1974 Corvette Stingray L82 - Review

Review of my recently purchased 1974 Corvette Stingray L82.
Update: since this video was taken the following have been corrected:
replaced faulty ignition system: new HEI system, new wires (no more burned wires), new plugs.
Timing reset and tuned.
Transmission: new o-ring on pickup tube (internal leak - trans had trouble shifting and going into gear), trans flush, service (new filter and gasket), Lucas trans fluid.
Rear end differential service
New rear spring bushings.
Coolant flush, new thermostat (OEM 180 deg to replace installed 195deg) engine always got really hot.
New factory recommended primary jet, #75, installed #73. May experiment w/a #74 I bought with the #75.
Next to do: steering box, new seatbelts (springs gone), front bumper cover, getting cracks.
Exhaust going to factory original. Neighbors think its loud. LOL
replace heat riser, sticking.
See My update: 2021. I'll explain what's has been done since this video was made almost a year ago.

[@geraldscott4302]

I have a white 1976 Corvette that I have owned for 34 years. Bought it in 1990. It is completely stock appearing, inside and out. The engine and transmission are not original. It did not come with the original engine. I built the engine that is in it now. It looks mostly stock, I did not put any aftermarket appearance items on it, but there are quite a few internal aftermarket parts. It is now a 383ci stroker engine that makes around 320 rwhp at 4000 rpm. It's not fast, but it's a lot faster than it was new. I was more concerned with reliability. It was originally an L48 car. It now has a true dual exhaust system with no cat con, but stock round mufflers. It still sounds stock. It does have aftermarket A/C, so the compressor is different than what it originally came with. I bought a custom built TH350 transmission and just installed it with a B&M 2200 converter. It has the Buckskin leather interior. Silver steel 15x8 rally wheels with trim rings and center caps, 225/70-15 RWL BFG Radial T/As. Completely rust free AZ car. To me the 1974-1977 Corvettes are the best looking Corvettes ever made. I love the urethane bumper covers and flat rear window. It originally came with a luggage rack, but I removed that and had the holes repaired when I had it painted. I was 16 in 1975, and this was my dream car back then, and still is. There is no other car I want more.

[@tracktoys9269]

Hey Gerald, Thanks for the response. Thats awesome what you did to your car. I was 13 when my 74 came out. so far since this video, new wheels that I reconditioned have been installed, and ceramic coating, the car looks brand new. and a rear swaybar(never had one) installed just last night as a matter of fact. I show it at 2 shows weekly, every weekend. I havent done a review in a while, looks like its time for a new one along with my 1990 ZR1 I just purcahsed a few months ago. I sold my 93 coupe to get the ZR1. I have one one out soon., thanks for watching and I'll have a report soon. I work full time so the videos are few and far between.

[@enerrivers4392]

I remembered my 78 vette I got brand new had the L82 4spd. It was a silver anniversary. For the era it was quite fast. But, thirstier than my 76 Buick Electra Landau coupe with a 455-4bbl. Well worth it 🇺🇸

[@hurrikan39]

beautiful car!!! i love to hear the Vette Sound....its music in my ear

[@tracktoys9269]

Thank you! I do too! Is why I drive it w/out the radio on. "big grin" it definitely keeps me entertained. See my latest review on it regarding the last year of repairs, and updates.

[@tracktoys9269]

I'll have a new review coming out soon, after the modifications I completed over the last few months.

[@tracktoys9269]

I have a new review out called "Driving the 1974 Corvette L82" Chk it out.

[@jayarmitage9609]

Nice car. I have a '75 myself.

[@tracktoys9269]

Thanks! C3's rock! I have loved this body style since they came out.

[@Djpip850]

Wow nice looking Vette. Sounds great. Which mufflers do you have?

[@tracktoys9269]

Thank you! They are Flowmasters. Thanks for watching my video. I have an update coming soon. Lots of changes recently.

[@sportify4849]

Funny part the optional ls4 454cui engine was cheaper to order back then. The option did cost 250 $ in 1974. The L82 optional small block did cost 299 $. I don't know, but that was the list price back then.

[@tracktoys9269]

Nice! thanks for providing that info. Yea, GM didnt make much sense with quite a few of their RPO's in the past.

[@boarzwid1002]

The L82 was a LT 1 detuned forged crankshaft And shotpeand rods 202 valves screwed in rocker studs special cam and pushrod guideplates although it had 9 /1 compression ratio it would eat a 74/ 396 for breakfast I know I did it but against a 70 Chevelle 330 hp and we went for blood

[@tracktoys9269]

Its funny, I gave a fellow c3'r a ride in mine to take him to the autoparts store. he has a 78 L48 (coolant issues that day). he wanted to know what mine would do, so I stomped it.... It threw him back in the seat! he was shocked! he said, "Why doesnt mine run like that" I replied, "Well yours is not an L82" LOL It does surprise alot of modern cars as well. but I dont like to do that too often, its old and fragile. But its fun to drive and it handles great. Gets alot of attn, thumbs up, honks with thumbs up, conversations at gas stations, etc.... back to yours Boar, I would assume , his would catch up eventually with the big blocks power coming in on the upper Rpms? It does need some more work on the jetting since I fixed the base leak from the plugs. I have a lean jet on it now #74, i will go back to the stock jet of #75 and retune it. Should run way better and way more responsive than it has been. Thanks for watching!

[@boarzwid1002]

Track Toys yes the L 82 is a underrated engine mine was all stock bronze w/ saddle interior no AC 373 gear , I bought it in 74 it was a dealer demo for/ drumroll--- 2.800.00 minus tax best car I ever had. I still miss her she was sweet.

