1969 L89 with automatic

[John S.]

Can anyone advise the approximate number of 1969 L89 cars optioned with the automatic trans?
Or how many 1969 L89 roadsters with auto?
I believe they have the trans coded CY in serial number on trans?
Any help on this is appreciated.

Thanks,
John

[Joe L.]

Re: 1969 L89 with automatic

Can anyone advise the approximate number of 1969 L89 cars optioned with the automatic trans?
Or how many 1969 L89 roadsters with auto?
I believe they have the trans coded CY in serial number on trans?
Any help on this is appreciated.

Thanks,
John

John-----

Both L-71 and L-71/L-89 used the same auto transmission; it was not unique to L-71/L-89.

As far as the number of L-89 with THM-400, I would guess that the number is quite small. I don't think the usual "extrapolation" methods will work for this. That's because in 1969 automatic transmissions just were not that popular with the kind of folks that liked special high performance engines. In other words, for 1969 about 21% of the Corvettes were equipped with THM-400. However, I really doubt that as many as 21% of the L-89's were so-equipped. I'd guess more like 5%, if that many.

[John S.]

Re: 1969 L89 with automatic

Joe,
On some Corvette info sites it says the hydromatic for an L89 had beefed up torque convertor and higher shift points?
They list a Y code for the trans for L89 engines.
Are you sure they are exactly the ame trans aas lower HP cars?
Thanks,
John

[Ralph S.]

Re: 1969 L89 with automatic

The CY trans was used in 1969 for L/71 L/89 & L/88 has 6 bolts for torque converter to flywheel and high shift point. I own a 1969 L/71 M/40
The option price for CY was $290.40 M/40 price for other engines was $221.80

[John S.]

Re: 1969 L89 with automatic

Ralph,
Thanks, that is what I had found, glad you confirmed it.
Any idea of your guess of how many were made for 69 with L71 or L89/automatic?
Does it perform well with that trans? Any performance comparison to four speed in your view? Good or bad?
Thanks,
John

[Ralph S.]

Re: 1969 L89 with automatic

I liked it when i used to drive it, just floor it and hang onto the steering wheel with both hands, It would break the tires loose when it shifted into second gear at 50-60 miles per hour, Car has not been touched since 1994. Do you own one?

[Dick W.]

Re: 1969 L89 with automatic

The CY trans was used in 1969 for L/71 L/89 & L/88 has 6 bolts for torque converter to flywheel and high shift point. I own a 1969 L/71 M/40
The option price for CY was $290.40 M/40 price for other engines was $221.80

Also used behind the L/88

[Ralph S.]

Re: 1969 L89 with automatic

Look on You Tube for 1969 corvette L/89 L/71 ride along i do not know how to post the link

[John S.]

Re: 1969 L89 with automatic

Ralph,
Just inspecting one to buy it. Felt with the L89 and automatic it would be a great addition to my collection.
Sounds like great fun with the beefed hydromatic.
Any chance you can email me privately on what you feel values of one are these days?
Jschwamm@cox.net
Tanks,
John

[Joe L.]

Re: 1969 L89 with automatic

Joe,
On some Corvette info sites it says the hydromatic for an L89 had beefed up torque convertor and higher shift points?
They list a Y code for the trans for L89 engines.
Are you sure they are exactly the ame trans aas lower HP cars?
Thanks,
John

John------


I did not say it was the same for lower horsepower cars. I said it was the same for L-71, not just L-71/L-89. As others have noted, it was also the same for L-88 (and ZL-1).

[John S.]

Re: 1969 L89 with automatic

Joe,
I guess I misunderstood your note. You said in the earlier note "not unique to L71/L89". It apparently is unique for those and the L88? With the higher shift points and torque convertor? With the CY code for those. I assume different for all other engine applications.
Hope it is right as that is what the car I am inspecting has in it. And it is an L89.
Thanks,
John

[Joe L.]

Re: 1969 L89 with automatic

Joe,
I guess I misunderstood your note. You said in the earlier note "not unique to L71/L89". It apparently is unique for those and the L88? With the higher shift points and torque convertor? With the CY code for those. I assume different for all other engine applications.
Hope it is right as that is what the car I am inspecting has in it. And it is an L89.
Thanks,
John

John-----

The term "L-89", by itself, is actually a misnomer, although it's widely used and everyone pretty much understands what it refers to. However, the L-89 is actually L-71/L-89. In other words, it is an L-71 with an aluminum head option. Basically, what I was saying in my original response was that the "CY"-coded transmission was not unique to L-89 (i.e. L-89/L-71) but was also used for plain 'ol L-71. In fact, although for even that usage it was pretty small in number, that's likely where the vast majority of the "CY" coded transmissions originally resided for the 1969 model year.

[John S.]

Re: 1969 L89 with automatic

Joe,
Understand now, just had not grouped an L71 and L89 together as one engine. Most do use the L89 option as a different engine than the L71, even though they are same other than the alum heads. Should make the L89 option with the CY trans very rare, as they only made 390 total with L89 and I assume most are four speed cars.
The launch in the You tube videos look pretty good with the auto, and the 1/4 mile et/speed times listed are pretty impressive too.
Thanks,
John

[Richard M.]

Re: 1969 L89 with automatic

I also have a 69' L71/L89 with CY TH400, according to a letter from Chevrolet dated back in the 80's 255 CY transmissions
were installed in 1969 Corvettes, but how it breaksdown between L71, L71/L89 and L88 I do not know. My VIN is 17741.
Do you have the VIN of the one you are looking at?

[Ralph S.]

Re: 1969 L89 with automatic

Richard, My VIN is 38161 L-71 M40