how to tell...L69 or L98?
02-03-2011, 12:54 AM
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Car: 1988 Formula Firebird (deceased)
Engine: l03 V8
Transmission: T-5 manual
how to tell...L69 or L98?
Hey guys, I know this is gonna be a really stupid question but how do i know if the car I'm looking at getting is the 225 horse l98 or the slightly less horse l69... all I know is its not Throttle body so I think its Tuned Port Injected.
Thanks alot
Thanks alot
02-03-2011, 08:54 AM
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Car: 1988 Formula Firebird (deceased)
Engine: l03 V8
Transmission: T-5 manual
Re: how to tell...L69 or L98?
Okay cool, I didn't know the l69 was a carbed. Should the block casting number be the same as in the picture? I'm pretty sure its TPI now because its an 89 and I don't think they still had carbs in the older years.
the reason i ask is because i'm looking for a TPI to swap with my current TBI 305 and I wanna be sure its the right motor lol. Do you guys know if it will bolt in relatively similarly? or if its worth just fixing up a 3rd gen with the tpi in it already
the reason i ask is because i'm looking for a TPI to swap with my current TBI 305 and I wanna be sure its the right motor lol. Do you guys know if it will bolt in relatively similarly? or if its worth just fixing up a 3rd gen with the tpi in it already
02-03-2011, 09:12 AM
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Car: 1984 Z28 Hardtop
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Re: how to tell...L69 or L98?
Casting numbers will be different from those shown. An 89 could be an LO3 305 TBI, LB9 305 TPI, or L98 350 TPI.
02-03-2011, 09:25 AM
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Car: 1988 Formula Firebird (deceased)
Engine: l03 V8
Transmission: T-5 manual
Re: how to tell...L69 or L98?
I think its an LB9 then, all I can tell from it is its a 5.0 and its not a throttle body so that only leaves me at LB9 I guess.
Is it worth getting the TPI over staying with my current l03 just for the extra 30 40 horse?
Is it worth getting the TPI over staying with my current l03 just for the extra 30 40 horse?
02-04-2011, 08:12 PM
#7
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Re: how to tell...L69 or L98?
If it's a 305 (5.0L) and it's original to the car (1989) then it is almost certainly the LO3 305 (5.0L) Throttle Body Injected engine, which was rated at 170HP. It uses a regular round air cleaner assembly on to of the throttle body and has a general appearance similar to a carbureted engine. But in 1989 there were no carbureted engines available in the Camaro or Firebird line, which is why it can't be the L69.
A TPI engine would be obvious with the intake "spider" on top (see above picture of what a TPI looks like). For most IROCs and Trans Ams of that vintage the Throttle Body Injected L03 305 was the base motor offered in the car with the 305 and 350 TPIs available as options.
The higher output TPI engines (LB9 305 and L98 350) were considerably different from the entry-level LO3 that you have. Heads, cam, intake, exhaust and computer/wiring harness were all very different.
A TPI engine would be obvious with the intake "spider" on top (see above picture of what a TPI looks like). For most IROCs and Trans Ams of that vintage the Throttle Body Injected L03 305 was the base motor offered in the car with the 305 and 350 TPIs available as options.
The higher output TPI engines (LB9 305 and L98 350) were considerably different from the entry-level LO3 that you have. Heads, cam, intake, exhaust and computer/wiring harness were all very different.
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