Topic: Since when is L78 part of the W72 package???

[RENOVATIONS]

I think somebody has their wires crossed.....

http://cgi.ebay.com/ebaymotors/RARE-54K-MILES-ORIG-79-T-A-4SPD-WS6-L78-W72_W0QQitemZ180139231343QQihZ008QQcategoryZ6427QQrdZ1QQcmdZViewItem

[79 S E W72]

   In 1979 that is what the code was for the 220 hp 400ci. People call it w72 so that it is not mistaken for the 77-78 L78 motor that was 180 hp.

[Eagle 1]

Actually they are correct.  Look at the build sheet, W72 performance package, which includes the WS6 suspension.

From what I understand, W72 is not an engine code, and cars with W72 have the L78 engine code.


Here is a link, just click on the L-78 400 4-BBL code.
http://www.firebirdtransamparts.com/techinfo/bingo/bingo.htm#lu8

"Note that W72 is not an engine code, and cars with W72 have the L78 engine code."

[ta78w72]

L78 is the engine.  W72 is the performance package that modified the L78 engine.  Nice looking car but I'd want to see it in person.  Lots of things look like they're different.

[ta78w72]

Yes, Van Nuys, California strikes again, as they couldn't offer the 210 hp W72 motor 400 in 1979 due to emissions restrictions so they called the SE model, Y vin numbered cars, W72 packaged.

The buildsheet is correct. But that is California "different" not weird. LOL

Hammer

Not quite correct.  During 77-79 the 403 was the only approved engine for California for the trans am (I'm not sure if you could have ordered an "L" or smaller V-8 though).  However, many L78's with and without the W72 performance package were made in Van Nuys.  They just had to be delivered to one of the other states.  And, the W72 engine had 200 HP in 77 and 220 HP in 78-79.  Van Nuys began production for the 78 model year.

I guess there were little differences in the nomenclature on the build sheet, but the biggest difference I've seen, at least for 78 is the paint.  Due to strict emission regulations, the Van Nuys plant had to use a water based paint which, in my experience, didn't hold up that well.

What is a "y" vin number car?

[RENOVATIONS]

Thanks, guys, for the clarification (and added confusion ) ...I was always under the mistaken impression that L78 (180hp) and W72 (220hp) were 2 separate and different designations for a 400. I never knew there was a connection between W72 engine performance pkg and WS6 suspension upgrade.

[RENOVATIONS]

I have a question related to RPO codes, though not related to this car.
M21 close-ratio designates a 4spd, but not necessarily a Muncie (our cars have Borg-Warner, right?)...correct?? (I'm going from info on Joe's site)

[Eagle 1]

I never knew there was a connection between W72 engine performance pkg and WS6 suspension upgrade.

Actually that was only in ealry 78 that if you ordered a "special perfomance package" it came with both, which my car has.  
I think by Feb. you couldnt no longer order a W72 engine.

[ta78w72]

I have a question related to RPO codes, though not related to this car.
M21 close-ratio designates a 4spd, but not necessarily a Muncie (our cars have Borg-Warner, right?)...correct?? (I'm going from info on Joe's site)

Yes, we have the BW transmission. 

[ta78w72]

Just to be clear on the L78 aspect of the engine, the W72 engines were built from the ground up with the upgrades.  They didn't pull a L78 off the line and modify it.  The W72 engine had a special oil pump, oil pan, cam, carb and many, many other higher performance improvements.  Read John Witzke's paper on the engine to gain a really great appreciation of the differences.

[78trans1]

So, if you have a '78  403 w/ws6 package, van nuys called that w72?

[Hitman]

The W72 was an upgraded L78 with alot of the parts described above.  No, the Olds 403 was NEVER a W72.  That designation was for the Pontiac 400 only.

[78trans1]

Ok, thanks.