L-numbers
Thread Starter
Instructor
Joined: Feb 2006
Posts: 117
Likes: 0
From: Elyria Ohio
L-numbers
This may be a Stupid question , but here goes ,I see that many cars have ( L ) numbers like L-88 and so forth, what do these mean , and were do you find this number on a car ??
Safety Car
Joined: Oct 2000
Posts: 3,547
Likes: 12
From: Carbondale Pa.
Those " L" numbers denote engine classifications, other then a window sticker or build sheet they dont appear on the car except in the case of being on the hood when an optional engine is ordered. OOOPS maybe if you have a earlier car they will appear on the console data plate too. Peace,,,Moosie 
Drifting
Joined: Jul 2002
Posts: 1,697
Likes: 3
From: Woodinville WA
It is just the part number that GM gave to its engine assembly to reference how it was built. The engines use many similar parts, but change a cam, intake, heads, etc. it becomes a slightly different engine and gets a new designation. The L-# tells you how the engine was originally built.
Most of the L numbers are only listed on the build sheet, but a few models have them displayed on the car...LT-1 and L-82 are two that come to mind.
Most of the L numbers are only listed on the build sheet, but a few models have them displayed on the car...LT-1 and L-82 are two that come to mind.
Race Director
Joined: Jan 2003
Posts: 15,172
Likes: 86
From: State of Confusion
as-stated above, just a means for ordering purposes & building the cars, similar to today's 'Z06' model, or yesteryear's 'Z28', and similar to the 'F41' suspension option available on our C3s:
probably started-out as internal/GM coding.
I believe the LS-3 thru LS-7 were big-block motors, L-79 was 327 CID/375 HP, L-46 was 1969 350CID/350 HP, L-48 was 'base' 350 CID Corvette engines thru the 2nd-half of the C3 era, L-81 was 1981 with minimal computerized management, L-83 was 1982/1984 Cross-Fire Induction, etc.
probably started-out as internal/GM coding.
I believe the LS-3 thru LS-7 were big-block motors, L-79 was 327 CID/375 HP, L-46 was 1969 350CID/350 HP, L-48 was 'base' 350 CID Corvette engines thru the 2nd-half of the C3 era, L-81 was 1981 with minimal computerized management, L-83 was 1982/1984 Cross-Fire Induction, etc.
