Hi all, New here. I have a question on 1983 Trans Am HO LG4 Engine color, from what I know the original engines are black. I looked at a low mileage one for sale and the engine was black but you could see blue under the black paint on the block and rocker covers and the rocker covers clearly had extra sealant. Is it possible that it would come out of the factory like this ? I could not get a clear engine code or vin # off the block, the original owner tells me the motor is original ?? Thanks in advance.

 

It's an LG4 or a HO. 2 different engines.

 

Interesting, the vin # IS 1G2AW87H4DL****** What should the vin and engine code be ?

 

My 83 HO (which is the L69, NOT LG4) was black.

No idea what the 83 LG4s were. I ignored them, waiting until the L69 (announced in late fall of 82 to become available in spring 83) came out. Probably also black though. My little bro's 84 LG4 was black.

H is the LG4 code, so yours is NOT the HO. L69 code was 7 in 83, G afterwards.

 

The 2 82 lg4s I had were blue and yeah, my 83 ho was black. The 84 lg4 my friend had and an 84 ho I stripped and junked were both black.

 

Thank you for the replies. Does the L69 motor have the same air cleaner as the LG4 with the top inlet for the hood ?

 

Engines in 1977 to 1982 General Motors cars were GM Corporate Blue from the factory. 1983 onward were black...

 

that's a lg4. The air filter lid has the cowl duct on both engines. But the HO has a dual snorkel intake. You can also see this car has a pulley driven fan. HO cars had an electric.

from the pics it looks pretty clean. I had an 82 that was black and gold. It's an awesome color combo. This car clearly has headers. I wonder what else was done to it.

 

Regardless of the engine option all 1983 and up were painted BLACK.

 

nope, 82 wasn't. They were blue.

 

Appears the seller is not being totally honest and he is the original owner so there is no excuses, Motor definitely has blue paint under the black and he is advertising it as an HO. Its a clean car but has been for sale for over 2 months. It all makes sense now, on the hunt again. Thanks for all the replies.

 

too bad, it looks like a clean car. Was the rest in as good shape as the engine bay? Did it run well?

 

shame on me I just looked at my 82 Camaro and it is blue. But I knew for a fact 1983 was black because I had one new and to this day have a number of 3rd gens that have black engines

 

82 was last year of blue. 83 was black

 

I wonder if it's possible that very EARLY '83 models could have been blue...

 

That wouldn't surprise me at all.

 

Very possible but I dont think they would paint over the blue with black at the factory

 

yeah, totally. The factory wouldn't do that someone must have done that later.

 

I had a 20k mile, 1982 Z28 a few years ago that was a very late 1982 build, and the engine was black.

So, if the 8th digit of the VIN is the letter H, its an LG4. The 8th digit of the VIN would be L for the L69 H.O.


Whoever above said the L69 HO engine got dual snorkels, that was only true for the Z28. And yes, both the LG4 and L69 83-84 Trans Ams had the same air induction, power bulge hood.