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I was watching Fantom works this morning and the installed a LT4 in a '67 vette, not the same as a C4 LT4. I've seen older GM (vettes??) from the '70s that had an LT1 in it.
Why would GM use the same names? Why not an LX4 or LT2?
Weren’t the C3s LT-1 and LT-4 (note the hyphen)? Ever notice the C2 StingRay and the C3 from ‘69 Stingray? I suspect the Airdale is right, “Sales through nostalgia”.
They have re-used a lot because they have used a lot.
The first letter of the series usually denotes the same thing on all models.... G for gearing, L for Engines, Z for suspension. I can't think of exceptions off the top of my head, but I can't say for sure there aren't any so I am goign to say usually.
So using an L for an engine code
Then the next is commonly used for the Family of engines (LS/LT) but I know the L98/LB9 step away from this. So... If always using L and then you had 0-9+A-Z for the second position and a 0-9+A-Z in the second, giving 1260 total possibilities. Eventually they would run out, so why not use the cool sounding ones a few times?
Z is predominantly performance, trim, convenience and appearance packages. Think ZR1 ( on 4 different generations, C3, C4, C6, C7 ), Z28, Z01 (35th), Z25 (40th), Z06, etc.
Suspension is F. F41, FG4 (Bilstein shocks), FX3. F also includes a lot of wheelbase, axle capacity, and front axle ratio selections. After looking at the listings, it seems to me that "F" is more "frame related", which includes "suspension".
Z28 was a pacjage originally set up for road race with the 302, Z51... they stack tbh. Just like a B2L would require both L98 and Z28. So, the waters get murkey sometimes. Are there any non-L engines?
Z is predominantly performance, trim, convenience and appearance packages. Think ZR1 ( on 4 different generations, C3, C4, C6, C7 ), Z28, Z01 (35th), Z25 (40th), Z4Z (95 Pace Car), Z06 (on is it now 5 generations?), etc. There are also a bunch of spare tire selections in the Zs. (I wonder if "Z" originally denoted "Zora-Projects"? The 63 Z06 was available in the first year that the GM letter system for options went into use. The Z11 Impala was close behind. And the Z category became the performance stuff? Crazy WAG, but........)
Suspension is F. F41, FG4 (Bilstein shocks), FX3. F also includes a lot of wheelbase, axle capacity, and front axle ratio selections. After looking at the listings, it seems to me that "F" is more "frame related", which includes "suspension".
I would imagine Z was chosen for performance simply because its last in line. You can Not select anything higher.