1967-1981 Camaro Engine Guide

Camaro Engine ID Guide 1967-1981

From 1967 through 1981, the Chevrolet Camaro offered one of the most diverse and legendary engine lineups in American performance history. While the 1970 Chevelle SS 454 LS6 does get the limelight, the Camaro wasn’t forgotten by Chevrolet. From the high-revving 302 Z/28 and big-block 396 SS of the late ’60s to the solid-lifter LT-1 small-blocks of the early ’70s, every generation delivered its own balance of power and personality. Understanding the original Camaro engine codes, casting numbers, and horsepower ratings is an important detail for collectors, restorers, and enthusiasts looking to verify authenticity or plan a period-correct build. Even for those who aren’t planning a period correct build, it’s always neat to see what was under the hood when your Camaro left the assembly line. 

How To ID a V8 Camaro Engine

Engine pad stamp (a.k.a. suffix code): On the engine-blocks, look at the machined pad at the front, passenger side deck.

Block casting number and date: Rear driver side of blocks near the bellhousing flange; Casting dates must pre-date the assembly stamp and vehicle build and are generally found on the passenger side.

Where to decode: For 1967–69, the Camaro Research Group (CRG) lists all suffix codes, block castings, head castings, and production totals. For 1970–81, use GM Heritage kits, NastyZ28’s year pages, and LT-1 reference.

FIRST GENERATION CAMARO ENGINES (1967–1969)

Inline-Six (standard engines)

  • L26 — 230ci/140 hp (1-bbl)

  • L22 — 250ci/155 hp (1-bbl)
    Typical identifiers: suffix codes by trans/A/C (e.g., LE/LF etc. in ’67 tables); block castings 3877178, 3921968 (late ’67–’69).

Small-Block V8 (non-SS, SS350, Z/28)

  • LF7 — 327ci/210 hp (2-bbl, ’67–’68; base V8)

  • L30 — 327ci/275 hp (4-bbl, ’67–’68)

  • L14 — 307ci/200 hp (2-bbl, ’69)

  • L65 — 350ci/250 hp (2-bbl, ’69)

  • LM1 — 350ci/255 hp (4-bbl, ’69)

  • L48 — SS350: 350ci/295 hp (’67–’68), 300 hp (’69)

  • Z/28 (RPO Z28) — 302ci/290 hp (solid cam, 4-bbl; suffix DZ in ’69)

Useful casting numbers (SBC, 1st-gen):

  • Blocks: 3892657 (’67 302/350), 3914678 (’68 4.00″ bore), 3932386/3932388 (’69 4.00″ bore), 3970010 (late ’69 302/350; later widespread in the ’70s). CRG shows which were used by year and that multiple displacements shared castings. Camaro Research Group

  • 302/Z/28 notes: CRG’s Z/28 section covers the 302’s 283 crank/327 block build recipe and specifics; 1969 pad suffix “DZ” is the signature tell.

1967 Camaro Engine

Big-Block V8 (SS396 & special)

  • L35 — 396ci/325 hp

  • L34 — 396ci/350 hp

  • L78 — 396ci/375 hp (solid cam)

  • L89 — 396ci/375 hp w/ aluminum heads (’68–’69 option)

  • COPO 9561 L72 — 427ci/425 hp (cast-iron)

  • COPO 9560 ZL1 — 427ci/430 hp (all-aluminum; underrated, 500+ bhp potential)

Useful casting numbers (BBC, 1st-gen):

  • Blocks: 3902406, 3916323, 3935440, 3955272, 3969854 (various 396/427 usage by year)

  • Heads: ovals 3904390/3909802 (L35), rectangles 3904391 / 3919840, very late 3964291 (late ’69). CRG’s head page shows date changes and the late-’69 switch to 3964291. 

  • COPO identifiers: Suffix codes (MN/MO for L72; ML/MM for ZL1) appear in CRG’s ’69 tables with TH400/manual splits.

