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Your "L" is still an assumption on your part. Could be right....could be wrong. Why discuss or argue the hypothetical when the "General" designated it and knows why it was so identified?
True, could be right or wrong...
However, jumping to the notion that the L represents a real word must then also be applied to the C-group options, M-group options, P-group options, U-group options, etc. Does that mean the L in LS-series engines means something different than the L in LF, LM, and LT engines? (We think of the LT1 as a performance engine so the L & T must mean something cool. The LT4 must have been a real beast... nope, 400cu inch, 180hp (yawn).) By my searches, the L-engine code is used across all Chevrolet models - all. Every Vega, C/K truck, Monte Carlo, Camaro, and even Greenbriar Corvair van used L-coding to identify their RPO engines. Why would Chevrolet use such a wide-ranging system if the L in LS actually represents a real word?
But, like you said, could be right, could be wrong... though mostly right.
how about the "L" in an rpo L31 sbc 350 motor ? it was installed only in trucks; standard workhorse from ~ 96-2002.
and the "L" in L48 or L82 or L36 or LG4 or L69
but then there was also LSMFT; so I suppose LS is as good a guessing game as any
That article only talks about the 1990s and later engines and doesn't really apply to the C2 & C3 engine coding scheme. GM recycled the older nomenclature into these "modern" versions. Titling and subtitling the article with the words history and heritage and then not even mentioning the '60s and '70s engines or the blocks that were the true Gen III and IV engines is pretty short sighted.
Thanks for posting it anyway.
Last edited by barkingrats; Oct 2, 2020 at 08:39 PM.
From: At my Bar drinking and wrenching in Lafayette Colorado
That's absolutely not true. You're talking about vehicle model "cab level" designators, which has nothing whatsoever to do with engine code designators.
This thread is about engine RPO codes. Every engine, and every option, installed on a GM vehicle has an "RPO" code (regular production option.") RPO codes are randomly generated, with certain options (such as engines) falling in certain alpha character groupings. Most engine RPO codes fall in the "L" category, and they simply pull the next available alpha/numberic designator for the next engine without any regard for what the letters "mean." They don't mean anything. Here is a partial listing of some GM engine RPO codes - they simply randomly go down a list, just like the DMV issuing license plates. To think that "LS" means something would be like thinking that DMV license plate numbers have some meaning. If "LS" means something, than I guess LG, LH, and LM must mean something, too... What does the "BF" in RPO BF2 deluxe carpets stand for..? The RPO codes don't stand for anything, and mean nothing - they are randomly generated alph/numeric codes for equipment configuration only. Every year they change - the current Chevy V8 engines happen to be grouped in the "LS" alpha grouping, which is not reflected in this older list shown below as an example.
LS was Luxury Sport and LT was Luxury Touring.
LS used to be the high-end (except SS) model back in the '80s with the CL (Custom Luxury) package.
Now can we put this to bed already??
You know the SS trim level existed in the Chevelles and Camaros in the 60s, right? Unlike the LT and LS engines being just an alpha option code, the SS stood for Super Sport; RS was Rallye Sport; GS was Grand Sport and GT was Grand Touring (but then I'm mixing marques). There were a whole host of trim level abbreviations across all manufacturers for cars that have become iconic.
Corvettes never had these trim level versions the way other lines did. Although they came with hood badges, you could order a fuelie, an LT-1, an LS-5, or any of the engines with many combinations of options rather than a set package. The option limitations existed due to operation of the accessory or to discourage street use.
Now we can put this to bed... or not.
Last edited by barkingrats; May 6, 2021 at 10:57 PM.
I used to work for GM. Early in my GM career there was an all people meeting with an executive you would all know. At the end was the standard Q&A. Someone asked how GM comes up with the RPO codes. His answer was "nobody knows". Later in my GM career it made sense. It would be easier to answer what is the sound of one hand clapping than it would be to answer the OP's original question.
L means engine. S and T come after R. they used certain codes over because they got somewhat of a cult following. enough of a following the RPO code became the defacto model number-name. LT1 and LS6 are the best known. M21 and M22 come to mind.
40 years ago when i got my 71 i wondered what the LS stood for in the LS-5 code. the only thing i could come up with is i figured since the 454 had a longer stroke than the 427 and all the 454's that i was aware of began with a LS maybe it stood for long stroke. but probably not.
