I was wondering if anyone knew what the significance of
L-48? I know that the the L-84 engin was a step up, but I am just curious as to if L-48 really ment anything.

The engine designations were primarily an RPO (Regular Production Order) number for various engines when a car is spec'd out for assembly. How Chevrolet came up with them is beyond me, as they don't seem to make sense. Maybe strictly a numerical progression, but that doesn't account for the ZL-1 or LT-1. I've read the ZR-1 is an inside reference as "Zora Racer", but I don't know that to be true. It's just that some have attained legendary status through the years, like the LT-1, L-88, etc.

Maybe someone with some insider status will have a better explanation how Chevy came up with the designations.

Thanks for the info. I did not think that it was anything special. Even though there is hardly anything L-48 left seeing how everything was reciently replaced except for the block itself.

|UPDATED|10/26/2003 10:31:39 AM|/UPDATED|

In 79 the L-48 was the base engine It was 190 hp . The L-82 was the opnintal motor and was rated at 220 or 225 hp. There was a difference in the motors such as cams and blocks and the L-82 came with black valve covers . Hope this helps.

Mine would hardly be considered stock now. I rebuilt the engin to get more power out of it and replaced the cam shaft with a hotter one. I also put a Holly 650 cfm carb on it seeing how there was nothing left of the old one to rebuild. Its really funny because the new carb was so much bigger that I could not put the EGR stuff back on even if I wanted to. I have a lot more horse power now. Thanks for the info. Now that I have my baby I want to know everything that I can about the production of the cars. Corvettes are a real peace of American history.