what would be a good engine swap on an 1982 corvette?

Question

I've considered a camaro or corvette LT1 or a carburated 383 stoker
Also, should i keep the stock transmission,or swap it out too.
Thanks

Answer 1

why not what you suggested for the '75 Nova?

get a 383ci stroker and a TH400
add a performance shift kit and a performance torque converter

Answer 2

They are not putting the 502 in new vettes. are you daft???
A Hemi? Dolts!


A 383 will bolt right in, and will provide lots of power, more than the old fuel injected engine of the era. You can get a new fuel injection system from Holley that is an excellent piece if you want it for driveability and milage, but a carb will still provide perfectly fine performance for less money. Your stock trans will be fine, although I don't believe that it came with an overdrive, so switching it out for a TH 700R4 would be a good idea if it's an auto. All the parts you need to do that can be found easily, since that trans was available later in vettes.

Answer 3

A lot depends on what you want in your car. As an example I'm doing my '68 as close to stock as possible but with upgrades. I'm modernizing the drive-train with a fresh 355 small block but leaving the original style 4-speed trans. All the fasteners are of stainless or anodized material. The interior will look fairly stock but will have more modern material and with updated wiring lighting etc. I've tried to blend the old and new in harmony with one-another and am hoping the result will be true to the car. That's my point.....be true to the car and yourself. Your car is a classic example of an era, I;m hoping that you'll treat it as such. Oh and by the way I do love the Hemi engine but in either a Mopar or a street rod. Sorry to disappoint but there is a small block 454 and it is a true monster!

Answer 4

1982 Corvette Horsepower

Answer 5

Go to GM Performance Parts & check out their crate motors.... SWEET if ya got the $$$... A 383 HO. would be plenty of "testicular fortitude" If you want Over kill & if it will fit... A 502 crate motor!!!
If you don't see what you want from GM Performance..(which I highly doubt you'll have trouble finding what ya want).
But if so go to World Products & check out their 454 crate engine..IT IS A SMALL Block!!! It will bolt right in... You shouldn't have to do any major mods.....Also. it is rated at 600 hp & has a 2 yr.. 24,000 mile warranty.. & is under 11,000 . Way outta my price range.. but if ya got the $$ it would be sick/sweet & is a very dependable motor & still suitable to be a DAILY DRIVER!!!! I read about that in Sept 06 Hot Rod Magazine.. the artical was called "Max Street Power" check it out!
God Bless & hope that helps

Oh yea, & keep yer Chevy .. Chevy Powered.. Putting mopar parts in a GM is an Abomination & Blasphemy for us diehard Chevy Lovers!!! The only thing that could be worse is putting Ford parts in your GM!!!!!!!! AAAAHHHH!!!

Answer 6

First of all to all those ignorant people out there Hemi is a DODGE! Corvette is a CHEVY! the only way to put in a hemi would be to do thousands of dollars of modifications to the body and frame. that doesnt even include getting a hemi which is very expensive too.
Go with a Crate 350 there are loads of performance parts out there for them and with a brand new crate motor you do get a warrenty. Depending on the age, condition, and compatability you should at least have the current transmission rebuilt.

Answer 7

first off, wait a year so your car is >25 years old, so you dont have to worry about emissions.

then go with an LS series smallblock chevy. ideally the LS7, but those are expensive. Theyre (all of the ls series, not just the 7) lighter, more powerful, and have more potential than the LT1's. Wickedly awesome motors.

for the people saying hemi: STFU. putting a mopar engine into a GM car just is a bad idea. Would require tons of custom fab, and they perform worse than the LS series engines, not to mention are heavier and more expensive.

Answer 8

Try Coast High Performance, in Torrance, CA. They have engine kits, short blocks, long blocks, and full turnkey engines. We put a 347cid "Streetfighter" in our Mustang, with a 12psi blower. It's a wonderful engine,with a very smooth idle(510, 544 cam profile, 112 degree lobe seperation) My husband got it into the high 10's, my best is 11.3. These times were achieved on 91 octane California pump gas. The engine passes smog quite easily too. I have no interest in this company. I just think they deserve credit for good work.

Answer 9

Depends on what sort of performance you want, how easy you want the swap to be, and the size of your wallet. A carbed 383 stroker - maybe with Vortec heads - would be a cheap and straightforward swap, and give that Corvette a lot more kick without messing up its handling.

If you want brute power, it's hard to beat a big block like the 502.

And if you want to raise a lot of eyebrows, how about a turbo V6 from a Buick Grand National?

Answer 10

I had a seventy 9 yrs in the past,i say sure choose for it.a pair dollars right here and there and you will choose a candy journey.the project with the seventy 9 is that it fairly is only have been given the 350ci 2 bolt substantial,no longer a huge deal.in case you throw a comfortable Crane cam,a 650cfm Holly carb,Eldelbrock performer intake,headers,curler rockers and lifters you will turn the engine from putting out 225hp to around 310hp.I say fairly do it.i grow to be continually a Vette guy.I very own a greater modern-day one now.It places out 425hp production facility,it is not bran new yet she'll supply you whip lash.have exciting with it.Or dodge're money up for a crate engine from summit racing new that's already pushing 500hp.

Answer 11

they can be hard to find but the best would be the L88 small block that came in the vette in the late 70s or and early 80s it is strong and will last forever it was one of the best engines chevy ever made and all you will need to do is drop it in no changes you can also use your same tranny but you should put in a shift kit and you will have a nice power house of a car to put the 502 in the 82 vette you will need to cut the fender wells this car was set up with the small block and it was tight you dont have enough room for the exhaust and built right the small block will out perform the big block anyday