gtc131

Yeah, I'm happy with the 850. It gives me a good power band and allows me to be economical when I want to be -- economical in the sense of holding it to 2 barrels.

I spoke at some length with my mechanic today and his real gripe with the Holley is the distinct two-stage feel between 2 barrels and 4 barrels. He drag races a Dodge 440 and prefers a smooth "gradient" between zero and WOT. Anyway, as he said, I'm the one who drives my car, and so be it.

Solid LT1

You are correct, the 2 crate LS-7 motors I delt with in the late 70's had open chamber iron cylinder heads (the 454 LS-6 had closed chamber heads.) Corvette option was to use 2nd design L-88 open chamber aluminum heads and 12.5:1 compression with L-88 spec cam over the "street" solid lifter cam (same "street" cam was used in 375HP 396, 450HP LS-6 and L-72 425HP 427 motors)

FRSTR90

The L88 cam was not used in the LS7 nor the ZL-1. I posted the specs and have a copy of the GM spec card. If you guys are thinking that the L88 cam was the hottest GM produced for a big block, you are wrong. Try the 580/620 cam.

And, as for the LS7 being rated 450HP in the chevelles. The LS7 never made into ANY production car. The 450HP engine in the chevelles was the LS6. The LS6 was only a 454 that had the same cam that was in the 425HP & 375 HP 396's, 425HP and 435HP 427's.

gtc131

Bumping this very old thread of mine, to add a link to a picture from an old eBay listing showing an LS7 still in its crate:

http://i.ebayimg.com/images/g/kX8AAO...Gv/s-l1600.jpg

Here's a link to the ended ad, which will disappear at some stage:

http://www.ebay.com/itm/3965774-LS7-...p2047675.l2557

Dante Lombardi

XCH code was an over the counter 454 long-block, 12.5 comp. forged pistons, rect. port BB heads, boron bolted forged rods, never factory placed in cars. LS-7 was the code we all hear about. It had a wicked high-rpm cam...... we ran it on 130 Blue Av-gas......ran well; ungodly torque around 6500 r.p.m. s , miss the "old days" kids.......Been there, DONE that......Doc Thompson's, Zora's , Hall's signatures on many photos.........Miss Chip Miller from Carlisle!

Peace,

Dante'