C3 General General C3 Corvette Discussion not covered in Tech
Sponsored by:
Sponsored by:

stock 76 performance

Thread Tools
 
Search this Thread
 
Old Apr 7, 2009 | 02:45 PM
  #1  
ANY VETTE's Avatar
ANY VETTE
Thread Starter
Instructor
 
Joined: Oct 2008
Posts: 178
Likes: 1
From: windsor ontario
Default stock 76 performance

I have read in past threads of how slow the mid 70's were but I am not so sure about that. I have a pretty stock engine, automatic and i can burn these tires from a stop and chirp them going into 2nd gear.Now I don't know the history of my engine I will admit other than it came out of a 1970 caprice.Is this standard for a 76 and if it is I don't know what the complaining is about.
Reply
Old Apr 7, 2009 | 02:48 PM
  #2  
GD70's Avatar
GD70
Le Mans Master
15 Year Member
 
Joined: Jan 2007
Posts: 5,485
Likes: 7
From: Peekskill NY
Default

That 70 engine will have a higher compression ratio, more torque & HP. Could be a, 300 or 350 hp engine. My Grandmother bought a 70 Impala new with a 350-350hp and that car flew.
Reply
Old Apr 7, 2009 | 02:58 PM
  #3  
SEVNT6's Avatar
SEVNT6
Le Mans Master
15 Year Member
Active Streak: 120 Days
Liked
Top Answer: 5
 
Joined: Jan 2007
Posts: 7,942
Likes: 3,312
From: Omaha NE
2025 c3 ('74-'82) of the Year Finalist - Unmodified
2023 C3 of the Year Finalist - Unmodified
2022 C3 of the Year Finalist - Unmodified
2020 C3 of the Year Finalist - Unmodified
Default

I'm with GD70. A '76 L-48 had all of 180 hp. Mine's stock & it can chirp in second. But not until I put a shift kit in it.........
Reply
Old Apr 8, 2009 | 02:24 AM
  #4  
QuicheLorraine's Avatar
QuicheLorraine
Racer
 
Joined: Feb 2009
Posts: 343
Likes: 0
From: San Diego CA
Default

Originally Posted by SEVNT6
I'm with GD70. A '76 L-48 had all of 180 hp. Mine's stock & it can chirp in second. But not until I put a shift kit in it.........
When I got my '76 it only had 60K miles on it. But wow what a MUTT it was! Sounded like the valves were floating at 4,000 and off the line it was a real stinker. Body was clean though, and all she needed was a motor & interior. Did 'em both and no complaints.
Reply
Old Apr 8, 2009 | 07:26 PM
  #5  
Reggie Dunlop's Avatar
Reggie Dunlop
Drifting
 
Joined: Aug 2008
Posts: 1,381
Likes: 11
Default

"stock 76 performance"
oxymoronic.
if your '76 will spin the tires it is not stock.
Reply
Old Apr 8, 2009 | 07:42 PM
  #6  
Bronze76's Avatar
Bronze76
Racer
 
Joined: Jun 2008
Posts: 269
Likes: 0
Default

My '76 is stock and can spin the tires, but it's a 4 speed manual. I don't think I've ever squealed them while shifting into 2nd though. I don't really consider my car to be much of performance machine to be blunt. I bought is because I liked the style and it is in original condition.

If I had bought the car in the late 80's or early 90's...I would have yanked out the engine before I ran through the first tank of gas. I'm a little older now and am starting to appreciate cars that are in original condition so I can experience the cars the way they were when they first were sold.

I think just about any small block from 1970 will have a bit more power than the '76 engines. Enjoy your car!
Reply
Old Apr 9, 2009 | 07:46 PM
  #7  
OogieBoogie's Avatar
OogieBoogie
Racer
 
Joined: Sep 2007
Posts: 320
Likes: 0
Default

When I first bought my 76, I thought that power was not that important, but I'm getting ready to purchase a 350 block and try my hand at building an engine. I have engine builders at work that are more than willing to guide me over any problems I have. I agree that the stock engine is a dog!!!
Reply
Old Apr 9, 2009 | 08:34 PM
  #8  
GD70's Avatar
GD70
Le Mans Master
15 Year Member
 
Joined: Jan 2007
Posts: 5,485
Likes: 7
From: Peekskill NY
Default

Originally Posted by Bronze76
My '76 is stock and can spin the tires, but it's a 4 speed manual. I don't think I've ever squealed them while shifting into 2nd though. I don't really consider my car to be much of performance machine to be blunt. I bought is because I liked the style and it is in original condition.

