What is LA

GoMangoBoys · March 13, 2021, 06:48:11 AM

As you all know, we are new to Mopar here. I see references all the time to "LA" engines. I was hoping in time that I would figure it out but I have not. What the heck is an LA engine??? Sorry for my ignorance, I am sure some of you are getting a good chuckle out if this question.
Thanks.

cuda hunter · March 13, 2021, 06:52:52 AM

Los Angeles California production plant

Any vin that ends with an E is an LA car.

for instance, bs23h0E100001

anlauto · March 13, 2021, 07:29:04 AM

"LA" is a family of engines. It describes small blocks, so 273, 318, 340 and 360. I'm not sure what the L & A actually stand for, that takes someone with much more knowledge then I.

"B" engine is 383 and 400, while "RB" is 426 and 440 and for the slant six crowd, "G" is 170, 198 and "RG" is 225 I believe

They say "RB" stands for raised block because it's taller than a "B" engine, but I don't know if that is fact or myth

anlauto · March 13, 2021, 07:33:30 AM

....this just in....fresh off of a Google search.....

The term "LA" basically means "Light A" and refers to Chrysler's engine weight loss that slimmed down its 1950s-60s A-block Poly engines by about 50 pounds and morphed the motor into its LA successor in Mopar world.

cuda hunter · March 13, 2021, 07:52:49 AM

Well, there ya go @GoMangoBoys I didn't know what it was either. Thanks Alan for googling the information and informing us.
I looked at the question wrong. Light A huh? interesting.

dodj · March 13, 2021, 08:16:20 AM

And I learned there was an LA production plant. I thought they were all made in Detroit.
Do any of the big 3 make cars out there now?

7212Mopar · March 13, 2021, 08:57:08 AM

LA is small block engines, evolution like Alan noted. Some say B is big block and RB is real big block. Highest performance from Mopar are the RBs.

headejm · March 13, 2021, 09:42:22 AM

Quote from: anlauto on March 13, 2021, 07:29:04 AM
"
They say "RB" stands for raised block because it's taller than a "B" engine, but I don't know if that is fact or myth

Alan is correct (again)!

RB stands for raised block. Taller block = longer stroke (3.75" for 440, 3.375" for 383) = more displacement.

6bblgt · March 13, 2021, 10:10:27 AM

Quote from: dodj on March 13, 2021, 08:16:20 AMAnd I learned there was an LA production plant. I thought they were all made in Detroit.
Do any of the big 3 make cars out there now?

during the "musclecar era" Chrysler had North America automobile manufacturing plants in:
Lynch Rd. DETROIT, MI = plant A * b-bodies
HAMTRAMCK, MI = plant B * a, b, e-bodies
Jefferson Ave. DETROIT, MI = plant C * c-bodies
BELVIDERE, IL = plant D * c-bodies
LOS ANGELES, CA (actually MAYWOOD, CA) = plant E * a, b, e-bodies
NEWARK, DE = plant F * c-bodies
ST. LOUIS, MO (actually FENTON, MO) = plant G * b-bodies
WINDSOR, ONT = plant R * a, b, c-bodies

Chrysler closed automobile manufacturing in CA in 1971
GM closed automobile manufacturing in CA in 1982
Ford closed automobile manufacturing in CA in 1983

Toyota & TESLA still manufacture cars in California

anlauto · March 13, 2021, 10:15:25 AM

Quote from: 6bblgt on March 13, 2021, 10:10:27 AM

Toyota & TESLA still manufacture cars in California

Is that this one in the news today ? https://www.msn.com/en-ca/autos/news/after-elon-musk-opened-tesla-s-bay-area-factory-against-local-rules-around-450-workers-got-covid-19/ar-BB1exqhq?ocid=msedgntp

6bblgt · March 13, 2021, 10:26:46 AM

none of "OUR" e-bodies were assembled in DETROIT,
most were built ~6 miles away in HAMTRAMCK, MI & a few (18.5% of 1970 e-body production) were assembled in LA ~2,280 miles from DETROIT

dodj · March 13, 2021, 12:40:47 PM

Quote from: 6bblgt on March 13, 2021, 10:26:46 AM
none of "OUR" e-bodies were assembled in DETROIT,
most were built ~6 miles away in HAMTRAMCK,

Ya...OK...that's WAYYY different. Don't know what I was thinking.

6bblgt · March 13, 2021, 01:01:03 PM

I wasn't picking on you @dodj

I just added that for clarity

the way Chrysler Corp. referred to their plants causes some confusion

it often comes up, where in LA or St. Louis was the plant? oh, that's not LA or St. Louis
Jefferson, is that the city in Ohio or Wisconsin? neither, it's a street in Detroit, MI
Hamtramck, that's a street in Detroit, too? no, it's a city just outside of Detroit

dodj · March 13, 2021, 01:58:45 PM

@6bblgt

Brads70 · March 13, 2021, 02:34:28 PM

Quote from: anlauto on March 13, 2021, 07:33:30 AM
....this just in....fresh off of a Google search.....

The term "LA" basically means "Light A" and refers to Chrysler's engine weight loss that slimmed down its 1950s-60s A-block Poly engines by about 50 pounds and morphed the motor into its LA successor in Mopar world.

I didn't know that, learned something new!