For 2022, the Chevrolet Equinox compact crossover will be available with just one engine–a 1.5-liter turbocharged four. A brawny turbo 2.0-liter engine was previously available, but it seems demand for the bigger mill was light–it was dropped after the 2020 model year.
1983 Oldsmobile Cutlass Supreme Engines
Engines
The Equinox is just one example of a single-engine model line. There are dozens more, including the Buick Enclave, Cadillac XT4, Honda Pilot, Jeep Compass, Nissan Pathfinder, and Toyota Venza. Why do I mention this?
Recently I was flipping through a well-worn copy of the Consumer Guide: Auto ’83 buyer’s guide magazine, and was struck by the engine chart accompanying the Oldsmobile Cutlass Supreme. Why? Because for 1983, the Cutlass Supreme was available with not just one or two engines, but five. Now, the Cutlass Supreme was extremely popular in those days, and likely dealers didn’t mind maintaining a large inventory of the cars, but it seems like dealing with five engines would be something of a complication.
So, here for your consideration are all five engines available in the 1983 Cutlass Supreme. If you even spent time with one of these powerplants, tell us about it. The place to leave comments is down below.
3.8-Liter V6
Availability: Standard
Price: Standard
Displacement (cubic inches): 231
Horsepower: 110
Torque (lb-ft): 190
Transmission: 3-speed automatic
GM engine code: “231”
4.3-Liter V6 Diesel
Availability: Optional
Price: $500
Displacement (cubic inches): 262
Horsepower: 95
Torque (lb-ft): 165
Transmission: 3-speed automatic
GM engine code: LT6
Inherent Imbalance: GM’s Forgotten 5-Cylinder Engine
5.0-Liter V8
Availability: Optional
Price: $225
Displacement (cubic inches): 307
Horsepower: 140
Torque (lb-ft): 240
Transmission: 3-speed automatic
GM engine code: LV2
5.0-Liter V8 (High-Output)
Availability: Included in Hurst/Olds Package
Price: $1997 (package price)
Displacement (cubic inches): 307
Horsepower: 180
Torque (lb-ft): 245
Transmission: 3-speed automatic
GM engine code: LG8
The General Motors V6 Engines of 1991
5.7-Liter V8 Diesel
Availability: Optional
Price: $700
Displacement (cubic inches): 350
Horsepower: 105
Torque (lb-ft): 200
Transmission: 4-speed automatic
GM engine code: LF9
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1983 Oldsmobile Cutlass Supreme Pictures
(Click below for enlarged images)
While we did not have a Cutlass Supreme, we had the equivalent Buick with the 3.8 V6. This engine had a 2 barrel carburetor. The engine was fine. We enjoyed the car very much. It was quiet and comfortable. The engine had very good off the line power. As your speed increased, the amount of available power you had seemed to drop off, so that the engine wasn’t as responsive in the 45 to 55 mph range. This was because of the rear axle ratio used, which was geared for fuel economy. The V6 would have been more powerful if a different rear axle ratio had been ordered wen the car was new. In this time period, you could not have both good power and good fuel economy in one engine – you had good power OR good fuel economy. The focus of most customers was on fuel economy. Oldsmobile offered diesel engines as a way to get much improved fuel economy in the larger and heavier cars people were used to driving at the time. So before anyone criticizes Oldsmobile’s diesel engines, remember that almost no other car maker other than Mercedes was offering them and was doing something about the need to improve fuel economy. That said, the best engine option available in these cars in terms of power was one of the 307 cubic inch V8s. By this time, most of the other GM divisions had stopped making gas V8 engines. Oldsmobile offered the 307 and Chevrolet offered the 305.