What does the "L-?" mean

[Doug #42330]

I'm new to the Chevy world and hear a lot about "L"-blank" type of engine. I have to admid that I have no idea what any of that means. Can someone educate me? Thanks...Doug

[Michael H.]

Re: What does the "L-?" mean

Doug,

All of Chevrolet's options carry a letter/number code and all are grouped using the first character to describe the option group. For example, A01 and A02 are tinted window options. M20, M21 and M40 are all transmission options and all options starting with the letter "L", such as L82, L88, L72 etc., are engine options. The letter "L" indicates the engine group and the number indicates which engine.

[Joe L.]

Re: What does the "L-?" mean

Doug-----

The "L" used in RPO's does not denote any word, at all. Since 1963 GM has used an alpha-numeric coding system for regular production options (i.e RPO). In this coding system the first character of the code for all engine options is "L". This is followed by 2 more alpha-numeric characters to designate each engine. That's how it got starterd in 1963 and it continues that way today.

The codes for each engine are assigned by someone in GM. In the old days, I believe that it was pretty much a random assignment from available code combinations. Codes were often reused---when one engine went out of production, the code might be assigned to another completely different new engine. These codes got to take on a "life of their own", though. So, these days, the codes are sometimes assigned for marketing reasons. "LT1" and "LS6" are 2 examples of codes that were reassigned for reasons other than "random selection".

Option packages have since 1963 been assigned codes beginning with "Z". The code "Z-28" was simply a randomly assigned code from this series when it was first applied to 1967 Camaros with the 302 cid engine and other equipment that came with it. However, the "Z" series was usually not a series which denoted an engine by itself. It was used for a "package" of options. I don't know what, if any, "L" series code was assigned to the 302 engine used for 67-69 Camaros. Also, the 1969 ZL-1 is an anomoly. Reportedly, it was the option code for the all-aluminum big block engine. However, as I say, "Z" prefixed RPO codes were not generally used for engine designation alone.

[Doug #42330]

Re: What does the "L-?" mean

Thanks a lot for the explanations on the "L" engine codes, now I have an idea what everyone is talking about! DNB

[Chas Kingston]

[Roger Legge]

Re: What does the "L-?" mean

One exception to the "L" engine designations that comes to mind is the 1977 and 1978 Pontiac W72 400 engine. I believe the base 400 was designated L78 and the 220 net HP 400 was designated W72.

Roger

[John H.]

Re: What does the "L-?" mean

Chevrolet Engineering Releasing generally grouped option systems by alpha code as follows:

A = Glass
B = Body side trim/moldings/paint stripes
C = Heaters, A/C systems, rear defoggers
D = Spoilers, paint stripes
F = Suspension
G = Springs
J = Brakes
K = Engine Accessory Items
L = Engines
M = Transmissions
N = Steering, Exhaust, Wheel Covers
P = Wheels & Trim
T = Batteries & Convenience items
U = Electrical & Radios
V = Bumpers & Radiators
Z = Specialty Trim and Performance Packages, Scheduling options

[John H.]

Re: What does the "L-?" mean

Pontiac, Buick, Olds and Cadillac "did their own thing" in assigning codes to options vs. Chevrolet; there was no releasing standard across the corporation. The car divisions didn't even speak to each other in the 60's, and they all hated Fisher Body with a vengeance. But I digress...

[Patrick H.]

Re: What does the "L-?" mean

The car divisions didn't even speak to each other in the 60's, and they all hated Fisher Body with a vengeance.

I tried to explain that, as well as the A-body production line assembly sequence (body, paint and front end sheetmetal especially) to someone recently and they thought it was the craziest thing they'd ever heard.

I guess at least a few things at GM are better than in the 60s.

Patrick

[Joe L.]

Re: What does the "L-?" mean

Roger-----

"W" prefix RPO codes were used for option "packages" in much the same way as "Z" refix RPO codes were used. Pontiac used primarily the "W" codes for option packages and Chevrolet primarily used the "Z" prefix. So, the W-72 would have been an option package just like Z-28. Whether or not the engine that came with that package had a seperate 3 alpha-numeric character code I do not know. As I mentioned, the engine that came with the Z-28 package during the 67-69 period had no seperate code that I know of. After 1969 it did, though.

[Roger Legge]

Re: What does the "L-?" mean

Joe,

Interesting. Pontiac did offer a WS6 package that consisted of a number of items for an optional suspension - wider wheels, bigger sway bars, stiffer springs, etc. I have a '78 WS6 that has a couple other 'package' options. The W72 400 was just the higher output 400 and was available in both the base Trans Am and the WS6 cars. Interesting idea about different naming conventions for the different divisions.

Roger

Roger

[Art A.]

Re: What does the "L-?" mean

Patrick, What makes you think----"I guess at least a few things at GM are better than in the 60s." this is the case?

Art

[Patrick H.]

Re: What does the "L-?" mean

Well, they tanked Fisher and Olds now to get rid of two arguing bodies.
Of course, then there's Saturn...

Patrick

[Grant M.]

Re: What does the "L-?" mean

Although it wasn't broadly publicized, the Camaro SS package in the early '70s was option "Z-27", according to dealer order books.

[John H.]

Re: What does the "L-?" mean

It was in '67-'69 as well, but everyone just called it the "SS" package.