If I had bought the car in the late 80's or early 90's...I would have yanked out the engine before I ran through the first tank of gas. I'm a little older now and am starting to appreciate cars that are in original condition so I can experience the cars the way they were when they first were sold.

I think just about any small block from 1970 will have a bit more power than the '76 engines. Enjoy your car!
A Bit? 140 HP more for the 70 base engine is quite a difference!
Reply

Get notified of new replies

To stock 76 performance

Corvette Stories

The Best of Corvette for Corvette Enthusiasts

story-0

Top 10 DOs and DON'Ts for Protecting Your Convertible Top!

 Michael S. Palmer
story-1

Top 10 Most Explosive Corvettes Ever Made: Power-to-Weight Ratio Ranked!

 Joe Kucinski
story-2

150 hp to 1,250 hp: Every Corvette Generation Compared by the Specs That Matter

 Joe Kucinski
story-3

8 Coolest Corvette Pace Cars (and Replicas) of All Time

 Verdad Gallardo
story-4

Top 10 Corvette Engines RANKED by Peak Torque (70+ Years of Muscle!)

 Joe Kucinski
story-5

Corvette ZR1X Will Be Pacing the Indy 500, And Could Probably Race, Too!

 Verdad Gallardo
story-6

Top 10 Corvettes Coming to Mecum Indy 2026!

 Brett Foote
story-7

Top 10 C9 Corvette MUST-HAVES to Fix These C8 Generation Flaws!

 Michael S. Palmer
story-8

10 Revolutionary 'Corvette Firsts' Most People Don't Know

 Joe Kucinski
story-9

5 Reasons to Upgrade to an LS6-Powered Corvette; 5 Reasons to Stay LT2

 Michael S. Palmer




All times are GMT -4. The time now is 09:42 PM.

story-0
Top 10 DOs and DON'Ts for Protecting Your Convertible Top!

Slideshow: How to Protect A Convertible Top: 10 DOs & DON'Ts

By Michael S. Palmer | 2026-04-03 00:00:00


VIEW MORE
story-1
Top 10 Most Explosive Corvettes Ever Made: Power-to-Weight Ratio Ranked!

Slideshow: The 10 most explosive Corvettes ever built based on power-to-weight ratio.

By Joe Kucinski | 2026-05-20 07:23:03


VIEW MORE
story-2
150 hp to 1,250 hp: Every Corvette Generation Compared by the Specs That Matter

Slideshow: From C1 to C8 we compare every Corvette generation by the numbers.

By Joe Kucinski | 2026-05-12 16:54:12


VIEW MORE
story-3
8 Coolest Corvette Pace Cars (and Replicas) of All Time

Slideshow: Some Corvette pace cars became collectible legends, while others perfectly captured the look and attitude of their era.

By Verdad Gallardo | 2026-05-11 09:50:51


VIEW MORE
story-4
Top 10 Corvette Engines RANKED by Peak Torque (70+ Years of Muscle!)

Slideshow: Ranking the top 10 Corvette engines by torque output.

By Joe Kucinski | 2026-05-05 11:58:09


VIEW MORE
story-5
Corvette ZR1X Will Be Pacing the Indy 500, And Could Probably Race, Too!

Slideshow: A Corvette pace car nearly matching IndyCar speeds sounds exaggerated, until you look at the numbers.

By Verdad Gallardo | 2026-05-04 20:03:36


VIEW MORE
story-6
Top 10 Corvettes Coming to Mecum Indy 2026!

Among a rather large group of them.

By Brett Foote | 2026-05-04 13:56:44


VIEW MORE
story-7
Top 10 C9 Corvette MUST-HAVES to Fix These C8 Generation Flaws!

Slideshow: the top 10 things Corvette owners want in the C9 Corvette

By Michael S. Palmer | 2026-04-30 12:41:15


VIEW MORE
story-8
10 Revolutionary 'Corvette Firsts' Most People Don't Know

Slideshow: 10 Important Corvette 'firsts' that every fan should know.

By Joe Kucinski | 2026-04-29 17:02:16


VIEW MORE
story-9
5 Reasons to Upgrade to an LS6-Powered Corvette; 5 Reasons to Stay LT2

Slideshow: Should you buy a 2020-2026 Corvette or wait for 2027?

By Michael S. Palmer | 2026-04-22 10:08:58


VIEW MORE