[@boarzwid1002]

Track Toys sorry misunderstood just ckd back my L82 was in a z28 , I traded it in on a 65 C2 327 300hp even up in 1976 both were great cars , Enjoy your c3 it sounds great 👍

[@russellboyd5262]

PLEASE,More c3 videos,I own a torch red 1977 vette.Subscribed,just to see more,more,more.thanks russ.

[@tracktoys9269]

hah! I actually was shopping for a 77 before I found this one in better shape than most all of the Vettes I was looking at. Thanks for subscribing Russell! What would like to see more of? I'll see what I can do...:D

[@russellboyd5262]

@@tracktoys9269 ANYTHING and EVERYTHING pertaining to c3,espesially a 1977 vette.I own one,and its trully my dream car for sure. thankyou for the videos.russ

[@tracktoys9269]

Hi Russell. Please see my other Corvette videos on my channel, I have just recently uploaded a new one not long ago. 2021 update. Enjoy! My next video will be about the trailer for my Goldwing. Congrats on the Vette! Same here been my dream car since I was 17. BTW, if there's anything you want to know just ask. Thanks again for watching!

[@Litauen-yg9ut]

I don't think it sounds rough at all, has a nice lope to it..

[@tracktoys9269]

heh thanks! this was over a year ago when I made this video, you should hear it now. When I tried to fix one thing something else broke, constant struggle for over a year. I tried to do another video on tearing down my carb but something happened with my camera and ruined the session I recorded. But after I plugged the leaks from the well plugs, it was running lean again..LOL. So I replaced the jets again. and retuned it as per Chevrolet's instructions. now runs like a new car! smooth and powerful....! Btw, I have a newer video from this year, updating viewers from the previous year. I will have another soon after I get the bumper replaced. Thx for watching!

[@didiermasclet9886]

Hello sir. Thanks for your videos. I live in France and have been looking for a C3 model from 1974 to 1976 for some time and here in Europe it is not easy to find an original and above all well maintained car .... I'm going to do this turn to the US market. Could you tell me from your experience, what budget I must have to acquire a copy in good condition and I also wonder about the maintenance budget of such a vehicle apart from the fuel obviously. There you have it sir, a bit long message, sorry. Thank you.

[@tracktoys9269]

Hi there! Thanks for watching! Yes, This vintage Vette is very difficult to find. Most are in horrible shape and not very well maintained or kept up. I searched for months before I found mine and all parts of the country. Beware of dealers they are proud of their C3 and will sometime command a hefty sum. I found mine on a craigslist ad in Dallas. It was an Iowa car and spent 2 weeks in texas before the owner turned around and put it up for sale. He had another he was working on and needed the money. I gave myself about a $20k budget USD. some were way over that and in pristine condition and some not so much. I found that the reasonable cost of a average to very good condition vette from $9500 to $19/20K(excellent condition I.E new paint, new engine, etc) . Dealers do usually have the better cars and some that are Hidden nightmares. If you have the money for the repairs some of them require, you can make it a good car. Usually up to $7-8000 (only if an engine or trans needs to be replaced or frame damage) to put it in drivable shape. Ultimately, you can find a decent car for a 74-79 between $12-17K USD. Needing work; $5000 - 10000 usd, that means brakes (if its been sitting a while, usually locked up), oil leaks, almost all of them. Beware of rear main seals, Engine or trans has to come out. Gen1 350's and 454's leak oil. From either Valve covers (common), fuel pump seals/gaskets, rear main (walk away), or front seals. All told, mine took about $2k to get to where I want it. I still have a few hundred to go. (yea I have a wish list). But from day 1 I loved driving it, it gets lots of attention and looks. Younger folk dont even know what it is! LOL Last thing, no matter how much I put into the carb or tuning, it still cost about $20+ for cruising to car shows or around for a few hours. Never use synthetic oil on a older original Gen 1 small block unless its been rebuilt. 74 and older engine take a special oil w/zinc due to the camshaft and lifter materials used. And older non-emission cars use a lead additive to protect the soft valve seats during the leaded gas days. since there is no more leaded I use premium w/ the additive. most vette carbs have been rebuilt to tolerate the ethanol in todays gas. Some stations here have non0ethanol gas. I hope this helps, sorry this is long.

[@patriotacienxciento1083]

What means L82 or what is it

[@tracktoys9269]

The L82 engine is a GM RPO (order)code for the HIPo 350ci small block engine for the corvette on the C3 Corvettes. (Note: Up until 1974 the LS4 454 engine was available with 290HP.) There are 2 small blocks that can be ordered for the C3 Corvettes in the early to mid 70's after the LT1 was scrapped by GM in 71-72. The (RPO)L48 was a base engine for the stringray all the way to 1980 as well as the L82 optional engine. Which had a higher lift cam, bigger valves, and higher compression ratio as well as higher HP ratings that the L48(rated at 195, which steadily dropped to 160 in the late 70's. The L82 engines with it's 9.5 compression ratio was rated at 250/285 in the early 70's. 1980 was the last year for the L82, which rated at 230hp at the time, with a 4 speed manual. 1981 had only one engine for that year (the L81 - 200hp), except california which was on available with an anemic 305 LM1 small block due to cal emisions laws, also used on the gm corporate cars of the time. 1982 marked the last for the C3 as well the first for fuel injection, before the model was replaced in 84 (no corvettes in 1983)

[@patriotacienxciento1083]

@@tracktoys9269 wow .. That's a real information .. Tanks .. I just get one 74 as a gift .. And i really don't have idea what i drive .. LOL .. But .. driving corvette it's amazing