Being fairly new to this obsession, I hear and read a lot about all the different
engine codes. Is there a web site or a book or manual that "defines" all the Chevy engines codes. In other words, what makes an L-88 different from an L-89 or an LS-1 from an LS-2??

 

The Corvette Black Book would be a good place to start. Every Corvette owner should have a copy anyway.

 

Here's some info I found cruisin' different pages. I can't vouch for its completeness...
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L36: 390 hp version of 427
L46: 350 hp version of the 327 from 1965-1969.
L48: Standard 350, 8.5:1 compression, dished pistons, low performance cam, low performance heads.
L68: 400 hp version of 427. Basically the 390 hp 427 with a Tri Power on top.
L71: 435 hp version of 427 from 1967-1969, used 3x2 bbl Holley carbs on a low rise manifold with a triangular shaped air cleaner.
L72: 425 hp version of 427 in 1966. Originally rated at 460 early in the year and changed to 425 hp.
L75: 300 hp version of 327 in 1963 to 1965 with a hydraulic cam.
L76: 340 hp version of 327 in 1963, 365 hp version in 1964 and 1965. These had solid lifter cams.
L78: 425 hp version of the 396
L79: 350 hp version of the 327 from 1965 to 1968 with a hydraulic cam.
L82: The performance 350 used in the 70s thru '81. Iron heads, various HP ranges up to 235hp, good cam (even by aftermarket standards). The L82 had a 4 bolt main block, forged flattop pistons, a good cam, and wide power range from about 2000 rpm to 5500 rpm.
L84: The fuel injection 350 engine.
L88: Listed as a 430 hp 427, this was the factory race engine from 1967-1969. It featured aluminum heads, 12.5:1 compression, a single Holley on a high rise manifold. Rated at 430 hp at 4000 rpm to appease insurance companies and steer clear those customers who simply bought the highest horsepower without any knowledge of what the engine or car was. Intended strictly for competition and was de-rated to avoid problems with pseudo racers of the street.
L89: An aluminum head option on the L71 435 hp engine from 1967-1969.
L98: Engine used from 86 until the LT-1 came out. This is the "old" small block design (first gen) with some mods (such as the one piece rear main seal).
L98: This engine used electronic Tuned Port Injection.
LS1: 350 "Mouse" New design, different from the old small blocks of 1955 to 1991.
LS4: 454 in passenger cars. Had oval port iron heads, iron intake, Q-jet, hydraulic lifter cam, and low compression. It made a lot of torque.
LS5: 454 rated at 390 hp in gross hp in 1970, 365 hp in '71, and 270 hp SAE Net in '72. Had oval port iron heads, Q-jet, hydraulic lifter cam, and low compression. It made a lot of torque.
LS6: 454 big block motor with tons of power. Used in Chevelles and other muscle cars. Had rectangular port aluminum heads, aluminum intake, Holley carb, solid lifter cam, and high compression.
LS7: 454 crate motor never released in a production car. It was on the option list of 1970 as a 460 hp 454. The engine had rectangular port aluminum heads, aluminum intake, Holley carb, solid lifter cam, and high compression.
LT1: The first generation LT1 was the 370 hp small block of 1970, featuring a high rise aluminum intake, a Holley carb, high lift camshaft, special heads, and high compression. Second-generation featured a new block design with reverse-flow coolant design, improved water pump design, improved ignition system, and others.
LT-4: The successor to the LT-1, only available with the 6 speed.
LT-5: The ZR-1 motor, built by Mercury Marine. 350 cubic inches, 4 cams, 4 valves per cylinder, etc. Originally 375hp, moved to 405 in 92

Mark I, II, III, IV, V: The Mark series is the big block engine family starting with the 348 in 1958 Trucks and continuing through with the current 454 and 502.
Mark I: included the 348 and 409 "W" engine.
Mark II: was the NASCAR Mystery Motor 427.
Mark III: never reached production.
Mark IV: started with the 396 and included the 366, 396, 402, 427, and 454. Production ended a few years ago on Mark IV.
Mark V: The current 454 and the 502 are part of this group.

 

:iagree: http://www.corvetteblackbook.com/

 

You forgot the shame of shames, the "LG4" 305ci V8 only available in 1980 Corvettes sold in California due to emissions restrictions. I hear they ran something like a 19+ second 1/4 mile. :lol:

Sorry I had to remind you! :jester

Oh yea, and the Gen IV "LS2", the new C6 engine. An all aluminum 6.0L V8 with 400 hp at 6000 RPM and 400 lbs. of torque at 4400 RPM


[Modified by Corvette_fetish, 1:05 PM 4/22/2004]

 

BlueL36.....Is that the best you can do? Just kidding. Great job, that is exactly what I had in mind. How did you ever find all of that info.? I did order the "Black Book" form Amazon. Thanks again.

Pat

 

Just a couple of more for you.

L46 was also the 1970 350HP 350
LS6 was also the 2001 385Hp and 2002-2004 405 HP. It is also in the new Caddy CTS-V.

 

L-88 ...that's all ya need to know ! :jester

 

As 70 LS1 said, some designations have been "recyled" though they now use a hyphen. Gen 1 had LT1's, Gen 2 had LT-1's, etc.. One more than one occassion there's been some confusion on the forum when it wasn't clear which version was being discussed. Someone asks a question about one and gets an answer about the other :).

 

There is a good reason the license plate on my 72 LT-1 reads: LT DASH1, its for the HORSEPOWER! not to be confused with later model "instant gratification" 1992-96 lt1 Corvettes (yeh I know I used lower case, it seems appropriate.)

 

Hummmm, 72 LT-1 at 255 NET HP and the later 92-96 LT1 at 300 NET HP.

 

You have it a bit twisted. The first generation LT-1 used the hyphen first. The LT-1 striping on the hood of the first generation beast is printed as such. I have seen the later designation used with and without the hyphen and it can confuse some. But LT dash 1 was first used for the first generation sb corvette engine.

 

Oldguard, I stand corrected. At the time I posted I wasn't sure which had the hypen so I checked my NCRS pocket guide and also GM's published AMA specs that I have for a `65. Neither use a hyphen between the L and the # so I assumed that it must be the later generations that did.

 

I don't think either one really used the dash. The LT1 designation was nothing more then an RPO code and the RPO codes did not use a dash. More then likely the dash was something that the marketing folks used for both generations of the LT1.

tom...

 

There's a dash on the hood and that's the only one that matters. :smash:

 

Mark I-Mark IV and Gen V-Gen VI

502 is part of the Gen series
Gen V 502 is a stand alone animal. nothing from the Mark group will interchange with the Gen V block.
Gen VI blocks interchange with Mark series cyl. heads.