What model engine do i have?

[bhw33191]

I have a 1983 Caprice 305. I was wondering how to tell if it is the LG4 or the L69 (high output) model. I'm hoping its the L69 but it probably isn't because it came out in 1983 (same as my car) and i heard my grandfather bought it because of the cheap price (probably because it was the last of the 83's). It only had to get to church and back anyway.

[silicon212]

It's an LG4, because an L69 was an F-body (Camaro, Firebird) engine. No B-body, that I am aware of, ever came from the factory with one.

You may look at the 8th digit in your VIN. An LG4 will be "H".

[randy78]

there was no L69 in the B bodies


noobs..


if its a civvy and its an 86 or older and its a v-8 the its a 267 or a 305

period

or was from factory

all you have to do is check the L code in the RPO sticker, or run the vin code 8th digit

or look on the rad support emissions label it will say 5.0L

if its carb and 5.0L then its the crappy peanut port LG4 or equivalent

[bhw33191]

Originally Posted by randy78

there was no L69 in the B bodies


noobs..


if its a civvy and its an 86 or older and its a v-8 the its a 267 or a 305

period

or was from factory

all you have to do is check the L code in the RPO sticker, or run the vin code 8th digit

or look on the rad support emissions label it will say 5.0L

if its carb and 5.0L then its the crappy peanut port LG4 or equivalent

yeah yeah. well i was on the wikipedia article about the caprice and it mentioned the L69 so i was just curious. Gutta learn one way or another right?

[silicon212]

Yeah, I thought he was a little condescending as well, but you gotta take it in stride.

The LG4 doesn't have 'peanut ports', I've rebuilt several and the ports are the same size as any other small block head from the era. I think he has these confused with Ford 5.0 engines.

Inasmuch as wiki is concerned, that can be edited by anyone so it is to be taken with a grain of salt. A little research goes a long way!

[bhw33191]

Originally Posted by silicon212

Yeah, I thought he was a little condescending as well, but you gotta take it in stride.

The LG4 doesn't have 'peanut ports', I've rebuilt several and the ports are the same size as any other small block head from the era. I think he has these confused with Ford 5.0 engines.

Inasmuch as wiki is concerned, that can be edited by anyone so it is to be taken with a grain of salt. A little research goes a long way!

lol, yeah he had me a little down there about my engine. i know its not the best thing out there but at least it aint the v6! those make 110hp? for a car as big as the caprice? although V6'ers are known for their torque if i'm not mistaken so maybe that makes up for low hp?

[silicon212]

The 229 V6 is a 305 with two cylinders lopped off. Take the front two plugs out of your 305, run it around the block a couple of times (with no plugs in two cylinders) and this will give you an idea of what the 229 can do. It doesn't produce more torque.

The 262 replaced the 229 in 1985. It's better but it's still not a 305.

[Blue Bowtie]

Yeah, 305s are not the most powerful engine ever built. They are limited to about 600HP in streetable trim. Most are not at quite that level from the factory. Still, they are among the most durable sBC built, given the extra heavy block, long bore/stroke ratio, and large mains relative to the bore size. With decent flowing heads, good balance, and sufficient strength in the rotating unit, they can make respectable power. The down side is that performance parts specific to the 305 tend to be less available and more expensive than those for a 4" bore engine.

They like lots of timing, and can tolerate quite a bit of valve overlap due to the bore/stroke. Other 300-ish inch engines don't play as well with lots of valve overlap at street RPMs.

[silicon212]

Another thing about the LG4 - it doesn't have the peak HP of the L69, but it does have a higher torque peak #.