A Little Tech & Trivia about the LS5 engine
1970:
The LS5 engine was the base engine for the Z15 SS454 Equipment
package. The engine is listed as RPO LS5 on the build sheet but, then
again, other RPO codes are listed on the build sheet and they are listed
because they are all part of the Z15 SS454 Group package and not available
individually.
It should be noted that although the letter shown below indicates the availability of the LS5 engine for "...Chevelle, El Camino and small wagons..." no NON-SS-optioned Chevelle, El Camino, or small wagon has surfaced to date.
October 30th, 1969
TO ALL DEALERS:
Please be advised
that effective immediately, the LS3 engine for Chevelles, El Caminos,
and small wagons may be submitted for production. Also, new 360-HP SS454
option Z15 for Malibu coupe and convertible or El Camino, may be submitted
with either M40 transmission, or new option M22 4 speed special transmission.
Z15 includes same axle ratio and basic components as Z25 SS396 except
engine. In addition, new 450-HP 454 engine may be ordered with Z15 as
option LS6 immediately. Prices of these new options will be forwarded
as soon as possible.
In conjunction with the release of LS6
450-HP engine, the 375-HP Engine Option L78 and the L78/L89 for use
with SS 396 is in process of being cancelled, and further orders for
these options should not be submitted.
Very truly yours,
W.C. Kuhn
Zone distribution Manager
The LS6 engine was an option on top of the Z15 SS454 Equipment package. By knowing how many Z15 SS454 Equipment package options were sold, 8773, and subtracting the number of LS6 options, 4475, one is left with 4298 with the base LS5 engine.
1971/1972:
In 1971 & 1972 the Z15 SS454 Equipment option was reclassified
as simply the Z15 SS Group option. Z15 SS Group was now a dress-up option
and not a performance option. Any optional
V8 engine could be ordered with RPO Z15 which included the 350-2 (L65),
350-4 (L48), 402-4 (LS3) or 454 (LS5). While the LS5 engine choice mandated
the Z15 SS Group option the other 3 engines did not and could be ordered
on any other Chevelle series and body styles without the Z15 option
while the LS5 was limited to Malibu sport coupes, convertibles, and
pickups and mandated the Z15 option.
Bottom line for 1971 and 1972:
* If the Chevelle has a factory
454 engine, it must be a Malibu sport coupe, Malibu convertible, or
Malibu pickup and would have the SS option.
* Any 350-2, 350-4, 402-4
factory engine in a Malibu sport coupe, Malibu convertible, or Malibu
pickup may or may not have the SS option.
* Any series/model EXCEPT
the Malibu sport coupe, Malibu convertible, or Malibu pickup could have
any V8 engine except the 454 and could
not be ordered with the SS option.
