LT-1 Owners Thread
Instructor
Joined: Jun 2018
Posts: 131
Likes: 15
From: France
Nice to see you guys meeting up.
I've a tekkie question. As you know I'm a member of a french forum dedicated to Corvettes only. We are trying to gather some information about LT-1. I've a couple of questions unsolved. And I'm quite sure you could help me on theses:
- Have the LT-1 pistons from 1970 1971 an 1972 some specific numbers stamped or any mark on them making them specific to LT-1 ?
- The 1970 Lt-1 camshaft has some "marks" or "serial #" stamped, would you have any details about this specific makings ? I know the Lt-1 camshaft is different from any other but eventhough the marking differs between the 3 years of production they are the same for all LT-1.
- I've read that the crankshaft is steel forged as well as the pistons heads. What are the others made of ? Cast ?
Anticipated thanks for your kind help and advices.
I've a tekkie question. As you know I'm a member of a french forum dedicated to Corvettes only. We are trying to gather some information about LT-1. I've a couple of questions unsolved. And I'm quite sure you could help me on theses:
- Have the LT-1 pistons from 1970 1971 an 1972 some specific numbers stamped or any mark on them making them specific to LT-1 ?
- The 1970 Lt-1 camshaft has some "marks" or "serial #" stamped, would you have any details about this specific makings ? I know the Lt-1 camshaft is different from any other but eventhough the marking differs between the 3 years of production they are the same for all LT-1.
- I've read that the crankshaft is steel forged as well as the pistons heads. What are the others made of ? Cast ?
Anticipated thanks for your kind help and advices.
Burning Brakes
Joined: Sep 2018
Posts: 1,002
Likes: 410
Laguna Grey, although very similar to the Firemist color of 71-72 Steel cities grey, is a regular metallic-
Firemist colors were only offered on the corvette in 1971 and 1972. -Ontario Orange Steel Cities Grey and Warbonnet Yellow
1/23/70 - It appears like you have Saddle interior, nice combo! Is your car pretty much a stripper or does it have PB and/or PW - tilt tele?
There was a 72 LT1 in Steel Cities over Dark Saddle I recently saw for sale- I was surprised at how well it goes together.
My personal favorite with Laguna Grey is Bright Blue!
Firemist colors were only offered on the corvette in 1971 and 1972. -Ontario Orange Steel Cities Grey and Warbonnet Yellow
1/23/70 - It appears like you have Saddle interior, nice combo! Is your car pretty much a stripper or does it have PB and/or PW - tilt tele?
There was a 72 LT1 in Steel Cities over Dark Saddle I recently saw for sale- I was surprised at how well it goes together.
My personal favorite with Laguna Grey is Bright Blue!
Last edited by firstgenaddict; Nov 17, 2019 at 09:47 PM.
Instructor
Joined: Jun 2018
Posts: 131
Likes: 15
From: France
+1 @firstgenaddict
The Steel cities (mine) colorway is more with green shades I would say it's titane or bronze while the Laguna Gray is really more towards regular blue-gray, but with a wonderfull deep. Personaly both have my preference.
Tell me if I'm wrong, these 2 colorways were only available :
70 - Laguna
71-72 - Steel cities.
Correct ?
The Steel cities (mine) colorway is more with green shades I would say it's titane or bronze while the Laguna Gray is really more towards regular blue-gray, but with a wonderfull deep. Personaly both have my preference.
Tell me if I'm wrong, these 2 colorways were only available :
70 - Laguna
71-72 - Steel cities.
Correct ?
Last edited by Micha; Nov 18, 2019 at 06:01 AM.
Instructor
Joined: Jun 2018
Posts: 131
Likes: 15
From: France
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Burning Brakes
Joined: Sep 2018
Posts: 1,002
Likes: 410
Correct Micha...
FWIW even if you could drive it everyday, you wouldn't and I would love to blast through the French countryside in a LT1 or maybe off down the Mulsanne Straight?
No doubt I would be at the 24 of Lemans.
FWIW even if you could drive it everyday, you wouldn't and I would love to blast through the French countryside in a LT1 or maybe off down the Mulsanne Straight?
No doubt I would be at the 24 of Lemans.
Drifting
Joined: Oct 2006
Posts: 1,875
Likes: 779
From: Persona Non Grata
2022 C3 of the Year Finalist - Unmodified
Instructor
Joined: Jun 2018
Posts: 131
Likes: 15
From: France
Nevertheless all Californian or Nevada roads those between Santa Monica and LA or LA San Diego as well as the ones across the Sequoia park or Kings canyon are just .... aaahhh gorgeous. I've made a big part of Calif and Nevada 2 years ago with my 4 kids on a road trip. What a souvenir !
But this is what we generally say : the grass is always greener on the other side....
Last edited by Micha; Nov 20, 2019 at 10:16 AM.
Burning Brakes
Joined: Sep 2018
Posts: 1,002
Likes: 410
I won't argue on this... these are mythic places. By the way I'll run a non competitive race at "Circuit de Monthléry" next September much smaller but nice with a speed ring. I'll make the car ready to be on the line and compete gently. Also I'm just at the line between "Grand Paris" and the land. And last week end, was cold but sunny on sunday. I had a very pleasant drive. So I understand your thoughts
Nevertheless all Californian or Nevada roads those between Santa Monica and LA or LA San Diego as well as the ones across the Sequoia park or Kings canyon are just .... aaahhh gorgeous. I've made a big part of Calif and Nevada 2 years ago with my 4 kids on a road trip. What a souvenir !