SECOND GENERATION CAMARO ENGINES (1970–1981)

1970 launched the new F-body. In 1971–72, compression and ratings slid from SAE gross to SAE net (1972), so numbers look lower even when hardware was similar. Big-blocks ended after 1972. Z28 returned with different specs over time.

1970 (high-water mark)

  • L6 250/155 hp (base), 307/200, 350/250 (L65), 350/300 (L48, SS350)

  • Z28 LT-1 — 350ci/360 hp (gross) (11.0:1, solid cam)

  • SS396 (actually 402ci) — 350 hp and 375 hp variants retained “396” badging in literature. Over-Drive Magazine

LT-1 identifiers (1970): SBC block 3970010, heads 3927186, crank 330550, Holley 780 (lists vary A/T vs 4-spd). NastyZ28 documents LT-1 component numbers.

1971 (compression down, still gross ratings shown alongside emerging net)

  • L6 250 (~145 hp), 307/200, 350/245 (L65), 350/270 (L48)

  • **Z28 LT-1 — 350ci/330 hp gross / 275 hp net

  • LS3 “396/402” — 300 hp gross / ~260 net 

1972 (ratings switch to SAE net; last year SS & big-block)

  • **Z28 LT-1 — 350ci/255 hp net

  • “396/402” — ~240 net; end of factory big-block Camaro after ’72. Z/28 badging changed to Z28.

Camaro Engine

1973–1974 (emissions and safety era)

Z28 paused after ’74 (not offered 1975–1976). Powertrains center on 350 2-bbl/4-bbl in modest net ratings; casting families still include 3970010 SBC blocks across many builds. 

1977–1979 (Z28 returns)

  • Z28 (LM1 350) returns—roughly 170–185 hp net depending on year/equipment; base cars often get 305 or 350 2-bbl/4-bbl with catalytic converters and EGR. 

1980–1981 (last 2nd-gen years)

  • 1980: 350 available only on Z28; base models shift to 229 V6/231 V6 (CA) and smaller V8s.

  • 1981: Z28 350 (LM1) ~175 hp net with CCC/lockup auto; 305 ~165 hp in some configurations (and in CA in place of 350).

Quick “Tell-Tales” by Sought-After Packages

  • 1969 Z/28 302: Pad suffix “DZ”, Holley 780, 4-bolt 4.00″ bore block (often 3970010 late), 2.02/1.60 heads; 290 hp gross rating. CRG shows exact codes. Camaro Research Group

  • 1969 COPO 9561 (L72 427/425): Suffix MN (4-spd) / MO (TH400); iron 427, solid lifter. Camaro Research Group

  • 1969 COPO 9560 (ZL1 427/430): Suffix ML/MM; aluminum block/heads; historically dynoed well over gross rating. Camaro Research Group+1

  • 1970 Z28 LT-1 350/360: Solid cam, 11.0:1; component IDs documented (block 3970010, heads 3927186, crank 330550, Holley 780 list numbers). NastyZ28

  • 1971–72 LT-1: Same basic hardware, lower compression and ratings (330 gross/275 net in ’71; 255 net in ’72). NastyZ28

  • 1970 “SS396” (402): Rated 350/375 hp in literature; actually 402ci; big-blocks disappear after ’72. Over-Drive Magazine+1

Sources you can trust (and keep handy)

  • Camaro Research Group (CRG): 1967–69 engine list, suffix codes, block casting numbers, head castings, and technical notes (Z/28, COPO, etc.). Camaro Research Group

  • GM Heritage Center Vehicle Information Kits: Factory brochures/specs by year (great for 1970–81 engine charts and original ratings). General Motors

  • NastyZ28: Second-gen year pages and LT-1 component IDs (1970–72 Z28), plus SBC/BBC casting references. NastyZ28

  • Over-Drive fact sheets/brochures: Quick engine menu & rating snapshots for 1969–1970 models. Over-Drive Magazine

If you need any help with parts for your Camaro engine or help identifying your engine, hop on SS396.com or give our friendly techs a call at (203) 235-1200!

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