Stumped!!

Without going into displacement, when did the 3rd gen Fbody change to Gen2 engines, Gen3, etc?

Problem to me as someone who knows very little of the ever famous Chevy powerplant, all I can figure is--
Gen1-- '55-'86
Gen2-- '87-2000???
Gen3-- such a thing????
BUT
I read Gen2 was " early 90's " What???? Not specific enough for someone like me who last rebuilt a smallblock when almost everything was interchangeable!!!

1 piecerear main, roller cam??? That doesn't tell someone like me the Generation.
How does a person know what Gen it is if the engine is in a car & can't take things off of it??? Without getting stamping #s!!
What was the span of the Gens?...IE--years each was produced???


Education much appreciated!!!!!....

 

no... I believe it goes like this.
Generation 1 is the old school up to 99? (except for LT1)
LT1/Lt4 is Gen 2
LSx (all vortecs except 5.0 and 5.7 vortec) are gen 3.

Vortec 5.0/5.7 is gen 1. Basically if its not an LTx or LSx it's a Gen 1.

 

When did Fbody get the
Gen2?
Gen3?

 

3rd gens never did, only 4th gens. 93-97 was lt1, 98- end of production was ls1.

 

Here are some interesting articles on the history of GM small blocks.

Gen I - http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Chevrol...l-Block_engine

Gen II - http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/GM_LT_engine

Gen III - http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/GM_LS_engine

Basic history is Gen I was 1955-92, with the Gen II appearing in Vettes in 92 with the LT series of engines, and Gen III starting in 1997 with the LSx series of engines.

 

I been educated in more ways than 1-- Thank You guys!!!

(1)
It is wise to scroll the WHOLE page, even in wiki!!!
(2)
I am too old school
(3)
There is always FANTASTIC folks here at TGO!!!

Thank You for your patience!!
Very Much Appreciate This!!!!!!

 

Stick with Gen 1! We all know since I run it, it must be the best

 

You KNOW that's the ONLY reason I stayed with a Gen I motor!

{pssttt ... hey zraffz ... hurry up and swap to LSx so the rest of us can - I'm dying to carb a LSx!}