What's the diff between L88 and L89? Did one have aluminum heads or is it year specific?
I've owned many Corvettes over the years but was never a numbers kinda guy. I presently own a '95 ZR-1 and a '64 convertible and read those forums but I like the C3 forum, seems y'all are more down to earth and don't bash people as much

 

the L89 is built inside the same as the L71 (427/435) but the L89 has the aluminum heads. the L88 is just a plain race built engine.

 

L89 - same as L71 (tri power carbs) but aluminum heads
L88 single Holly 4 barrel carb aluminum heads.
I think both are solid lifter 4 bolt main motors, so really I think the main difference is the intake / carb setup, and of course several thousand dollars.

 

40ZR1,


First off, your question doesn't allow for comparing apples to apples. The L89 vs L-88 is an apple to oranges comparison.

The L89 rpo (regular production option) is NOT an engine option. It is an aluminum head option on top of the L71 engine. Ordering L89 requires that engine option L71 be ordered and this RPO allows for the addition of closed chamber aluminum heads with a 1.84" exhaust valve face diameter. The L71 iron head engine uses a 1.72" exhaust valve face diameter.

The L-88 engine option uses single 4bbl Holley at 850 cfm rating. It uses a more radical specified mechanical camshaft. It uses a stronger connecting rod and a higher domed forged piston for 12.5 to 1 comp ratio.

Now there is some confusion, as the 1968 designed L-88 option varies a bit from redesign changes made to late built 1969 L-88 engines.

Later built 1969 model L-88's came with the improved ZL-1 engine designed heads which were an open chamber design with improvments in exhaust valve face diameter, increased to 1.88". It also uses a modified round exhaust port and redesigned intake port floor contours. These head improvments along with an open chambered piston crown design actually lowered the comp ratio to 12 to 1, a half point reduction.

So all L71 engines ordered with the L89 head option were closed chambered design, but the 1967, 1968 and partial 1969 year L-88's also used the same head design. Later 1969 L-88's came with the improved ZL-1 head which was never used on L71's and is NOT an L89 head.

 

Thanks guys. Same ol' story have a friend of a friend... who has a L89 engine sitting in garage... Oh, forgot to ask, what would be the identifying numbers stamped on engine pad? Thanks again. Might (probably) be a wild goose chase, but hell, my wife won't let me chase chicks so I chase the wild goose. later

 

40ZR1,

624 L71 engines optioned out as L71/L89 in 1968. Codes are IU

390 L71 engines optioned out as L71/L89 in 1969. Codes are LP, LU, possibly LW.

 

If you do get to see it and it is an L89 from a '68 make sure you post the VIN or at least send it to me. It might be my original motor!

 

Just got back from looking at the "L89" turns out to be a 427 oval port out of a 68? chevy bisq. My buddy bought it for $300 minus intake

 

that was a deal. where are you located I will give him 500 bucks if you are witin 100 miles of me