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Is the 1971 Corvette LS6 engine the same LS6 engine found in the 1970 Chevelle, or is it a detuned variant of the never produced 1970 LS7 ?
I have read in some places online that the 1971 Corvette LS6 engine is a detuned version of the stillborn 1970 LS7, or that at least the LS6 has LS7 components.
Is the 1971 LS6 closer in character to the 1970 Chevelle LS6, or the 1970 LS7 that never was ?
You may also tell me anything you know about the never was LS7, because I want to know more about the LS7.
The 71 LS6 from the Corvette and the 70 LS6 from the Chevelle had some differences. First, the compression ratio on the chevelle motor was 11 to 1 where the 71 in the corvette had a 9 to 1 compression ratio. While both motors had the same short block, the lowering of the compression ratio was accomplished by using the open chamber aluminum heads from the late 69 L88 Corvette engine. The 70 LS6 used a closed chamber iron head. The heads were one reason why the cost of the 71 LS6 option was so expensive. I have heard that even with the lower compression that the 71 LS6 is just as powerful as the 70 motor.
The 1971 LS6 engine option is more of an off shoot of the still born 1970 LS7 option. It is also quite different in its production configuration from the Chevelle' s production version. A very expensive option to order, retailing at $1220.70. It included several features of the LS7, such as HD dual disc clutch, Mag pulse T I system, Open chamber aluminum heads.