Chevrolet L31 Engine Specs
by Anne Davis
Unlike other 5.7-liter V8s that GM manufactures, the L31 features cylinder heads that are compatible with older models, making it a popular upgrade. The L31 was available from 1955 until 1969, but was reintroduced years later and was available until 2002, when the 5.3-liter LM7 engine replaced it.
Bore, Stroke and Compression Ratio
In 2002 the L31 had a bore of 4.00 inches and a stroke of 3.48 inches. Bore refers to the diameter of the engine's eight cylinders, and stroke refers to the distance that the pistons inside the cylinders travel from top to bottom.
Performance
The 5.3-liter V8 engine has a compression ratio of 9.4 to 1. This high ratio translates into a production of 255 horsepower at 4,600 rpm and 330 foot-pounds of torque at 2,800 rpm.
Vehicles
General Motors used the L31 engine in a variety of its trucks, vans and SUVs. From 1955 until 1969 the engine appeared in such performance vehicles as the Camaro. From 1996 until 2002 the L31 the Chevrolet Express and the GMC Savanna carried this engine. The engine was featured in Chevrolet and GM full-size trucks, Suburbans, the Chevrolet Tahoe and the GMC Yukon from 1996 until 1999.
References
Writer Bio
Anne Davis writes pieces on domestic and international travel, automotive maintenance, education and health. She graduated with a Bachelor of Arts in English and history, and is pursuing graduate study in a related field.
