I have the following thread posted in the TPI board... and they aren't helping much, confusing more even...... Ok everyone... I was told thatr my 1988 Trans Am GTA doesn't have the L98 engine, but the B2L engine. This is w hat my RPO sticker reads, B2L. So, whats the difference between a L98 and B2L? I was told B2L is the F-Body RPO code for the L98 engine I always assumed I had L98, because thats what everyone says they have, whom have the 5.7L TPI

From this page

In 1987 Pontiac made one of it's smartest moves by utilizing the 5.7L Tuned Port Injected V8 (L98) used in the Corvette but with cast iron heads as GM did not want the Corvette to have any competition from within it's ranks. Pontiac put this 210 HP engine in a special package (B2L) available for the Trans Am called it the GTA (Gran Turismo Americano). This option package ran about $2,700 and was well worth it.

The info in the tech data page here agrees, your B2L is a L98

Two ways of looking at it...

early vette L98's have iron heads and this motor is the same as ours the RPO code for this engine is B2L(if it is)

Vettes got AL heads with everything else the same on the engine later on and still call it an L98 Is it the same as our engines?

I would personally call our engines L98 since RPO dont really name the part..
IMO

Daz

The 'Vette L98's had flat top pistons and some of the later versions ('89-91) had 4 bolt mains. What casting # heads did the early ('85-86) TPI 'Vettes use? I know they went to the alloy heads in '87 and then to the "D port" alloy heads in '88. I think the RPO sheets I got from GM for both my cars list both B2L and L98. I think B2L was a merchandising code that told the plant to add all the other required parts for an L98 while L98 was the RPO for the engine itself. But then I could be talking out of my *** which happens periodically:lala:

I think you are right on the money!! Because BILLZ88350's 1988 Formula has the B2L code, but he got the breakdown sheet from GM, and it says B2L (5.7L TPI L98 Special Package) or something like that, but I know it says L98 in there