Shoehorn

How many differnt types were there in the C3's and what were the main differences? I understand this may cover a vast amount of data but I am looking for basic information. I also understand that the same engine in a later model of the same type may have had less horsepower than a previous year, but I am looking for a starting pont. Thank you.

mike229

http://100megsfree4.com/corvette/

Everything you ever wanted to know about specs

I would consider this site the "corvette bible"...

Good luck!

68shark

Geez....need someone with the "Black book" or similar to go through all this!
Let's see...
1968...300hp and 350hp 327's (L79 option)
1969...300hp and 350 hp 350's (L46 option)
1970...debut of the Lt1 option 370hp
1971 engines detuned, but base and LT1 continue
1973 Lt1 is gone, L82 (similar to 350hp 350 from '69 but less compression), L48 is base engine (similar to original base 300hp engine but less compression)

Same continues through to the end of the decade with varying hp levels depending on the year for both engines. Big block option dropped at end of '74.

1975 introduced 2 into 1 exhaust and cat. convertor that cut power dramatically for both engines. Believe L48 was rated at only 165hp that year.

L48's can be "woken up" with a few mods, notably cam/heads/true dual exhaust w or w/o headers and equal or better the stock output of similar engines from the mid and late 60's. :cheers:

Shoehorn

Thank you. :thumbs:

robertmc48

Mike229......amazing website !!!!!!!

verskel

L36 427-cd 390-hp V-8 ($200.15)
L68 427-cid 400-hp V-8 ($305.50)
L71 427-cid 435-hp V-8 ($437.10)
L79 327-cid 350-hp V-8 ($105.35)
L81 427-cid 435-hp V-8 ($437.10)
L88 427-cid 560-hp V-8 ($947.90)

:cool: Website.....these are the L #'s for a '68 :jester

After further research I believe mine to be the L68 variety of the Hugeous Magnamonias Blockus species of the Trios aspiration variant ! :cheers:

MEAN72

:mad :smash: Why do you guys always forget about the 454 cubic inches of the LS5

A 1972 Corvette with the base ZQ3 V-8 could do 0-to-30 mph in 3.1 seconds, 0-60 mph in 8.5 seconds and the quarter mile in 15.2 seconds at 83 mph.
A 1972 Corvette with the LT1 V-8 could do 0-to-30 mph in 2.9 seconds, 0-60 mph in 6.9 seconds and the quarter mile in 14.3 seconds at 92 mph.
A 1972 Corvette with the LS5 V-8 could do 0-to-30 mph in 3.8 seconds, 0-60 mph in 6.8 seconds and the quarter mile in 14.1 seconds at 93 mph.

Shark Racer

Interesting- my L-48 is faster to 60 and slower through the quarter mile than the LS5. :)

-Steve

PRNDL

OK, here is what you do:

Go to this website: ===> http://www.idavette.net/facts.htm

For each year, scroll down the options. The engine options begin with the letter "L". So you will see for 1968, L36, L68, L88, etc. This is a list of options, so the base engine will not show up there. Some years the base engine was just known as "the base engine". In later years I believe the L48 was the base engine. After the last bigblock in 1974 the choices were in most years limited to base engine L48 or higher performance smallblock L82.

Hope this helps. MJ

Glensgages

That's nuttin': you've ALL forgotten the mighty Cross-Fire L-83
:rolleyes: :banghead: ;) :mad
:leaving:


[Modified by Glensgages, 11:28 PM 3/15/2004]

hunt4cleanair

Quote:

How many differnt types were there in the C3's and what were the main differences? I understand this may cover a vast amount of data but I am looking for basic information. I also understand that the same engine in a later model of the same type may have had less horsepower than a previous year, but I am looking for a starting pont. Thank you.

Well depending on what you mean by "variant" there are approximately 150 engine suffixs used from 1968 through 1982. So for example in 1982 there was one engine RPO the L83 but it was produced in three variants or suffixs, the ZBA, ZBC and the ZBN. And then you have the complication that an LT1 RPO for three years had three different configurations (HP) so how do you count it. It really wasn't the same from 1970 through 1972.

The question is are you looking for RPOs or Suffixs? Variant lacks the specificity you may be seeking here.


[Modified by hunt4cleanair, 5:21 AM 3/16/2004]

Twin_Turbo

L81: 350 CID (1981) V8, Computer Controlled Catalytic Converter system (electonic quadrajet)

LG4: 305 CID V8 (1980 Calif. engine) same induction as above: ECM controlled Q-jet

page62

Whoa! Everybody settle down! :boxing

A poor newbie came in here asking a simple question about different engine types and it turns into a semantics p___ing match.

Perhaps because such a simple question has a complex answer. Each year's engine outputs were different, despite similar RPO codes. The ultimate simplification is that for much of the '70s, the L48 was the base engine, and the L82 had higher output. Early and late-model C3s had different engine variants; the early ones had numerous engine options, and by 81-82, there was only one engine option each year.

But they're all Corvettes! :steering:

ACECO

:iagree:

The short and sweet answer is:

L-48 = base engine and a "J" as the 5th digit of the VIN

L-82 = a little more "go" and a "T" as the 5th VIN digit

Hope this helps.

:seeya

Shoehorn

Well Mike229 answered my question best, with the URL he posted. I read through them all last night and it gave me the best basic comprehensive (oxymoron?) look at the vehicles and engines I had questioned. I appreciate every ones input though, thank you. I love all Vette's but I have a bigger appreciation for C3"s and and even greater one for the 78-82 style, so I was looking for data on what engines had what horsepower and changes from those time frames. I had heard that the later 70's to pre 80's styles had reduced horsepower due to many changes but the emissions being a big one, so I was curious to know if they had enough power still to suit me. I m not looking for excessive power but I didn't want an all-show and no-go Vette. Well thank you again for all your good information folks. :thumbs:

mike229

Glad to be of service! - that website is killer!!!