 series with some 2.5" piping would help it exhale better. Depending on what gearing it has now, a new set of gears (around 3.73) would help acceleration, but would keep some economy. And of course, add in a pos-trac unit to rid of any one-wheel-wonder.

Of course, this is all if you have money and a cheap means of working on the car. If not, then start with a new muffler, intake, and carb.

 

[Bram Turismo]

Are there anyone else out there who owns an corvette? Haven`t seen much love for these cars on this forum.

I do know a member who bought a C5 I think. But shortly after he bought it he crashed it. I can't remember his username right now but I'm sure many GTP'ers will.

 

[suvalle55]

JET1991
Are there anyone else out there who owns an corvette? Haven`t seen much love for these cars on this forum.

I have a Camaro, close enough right?

 

[Strittan]

Of course, this is all if you have money and a cheap means of working on the car. If not, then start with a new muffler, intake, and carb.

Or he can just cruise around in it as it is. 👍

EDIT: Just saw what you bought it for! Don't wanna let you down, but $30000 sounds pretty much in my opinion.

A quick search and I found these for sale in Sweden:
http://www.blocket.se/landskrona/Corvette_targa_26816696.htm?ca=4&w=3
http://www.blocket.se/stockholm/Chevrolet_Corvette_Stingray__79_26239984.htm?ca=4&w=3
http://www.blocket.se/vastmanland/Corvette_Targa_26221652.htm?ca=4&w=3
http://www.blocket.se/skaraborg/Chevrolet_Corvette_26369383.htm?ca=4&w=3

They all seem to be in relatively good condition and they're all under $20000.

 

[YSSMAN]

What the hell is it with Norwegians and the Corvette? I've always found it particularly strange how well the car is accepted in the Scandinavian states, arguably just as much as here in the US.


Any way you look at it, you've got an awesome car. Being in Europe, you get at least a 10x multiplier on that.

 

[Eric.]

I do know a member who bought a C5 I think. But shortly after he bought it he crashed it. I can't remember his username right now but I'm sure many GTP'ers will.

Matt something I think...he fixed it without insurance knowing about the crash.


A friend of mine owns a C5 though, I've driven it a few times. Its not bad, but not particularly fun to drive around in.

 

[jet1991]

From what Jim said:
Look for a carb that's around 600cfm, and perhaps a decent aluminum intake manifold that's good from idle to 5-6000rpm. Call a company such as Crane or Comp cams and find a nice hydraulic cam to match. A new timing chain along with a new cap and plug wires will help round out the engine. Some cheap long-tube headers with high-flow cat(s) and a nice Flowmaster 50 series with some 2.5" piping would help it exhale better. Depending on what gearing it has now, a new set of gears (around 3.73) would help acceleration, but would keep some economy. And of course, add in a pos-trac unit to rid of any one-wheel-wonder.

Of course, this is all if you have money and a cheap means of working on the car. If not, then start with a new muffler, intake, and carb.

I`m going to keep the car stock or at least N.O.S. And the car already got a differensial. No one wheel wonders for me. No two wheel wonders either...

Just saw what you bought it for! Don't wanna let you down, but $30000 sounds pretty much in my opinion.

30000$ is cheap here in Norway. Take a look at finn.no and see for yourself. And the car is completely stock, you don`t find many of those around here. Almost all of the stock Corvettes for sale here have just been imported. Most owners drop crate engines in them right after they have bought the car. It`s a shame really, 230 stock hp from a 5,7 litre is also a shame, but it`s the lesser evil IMO.

 

[Strittan]

What the hell is it with Norwegians and the Corvette? I've always found it particularly strange how well the car is accepted in the Scandinavian states, arguably just as much as here in the US.

You got right. The Club Corvette Sweden has 2100 members with a total of around 2200 Corvettes, which is quite many considering the population in Sweden is only about half of Los Angeles's.

On a side note, the Classic Mustang Club Sweden has 2500 members, so yes, American muscles definitely has a special place in many of the Scaninavian hearts.

30000$ is cheap here in Norway. Take a look at finn.no and see for yourself. And the car is completely stock, you don`t find many of those around here. Almost all of the stock Corvettes for sale here have just been imported. Most owners drop crate engines in them right after they have bought the car. It`s a shame really, 230 stock hp from a 5,7 litre is also a shame, but it`s the lesser evil IMO.

Fair enough, and I know Norweigans earn much more overall than we do in Sweden, so I guess it equals out.

Also, the price is not important as long as you are happy about the car. 👍