But this is what we generally say : the grass is always greener on the other side....
Nevertheless all Californian or Nevada roads those between Santa Monica and LA or LA San Diego as well as the ones across the Sequoia park or Kings canyon are just .... aaahhh gorgeous. I've made a big part of Calif and Nevada 2 years ago with my 4 kids on a road trip. What a souvenir !
But this is what we generally say : the grass is always greener on the other side....
FWIW
GARDEN of THE GODS in Colorado Springs is a great place as well... so is the "TAIL OF THE DRAGON" in North Carolina which is about an hour away from me...
Race Director
Joined: Mar 2016
Posts: 14,337
Likes: 8,142
From: Napa Valley California
We took a two week road trip up hwy 5 through Lake Shasta, then up hwy 97 through eastern Oregon.
Beautiful open rolling hills and grass lands.
We drove west along the Oregon, Washington Boarder then up through Washington and spent a weekend in the San Juan Islands near the Canadian boarder.
We came home following the winding coastal hwy 101 through Oregon, then California, driving through some of the most scenic areas I have ever seen.
Throughout the trip I wished we could have packed all our stuff and our Doberman, Max, into the Corvette.
Beautiful open rolling hills and grass lands.
We drove west along the Oregon, Washington Boarder then up through Washington and spent a weekend in the San Juan Islands near the Canadian boarder.
We came home following the winding coastal hwy 101 through Oregon, then California, driving through some of the most scenic areas I have ever seen.
Throughout the trip I wished we could have packed all our stuff and our Doberman, Max, into the Corvette.
Advanced
Joined: Mar 2018
Posts: 62
Likes: 5
OldCarBum, Living in Oregon I have taken that route quite a few times but in something more modern, like a Porsche or Audi. I am tired after driving my LT-1 20 miles. There is no power anything and with a M21 transmission with a 4:11 rear-end you get pretty tired.
Race Director
Joined: Mar 2016
Posts: 14,337
Likes: 8,142
From: Napa Valley California
My wife and I love the Oregon coast.
Where else can you live and look through your front room window and see ocean views then walk out the back door into thick lush forest?
My 73 is power everything.
The 454 is getting stroked to 496, and I'll have a TKO-600RR (.82 5th gear) and a set of 3.08's in the Gary Ramadei built rear-end with Van Steel coil overs all around.
It will be a fun yet relaxing cruise.
The best part will be from the outside, it will look all original.
Where else can you live and look through your front room window and see ocean views then walk out the back door into thick lush forest?
My 73 is power everything.
The 454 is getting stroked to 496, and I'll have a TKO-600RR (.82 5th gear) and a set of 3.08's in the Gary Ramadei built rear-end with Van Steel coil overs all around.
It will be a fun yet relaxing cruise.
The best part will be from the outside, it will look all original.
Advanced
Joined: Mar 2018
Posts: 62
Likes: 5
Your 73 sounds like a pleasure to drive! My 71 LT-1 is a true survivor with records from day one. I have worked very hard to keep it as original as possible. I would love to modernize it to make it more pleasurable to drive. Living an hour from the coast makes it easy to make a run down there. When I had my plane I would give away charity flights that would start on the southern Oregon coast and head north with lunch in Newport and end with a flight inside the crater of Mt. St. Helens. Seeing the Oregon coast from a plane is something most will never experience..
Race Director
Joined: Mar 2016
Posts: 14,337
Likes: 8,142
From: Napa Valley California
The original and one prior owner's of my 73 maintained it, serviced it on a routine basis, and babied it.
The only problem, they did so by having local but excellent mechanics remove and replace many of the oem parts and equipment on the car over the years.
I'll retain the all original exterior, completely redo and keep the all original interior; but the drive train, suspension, and brakes will all be upgraded.
I really respect the time and effort many people put into keeping their cars as survivor's or NCRS award winning masterpieces and that is why I always watch this thread.
I'm just one of those guys that has hot rod-ing/racing in my family history, and it seems like I can always make something go a little faster or handle a little better.
Have a happy holiday.
The only problem, they did so by having local but excellent mechanics remove and replace many of the oem parts and equipment on the car over the years.
I'll retain the all original exterior, completely redo and keep the all original interior; but the drive train, suspension, and brakes will all be upgraded.
I really respect the time and effort many people put into keeping their cars as survivor's or NCRS award winning masterpieces and that is why I always watch this thread.
I'm just one of those guys that has hot rod-ing/racing in my family history, and it seems like I can always make something go a little faster or handle a little better.
Have a happy holiday.
Last edited by OldCarBum; Nov 22, 2019 at 11:16 AM.
Instructor
Joined: Jun 2018
Posts: 131
Likes: 15
From: France
Advanced
Joined: Mar 2018
Posts: 62
Likes: 5
Hi Micha, I have thought about it but I am persevering the car. The car is a well documented with how it was built and very original. Now, if the car had been modified I would change the transmission with a 5 speed and change the rear gear ratio.
Instructor
Joined: Jun 2018
Posts: 131
Likes: 15
From: France
@portland68 I understand that. But changing the rear diff ratio is just a setting and it is fully reversible. It will allow you to have a more smooth drive, less fuel consuming in the meantime.
If you car is a full matching # and original, I wouldn't change the tranny neither.
If you car is a full matching # and original, I wouldn't change the tranny neither.