'71 350 or '77 350?
Le Mans Master
Joined: Oct 2007
Posts: 7,462
Likes: 985
From: RI, Now Franklin/Nashville TN
When comparing 71 horsepower with 77 horsepower, your compaing apples to oranges.
GM changed the way they rated engine horsepower in 72. They went from a gross horsepower to a net horsepower, or from a bare engine on a dyno to an engine with all power robbing accessories in place. The LT-1 went from 330hp to 255hp overnight, without really making any major changes to the engine. The 71 base motor (the L-48) was rated at 270hp. In 72, the identical L-48 was rated at 200hp, and by 77, the L-48 was down only 20hp, to 180hp.
Take a look at the engine stamp pad (on the right front of the block, ahead of the head) on the 71 and post the numbers you find there here. Someone will recode the numbers here for you so that you can tell if it's really a 71 350/330 LT-1, and not some other engine with a 330 horse air cleaner label. If it's a real 71 LT-1, there's no comparison between the 2 cars, the 71 should be an easy choice.
As Mike Ward pointed out, if the 77 has a new 350, it can't be numbers matching!
GM changed the way they rated engine horsepower in 72. They went from a gross horsepower to a net horsepower, or from a bare engine on a dyno to an engine with all power robbing accessories in place. The LT-1 went from 330hp to 255hp overnight, without really making any major changes to the engine. The 71 base motor (the L-48) was rated at 270hp. In 72, the identical L-48 was rated at 200hp, and by 77, the L-48 was down only 20hp, to 180hp.
Take a look at the engine stamp pad (on the right front of the block, ahead of the head) on the 71 and post the numbers you find there here. Someone will recode the numbers here for you so that you can tell if it's really a 71 350/330 LT-1, and not some other engine with a 330 horse air cleaner label. If it's a real 71 LT-1, there's no comparison between the 2 cars, the 71 should be an easy choice.
As Mike Ward pointed out, if the 77 has a new 350, it can't be numbers matching!
A 77 at $3,400 will not depreciate proably below that price and might appreciate if fixed up nice, not to the same extent as the 71 which has the performance aura that surrounds it mostly due to the high HP LT-1's and the big blocks.
Most states and all the NE states will not bother you for emissions on cars that are 25 years old +, as it should be, so I would not worry about the smog police-most of these cars are exempt from emissions testing, only safety. Technically it is not legal to remove any pollution control equipment on any car regardless of age, but reality is that the states do not enforce the federal requirement unless someone is being stupid, most of the time.
Last edited by jb78L-82; Jul 18, 2010 at 11:53 AM.
Thread Starter
5th Gear
Joined: Jul 2010
Posts: 5
Likes: 0
Just my luck, I go to look at the supposed "'71" and it has the chrome bumber. The online picture showed that. However, when I looked at other '71 characteristics like the noticible side grill it was not there. I asked about this and the owner acted confused. It was a '73 in disguise. I knew it was too good to be true. The interior was ripped up as well. Now I'm thinking '77 haha
Melting Slicks
Joined: Mar 2007
Posts: 2,100
Likes: 12
From: Frederick Maryland
Good thing you found that out before shelling out money. It generally pays not to jump too fast on what looks like too good a deal.
There's lots of Corvettes out there for sale...you'll find yours.
There's lots of Corvettes out there for sale...you'll find yours.
