L48 Cars with FE7 Suspension?

[SVO]

Stevolwevol started a thread concerning P255-60R15 tires for his '77. Part of the discussion raised the question in my mind of was the optional FE7 Gymkhana suspension available in a car with the base L48 engine. Back in the mid 70's - early 80's, in NCCC competition, two of the hottest classes were the Pure "C" (L82's) class and the Pure "D" (L48's) class. Cars being bought for Pure "C" competition were L82's, with the optional HD 4 speed, 3:70 rear axle and FE7 suspension. But did Cheverolet build any L48 cars with the FE7 suspension? Has anyone ever seen such a critter? In looking back thru the references I have, I haven't seen any such engine restriction. The FE7 suspension was available starting with the 1974 model year and was last available for the 1982 model year.

Comments?

 

[Vettehead Mikey]

FE7 was available irrespective of engine option in all years AFAIK.

In 1975 (for example) 3194 cars were built with RPO FE7 but only 2372 were built with L82. In model year 1977, 7269 cars were built with FE7 and 6148 were built with L82. Therefore a considerable number of L48 cars had FE7.

This does not infer that all L82 had FE7.

 

[Tom Bryant]

In 1976 there were 5720 L82s but only 5368 FE7s. !974 is also interesting with 6690 L82s and only 1905 FE7s.

This makes me wonder why the number of L82s to FE7s varied so much year to year.

Tom

 

[Vettehead Mikey]

Good question. I've never understood the variations in ordering patterns in options from one year to the next, other than seeing an increase in 'luxury' features as the availability of 'sporty/go fast' features went down.

BTW- the optional gearbox available on the later C3s was not heavy duty (HD) as mentioned above, it was simply a close ratio M21 box vs. the standard wide ratio M20 unit.

 

[stevolwevol]

Stevolwevol started a thread concerning P255-60R15 tires for his '77. Part of the discussion raised the question in my mind of was the optional FE7 Gymkhana suspension available in a car with the base L48 engine. Back in the mid 70's - early 80's, in NCCC competition, two of the hottest classes were the Pure "C" (L82's) class and the Pure "D" (L48's) class. Cars being bought for Pure "C" competition were L82's, with the optional HD 4 speed, 3:70 rear axle and FE7 suspension. But did Cheverolet build any L48 cars with the FE7 suspension? Has anyone ever seen such a critter? In looking back thru the references I have, I haven't seen any such engine restriction. The FE7 suspension was available starting with the 1974 model year and was last available for the 1982 model year.

Comments?

It seems typical of GM to be inconsistent with with issues like this. A while back I had a 86 IROC, but it came from the factory with the base Lg4 engine. There were great suspension upgrades on it, but is stands to reason that it should have automatically come with the TPI, but it didn't. Now with my 77 L48, I have no complaints with handling. I can give it all I can when corning, and I get no tipping, or rolling. I'm very happy with the handling with what ever the suspension is. I'm more concerned with the tires loosing grip than any suspension failures.