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My friend put his “chrome bumper “ 71 low mileage LT1 on the dyno today . Total HP at 5300 rpm was 195 . So what hp are we talking here compared to 74-82 besides a 45k price tag 🤷♂️
Chassis dyno, I presume? Rear wheel HP, which is less than advertised gross HP. Dynos vary somewhat, and not knowing the 71's state of tune, it may not be performing at its best. But all things being OK, a 74-82 would show much less HP than the LT1 on that dyno.
Chassis dyno, I presume? Rear wheel HP, which is less than advertised gross HP. Dynos vary somewhat, and not knowing the 71's state of tune, it may not be performing at its best. But all things being OK, a 74-82 would show much less HP than the LT1 on that dyno.
that’s true but your not spending 45k + for 40 more HP either
Not everyone bases their C3 purchase decisions on horsepower. I bought my 72 LT-1 knowing it wasn’t blindingly fast but appreciated the high winding ability of the engine combined with the close ratio 4 speed and a more aggressive rear end gear ratio. It’s just a fun car to drive which was worth something to me. It was also the end of an era of sorts for Corvettes. I’d rather spend $45,000 for a clean original LT-1 than a base motor 75 - 76 Corvette for a third of the price, but that’s just me. Regardless, I respect anyone’s decision to buy and spend what they want.
And years ago I bought a 77. Long before I ever heard any talk about Chrome bumper cars being somehow better than urethane bumper cars.
Me, I really do like the look of the rubber bumper cars but I did install a rear spoiler straight away.
Bottom line, I loved the look and the handling of the car from the beginning. But little ford pintos would blow me away! The total lack of power was just filthy.
I certainly didn't give originality one thought as I sunk a fair few bucks into getting the power up to
respectable. Mind you my car doesn't fly low or anything like that. But at least it keeps up with the modern cars.
What I paid for my 77 so very many years ago is now a mute point. But for around 6K or so for engine mods. Even today that would make my car a bargain.
But also remember there is a lot more to spend money on than the engine alone!
Not everyone bases their C3 purchase decisions on horsepower. I bought my 72 LT-1 knowing it wasn’t blindingly fast but appreciated the high winding ability of the engine combined with the close ratio 4 speed and a more aggressive rear end gear ratio. It’s just a fun car to drive which was worth something to me. It was also the end of an era of sorts for Corvettes. I’d rather spend $45,000 for a clean original LT-1 than a base motor 75 - 76 Corvette for a third of the price, but that’s just me. Regardless, I respect anyone’s decision to buy and spend what they want.
just asking ..what can your LT-1 do that a 74-75 can’t do ?? it wasn’t the end of an era . 1970 was the end of an era and the BB ..I’m the opposite I rather buy a 74-77 basically same car minus chrome for half the price and fun just the same . Just my opinion .I have owned a 69, 72 and am a current owner of a 70 and a 75
Last edited by grady white; Dec 8, 2022 at 09:08 AM.
just asking ..what can your LT-1 do that a 74-75 can’t do ?? it wasn’t the end of an era . 1970 was the end of an era and the BB ..I’m the opposite I rather buy a 74-77 basically same car minus chrome for half the price and fun just the same . Just my opinion .I have owned a 69, 72 and am a current owner of a 70 and a 75
It was the end of the area of the solid lifter high RPM small block engines of that time period - hence my inclusion "of sorts". I personally like the sound and characteristics of them, and you don't get that experience in a 74-77. I've always said that I've never seen a Corvette that I didn't appreciate for one reason or another and that includes 165 horsepower 75's. I've owned 16 Corvettes through the years and I have enjoyed them all. I get what you're saying, but it was worth the money to me. We'll just have to agree to disagree.
It was the end of the area of the solid lifter high RPM small block engines of that time period - hence my inclusion "of sorts". I personally like the sound and characteristics of them, and you don't get that experience in a 74-77. I've always said that I've never seen a Corvette that I didn't appreciate for one reason or another and that includes 165 horsepower 75's. I've owned 16 Corvettes through the years and I have enjoyed them all. I get what you're saying, but it was worth the money to me. We'll just have to agree to disagree.
all good Dan .. I just read a lot of people always bashing the “non chrome C3” I have own both and don’t see any difference for the extra 25k you will spend . People comment they have low horsepower with is true but when drive the 70 I honestly don’t see a big difference as when I drive the 75 L48
To each his own! It’s like asking what flavor ice cream do you like the best. We all like ice cream!! I think it has a lot to do with what you desired, and most likely wasn’t able to afford, in high school. To me it’s a chrome bumper Vette.
Although I would easily accept a 1978 25 anniversary silver and gray Vette.
Dynos lie all the time. The only thing that doesn't is a time slip.
Always hated this BS. It’s easier to “lie” with a time slip than a dyno. Time slips add more variables that change the results. Weather, track prep, tire selection, tire temperature, launch rpm, stall speed (if auto), gearing, gear change speed, suspension setup, car weight, weight distribution, aero, etc., etc. I can make the same engine run significantly different time slips without changing a thing on it.
A dyno has far fewer variables to impact the results. That said, just like any tool, garbage in equals garbage out. This is why any test result is utterly useless without a thorough accounting of variables and assumptions.
My friend put his “chrome bumper “ 71 low mileage LT1 on the dyno today . Total HP at 5300 rpm was 195 . So what hp are we talking here compared to 74-82 besides a 45k price tag 🤷♂️
Certainly we should all know that h.p. ratings have changed over the years. I still go by the old at the flywheel ratings prior to the factory switch over to the lower numbers because that is what I grew up with and let’s me gauge things based on what I am familiar with. We all no that there is a serious lose of h.p. when running a car on a chassis dyno that measures rear wheel h.p. that is what the car is actually putting to the ground with whatever accessories, transmission, rear end ratio etc. So, pick your poison as to what ratings you feel comfortable with and stick to those. How many people pay to have their car dynoed anyway? Certainly racers where they are super tuning the car and a few ego seekers that want to taut their h.p. numbers. It just isn’t my thing. I just love the seat of your pants seat pinning torque that does it for my.
Designer Imagines A Corvette That Looks More Like a Corvette Than the Corvette
Slideshow: A Jaguar designer's personal project imagines what a modern front-engined Corvette might look like if Chevrolet revisited the golden age of the Stingray.
Dyno doesn’t lie
