L46 vs LT-1
Thread Starter
Melting Slicks
Joined: Jan 2001
Posts: 2,016
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From: Little Egg Harbor N.J.
L46 vs LT-1
With the horsepower ratings being so close is there really that much of a noticeable performance difference between an L46 and an LT1?
Not knowing for sure but, isn't an L46 very close to an LT1 minus the Holley, Aluminum intake and solid lifter cam?
Not knowing for sure but, isn't an L46 very close to an LT1 minus the Holley, Aluminum intake and solid lifter cam?
Thread Starter
Melting Slicks
Joined: Jan 2001
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From: Little Egg Harbor N.J.
Originally Posted by Gordonm
Having owned both and driven the heck out of both. Yes there is a difference.
Melting Slicks
Joined: May 2001
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From: Gig Harbor Wa
The differences are:
LT-1 has high rise aluminum intake manifold with holley carb, transistorized ignition and solid cam with 242/254 .458/.485 116 LSA
L46 has standard cast iron manifold, Rochester carb and hydraulic cam with 222/222 .450/.460 114 LSA
Cam specs from here http://www.geocities.com/MotorCity/D...00/cmspec.html
LT-1 has high rise aluminum intake manifold with holley carb, transistorized ignition and solid cam with 242/254 .458/.485 116 LSA
L46 has standard cast iron manifold, Rochester carb and hydraulic cam with 222/222 .450/.460 114 LSA
Cam specs from here http://www.geocities.com/MotorCity/D...00/cmspec.html
Race Director
Joined: Feb 2003
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From: YANKEES UNIVERSE 70 454-LS5 500 ft-lbs Torque
I drove a 70 LT-1 and the way i can descibe it is that it revs like a small block and has the power and pull of my 70 454/390,BUT it handles way better than a Big Block.Very impressed with the LT-1.
Race Director
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From: YANKEES UNIVERSE 70 454-LS5 500 ft-lbs Torque
Originally Posted by StickShiftCorvette
Most sources suggested that the '70 LT-1 was under rated. It's performance is a big step up from a L46 due to the cam, intake, and manifold as stated by 70LS1.
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Melting Slicks
Joined: May 2005
Posts: 2,152
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From: Folsom Ca
Originally Posted by StickShiftCorvette
Most sources suggested that the '70 LT-1 was under rated. It's performance is a big step up from a L46 due to the cam, intake, and manifold as stated by 70LS1.
Drifting
Joined: Sep 1999
Posts: 1,970
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I'd say the cam makes the most noticeable difference. Don't get me wrong, I've had my 70 L-46 for 33years, but its a dog off the line, but never quits on the top end. (love that)
I will never sell it, but for one exception..... a 70 LT1
I will never sell it, but for one exception..... a 70 LT1
Melting Slicks
Joined: May 2001
Posts: 2,812
Likes: 4
From: Gig Harbor Wa
Originally Posted by BFowlkes
When I bought my 69 L46 the previous owner said it had LT1 heads. But no one mentioned different heads, was he just blowing smoke? How could I tell?
Melting Slicks
Joined: Mar 1999
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From: Apex NC
Originally Posted by dennis
I'd say the cam makes the most noticeable difference. Don't get me wrong, I've had my 70 L-46 for 33years, but its a dog off the line, but never quits on the top end. (love that)
I will never sell it, but for one exception..... a 70 LT1
I will never sell it, but for one exception..... a 70 LT1
Melting Slicks
Joined: Mar 2005
Posts: 2,838
Likes: 10
From: Austin TX
Both great engines!
I think the L-46 is one of the the most under-rated engines of all time. I had the pleasure of test driving an 69 w/L-46 and she pulled great up to 5500 and had a nice little idle.
I love Q-jets which flow 750,..the Holley flows a bit more, 780. I think the weak spot on the L-46 is the cast-iron intake which was the same part used on all 350 w/ q-jets. I'd get a Q-Jet Performer or Q-Jet RPM Performer and paint it orange.
Add a set of headers and you'd have a great street engine that doesn't often need rocker adjustment, gets better mileage, and has power to spare.
Honestly on the street, would you rather have a torque curve from 1500 to 5500 or 2500 6500? That's basically the difference between the LT-1 and L-46. Nice to have the choice though.
I think the L-46 is one of the the most under-rated engines of all time. I had the pleasure of test driving an 69 w/L-46 and she pulled great up to 5500 and had a nice little idle.
I love Q-jets which flow 750,..the Holley flows a bit more, 780. I think the weak spot on the L-46 is the cast-iron intake which was the same part used on all 350 w/ q-jets. I'd get a Q-Jet Performer or Q-Jet RPM Performer and paint it orange.
Add a set of headers and you'd have a great street engine that doesn't often need rocker adjustment, gets better mileage, and has power to spare.
Honestly on the street, would you rather have a torque curve from 1500 to 5500 or 2500 6500? That's basically the difference between the LT-1 and L-46. Nice to have the choice though.
Drifting
Joined: Jan 2006
Posts: 1,696
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Love my 1969 L-46. Got the M-21 and 3.70 out back and it doesnt mess around! My 1970 L-46 has the M-20 and 3.55 out back and you can definently notice a difference in the two, but they both have tons of power! (maybe b/c I like to mod the crap out of them)
Race Director
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From: YANKEES UNIVERSE 70 454-LS5 500 ft-lbs Torque
My first vette was a 69 350/350 vert.I loved that car,it was fast and handled great.The only thing i did was junk the Q-jet for a Holley,as the Q-Jet gave me nothing but fits.
Drifting
Joined: Dec 2004
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Originally Posted by 8T Shark
What about he 71-72 versions with the lower compression ratio? Are they more comparable to the L46? Ive always had the same question about these two motors and just how different they are.
Instructor
Joined: May 2006
Posts: 203
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From: El Cajon CA
The LT1 heads are a little different from the L46 in that they have screw in studs and guideplates which are needed for strong valvespringx and high rpm. Headers for either will make the biggest increase in power. And also the L46 got 2 inch exhaust where the LT1 Got 2 1/2.